Issue Description

A rash of petty crimes are being committed by the city's most prominent citizens. Local authorities are baffled by the case. When arrests have been made, these well-to-do criminals seem entranced, muttering one phrase over and over-"I'm dead! Thanatos killed me!" After a brief visit with friends in the city, Aquaman races back to the sea, to replenish his strength and vitality. En route, Aquaman is attacked by a quartet of hoodlums. Too long out of water, Aquaman is weakened enough for the hoods to get the best of him. Inexplicably, Aquaman finds himself standing outside of an old, crumbling manor house. A note from his wife, Queen Mera of Atlantis, seems to have lead him here. Aquaman's reflection, in a mirror at the top of some stairs, twists and distorts into a misshapen, brutish version of the Sea King. Astonishingly, the monstrous reflection comes to life and bursts out of the mirror. Taken by surprise, Aquaman is quickly beaten down, the sounds of laughter ringing in his ears, as he slips into unconsciousness. Upon awakening, Aquaman finds himself back in Atlantis. Apparently, surface dwellers returned the King of the Seas to the ocean, and soon after, Aquaman was brought back to Atlantis. Mera denies ever leaving Aquaman any kind of note. Aquaman realizes that he was lured to the old house, specifically to release the creature imprisoned in the mirror. He is about to set off in pursuit of the brute when he is suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of dizziness.

Back on dry land, the creature, calling itself "Thanatos", finds itself growing weaker. It feels a strong compulsion to head for the ocean. Entering the sea, Thantos finds his strength and vitality returning to him. On instinct, Thanatos travels to Atlantis, then attacks the city guards. Drawn in by the sounds of conflict, at the city gate, Aquaman confronts Thanatos. Once again, Aquaman's bestial doppelganger defeats him in combat, raining blow after blow down on the Sea King, until Aquaman collapses. Awakening again in his royal bedchambers, Aquaman is informed by Mera that Thanatos has left Atlantis. In the city, police scientists have determined that the well-to-do criminals have, in fact, been brainwashed. The conditioning process finds each victim confronting their own evil side, manifesting itself as "Thanatos". Once "killed" by "Thanatos", the subject's mind becomes awash in immorality, leading to their crime sprees. Determining that "Mr. Big", the syndicate leader who once kidnapped Queen Mera, has to be profiting from this scheme, the officers decide to pay him a visit. Meanwhile, Aquaman's hunt for Thanatos has lead him to the undersea, "Old West" town of Rusdic. Aquaman takes respite in the town's saloon, but departs when he is denied service. Outside the saloon, Thanatos is waiting for Aquaman. A local gives Aquaman a spear gun. Aquaman and Thanatos face off against each other in the street. A wave of dizziness washes over Aquaman, just as Thanatos shoots him.

Aquaman awakens, yet again, in his royal bedchambers. Aquaman is confused and begins to suspect that all is not what it seems. Before he can dwell on the situation for long, Thanatos punches through the wall. This time, he means to kill Aquaman. Arriving at an abandoned warehouse, local authorities storm the hidden lair of the syndicate leader. There, within the warehouse, the police discover more innocent victims being transformed into criminals, by the syndicate's machines, including Aquaman. His entire conflict with Thanatos has, essentially, been fought in dreams. Due to Aquaman's indomitable will, the syndicate's machines have been unable to recondition the Sea King's mind. A violent confrontation breaks out between the syndicate men and the police. At that same moment, Aquaman is battling Thanatos, for his very will. Though he is outmatched physically, Aquaman's greater speed and fighting prowess win the day. The police take down the syndicate, and release the prisoners. It's too late for the wealthy citizens. Their minds have been completely reconditioned. Aquaman, however, recovers. Aquaman returns to Atlantis, this time for real.

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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