Issue Description

Patrons at Expo-21st Century are going wild over it's biggest attraction, the Atlantean Pavilion, an authentic replica of the underwater city of Atlantis, populated by real Atlanteans. Chief among that population is Atlantis' royal family, who have consented to be the star performers in the exhibition tank. Aquaman demonstrates his telepathic command over sea life. Mera and Arthur, Jr. use their shared ability to control, and manipulate, water to construct a message for the audience. Aqualad and Aquagirl dance with Topo, an octopus, and Tusky, a walrus. After the show, the Atlantean royal family take in the other attractions at Expo-21st Century, just like any other tourists. Away from the Atlantean Pavilion, they are unaware of the threat that descends upon it. The Awesome Threesome have come to Expo-21st Century on a mysterious mission. However, their hatred of Aquaman is so great, that they take time out to destroy the Atlantean Pavilion, purely out of spite. An Atlantean alerts Aquaman and Aqualad to the destruction of the Atlantern Pavilion. While they are thus occupied, the Awesome Threesome exits the river, and approach the Expo-21st Century Science Hall. Inside, a demonstration of the gyro-moleculizer is being conducted. The large device creates a magnetic field so intense it cancels out the gravity within the Science Hall, allowing the audience to experience the joy of weightlessness. The exhibitor is startled by the presence of the Awesome Threesome, who threaten to destroy the exhibit's patrons if they so much as move.

The Awesome Threesome set about destroying the gyro-moleculizer. Aquaman and Aqualad are alerted to the presence of the Awesome Threesome, within the Expo 21st Century Science Hall. They rush in to confront their old enemies. The Torpedo streaks forward, blade out, and attempts to slice the Aquatic Aces to ribbons. At that same moment, Magneto destroys the gyro-moleculizer, restoring gravity. The Torpedo crashes into the ground. The Claw moves in to protect his stunned comrade. Aquaman grapples with the Claw. Magneto turns his full power on the Claw, conducting an electromagnetic charge through the Claw's metal-encased form, and into Aquaman. Aquaman is shocked into unconsciousness. Aqualad lashes out at the Torpedo, only to be hammered by the Claw. The teen hero crumples to the ground, defeated. Mera and Arthur, Jr. enter the Science Hall and revive Aquaman and Aqualad. Hearing screams coming from outside, Aquaman and Aqualad race to investigate the commotion. They exit the Science Hall just in time to see a giant, green alien burst up from the ground. Freed from it's encasing cocoon, the twelve foot alien charges Expo 21st Century's gyro-monorail.

The Alien tears into the gyro-monorail. Aquaman uses a broken piece of the tram to push the alien back, while Aqualad rescues the passengers. The alien slams Aquaman to the ground, stunning him. Mera and Arthur, Jr. use their powers to hurl hard water constructs at the alien. Then Aqualad blasts it with a high pressure hose. Repelled, the alien dives into the river. Aquaman and Aqualad give chase. The alien telepathically summons Kraken, a giant squid, to carry it into the ocean. Aquaman and Aqualad mount a swordfish to continue the pursuit. The gap between hunter and quarry is just about to close, when the Awesome Threesome return, to run interference for the alien. At Aquaman's command, the swordfish barrels through the trio of robot rogues. Magneto blasts the swordfish out from under the two heroes. Undeterred, they continue to powerfully swim forward, smashing through the Torpedo and the Claw. Aquaman summons an armada of sharks, whales, marlins, porpoises, and sawfish to assail the Awesome Threesome. The two heroes catch up to the alien just as it reaches the real Atlantis. There, the alien fires a strange weapon into the sea. In short order, a fantastic saucer appears above the alien. The alien rides the discharge from it's weapon up into the saucer, which then departs the sea. Aquaman gets the full story from the, now battered, Torpedo. The alien was a convicted felon, imprisoned in a cocoon, five thousand years ago on Earth. It's sentence fulfilled, the alien was due to be released, but the magnetic field generated by the gyro-moleculizer was preventing the cocoon from dissolving. The alien telepathically enlisted the aid of the Awesome Threesome in effecting it's release. As powerful sea currents drag the Torpedo down into a deep ocean trench, the machine marauder vows to return, one day, and destroy the true Atlantis. Aquaman states that he will be waiting. Aquaman and Aqualad rejoin their loved ones at Expo-21st Century.

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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