Issue Description

The Creature That Devoured Detroit!

A state of emergency has been declared in the Motor City. Somewhere in orbit over Detroit, a mysterious satellite has been reflecting sunlight down on the city, bathing Detroit in perpetual daylight. The steady increase in heat has caused the algae growing in Lake Erie to grow at a phenomenal rate. The upsurge in growth of the microscopic flora threatens to overrun Detroit, and citywide evacuation plans are being discussed. Aquaman pays a visit to Detroit to investigate the strange phenomena. His first order of business is to look up an old friend, one Don Powers, a former police forensics scientist. Meanwhile, Detroit's own costumed vigilante, The Crusader, breaks up a car theft ring. Local authorities use cold to retard the growth of the algae, as it surges into Detroit. Aquaman garners the location of his old friend from a local policeman. Powers established his own corporation, dedicated to aiding law enforcement agencies worldwide. Powers is more than happy to see Aquaman again, proudly providing a tour of his facility. In the course of their conversation, Powers reveals that it is his company that launched the mirrored satellite, which has turned night into day in Detroit. Powers is unconcerned with the ecological damage being wrought by his satellite. Without darkness, the crime rate in Detroit has fallen by as much as 38% in some parts of the city. When Aquaman makes a move to remote detonate the satellite, Powers, with the aid of some of his scientists, put the Sea King down. While the scientists remove Aquaman's unconscious form to a nearby park, Powers sequesters himself in his private office. Accessing a hidden panel, Powers grabs his costume, revealing himself to be the Crusader.

It turns out that Powers is going blind. His failing eyesight had already forced him to abandon his late night activities as the Crusader. It was then that Powers hit upon the idea of launching the satellite, and turning night into day. Able to resume his costumed identity, Powers, as the Crusader, hoped to bring down the organizers behind the car theft rings plaguing Detroit. Aquaman's involvement, however, meant that Powers' time was short. Whether done personally, or with the assistance of the Justice League of America, Aquaman would see to the destruction of Powers' satellite. Going out on patrol one last time, Powers looked to bring in Detroit's criminal big wigs, allowing him to retire the Crusader identity in a blaze of glory. Awakening in the park, Aquaman is witness to a young girl being swept under by a wave of algae bursting out of Lake Erie. Aquaman rescues and recovers the girl. The city of Detroit officially instigates it's evacuation procedures. Aquaman makes his way back to Powers' corporate office. Along the way, he is drawn to a crowd, one that has gathered around the lifeless body of the Crusader. While leaping across rooftops, Powers' terrible eyesight failed to perceive a series of wires lining the roofs. Tripping over them, Powers fell to his death. A bystander pulls off the Crusader's mask, revealing his identity to Aquaman. The Sea King is stunned to find that not only was his old friend the Crusader, but that he has now perished. Aquaman continues on to Powers corporate office. Storming the building, Aquaman battles his way past security guards and scientists, until, at last, he gains access to the satellite control room. From there, Aquaman remote detonates the satellite, returning night to Detroit, and ending the ecological threat to the Motor City.

The Cave Of Death!

On the outskirts of an Atlantean colony, Aquagirl comes across a group of young boys, playing ball in a forbidden area. Racing to catch a loose ball, one of the youths is suddenly drawn, powerfully, towards the mouth of a cave. Acting quickly, Aquagirl is able to pull the boy free before he is drawn inside. She chastises the boys for playing in such a dangerous spot, and cautions them to avoid the "Cave of Death" 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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