Issue Description

A scuba clad saboteur emerges from the frigid ocean depths, plants and detonates explosives in a factory, before escaping back into the sea. In deep waters, off the coast of Alaska, Aquaman and Aqualad arrive for their meeting with one Professor Davidson, a leading Oceanographer. En route, they are attacked by a "school" of fish. The fish are frenzied, and fail to respond to Aquaman's telepathic commands. The pair receive unexpected aid from a deep sea diver. Said diver turns out to be amateur undersea explorer, Phil Darson. On vacation in Alaska, Darson has been investigating the cause of the strange fish madness, a malady that, ultimately, leads to death. As it turns out, the problem regarding the fish is also why Professor Davidson sent for Aquaman. He suspects that waste chemicals from one of the nearby factories is the cause, but all his inquiries have, thus far, been rebuffed. Especially since the previous night's sabotage, which destroyed one of the factories. The professor is in the process of showing Aquaman and Aqualad to their quarters, when the night is rocked by another explosion. The saboteur has struck at the Leland Factory. Aquaman spies the saboteur racing across the ice. He pursues the man into the sea, only to run headlong into a missile. As Aquaman's unconscious body settles to the sea floor, the saboteur makes good his escape.

Aqualad fishes Aquaman's limp form from the icy Alaskan waters. Fully recovered the next morning, Aquaman leads his young ally back into the sea, where the pair begin their own investigation of the suspect factories. A press conference, held at the Leland Factory, finds the company president denying that any acts of sabotage have taken place, blaming the explosions on accidents. Mr. Leland is well aware of the truth of the matter. An investigation into his factories would reveal that chemical waste is being dumped into the sea. A fact he can ill afford to have brought to light. Meanwhile, outside the great dome of Atlantis, the Ocean Master stands under a white flag. Queen Mera, against the advice of her chief advisor, Vulko, leaves the city to meet with the Ocean Master. The villain, however, refuses to speak to Mera. Ocean Master demands to see Aquaman. Back in Alaska, Aquaman and Aqualad compare notes regarding the day's investigation. A clear link between the saboteur and the polluting factories is drawn. Of note to Aquaman is Leland's denial of sabotage, in the day's paper. Since Aquaman knows the truth, he resolves to continue his investigation at the Leland Factory, that night. Aqualad is left behind to keep a watchful eye on Professor Davidson, as a degree of suspicion has fallen on him.

En route to the Leland Factory, Aquaman spies the saboteur returning to the scene of the crime. At that same moment, Professor Davidson has a breakthrough in his own investigation. The saboteur gains easy access to the Leland Factory, only to find Mr. Leland waiting for him. It's a trap. Mr. Leland gets off several gunshots before the saboteur can disarm him. Just as the saboteur is about to kill Leland, Aquaman intervenes. The two battle for several moments. Then, the saboteur hurls an incendiary explosive at the floor. The room is immediately engulfed in flames. Aquaman struggles to reach the saboteur, only to be pistol whipped from behind by Leland. Leaving Aquaman to perish in the conflagration, Leland pursues the saboteur out of the factory. Aquaman is brought back to his senses by the sound of gunfire. With the room consumed in flames, and obscured by smoke, Aquaman is hard pressed to find the egress to escape. Another gunshot rings out. Aquaman follows the sound to freedom. Stepping out into the Alaskan night, Aquaman spies Leland and the saboteur struggling at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. Both plummet to their death. The saboteur is revealed to be Phil Darson. With his dying breath, he tells Aquaman that he could not stand idly by, while Leland polluted the seas. Professor Davidson's findings unequivocally link Leland's factories with the chemicals that are killing the fish. The new owners swear they will abide by E.P.A. pollution regulations. The case closed, Aquaman and Aqualad 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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