Issue Description

Fisherman lays a trap for Aquaman, leaving Arthur Curry weakened and unable to escape! As the rays of the sun dehydrate the aquatic hero, he reflects back on his origins and childhood.

Through A Past Darkly

Aquaman returns to the Aquacave, in search of his wife, Mera. Unbeknownst to the Sea King, he is being monitored, from a remote view screen, by a mysterious, shadowy figure. Waiting for Aquaman, in his own home, is his old enemy, the Fisherman. Tasked by his current employer to remove Aquaman as a potential threat, the Fisherman quickly engages Aquaman in combat. Using an explosive fishing lure, the Fisherman herds Aquaman into position and drops a net over the Sea King. Aquaman is easily tearing his way free, when the Fisherman activates a depressurization field within the net, which gives Aquaman a severe case of the bends. With his foe doubled up in agony, the Fisherman gasses Aquaman into unconsciousness. Aquaman awakes to find himself lashed to a modified solar panel, one that has been placed in front of a lighthouse beacon. When the lamp activates, at dusk, it's light will pass through the solar panel, transmitting luminal energy intense enough to torch the King of the Seas. Though the Fisherman is intent on bearing witness to Aquaman's burning demise, he is radioed by his employer, and, reluctantly, leaves the scene. to complete his assignment. Weakened by his separation from the sea, Aquaman is unable to muster a strong enough telepathic signal to reach the ocean, and summon aid. Slowly, he comes to the realization that the lighthouse he is lashed to is the very one his father once owned, and where he grew up. Memories come flooding into the Sea King's mind.

His father, Tom Curry, had rescued a beautiful woman from the storm tossed sea. They fell in love, and produced a child, Arthur. Early on, Tom Curry realized his son was special. Arthur could breath underwater, swim incredibly fast, and dangerous marine predators did not threaten him. On her deathbed, Tom Curry's wife, Atlanna, revealed that she was from the fabled city of Atlantis. Their son had inherited her Atlantean abilities, and was destined to one day rule the seas. Tom Curry did his best to train his son in the use of his abilities. After many arduous years, Arthur mastered his telepathic control over marine life. On his deathbed, Tom Curry urged his son to use his abilities in the name of justice. Arthur swore to honor his father's request. Thus began Arthur's life as Aquaman. His memories of his father spur Aquaman into reaching down deep within himself to boost his weakened telepathic power. Reaching out with his mind, Aquaman summons a colony of hermit crabs, which scrabble up the lighthouse, and begin using their claws to tear away at the lashings holding Aquaman in place. Once loosened enough, Aquaman bursts free, just as the lighthouse beacon activates. With his strength and vitality renewed from submergence in the ocean, Aquaman spends a few more moments, gazing up at the lighthouse, lost in reverie. At last, he turns and heads out to sea, intent on bringing the Fisherman to justice.

Return To Disaster

In Atlantis, Mera pleads with Vulko to find a way to save her dying son, Arthur, Jr. Vulko states that here is nothing he can do, but her infant son may have one chance at life. Vulko has been in contact with Xebel, the chief scientist of Dimension Aqua, Mera's home dimension. Xebel has invented a miraculous healing device, one that could save Arthur, Jr.'s life. Unfortunately, the rift in dimensional space between Atlantis and Dimension Aqua is only big enough to effect communication between the two worlds. Vulko theorizes that a large enough discharge of energy might open the rift wide enough for Mera to travel between the two dimensions, and collect Xebel's device. Mera sets off immediately for the rift. Upon arriving, she uses her ability to command and manipulate water to focus tons of ocean water onto the rift. The resultant pressure has the desired effect, causing an explosion that widens the rift. Mera travels through to Xebel and finds herself in her old throne room. The palace is filled with armed guards, who immediately attempt to subdue their former queen. Mera fights back, but is overwhelmed. Soon enough she finds herself at the feet of Leron, the new ruler of Dimension Aqua. Mera is stunned to find the former traitor to the realm ruling over it. Worse, Leron has been aware of the communication between Dimension Aqua and Atlantis, and manipulated it as a lure to draw Mera back to her former kingdom. Leron reveals that he is holding Xebel prisoner, and that his fate will soon by shared by Mera.

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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