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Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 141

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #218 (November 1955) - Aquaman, Outlaw of the Sea

The folks at a diving convention believe Aquaman has swallowed a chemical that makes him temporarily insane, and Aquaman's unorthodox life-saving techniques simply compound the problem.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets a group of eels to form a lasso to pull a diver away from a whirlpool. A whale diverts the knock-out darts so Aquaman can escape.

Glove Color: Green.

Quotefile: Guy at diver convention, "Looks like a big turnout this year! We'll be able to start the program at once!" Guy holding large wooden crate, "Yes, but not until we drop this packet of dangerous experimental drugs into the ocean, as we promised the government we would!"

I admit, I laughed out loud when I read the second panel of this story, the one with the quote up there in it. Back in 1955 people weren't nearly as conscious of environmental concerns yet, and the ocean seemed infinite. A lot of the current problems in the ocean spring from that attitude, which is thankfully mostly gone from the modern world. I wish it were completely gone.

Aquaman's rescues include sticking his head in a hole a log has poked in an inflatable rubber raft to block it until it can be fixed, lassoing a diver who has strayed too close to a whirlpool, and breaking a diving bell that cracked on a jagged rock to save the occupants. Each rescue was misconstrued by the rescued folks as attacks by Aquaman.

Aquaman's origin is recapped again in the opening text box of this story: "Many years ago, a scientist gave Aquaman the amazing power to live and breathe under water... and it was this remarkable gift that led to his becoming the ruler of all the beings that dwell in the sea, and the protector of all men who work on the sea!" A sign, perhaps, that readers were asking about how Aquaman came to be? He hadn't had an origin story in 14 years at this point, I'm sure the current readers had no idea how Aquaman came to be.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 140

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #217 (October 1955) - The Day Aquaman Couldn't See

Aquaman is blinded after being hit on the head by falling rocks.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides his trusty sea cow steed throughout this story. Aquaman has two whales propel him at the motorboat so he can take out one of the hijackers. He has a swordfish cut him free from the net. A sea eagle takes the club from the hijacker.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is hit on the head by rocks from a landslide, which knocks out his vision. He's captured in a net by the hijacker boss. Later, he slips on the wet deck of the hijackers' boat and hits his head again... restoring his vision.

Quotefile: Hijacker, "Hey-- look... Aquaman's lost his eyesight! This is our big chance... Elmo, hop into that small speedboat!" Elmo, "I get it, boss! I'll run him down so hard he'll never know what hit him!"

How the bad guys figure out that Aquaman has lost his eyesight simply by viewing him from a distance is never explained.

Aqua-Exclamations: "Great Catfish!"

Glove Color: Yellow.

Another in a long line of stories that take away Aquaman's abilities. Some examples: can't swim, can't touch water (twice), can't breathe air, attacked by fish (twice), and can't talk to fish.

The boss of the hijackers is never named, but his two companions are Elmo (who Aquaman gets rid of first) and Joe... or is it Charlie? The second hijacker is named twice, both times by the boss, and both different names. We could explain this by saying that the boss doesn't care about his hired help enough to even remember his name. So I get a no-prize?

You can tell which hijacker is the boss by his nifty hat, which is knocked off his head by the sea eagle. After that you have to look for just the stylish yellow tie and red jacket.

I'm kind of sad that Aquaman's sea cow is never named. He's been in lots of stories.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, August 13, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 139

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #216 (September 1955) - The Invasion of the Sea-Men

Aquaman witnesses a UFO arrive in the water, and learns that the occupants intend to conquer the oceans of Earth.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman is riding a sea cow at the beginning. Aquaman sends an octopus then a whale against the invaders. He then has a gold fish pose as the king of the sea. Electric eels protect the gold fish. A giant lobster poses as a subject of the king riding a giant sea horse (actually a coral shell shaped like a sea horse), while Aquaman lassos the invaders.

Quotefile: Invader, "L-look what's on the throne -- a gold fish! ... er -- Don't tell us you're the king?" Gold fish, "That's right! Down here, it's the little fish who rule -- not the big ones you handled so easily!"

