Issue Description

Aquaman emerges from the Depths and arrives at the land of the Maarzons, where he finds his enemy Black Manta in charge. Black Manta claims he has information on Mera and challenges Aquaman to a duel!

The search for his abducted wife has led Aquaman to the outskirts of the Maarzons, a warlike tribe of primitive savages. Almost immediately, Aquaman is attacked by a Maarzon tribesman. A pitched fight ensues with Aquaman readily gaining the upper hand. However, two more Maarzon warriors ambush Aquaman. Held in place by the two Maarzons, Aquaman is left open to his original attacker's spear thrust. While waiting for the fatal blow, Aquaman's mind turns back to the events that led him to this dire state of affairs. Mera's abduction. The search for the ring with the five-sided stone. Aqualad's near mortal wounding. Aquaman's reverie ends as the Maarzon tribesman lunges forward with the spear. Aquaman suddenly wrenches his arm forward, thrusting one of the Maarzons holding him into the spear's path. Aquaman quickly puts down his original attacker, then follows the last Maarzon standing back to the Maarzon colony. As Aquaman approaches the Maarzon colony, he is nearly hit by another spear. Aquaman, however, is not under attack. A group of Maarzon tribesman are warring with one another in the middle of the colony. Fighting and violence seem to be all the Maarzon know. Aquaman searches for the seat of authority for the Maarzon people, but can find no such structure. Suddenly, his attention is drawn to the strange manta shaped submersible descending on the colony. It is the signature ship of his old enemy, The Black Manta. Aquaman rushes to engage the Black Manta. The Maarzons, however, worship the Black Manta as a God, and are quick to defend him.

Engaging the Maarzon warriors in battle, Aquaman accuses Black Manta of Mera's abduction. He threatens to bring every denizen of the sea down on Maarzon unless the Black Manta gives up Mera's location. The Black Manta strikes a deal with Aquaman. He will reveal all he knows about Mera's whereabouts, but only if Aquaman can defeat him in a personal duel. They will fight in the Maarzon arena, using the traditional Maarzon spear as their only weapon. Though the Black Manta is confidant that he will be the victor, he, nonetheless, sends one of the Maarzons to his manta ship. If the Black Manta should lose, a pre-arranged escape plan will be initiated. The Black Manta keeps Aquaman on the defensive for much of their conflict. Finally, Aquaman sees an opening and takes back the offensive. The Black Manta, however, resorts to treachery to regain the advantage. Powerful beams of light are emitted from his helmet, preventing Aquaman from looking directly at his adversary. While still able to parry the Black Manta's thrusts, Aquaman can no longer take an offensive tact in the combat. Meanwhile, back in Atlantis, Narkran, the man Aquaman left to rule in his absence, is rapidly becoming a tyrant. Aquagirl seeks the advice of Aqualad on how to handle the situation. Aquagirl, however, is turned away, at the Atlantean hospital, by the doctor's tending to Aqualad. The young hero's situation is such that he is kept constantly sedated, until the doctors can determine a better course of treatment for him. In the Maarzon arena, The Black Manta finally lands a piercing blow, with his spear, into Aquaman's shoulder. In short order, The Black Manta disarms Aquaman, and prepares to deliver the killing thrust.

As the Black Manta moves in for the kill, Aquaman suddenly springs headlong into him, taking the Black Manta by surprise. Then, Aquaman rains blow... after blow... after blow... after blow, down on his hated foe. Seeing the Black Manta's obvious distress, the Maarzon onboard the manta ship throws a switch. The Black Manta fades away, followed by his vessel. Before he departs, the Black Manta taunts Aquaman, revealing that he knows nothing at all about Mera's kidnapping. Then he orders his Maarzon followers to attack and finish off the wounded Aquaman. Aquaman furiously fights free of the Maarzon tribe. Once he's gained a bit of space between himself and his attackers, Aquaman swims rapidly in a tight circle around them, creating a whirlpool. The Maarzon warriors are scattered, as Aquaman rides the whirlpool, higher and higher, to freedom. Suffering terribly from his injury, and distraught over hitting another dead end in his search for Mera, Aquaman bellows his rage and frustration into the ocean depths. This is not the end.

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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