Issue Description

The young girl that helped Aquaman in the previous issue has been kidnapped and it's up to the King of the Seas to save her. Aquaman's battle on land continues, and so does Aqualad's undersea struggle!

Aquaman is on the waterfront, beating down two would-be assassins. Aquaman interrogates the first man to regain consciousness. The man doesn't know who put the price on Aquaman's head, but he does give up the name of a go-between, who is in charge of the pay out. In disguise, Aquaman journeys to a seedy dive bar, taking a seat near his quarry. Eavesdropping on the man's conversation with another lowlife, Aquaman learns the young woman, that he tasked with informing the police about a murder, has been abducted. Aquaman tails the kidnapper to a warehouse. There, from the skylight, he finds the woman, tied to a chair, being threatened by three hoods. Aquaman leaps down, attacking the woman's abductors. Despite the addition of two other criminals to the melee, the fight is brief. Aquaman escorts the woman uptown, to a safe haven,

Back in disguise, Aquaman returns to the bar. Confronting the go-between, Aquaman ushers the man outside, into the alley behind the bar. Aquaman physically coerces the name and location of the syndicate boss, who has marked him for death, out of the go-between. Meanwhile, in a valley outside the decaying village of Eldfur, Aqualad, wielding only a spear, is forced into a confrontation with a monstrous creature, known only as "The Bugala". Aqualad is quickly disarmed by the creature, and finds himself on the defensive, struggling to just stay alive. Back on the surface, Aquaman approaches an abandoned subway entrance, the first marker leading to the syndicate leader's underground hideout. Making his way down below, Aquaman finds the entrance to the secret headquarters. Quickly, he takes down the two guards posted outside the entryway. The commotion alerts the syndicate leader, who takes it upon himself to rub out Aquaman, personally. During their fierce confrontation, Aquaman and his adversary come crashing into the next room, which houses an enormous machine. In subduing the syndicate boss, the machine is accidentally activated. The scientist working the machine informs Aquaman that if he can't get it under control, they'll all die in a terrible explosion.

As the scientist sets about bringing his machine under control, the revived guards enter and attack Aquaman. While Aquaman subdues the guards, once more, the scientist, in his frenzy, accidentally electrocutes himself. With little time to spare, Aquaman races out, desperately searching for a means of escape. No sooner does he discover a window that, surprisingly, leads to the ocean, then he is sent crashing through it by the first explosion. Somewhat stunned, Aquaman is in no shape to avoid a rapidly forming, artificial, whirlpool. One that has, apparently, been generated by the scientist's machine. Caught in the vortex, Aquaman is helpless, as he is spun around at faster and faster speeds. Dizzy and on the verge of unconsciousness, Aquaman is unable to pull away from the vortex. A second, much more massive explosion, erupts out of the underwater fortress. The force of the blast dissipates the whirlpool, freeing Aquaman, but also hurtling him at incredible speed into the ocean depths. Aquaman passes out. When he awakens, he finds himself, somehow, on the beach. More surprising than his location, is the figure that kneels over him, tending to his injuries. It is Mera, his, long ago, abducted wife. Believing himself to be hallucinating, Aquaman, once more, lapses into unconsciousness.

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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