Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1072449
A Q U A M A N | P E R S P E C T I V E 5 7 E The introduction to Atlantis proper comes through the eyes of Jason Momoa's Arthur, who serves as a proxy for the audience as he takes in the magnificent city for the first time. Following along on a great thoroughfare left intact from the ruins of Old Atlantis, he passes by two colossal statues on his way to the city gates, which fans might recognize as the Aquaman symbol from the comics. Peppered above like barnacles are a number of observation pods, where Atlantean soldiers monitor the city's ingress and egress. Once past the gate, all roads draw toward a sprawling temple, which rises in silhouette against the massive blue energy wheel that powers all of the city's advanced technologies. Instead of heading for the chamber where his half brother Orm sits as king, however, Arthur is taken into the deeper ruins, where a sunken galleon serves as a meeting place for those who oppose Orm's choice to wage war on the surface. Protected from intruders by the air bubble within, the galleon interior was one of the few underwater sets to be fully built and textured. The exterior planks were designed in such a way that light from the city could still filter into the galleon's interior. This allowed director of photography Don Burgess to use specially designed water trays to create a stunning ripple effect that plays across the gorgeous aging and barnacle work done by head scenic Chris Williams and head sculptor Chris McMahon. When armored Atlantean soldiers disrupt the meeting, Arthur is at last brought before the throne of Atlantis, which was designed in proxy as a gray body object. Baited by his half brother into an impromptu battle for the throne, Arthur is then taken down to a weapons chamber to outfit himself for the task. Another remnant from Old Atlantis, the weapons chamber provided another great opportunity A. ORM'S BATTLESHIP. CONCEPT ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD NIELSEN. B. ORM'S BATTLESHIP. PRODUCTION PHOTO OF STAGE SET SHOWING PERFORMER IN A "TUNING FORK" STUNT RIG. C. THRONE ROOM. CONCEPT ILLUSTRATION BY VICTOR MARTINEZ. D. THRONE ROOM SET PIECE SHOWING PROXY GRAY BODY OBJECT. E. SUNKEN GALLEON. CONCEPT ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT MCKINNON. F. & G. SUNKEN GALLEON. PRODUCTION PHOTOS OF STAGE SET. G F