Aqua-Exclamations: "Great Salmon" yeah, salmon is lovely, particularly when smoked.

Glove Color: Yellow.

Aquaman handles his first alien invasion. He's already visited an alien planet, but he thought that adventure was a dream. This one has no such escapes from the silliness. Aliens actually invade.

As usual, Aquaman uses his brains to get rid of the threat, not brawn. In fact, this story emphasizes that brawn isn't the right course by having the large fish easily defeated by the invaders. It also has Aquaman playing tricks on the aliens, by setting up the gold fish as the king.

This might be the first time that Aquaman refers to his own powers as telepathy. When the aliens land, he can hear them easily and realizes that they are using telepathy to talk. He then uses his own telepathy to speak for the gold fish: "They think the gold-fish is talking to them! Actually, what they hear are the telepathic thoughts I am projecting!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, August 10, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 138

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #215 (August 1955) - The Aqua-Mailman

Some crooks learn that Aquaman is helping a postal carrier make ocean deliveries and decide to take advantage.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has a whale carry the quonset hut out of the harbor under water. Aquaman has swordfish drill a hole in the iceberg so Aquaman can reach the bridge of the sunken ship.

Also, while not specifying what sea creatures he's referring to, Aquaman threatens to throw the bad guys to his finny friends if they don't talk.

Glove Color: Green.

Aqua-Exclamations: "There's more than one way to skin a catfish!"

Quotefile: Opening Text Box: "Neither wind, nor rain, not the dangers that teem within the seven seas can stay that new and unique service, the Marine Mail Delivery, from making its appointed rounds... especially when Aquaman, king of the waves, trades in his sea-crown for a postman's cap, to become... The Aqua-Mailman"

Aquaman last delivered mail in Adventure #131. That plot also involved a postal carrier attempting to win a franchise to deliver the mail, but the motives of the bad guys in this story were completely different.

Aquaman first becomes suspicious when the bad guys set up a weather station in an area surrounded by mountains. Then he figures out something is up when he notes the sunken ship that was supposed to be a two-master actually has a third mast that was knocked away and not easily visible to divers. It's a thin thread, and that makes the story a bit hard to buy.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Mail, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 137

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #214 (July 1955)- Station Neptune

A TV station starts broadcasting an underwater variety show from the entrance of a busy harbor, distracting Aquaman from a case of hijacked cargo.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman receives a message about a hijacking from a signal fish. To audition for the show, he juggles shellfish. Then he gets eels to create an underwater trapeze. Then he pretends to be a cowboy riding a sea cow and lassoing another sea cow. He then captures the bad guys by lassoing THEM with an octopus.

Glove Color: Yellow.

Quotefile: TV Announcer, "Corny! Swim away, sea man -- your act is all wet!"

Aqua-Exclamations: "I'll be a sea cow's uncle!"

Great images of the Coast Guard captain tearing out his hair when he sees Aquaman apparently ignoring the ongoing hijacking case to audition for a bad variety show. But, of course, Aquaman already had the case solved and just was trying to make sure the bad guys were caught in the act.

Some fish came out to do tricks on the show without any prompting from Aquaman. You have to wonder how the TV guys contacted the fish, and what other programming they had.

The TV crew, when trying to escape, consists of four guys. One of them, the announcer, has underwater gear on. The other three are swimming underwater without any gear at all. True, they were racing to a midget sub to escape, but there's no indication that they left an airtight base.

Nice symmetry in this tale. The bad guys are using the TV show as an excuse to hang around at the mouth of the harbor. Aquaman uses efforts to get onto the TV show as an excuse to hang around the TV show. Heh.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 136

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #213 (June 1955) - The Court-Martial of Moby Dick II

When a whale rams a ship and sinks it, Aquaman has to act to defend the whale in court.

Finny Friends Report: A swordfish brings up a stave from a barrel as evidence. When Aquaman goes to get the rest of the barrel, two other whales help lift the wreck off the barrel. A conga line of octopuses help Aquaman pull it out of the mud. A dolphin brings up a parka and helmet that the fish report to Aquaman came off the same ship. Aquaman gets a whole bunch of swordfish to clear the ice from the trapped ship so the icebreaker can come back to testify. In the end, Aquaman rides off on Moby Dick II.

