Issue Description

While wrangling a rogue giant crab, Aquaman receives word from Atlantis that Mera has fallen ill. In truth, Mera is pregnant. The joyful moment turns tragic, however, when Aquaman's Atlantean advisor, Tumol, explains that, due to a quirk in Aquaman's genetic make-up, Mera and their baby will die upon childbirth. Their only hope is a serum derived from the rainbow anemone, which only grows in the Gulf of Terrors. Immediately, Aquaman and Aqualad set off for the gulf. The journey is long and arduous. En route, each hero reflects on their possible future relationship, with the King's new heir. Aquaman sees his son one day taking over for him, in his role as protector of the sea. Aqualad, more negatively, sees Aquaman's son as a rival who will usurp Aqualad's place as Aquaman's partner. Entering the Gulf of Terrors, Aquaman is beset upon by three sirens, whose song powerfully draws him to them. Aqualad lashes Aquaman to his seahorse mount and leads them both away. As they begin to cross a barren plain, their mounts, Storm and Imp, are suddenly spooked, bucking their riders to the sea floor. Aquaman and Aqualad find themselves sinking into quicksand coral. Despite their great efforts, the heroic pair are unable to pull free and are slowly drawn deeper into the earth.

Aquaman summons a giant squid, commanding it to pull he and Aqualad free of the quicksand coral. Unbeknownst to the two heroes, they have been observed throughout their exploration of the Gulf of Terrors. This sinister witness finally reveals itself. A disembodied voice threatens the two heroes, emanating from a different direction each time it speaks. Suddenly, Aquaman is attacked by a sea snake. As Aquaman grabs the sea snake, it transforms into a sea urchin, and then into a giant poison anemone. Aquaman and Aqualad flee into a coral foxhole. The limited space, however, leaves Aquaman's arm exposed to the anemone. It strikes, depositing all it's poison into his vulnerable limb. The "limb", however, turns out to merely be Aquaman's tunic, stuffed full of broken bits of coral. With it's stingers depleted, Aquaman begins beating the giant anemone with his coral filled glove. The anemone transforms into an old man. He is Sinquo, an exiled Atlantean criminal. For besting him, Sinquo leads Aquaman to the rainbow anemone, providing him with the serum he needs to save Mera, and his unborn child. At great speed, Aquaman and Aqualad set off for Atlantis. En route, the two heroes are caught in an underwater volcanic eruption. Fighting unconsciousness, Aquaman sends out a weak telepathic signal to the surrounding marine life, instructing them to get the serum to Atlantis. From octopus to swordfish, swordfish to eel, eel to whale, an astounding relay of marine creatures transport the serum across the miles. All seems lost though, when an exhausted pilot whale drops the vial of serum into a deep crevasse on the ocean floor.

Mera is near death's door, as time runs out for her and her unborn child. Suddenly, a tiny fish darts into the chamber, carrying the jar of serum. The strain proves to much for the fish, and, seconds later, it dies. Aquaman arrives soon thereafter. In short order, Mera delivers a healthy baby boy. All of Atlantis rejoices at the birth of the King's heir. Waving his tiny hands, the infant conjures a monstrous fish. The creature swims after Aquaman. Using a harpoon, Aquaman locks the creature's jaws wide open, at which point, it fades into nothingness. While touring the construction site of the new royal palace, the child begins waving his hands about again. Beams of destructive force burst forth, destroying the palace, and blasting holes in the dome surrounding Atlantis. Deemed an ongoing danger to the well-being of Atlantis, the Atlanteans demand the child be sent into exile. Aquaman, Aqualad and Mera travel with the child outside the environs of Atlantis. Aquaman sets off in search of food. Mera succumbs to exhaustion, falling fast asleep with the baby. Aqualad watches over them for a time, but he, too, eventually gives in to fatigue. Left unsupervised, the tiny infant is the sole witness to a passing procession of Horrkas, evil mutant enemies of Atlantis. Once more, the destructive beams of force erupt from the child's hands, this time destroying the Horrkas. The power fades away, though, with one Horrka still standing. The Horrka grabs the child, intent on slaying the infant. Aquaman arrives, and after a mighty struggle, puts the final Horrka down. With the child's mysterious powers gone, their exile is lifted, and all return to Atlantis.

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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