Issue Description

In the California home of millionaire Eliot Harlansan, a dire prediction is foretold by two agents of the terrorist organization, O.G.R.E. The sunken city of Atlantis will one day rise. When it does, California will take it's place at the bottom of the ocean. Harlanson is beside himself with fear that he could, possibly, lose his beautiful home. The men from O.G.R.E. convince Harlanson that the only way to save his house, and California, is to buy an atomic bomb and drop it on Atlantis. Harlanson agrees to do this. To ensure that Aquaman will be in Atlantis when the bomb drops, O.G.R.E. engages the services of the Black Manta. O.G.R.E. equips the Black Manta with a new weapon to use against Aquaman. O.G.R.E.'s intent is to keep Aquaman too distracted, in combat with the Black Manta, to prevent his death, and the destruction of Atlantis, from Harlanson's bomb. It takes Harlanson two weeks to procure an atomic bomb. In Florida, he boards his personal submarine, outfitted with the nuclear warhead, and sails for Atlantis. Outside the great domed city, the Black Manta, brandishing the weapon provided him by O.G.R.E., challenges Aquaman to face him. Aquaman telepathically summons an army of fish to assault the Black Manta. O.G.R.E.'s weapon disrupts brain waves, and with it, the Black Manta is able to scramble Aquaman's telepathic commands. Aquaman's fish army scatter in all directions. The Black Manta gathers his men and prepares to take Atlantis by force. Aquaman leaves the security of the city dome, to confront the Black Manta, personally. Unbeknownst to either combatant, Harlanson's submarine is closing fast on Atlantis.

With focused concentration, Aquaman is able to resist the effects of O.G.R.E.'s weapon, long enough to beat the Black Manta into submission. Aqualad and the Atlantean Guard deal with the Black Manta's men. Aquaman beats information about O.G.R.E."s involvement out of the Black Manta. Ordering Aqualad to guard the Black Manta, Aquaman begins patrolling the Atlantean perimeter, in ever widening circles. Searching for any signs of suspicious activity that might reveal O.G.R.E.'s intentions, Aquaman sees Harlanson's submarine en route to Atlantis. Not taking any chances, Aquaman summons a giant squid, and commands it to halt the submarine's approach. In a panic, and desperate to save his million dollar home, Harlanson releases the bomb on Atlantis. Horrified, the submarine commander informs Harlanson that, in the squid's grip, their vessel has been becalmed. They can't escape and they're too close to Atlantis. When the bomb hits, they'll all die. Harlanson breaks down. Aquaman races to intercept the bomb before it can impact the sea floor, but he is too far away. In horror, he watches the bomb strike the ocean bottom, bounce twice, then settle... without detonating. Harlanson's atomic bomb is a dud. Harlanson is enraged to find out he was sold defective merchandise and vows to rectify the matter.

Aquaman and Aqualad turn over O.G.R.E.s weapon to the US Governement. The King of the Sea is informed that government agents have already arrested the O.G.R.E. agents, who enlisted Harlanson's aid in destroying Atlantis. Information, garnered from those O.G.R.E. agents, allowed US Armed Forces to locate O.G.R.E.'s secret base, and dismantle the entire terrorist organization. Aware that O.G.R.E agents had reached out to Harlanson, a government agent, one Honey James, was sent to infiltrate the millionaire's life. Her information on Harlanson's movements and activities allowed the US Government to substitute an inert weapon, in place of the atomic bomb, with Harlanson none the wiser. Considered to be merely a dupe for the terrorist organization, Harlanson is allowed to return to his California home, astonishingly, without penalty. Aquaman, too, lets the Black Manta go free, feeling that his role as O.G.R.E.'s puppet was punishment enough to the villain's ego.

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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