Glove Color: Green.

Quotefile: Captain Broome, "How dare you save the life of a killer whale, Aquaman?" Yeah, Aquaman, how dare you save any sea life!

Wrong-doing whales are common in Aquaman tales, like the one in The First Undersea Jail and Black Beauty from another tale. Usually they aren't guilty, but whales do tend to get into trouble in the DCU.

This is a rare story that has a date. The whale rammed the ship on the afternoon of April 5th.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, June 01, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 135

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #212 (May 1955) - The Giant Tropical Fish!

Aquaman goes on a mission to an inland lake to destroy a secret shipment of rare chemicals.

Finny Friends Report: The giant fish pull Aquaman out of the whirlpool, then pull the packet into the whirlpool to get rid of it. Another fish helps Aquaman jump out of the lake.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Great scott! Look at the size of that angel fish! But that's impossible -- angel fish never grow larger than four inches at the most!"

Aqua-Exclamations: "Holy Mackerel"

Glove Color: Yellow.

Deep inland, Aquaman has to jump from the plane because there aren't any landing fields nearby. You have to wonder how he gets back to the sea. The packet of chemicals was dropped because the plane was having engine trouble... but based on the size of the packet, that doesn't make a lot of sense unless it was dropped along with a lot of other stuff. Another issue is how Mr. Orwell is able to raise tropical fish in an inland lake somewhere in mid-America. But hey, let's not get too picky.

This is yet another story which ends with Aquaman wondering if he dreamed the whole thing. Aquaman doubts his fantastic reality an awful lot.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 134

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #211 (April 1955) - The Mystery of the Seven Sea Statues!

After a statue of Aquaman in Ocean Square is left unfinished due to lack of funds, Aquaman goes around planting statues of himself.

Finny Friends Report: On the splash page, Aquaman rides his sea cow and a turtle, octopus, and seal carry his other statues. Later he rides the sea cow. He also rides two whales and has them form a wave to reveal one of the statues. Aquaman rides to the treasure ship by holding ropes carried by two huge sea eagles.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is put on trial for being a public nuisance in this story.

Quotefile: Text box, "Is it possible that Aquaman's disappointment has brought out a secret side of his nature?"

Glove Color: Green. This is the first time Aquaman's gloves are shown as green instead of yellow.

The ultimate explanation of why Aquaman put up the statues isn't very convincing or satisfying. It does show that Aquaman doesn't really care about the public's opinion of him, which is a recurring theme among these older stories. In this story he allows the public to think that he's vain and upset about not being properly honored, all to allow the Navy to conduct some secret tests.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 133

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #210 (March 1955) - The First Undersea Newspaper

The Log, a newspaper for sea-faring folk, is attacked and Aquaman must get to the bottom of the mystery.

Finny Friends Report: To create his edition of The Log, Aquaman has a giant clam act as the press, while an octopus supplies the ink. Aquaman summons two sea cows to carry the Cooks to the island. A whale helps him into the air to attack the smuggler, while a porpoise takes out the final guy. An octopus holds them, and the porpoise brings up the cargo for the Cooks to rebuild their press with.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is temporarily stopped when approaching Bajorka Island by the threat of the Cooks being shot.

Quotefile: Aquaman, rescuing a couple, "Don't worry -- we'll reach the top safe and sound!" Man being rescued, "I can hardly wait! I want to write a first-hand account of this experience for The Log!"

A fairly basic story, with Aquaman involved in the media. With an obvious advantage, in that his newspaper is waterproof.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 132

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #209 (February 1955) - The Island That Vanished!

The Science Academy accuses George Rogers of stealing valuable scientific equipment which he insists he left on an island, but the island doesn't exist.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has octopi become propellers when the ship's propellers are sheared off by an ice pack. To get the ship off an ice raft, Aquaman has swordfish cut holes which he threads ropes through, then whales rock the ship off the ice. Whales brought the island back so Rogers would find it.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Rogers is an intelligent man, captain! I'm sure I can talk him out of going on that wild-goose chase!"

