Issue Description

Professor Brant, an old friend of Aquaman's, requests the Sea King meet him, alone, at his private marine research station. Professor Brant demonstrates his latest invention, a formula that induces rapid growth in living things. Though his formula could be of great benefit to mankind, Brant fears it will fall into the wrong hands. As if on cue, a trio of frogmen emerge through the sea lock that feeds Brant's pool. They forcibly take the growth formula from Brant, spilling some of it on Aquaman as they subdue him. Aquaman recovers to find Professor Brant dead. Seconds later, Aquaman begins to grow, crashing through the roof of the research station, before attaining maximum height. Unable to turn up an antidote to the growth formula in Brant's laboratory, Aquaman returns to the sea. In his wake, Aquaman accidentally maroons a passing freighter upon the shoals. At his great size, Aquaman is easily able to lift the freighter, and place it into deeper water. Meanwhile, a strange submersible vessel descends on Atlantis. It's even stranger captain is called "The Fisherman". It was his men that stole the growth formula. Now, that formula is used to enlarge a jellyfish to epic proportions. At the behest of the Fisherman, the jellyfish approaches Atlantis.

The giant jellyfish grasps Atlantis in it's tentacles, then proceeds to pull the domed city loose from it's foundations. Aquaman arrives, and begins to pull the jellyfish off of Atlantis. However, in grabbing the jellyfish, Aquaman suffers several poisonous stings. He is forced to race to a nearby kelp bed, which contains medicinal properties, to treat his wounds. Fashioning a lasso out of the kelp, Aquaman ropes the jellyfish, removing it as a threat to Atlantis. The Fisherman is not pleased that his bungling minions accidentally enlarged Aquaman, during the theft of the growth formula. He sprays the formula on the coral Aquaman is standing upon. Aquaman is engulfed by the rapidly growing mass of tiny organisms. He summons a school of sawfish to cut him loose. Aquaman lifts the city of Atlantis up off the sea floor, and carries it away to a safer location, until he can deal with the Fisherman. The Fisherman releases a scavenger claw from his submersible, in an effort to draw Atlantis back up, out of the crevice Aquaman left it in. Aqualad races from Atlantis to alert the giant-sized Sea King to the Fisherman's newest attempt to steal Atlantis. Aquaman returns, and grabs the scavenger claw, violently shaking the submersible. The Fisherman uncouples the scavenger claw from his sub. Dousing himself with the formula, the Fisherman exits the sub to face Aquaman.

The Fisherman hooks Aquaman with his specialized rod and reel. The Sea King leaps and dives across the ocean floor.He bursts through the surface, then dives back down, ever deeper beneath the waves. Aquaman scrapes the shiny, ensnaring line against razor-sharp rock outcroppings, but still he cannot free himself from the Fisherman's line. Exhausted, Aquaman gives in to the Fisherman's inexorable pull. Suddenly, the line goes slack, and as the Fisherman reels in the last of his line, he finds his hook empty. Aquaman has escaped him. Unbeknownst to the Fisherman, the growth effect had reversed to the extreme, shrinking Aquaman to mite-sized. The still gigantic Fisherman begins angling for Atlantis, easily hooking the great domed city. At his tiny size, Aquaman is uncertain that the marine life can pick up his telepathic commands. Nonetheless, he attempts to get a message through to a passing pilot fish. Soon, a swarm of electric eels descend on the Fisherman's line, sending electric current back up it's length, shocking the Fisherman. The electric shock cancels out the effect of the growth formula, returning the Fisherman to normal size. The Fisherman returns to his submersible, and makes plans to destroy Atlantis with depth charges. Aquaman gains entry to the submersible through the cooling system's intake vent. Despite his tiny size, Aquaman is able to pull a lever which releases the depth charges from the firing rack. The Fisherman attempt to spear Aquaman with a trident. Suddenly, the shrinking effect wears off. With one punch, Aquaman knocks the Fisherman unconscious. Turning the criminals over to marine authorities, Aquaman returns to Atlantis, and the waiting arms of his wife, Mera.

