Issue Description

Aquaman's search for Mera takes him onto dry land, where he stumbles onto the aftermath of a murder. The boss of the gang responsible believes the hero knows the truth of the crime and puts out a hit on Aquaman's life!

Aquaman's search for his abducted wife has brought him to the surface world. As he emerges from the ocean, he hears a gunshot ring out from a nearby pier. Investigating, Aquaman discovers the victim of a gang land slaying. The dying man mutters something before he dies, but Aquaman cannot comprehend the gurgled words. Resolving to inform the police, before resuming his search for Mera, Aquaman finds himself the target of gunfire. The murderer has doubled back, and set his sights on Aquaman. The Sea KIng attempts to maneuver around behind the gunman, only to place himself back in the crosshairs, narrowly avoiding a second shot. Aquaman hurls himself through an open basement window. As he leaps into the darkened room, he slams headfirst into a low hanging pipe, knocking himself unconscious. The gunman searches the streets for Aquaman, but can find no trace of him. He finally gives up the chase, opting instead to report the situation to his boss. The syndicate leader is furious to learn of Aquaman's involvement. That his underling has failed to remove the aquatic hero as a threat only adds fuel to his fury. The word goes out. A price is put on Aquaman's head. As Aquaman slowly recovers, a shaft of light pierces the basement darkness, followed by the sound of footsteps.

The lights come up. Aquaman finds himself face to face with an attractive brunette. One who is very puzzled to discover the Sea King in her basement. Aquaman reveals that he witnessed a murder, and that he, himself, has been targeted for execution. He gives the woman a personal note, instructing her to deliver it to the head of the local police's homicide division, personally. Long out of water, Aquaman finds himself growing weaker by the second. He exits the woman's home and makes his way back to the sea. On the street, he is recognized by a passing lowlife, who draws down on the aquatic hero. The man gets one missed shot off before Aquaman can subdue him. The commotion attracts more criminals looking to cash in on the reward for killing Aquaman. He is attacked by two more men. In his weakened state, it is all Aquaman can do to triumph over his attackers. He continues to push onward to the ocean. Stumbling down an alley, on the verge of unconsciousness, Aquaman is again assaulted by two more thugs. Meanwhile, in the decaying village of Eldfur, Aqualad's captors remove him from his dungeon cell. The purpose of his captivity soon to be revealed. Back on the streets of the surface world, Aquaman's strength gives out. Though he fights back valiantly, he has been too long out of water and is brought down by the two would-be killers.

As one man levels his gun on Aquaman, preparing to execute the Sea King, the second man, suddenly, violently, disarms him. Declaring that the reward for killing Aquaman rightfully belongs to him, he attacks the gunman. A vicious struggle breaks out between the two men. While they trade blows, Aquaman slips away. Within moments, Aquaman has reached the waterfront, and dives into the sea. His strength and vitality instantly return to him. He begins to resume the search for his missing wife. Meanwhile, in Eldfur, Aqualad's captors take him to the outskirts of the village. Forcing him to march out into an open valley, armed only with a spear, Aqualad soon finds himself face-to-face with the oceanic leviathan, known only as "The Bugala". It is clear that the men of Eldfur expect Aqualad to slay the monster. Back in the surface world, the young brunette woman delivers Aquaman's message to the head of homicide. Her action though does not go unnoticed. Back on the street, she is abducted, at gun point, by a particularly unsavory "gentleman". Out at sea, Aquaman's conscience gets the better of him. He decides to suspend the search for his wife for a brief interval, until he can resolve the situation back in the city. Returning to the surface world, Aquaman is immediately attacked by the same two men who nearly killed him in the alley. The life giving waters of the ocean, however, have completely reinvigorated the Sea King. It is a very different Aquaman the city's criminal element now faces. This time, they haven't got a chance.

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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