If you are thinking this story sounds slightly familiar, you're right, the premise of a disappearing island also showed up in Adventure #175, only three year ago. The situation is very different, but again legal action is involved in it. Unlike the earlier story, there is no "bad guy" but the elements themselves. And thanks to Aquaman, there is a happy ending.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, May 25, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 131

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

There was no Aquaman story in Adventure #207.

Adventure #208 (January 1955) - The Mystery of the Aqua-Dolls!

After being followed around by a strange photographer, Aquaman learns that an inventor has created an Aqua-doll toy that can duplicate his aqua-feats.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides his sea cow in one panel, but otherwise gets no help from finny friends.

Quotefile: Coast Guard Captain, "Hi, Aquaman! You've been a-sea so long, I'll bet you don't even know about the new craze that's sweeping the nation!" Aquaman, "Craze? What craze?"

Aquaman learns about the dolls from the Coast Guard Captain who shows him a figure and even finds the inventor's name and address (on the feet of the toy). Aquaman checks in with the inventor, who is donating 50% of the profits to found a home for sailors, so Aquaman is ok with it in the end.

The life-size Aqua-doll that robs ships has a fatal flaw that allows Aquaman to figure out the mystery. Or should we say, it doesn't have a fatal flaw that it should have?

On the splash page, the Aqua-dolls have wind-up keys in their backs, but in the story they are radio controlled.

Aqua-Exclamations: "Well, I'll be a sea cow's uncle!" "Holy catfish!"

I want one. Of the toys, really, not Aquaman. Though I wouldn't say "no" to my own Aquaman.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 130

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #206 (November 1954) - The Haunted Island!

A group of kids going to Fun Island get stuck on a reef, canceling their excursion, until Aquaman gets involved.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides to the rescue on his sea cow. He gathers turtles to serve as bases on the baseball diamond, and has sea eagles hold up a fishnet as a backstop. The children ride their own sea cows as they play. An octopus serves as the umpire, and whales serve as the walls of the "yard". To play basketball, eels mark the court and seals balance the baskets on their noses. The kids continue to ride sea cows, and an octopus serves as referee.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Now, now, we all know there's no such thing as a sea monster! It must've been your imagination! Come on back and resume the game!"

This story could have held its own without any bad guys, and just been a tale of Aquaman saving the kids outing with his finny friends. But the sea monster angle is neat, and makes for a fun splash page (that's definitely not in the story). The plot is slight, but it's fun how Aquaman gets the kids involved in capturing the villains. All-in-all, a cute story.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 129

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #205 (October 1954) - The Emperor of the Sea!

Aquaman's supremacy of the oceans is challenged by the mysterious Mr. Neptune, who claims to have the powers of the ancient god.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman again rides his sea cow in this story. Aquaman calls in whales to get a ship off a reef, but Mr. Neptune pushes the ship off by himself. Aquaman brings a squad of fish to take out the criminals, but Mr. Neptune jumps into action and takes out the criminals instead. Aquaman's octopi jump in to hand the criminals to the police. A flying fish steals Mr. Neptune's trident, then an octopus manhandles him as Aquaman explains the whole story to the captain of the Marovian ship.

An oddity in the artwork, when Mr. Neptune describes his abilities (turtle shell to protect from bullets, electric eels to shock the criminals) the abilities are drawn on him. By the end of the story we learn that was artistic license, because he didn't actually use magic.

The manic look on Mr. Neptune's face when he finally shows his true colors is a thing of beauty. He really looks like a villain at that point. However, I could do without the scene of Aquaman holding the trident with Mr. Neptune in the background with a "if it weren't for those meddling kids" look on his face.

That trident would come in handy in Aquaman's line of work. If this story had shown up 20 years later, it would have become a major plot point and an ongoing item of power in the Aquaman stories.

Quotefile: Mr. Neptune, while flinging whales around on the splash page, "Begone, deposed monarch of the deep, and your silly subjects of the sea! I'm ruler of the deep now!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 128

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #204 (September 1954) - The Lagoon of Doom!