Aquaman

Publisher

DC Comics

Volume Description

Aquaman (Volume 1)

Starring: Arthur Curry as Aquaman and Aqualad.

Aquaman, the King of the Seven Seas, takes the plunge into his very own series. As the King of Atlantis, Aquaman protects not only his people but also all of Earth's oceans from any threat! This volume was important for a number of reasons. Mera was introduced as a character and a Superhero wedding (Aquaman and Mera) occurred in issue 18. Aquababy (Arthur Jr) was born in issue 22. Aquagirl (Tula) was a new character (33) and she became a love interest for Garth. Ocean Master was introduced as Aquaman's Half-brother in issue 29 and Black Manta became one of Aquaman's greates villains starting with issue 35 which included the Manta Men. Issue 40 began a multi-issue stor arc entitled the Quest for Mera and it concluded with issue 48. Aquaman had journey's to the land of the Maarzon's and to the surface world during his quest. Aquaman put Narkron in charge and he became a dictator which led to a Revolution in issue 47. The Bugala was introduced in issue 43 as was Aqualad dealing with the creature without Aquaman. Issue 46 was unique becaus it presented the same story as issue 45 but from Mera's perspective. Issue 49 reintroduced Phil Dawson, whom Aquaman met in issue 49 and very shrewdly had a picture of Deadman carved into the rocks under the ocean as a shadowing of his back-up role in issues 50-52. Those issues offered us the artwork of Neal Adams and the Deadman stories crossed over with the Aquaman lead story. Issue 54 brought Aquaman against the Crime Organization he battled in issues 44-46 and a new villain was unleashed, Thanatos. Issue 56 ended Aquaman's Title but when he was given it back in 1977, it started with issue 57. This storyline picked up where Adventure 452 left off. Aquaman went after Black Manta, thinking his son was dead. Cal Durham has a change of heart and starts turning for the good. Issues 58-60 had a Mera back-up story as she went to her own dimension of Xebel to find a device to safe Arthur Jr. Vulko told Mera in issue 58 that he was still alive. When Mera returned in Issue 60, Vulko told her that Arthur died. Issues 58-60 included such villains as Fisherman, Scavenger, and Kobra. It also included the origin of Aquaman in issue 58. Issue 61 had Batman and Green Lantern guest star as they battled Kobra. The issue ended with Batman yelling at Aquaman because Kobra got away and Aquaman swimming away from him. They later came to blows in Brave and the Bold 142. The funeral happened in issue 62 and Aqualad (after uncovering issues from his past in Adv. 453-455)

decided that he needed to meet with Aquaman face to face. Mera blames Aquaman for the death of their son but the reconcile at the end of the story and after the robot villain was defeated. The last panel left the cliffhanger that Ocean Master was behind the robot. Issue 63 ended this solo run which included a reunion with Aqualad, a journey to the ancient city of Atlantis and a battle with Ocean Master. When DC expanded the pages of their books, the Martian Manhunter was going to back-up Aquaman, but with the cancellation of half of DC's line of books, the Sea King lost out.

Collected EditionsShowcase Presents: Aquaman Vol. 1 (Adventure Comics #260-280, 282, 284; Aquaman #1-6; Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #12; Showcase #30-33;Detective Comics #293-300; Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #55; World's Finest Comics #125-129)Showcase Presents: Aquaman Vol. 2 (Aquaman#7-23, World's Finest #130-133, #135, #137 and #139 and The Brave and the Bold #51)Showcase Presents: Aquaman Vol. 3 (AQUAMAN #24-39, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #73 and a story from SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #115)Aquaman: Death of a Prince (Adventure Comics #435-437, 441-455 and Aquaman #57-63)

Note: Although canceled in the early 1970s, the series was subsequently revived as a part of the DC Explosion. It was canceled once again approximately one year later.

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