Issue Description

Return Of The Alien!

After consulting with the Atom, at a meeting of the Justice League of America, Aquaman prepares to return to the microscopic world within his wife Mera's ring. While previously trapped in the ring dimension, Aquaman had been forced to abandon a young woman to slave traders. This act has never sat well with the King of the Seas. Aquaman is determined to return to the ring dimension, and rescue his former traveling companion. As Mera maintains some form of psychic influence over the ring world, it is up to her to concentrate on finding the girl, and leading Aquaman to her. Once Vulko readies the Atom's device, Aquaman shrinks down to subatomic size and re-enters the ring dimension. Almost immediately, Aquaman in attacked by one of the giant, cyclopian amoebas that dwell in "The Wilderness". Aquaman chooses to flee rather than face the creature. Following Mera's telepathic pull, Aquaman is drawn to the slave trader's colony. Aquaman is attacked, just outside the colony, by a contingent of slave traders. Mera can sense her husband's peril, and it's all Vulko can do to stop her from willing Aquaman back out of the ring. Meanwhile, Aqualad attends a political rally being held by the Atlantean politician, Noxden. Noxden demands that Aquaman be replaced as KIng, for turning Atlanteans back into water breathers. Aquagirl, too, finds that the former insurrection leader, Mupo, agrees with Noxden's position. Atlanteans should return to being air breathers. By defying that idea, Aquaman has turned against the interests of the Atlantean people.

Aquaman is defeated by the slave traders, and taken prisoner. Sensing this dire turn of events, Mera concentrates on reviving Aquaman, and the Sea King awakes. Breaking loose from his captors, Aquaman quickly locates his quarry, the girl from "The City". He is surprised to find that she does not wish to be rescued. Though the slave traders do force her to work, they have also opened her mind. The prejudices she grew up with in "The City" have largely been abandoned. Besides, accompanying Aquaman into "The Wilderness" was a forbidden act. Were she to return to "The City", she would be put to death. At a loss for words, but grudgingly accepting her wishes, Aquaman departs. He finds he must fight his way through a veritable army of slave traders, however, if he is to escape their colony. Fearing the seeds of a new revolution are being planted in Atlantis, Aquagirl seeks out Aqualad's advice. The teen hero, though, brushes her concerns aside, intent on warning Aquaman of the unrest being sowed by Noxden. Once again sensing her husband's peril, Mera cannot stop herself from willing his safe return. Aquaman begins to grow, quickly returning to his normal size, exiting the ring dimension and returning to his wife's side. Aqualad informs the KIng of Noxden's criticisms. Aquaman holds fast to the right of free speech in Atlantis, and sees no threat in Noxden's words. No action against Noxden will be taken.

Computer Trap

En route home to Atlantis, Aquaman passes through the ruins of a once thriving, advanced, undersea colony. He feels the pull of a telepathic transmission, and follows it to it's source. Within a cavern, Aquaman discovers a still active computer system. Suddenly, Aquaman finds himself paralyzed. The computer begins broadcasting images into Aquaman's mind, while also attempting to gain control of it. Aquaman sees the colony's history, many centuries past. The adult populace were enthralled by the computer system, and worked tirelessly on improving and advancing the colony. The colony's youth were immune to the computer's control. They abandoned the colony to seek out a place where things like art and beauty, not endless toil, were valued. The computer was left with no further generations being born to maintain it's labor force. When the current population grew old and died, the colony fell into ruin. The computer, however, was able to continually upgrade itself. In time, it became able to broadcast a telepathic summons that would lure new workers to it. Aquaman is the first to answer the computer's call. Feeling his will slowly being subjugated by the computer, Aquaman telepathically summons electric eels to short circuit the computer's systems. Free, Aquaman summons an armada of fish to help him collapse the cavern behind him. Though buried under tons of rock and debris, a small spark still lingers in the computer. It begins the long process of self-repairing it's systems. Aquaman elects to never pass through the ruined colony again. He will also warn the Atlanteans to avoid this area in the future.

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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