Aquaman appeals to a group of men emptying a lagoon of water to stop before they kill the fish, but when they don't... he starts to help them.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman originally appears because he's heard that a lagoon was being emptied, endangering the fish living in the lagoon. He gets a number of fish in the lagoon to make a net and drag it along to the bottom to see if he can find what the men are looking for. He rides his sea cow in the lagoon, then gets whales (must be a big lagoon) to spout water out of the lagoon. Octopi holding paddle fish push water out of the lagoon. The whale line up and create a wave getting more water out of the lagoon. Swordfish and sawfish then break the dam when the men who own the lagoon say they need more water in the lagoon. An octopus and the sea cow rescue the men after their barge is swamped.

I'm not sure that Aquaman was entirely in the right in this adventure, as he interferes with the men's business and sinks their barge. True, if they'd simply told him what they were up to and worked with him to help the fish in the lagoon, they wouldn't have had a problem, especially as what they were doing was completely legal. But then there wouldn't have been a story.

Quotefile: Man on ocean liner, "Holy cat, look at that man go! He must be tied to a speedboat or something!" Captain of liner, "No, my friend-- that's Aquaman, the fastest thing on water... and he sure looks in a hurry to get some place!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 127

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #203 (August 1954) - The Shark With The Human Brain!

When Shark Wilson escapes from prison, Aquaman is called in to help find him, but instead spends his time fighting a shark that looks a lot like Wilson.

Finny Friends Report: As usual, Aquaman rides his sea cow to the location. He has two octopi try to stop the shark, but it slips away. A swordfish fares no better. The shark calls in more sharks, which attack Aquaman. Aquaman escapes by riding a school of flying fish. He then dives deep and brings up giant boxing shrimp that battle the sharks. A giant blowfish then attacks the original shark, poisoning it.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is surrounded by sharks, but just escapes.

Quotefile: Guard, "Don't jump, shark! Remember, the sand on the beach is believed to have magic powers that'll turn you into a fish!" Shark, "Ha, ha -- don't make me laugh! That's just a superstitious story to prevent convicts from breaking out!"

This is another story that leaves the reader wondering if Aquaman experienced magic. It doesn't say outright that the shark was Shark Wilson, but it certainly leaves it as a possibility. I like the end, when Aquaman talks to the readers and asks what they think happened.

For a long time, this was the earliest Aquaman story I had read, because it was one of the rare Aquaman stories that had been reprinted. Of course, in the reprint the colors were incorrect, as Aquaman's gloves appeared as green instead of yellow.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 126

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #202 (July 1954) - Menace of the Freak Fish!

After the US Navy tests a bomb, sea creatures entering the area of the test mutate into hybrid monsters that ignore Aquaman's commands.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides his sea cow through the story. He warns fish out of the area when the bomb is tested, but allows them back in after the explosion. An octopus with electric tentacles attacks, but Aquaman can't command it and has horseshoe crabs subdue it. A whale that squirts ink link a squid attacks a ship. Aquaman battles a shark with a sawfish's beak. Three other mutant fish attack: An 8-foot sailfish with the daggers of the scallop, a 20-foot manta with the teeth of a sea urchin, and a pipefish with the pincers of a giant crab. When Aquaman gets the word, all the hybrid break apart. The whole thing was a ruse to keep ships out of the area of the test bomb until the contents of the bomb had dispersed enough in the water to prevent any foreign enemy from discovering the bomb's secret.

Aquaman has no problem whatsoever in tricking people, and many of his adventures involve him pulling fast ones on large audiences of the general public. Aquaman is constantly manipulating the media and fooling reporters.

I enjoyed seeing the various hybrid monsters. It had to have been fun to come up with some of those combinations, many of which aren't obvious. The octopus with electric tentacles is just great. I want a pet one.

Quotefile: Navy scientist to Aquaman, in front of reporters, "I'm afraid I have bad news for you, Aquaman! That bomb affected the water in such a way as to give certain fish the properties of other fish!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 125

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #201 (June 1954) - The Stars Who Couldn't Swim!

When Aquaman recommends a down-on-his-luck swimmer to help out a movie producer, he doesn't quite get what he expects.

