The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel

The graphic novel’s dedication is not just a dedication but also an indicator of the narrative’s central theme, Finding Home in Family, which Santat introduces in its initial pages. This theme emphasizes how familial connections can persist and take on new forms even when a person is physically gone. The narrative begins by outlining the shipwreck that killed Michel Revoy, Paul’s brother and Sophia’s father. Sophia was young when her father died, but that doesn’t make her connection to him any less strong than Paul’s. Intense, deep blues contrast with the bright lights of the vessel as it attempts to manage the high waves. The boat floods, and Michel is stuck inside. The actions he takes before he dies foreshadow much of what unfolds in the novel, including giving Paul the container labeled “Jules,” sealing up his journal, and writing a note to Paul and putting it in a wine bottle. Michel’s last wish is for Paul to continue their project and “take care of Sophia” (172), and this is what Paul attempts to do. 

At this point in the narrative, Santat leaves questions unanswered, like what “Jules” might refer to and what could be inside the wine bottle and journal. These items turn out to be reminders of what’s important and introduce the theme of The Courage to Face Fears, as demonstrated through Michel’s final moments and Paul’s attempts to save him. Michel even connects with Sodapop before he dies; the crab can see that Michel is scared, but there is nothing he can do to help. The fear in his eyes is vivid and encapsulating, and Santat later replicates this emotion in the scenes with the orca and the giant squid. He presents this scene first to set the stage for the novel and its characters’ motivations, as well as to create intrigue by opening with a dramatic moment. The opening scene ends with the four sea creatures surrounding the wine bottle, and although they cannot read what’s inside, they end up being the ones to watch over Sophia for a while.

Five years after the day that Michel died, almost everything has changed. Aqualand has become an amusement park, Sophia and her uncle hardly know each other anymore, and the aquanaut is ready and emerges from the sea. With this moment, a shift occurs in the world because the creatures defy expectations and have a strong presence everywhere they go. It takes time for the sea creatures to become used to land and understand the customs around them. For example, they initially believe that licking is normal because the first thing they meet is a dog. The moment they arrive at Aqualand is a key scene in the narrative, depicted with a double-splash page because it represents the beginning of both self-discovery and the discovery of a new friendship. Coming to Aqualand brings the aquanaut to Sophia and the understanding that the creatures at Aqualand are not happy or free, establishing the theme of The Right of All Creatures to Live Freely. On the poster, Aqualand seems like a fantastic place for animals, but it turns out to be the opposite of what the aquanaut expected. They find sea creatures in tanks who look just like them, which is a relief at first, but there is a sinister undertone to every discovery. There is a false atmosphere of happiness and cheer, with smiling faces everywhere and advertisements claiming that “family comes first” (162). In truth, Michel is gone, and Paul has long forgotten what it means to put family first. He puts all his effort into his work, which he believes is honoring Michel, but forgets that Michel’s most important request was to watch over Sophia. This affects Sophia, as she worries about her grades in school and her relationship with her uncle. Additionally, she misses her father and doesn’t have any close friends she can confide in until she meets the aquanaut. Santat emphasizes Sophia’s emotional state through the illustrations, which depict her crying, laughing, and being dumbfounded. Due to her isolation and grief, she and the aquanaut instantly bond. After taking them to the science fair, which goes wrong, she still wants to spend more time with them. This establishes the central relationship that Sophia will have with the aquanaut throughout the novel.