Aquaman #4 (2025) – The Rise of the Dark Tide and the Birth of a New King

The “All In” era of Aquaman continues to surge forward, pulling Arthur Curry deeper into the alien and hostile dimension of “The Blue.” If the previous issues were about stripping the King of Atlantis of his comfort zone—his kingdom, his family, and his traditional powers—Aquaman #4 is about his reconstruction. Titled “Into the Blue,” this chapter is a masterclass in tension, lore-building, and high-stakes action. It transforms Arthur from a lost wanderer into a warrior of prophecy, armed with a weapon that might just be as dangerous as the enemy he faces. Here is a detailed, page-by-page breakdown of “Aquaman #4 (2025)” as we journey from the depths of despair to the rise of the “Dark Tide.”

The Dream of the Past

The issue opens with a stark contrast to the freezing, desolate reality Arthur is currently trapping in. We are treated to a warm, vibrant flashback—or perhaps a fever dream—of the early days of Arthur and Mera’s romance. The panels are filled with the golden light of the surface and the clear blue of the ocean they once patrolled together.

Arthur recalls the first time he saw Mera, describing her movement as “like water itself.” He remembers the awe he felt, thinking she must be a “sea witch” because of her power and grace. The dialogue is heavy with nostalgia and heartache, as Arthur relives the moment she “captured his heart.” It serves as a painful reminder of what he is fighting for: his wife and daughter, who have vanished along with Atlantis. The dream ends abruptly, shattering the illusion of peace and thrusting us back into the cold, hard reality of his predicament.

Waking Nightmare

Arthur jerks awake, the name of his wife dying on his lips. He finds himself not in the warm embrace of the ocean, but chained in the dark, damp hold of a massive wooden ship. The transition is jarring, emphasizing his vulnerability.

Standing over him is Lori Lemaris, his former lover and current captor. The tension between them is palpable. Arthur, still groggy, questions where he is. Lori reveals the terrifying scale of their location: they are aboard a ship belonging to Lord Dagon, traversing his vast domain. She explains that Dagon’s realm is “as large as our moon,” a hollow world with cities and lands spiraling downward toward its center, where Dagon himself resides. Lori’s demeanor is tragic; she confesses that she has “no choice” but to serve Dagon, a subtle hint that she—and perhaps her people—are being coerced or controlled by the tyrant.

The Sorcerer and the Lady

Meanwhile, outside the ship, the rescue party is closing in. Arion, the ancient Atlantean sorcerer, and Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake, are tracking Dagon’s vessel. Their dynamic adds a layer of mythic weight to the story. Arion is convinced that Arthur is the “One” foretold in prophecy, the “Dark Tide” who will bring balance back to the Blue.

Vivienne, however, is skeptical. She questions if Arthur is truly the savior they need, but Arion is resolute. He argues that prophecy is a “guessing game,” but Arthur’s willingness to fight gives the universe a chance. This section builds the lore of the Blue, hinting at the ancient and cosmic nature of the conflict. They aren’t just saving a man; they are trying to save the magical infrastructure of the multiverse.

The King Unbound

Back in the ship’s hold, Arthur realizes that he cannot rely on brute strength alone. The chains binding him are reinforced with magic, and the wood of the ship itself is unnaturally strong. However, Arthur remembers the power swap he underwent with Mera in issue #1. He no longer possesses his unbreakable skin or super-strength in the traditional sense; he has hydrokinesis.

In a brilliant display of tactical thinking, Arthur realizes that wood contains moisture. Channeling Mera’s lessons, he focuses not on breaking the wood, but on drying it. He pulls the water out of the timber surrounding his shackles, turning the formidable restraints into brittle, dry husks. With a primal roar, he shatters the weakened wood, freeing himself. It’s a pivotal moment that shows Arthur mastering his new abilities, proving he is formidable even without his trident.

The Blade of the Sea

Arthur’s escape does not go unnoticed. He bursts onto the deck, only to be surrounded by Dagon’s “Mercenary Maids”—siren-like warriors loyal to the dark lord. Just as the odds seem insurmountable, Arion and Vivienne arrive.

But they don’t just bring backup; they bring a weapon. Vivienne reveals the artifact she forged in the previous issue: Thalassa, the Trilance Saber. She throws it to Arthur, declaring it was “made for the Dark Tide.” As Arthur catches the weapon, he feels an instant, soul-deep connection to it. Unlike a traditional trident, Thalassa is described as a “fractal lantern” or a saber that channels light and magic. It bonds to his very essence, glowing with a fierce energy that matches Arthur’s resolve.

The Dark Tide Rises

The final pages of the issue erupt into chaos. Armed with Thalassa, Arthur is a force of nature. He describes the blade as being “as light as the water,” moving with his body before he can even think. He cuts through the mercenaries with ease, the weapon acting as an extension of his will.

In the heat of battle, he confronts Lori again. She pleads with him, insisting she has no choice, but Arthur rejects her fatalism. “We always have a choice!” he shouts, parrying her attacks. He spares her, focusing his rage on the true enemy.

The issue concludes with Arthur standing triumphant on the deck of the ship, the mercenaries defeated or retreating. He issues a chilling message for the survivors to take back to their master: “Tell your God a new King has come! Tell him it is the Dark Tide… and when it crashes upon his throne, his reign will end!”

Read: Aquaman #3 (2025) – The Lighthouse and the Abyss