Plot-holes you could steer a freighter through on this one. Aquaman recommends "Channel Charlie" to the movie director to teach the stars how to swim, but a fake Charlie shows up instead. Fake Charlie's make-up is based on an old photo, but they kidnapped the real Charlie to make the switch, so why not just use the real thing instead? And Aquaman doesn't realize that Charlie is fake, which has to mean he never met the guy during his original English Channel swim. But he later figures out that Charlie should be 60 years old, and thus look completely different. Why did it take him so long? And the make-up on fake Charlie... how did it stay on when he was doing so much swimming?

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has whales hold up the non-swimmers, while whales help propel them along.

Quotefile: Joe, "You doublecrosser! You actually taught them to swim!" Fake Charlie, "Take it easy, Joe! They think they can swim, but take my word for it, they can't! You'll see!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, May 14, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 124

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

This review is dedicated to Polite Scott, who is a medical blogger as well as a comic book blogger. I kept thinking of him while reading this story with all its ridiculous medicine. Get well soon, Scott!

Adventure #200 (May 1954) - Aquaman, Microbe Hunter!

Aquaman is called on a mysterious mission inland: to rid a famous scientist of a dangerous virus by being shrunk and injected into the victim's blood.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides his sea cow in this one, but otherwise his finny friends don't help him. He does manage to communicate with Welky's white blood cells, though, and gets their help.

Quotefile: Aquaman, as he's shrinking, "T-this reminds me of Alice in Wonderland! I--I hope my story ends happily, too!"

Man, how many problems are there with this story? Aquaman is summoned because he can breathe liquid, but he's being shrunk to the size of cells. Um. When he gets into the body, he see (and describes for the curious young readers) "red corpuscles" and "white-celled phagocytes", but there's only one virus cell. A single virus cell caused sleeping sickness? To trap the virus cell, he closes a valve in the heart then sneaks up from behind by going through the entire circulatory system. Wouldn't that kill Welky? I mean, closing the heart valve can't be good for his health. How exactly does Aquaman communicate with the white blood cells? And seriously, what happened to the poor rabbit?!?

There's a strange sequence at the beginning in which Aquaman is setting up a "shell-speaker" that will allow him to listen for danger signals on the surface. No sooner does he have it set up than he hears cannon fire and learns that he's being summoned by the Navy for a secret mission.

I thought the plotline might be based on Fantastic Voyage, but this story came out over a decade earlier than the film.

Aqua-Exclamations: "Holy Herring", "Holy Catfish"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 123

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Want to read these stories yourself? Write to DC: Dan Didio, Executive Editor, DC Comics, 1700 Broadway, New York NY 10019 and ask for a reprint of Aquaman's Golden Age tales.

Adventure #199 (April 1954) - The Fire-Fighter of the Seven Seas!

When Jim the fireman loses his nerve and runs off to sea to forget, it takes Aquaman's fire crew to snap him out of it.

Aquaman has his own nifty fireman's hat AND a fireman coat that he wears while performing his duties as firefighter of the sea. Aquaman has tons of roles in the DCU's oceans... so many that there's no way he could possibly fulfill them all. He's a banker, a cop, and now a firefighter. Each role has it's own bases (Aquaman tells Jim that he has firehouses strategically placed so that ship fires can be answered at once). Aquaman is either superfast or he's got a whole lot of clones. Or the DC oceans are really really small.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman firetruck is a whale carrying a platform, with a seal ringing the bell. He has swordfish cut into the hold to get at the fire in the ship, then whales spout water into it. Tortoises enter the hold and pass the burning bales to an octopus, who flings them into the water to put them out. Later, a group of seals catch the lighthouse keeper in a net to re-create Jim's failed rescue and make him remember that the man didn't die.

Quotefile: Jim, to Aquaman after the fire on the ship is out, "Yes, it was the most amazing exhibition I've ever seen-- and I ought to know-- I-- I used to be a fireman myself!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, May 11, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 122

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #198 (March 1954) - The Daredevil of the Seven Seas!

Aquaman vouches for an ex-PT Boat captain who gets a job as master of a cargo boat, but then becomes dangerously reckless and requires Aquaman to rescue him.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides his sea cow again in this story! Yay! Aquaman has octopi replace the broken propellers on Alan's ship after he breaks them by racing into an ice field. When a waterspout threatens the ship, Aquaman has jellyfish seal the boat and whales drag it underwater to protect it from the storm.

