Aspen Matthews aka Michael Turner’s Fathom – Honorary Oakley

Aspen Matthews brought up a little contention in our forums when she was put forth for inclusion in the Honorary Oakley. Like a few of our other honorable winners, she seems to be a bit of a dichotomy, in that she can be seen as a big breasted no brainer–at least via the obvious visual clues. But, upon closer inspection, she offers far more than the predominantly male-driven comic book business would have you believe. Let’s not get caught up in a strange arena where only ‘normal- looking’ women can make it here; you can be sexy AND have brains and, in that sense, Aspen Matthews is no different to some other Honorary Oakley winners (Lara Croft, Abi Whistler, etc.). Yes, she IS sexy, and her breasts are larger than large, but that’s just how it is…we can’t ignore her just because, for the most part, she happens to be drawn by men, for men (though her biggest fan on TB is female). That is why we’ve stuck with the decision to make Aspen Matthews our Honorary Oakley for February 2006. Breastage and other stunning comic art aside, she’s a kick-ass gal, as you’re about to discover…

Full Name: Aspen Matthews
Apparent Age: 25
Occupation: Doctor of Marine Biologist
Hair: Black
Eye Color: Violet
Education: Doctorate in Marine Biology
Marital status: Single

Conceptualizing the Story and Heroine…
The overall concept of the Fathom stories is simple enough. There are two worlds, the one we know, and the one below (meaning the oceans, etc.), which we don’t know. It’s full of that sort of intrigue and our gal Aspen is bang in the center of it all. The novelization of the comic has it that a cruise ship was lost at sea for ten years…only to suddenly return with everyone aboard seemingly oblivious to the chronological time lapse–a sort of ‘4400′ scenario, if you will. One of the passengers, a young girl, has no memory of her life or parents, and the only name she can recall…is Aspen.

And so the story begins. Aspen grows up with a strange affinity for the sea, and she puts herself through college and becomes a marine biologist. She’s also a gold medal Olympic athlete (swimming), though this was later revoked due to drug allegations (false). Whilst conducting an experiment she comes to realize there’s more to her water affinity than she could ever have dreamed…she is from the below.

Making a Splash…
Aspen’s first job is working for the Deep Marine Discovery project, a project housed underwater–deep underwater. It soon becomes apparent that Aspen is a descendant of a race that can control water with their minds, a race from the below that don’t hold humans in much esteem (and why would they, we’re killing the planet–Ed). Aspen is then in a dilemma, you see, as those above prize her for that reason, but those below prize her for the time she’s spent on land. The underwater races (of which there are two) want to use Aspen in their own war with humanity. Needless to say, what transpires below the waves causes waves of a differing kind on land, and so the story is set up for many subsequent adventures, all with the heroine Aspen at the center.

Surfing the Web…
Conspiracy theorists and adventure fans alike will be completely drawn into the Fathom universe because it’s so easily accessible. There’s the land-based military connection, who know about the below, whilst us poor regular flunkies carry on in life blissfully unaware. There’s also the underwater conflict between the two races of the below, which adds color and depth to not only the character of Aspen as she tries to work out what to do, but also to the overall storylines. Plenty of scope for adventure.

A Real Page Turner…
Fathom was created by artist Michael Turner, who also created the Witchblade series (featuring another cool and strong female heroine ‘Sara Pezzini’). Turner originally worked for Top Cow comics, he’s also an award-winning water skier and an avid video gamer. Michael Turner was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 at the age of 29. In 2002, after having an entire hip and 40% of his pelvis removed, followed by radiation treatment, Turner opened his own comic company called Aspen Comics. Fathom resumed publication in 2004, this time through Aspen Comics MLT, after a legal battle with Top Cow, whom Turner had previously worked for. We wish Michael Turner all the best for the future. Keep bringing us kick ass girl characters!

We’ve tried not to spoil the overarching themes and stories of the Fathom universe here, as you may just want to read Aspen Matthews’ adventures yourself. Hopefully, however, this Oakley article has highlighted one thing: Aspen is the hero of the Fathom universe, she kicks butt and takes numbers. She’s essentially like an underwater Lara Croft with some cool powers. And she’s not the only cool female character in the comic either, with the addition of Kiana, a strong female character of the underwater race that strives to help others. Add Aspen and Kianna to another female badass in the form of Vana and there’s plenty of female heroes to look up to within the Fathom series. The character of Aspen Matthews was also nominated for the Wizard Fan Award for ‘Favorite Heroine’ in 2000. That reason, and all the others mentioned in this article, is why we’ve made the star of Fathom, Aspen Matthews, our Honorary Oakley for the Month of February 2006.

Aspen Fathom Matthews We Salute You!

ADDENDUM: Sadly creator Michael Turner passed away June 27, 2008 of complications from bone cancer. This Honorary Oakley is dedicated to him.

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