Quotefile: Opening text box, "Alan Doktor had been the bravest and boldest PT Boat pilot in the service! That's why Aquaman King of the Seven Seas, personally recommended Alan to become the skipper of a cargo ship! But the sovereign of the deep was soon to regret his kindness, when the ex-hero became... "The Daredevil of the Seven Seas!""

As is often the case in these old tales, things are not what they seem. And when down-on-his-luck Alan mopes around the docks after being fired for recklessness... well, that's when the real story starts. Aquaman never worried about maintaining his reputation in the pursuit of justice, and it seems that Alan is cut from the same cloth.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 121

Sorry about the delay. I burned out a bit on the stories, and decided to take a break after the first "Aquaman on another planet" tale. I really hate the alien planet stories with Aquaman... anyway. As you recall, Aquaman visited a planet where the seas were like land, and the earth was ocean. He received a "compressed air" gun from the aliens, which he still possessed at the end of the story, despite being uncertain if the trip was real or just a dream. In this tale, we get back to more normal adventures... whalers and Aquaman in disguise.

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #197 (February 1954) - Aquaman Walks The Plank!

Aquaman goes undercover to stop whalers from hunting endangered whales... but his identity is soon discovered.

Another story in which Aquaman goes undercover. He infiltrates the crew of Captain Samson to try to come up with a way to stop Samson from killing the camel-back whales. All of Aquaman's action scenes are in normal clothing, blue pants and a white shirt.

Captain Samson styles himself as a pirate captain, which his crew apparently puts up with. He has a magnificent moustache and wears an eyepatch on his right eye... which he apparently doesn't need because he has it raised in the final panel and his eyes are perfectly normal.

Finny Friends Report: A tortoise bumps a whaling boat to throw off the aim of the harpoon. A sea eagle snatches another harpoon from the sky. Giant clams snip off the ropes that tie Aquaman. Electric eels trap Captain Samson.

Captured/Knocked Out report: When Aquaman comes back on board after saving the whales, he's forced to walk the plank for deserting the vessel. When he jumps back aboard after being freed, he's chained up and forced to walk the plank again.

Quotefile: Captain Samson, "Did you say "Aquaman?" Listen to me, you lubber, I never saw that fish-man, and if he knows what's good for him, he'd better stay off my course!" Amusingly, he's making this comment to Aquaman, who is undercover.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, April 20, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 120

Adventure #196 (January 1954) - The Topsy-Turvy World!

Aquaman is sent to a planet where the oceans are made of earth, and the land is made of water.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman is riding his sea cow at the start of the story. Aquaman has the whales on Sea break up a tidal wave that threatens the city.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is captured and forced into a stolen Navy rocket, which is then launched. Aquaman blacks out during the launch.

Quotefile: Alien, "You're on the planet called "Sea!" We saw you being shot into space with our Super-Telescope, and attracted you her with our Super-Magnet!" Aquaman, thinking, "*Whew* I must be having a nightmare!"

Yay, Aquaman goes to outer-space! For the first time! But not the last! While Aquaman says he thinks the whole adventure is a dream, he has the gun the people of Sea give him, which he uses at the end of the tale. Which implies that the story actually happened.

While on Sea, Aquaman must wear chains to hold him down and a helmet so he can breathe. But at least he's able to talk with the local... um... earth life. While look identical to Earth sea life. Right down to the whales.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 119

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #195 (December 1953) - The River Gang!

Joe Moxie moves his crime operation to the water, including a protection racket, but didn't count on Aquaman.

Quotefile: Bix, "For a guy that's supposed to have brains, Joe, you surprise me! Our last 30 grand, and you spend it on a boat! What are we gonna do, go fishing?" Joe Moxie, "Could be! Got any better ideas on how to stay out of jail, Bix, with all the cops looking for you? C'mon down, before I shove off without you!"

Finny Friends Report: A swordfish tells Aquaman, riding his usual sea cow, that Yegar's tug is in trouble. Aquaman gets a cuttlefish to repair the cable while whales hold the barge steady. A hammernosed shark rivets plates while giant sea molluscs plug other holes. Going after Moxie, electric eels electrify the boat while dolphins leap across the boat until the crooks give up. A whale finishes the story by pushing the iceberg where Aquaman wants it to go.

Captured/Knocked Out report: When the crooks give up, they are actually luring Aquaman in to capture him with a net. They tie an anchor around his legs and dump him overboard.

Aquaman doesn't show up in the story until the third page, after the Moxie gang have already started their protection racket. Aquaman gets involved when he goes to rescue a ship in distress that also happens to be a target of the Moxie gang. He first saves Yegar's ship, then goes to find the gang. He's drawn to the sound of dynamite exploding, but then gets captured. Through a series of remarkable coincidences, Aquaman is saved and the bad guys are caught.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 118

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #194 (November 1953) - The Outlaw Navy!

"Admiral" Duko gathers a fleet of surplus war vessels and commits piracy on the high seas in force, until he meets with Aquaman.

The villains have an interesting slant in this story. I can think of a lot of reasons it wouldn't work in the real world... including the pain that would be inflicted on them by regular navies once word of their exploits spread. But in the DCU Aquaman takes care of it really quick.

Lots of downsides to bad guys creating a navy. They have to get the ships, outfit them properly, train men, then drill discipline into thugs. The costs far outweigh the benefits, especially once they are split between the entire fleet.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides his sea cow to the action. An octopus snags a member of the outlaw fleet for Aquaman to question. Aquaman gathers his finny friends into a navy. Whales form the ships of the fleet. Eels send messages. Octopi spread ink which the whales spout into the air to form a smoke screen. Pilot fish re-aim torpedoes back at the outlaw navy. Eels guide sea turtles painted as mines near the outlaws to scare them into giving up.

Quotefile: Ship captain, "Great scott, Aquaman... you can't fight a whole naval force by yourself! What are you going to do?" Aquaman, "I... er... was just asking myself that same question!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, April 16, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 117

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #193 (October 1953) - Secret of the Sea Monster!

While freeing a ship from a field of icebergs, Aquaman discovers a giant sea monster and revives it, only to have it attack passing ships.

Ah, one of my all-time favorite splash pages. Who doesn't love a giant sea monster hand attacking the confident hero from behind?

Finny Friends Report: Whales pull the icebergs away from the stranded ship. Aquaman rides his usual sea cow during the story. A dozen octopi and 20 whales restrain the sea monster for a short time. Electric eels supply power so Aquaman can repair the break in the hull the sea monster caused. Whales pull a ship the sea monster has damaged.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is "captured" by the sea monster after it breaks free from the whales and octopi, but it only wants to be friends.

Quotefile: Aquaman, on spotting the sea monster in the iceberg, "WOW! This is a new one... Even on me! I---I wonder if it's alive? I'll try feeding it some seaweed!"

This is a fairly cute little tale with a happy ending for everyone involved. Modern Age Aquaman also runs up against sea monsters who bear a resemblance to this guy, so it's just not unusual for Aquaman to meet strange giant beasts in the sea. Even so, this story is slightly more fantastical than the ones that came before.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, April 13, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 116

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #192 (September 1953) - Murder in the Fish Preserve!

Aquaman puts off finding the Wheeler gang when a series of fish murders happens in Aquaman's Fish Preserve.

Remember how I was complaining about Aquaman's odd view of the world of fish? Here it is right from Aquaman's own mouth: "I want people to learn about all the wonderful things in the sea... and the realize that fish, like animals in the forests, are out friends, who should only be killed for food --- not just for sport!"

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides a whale at the beginning of the story, when the first group of tourists arrive at the Preserve. A giant Leatherback Turtle swims by for the tourists. An oarfish is seen "tugging" a sea cow to the infirmary. Lantern fish and electric eels provide lighting as the tour finishes up. The murdered fish are a sergeant fish, a tarpon, a rare angler fish, and a rose fish. The final victim is an opah fish, but Aquaman rescues it in time. At the end of the story, Aquaman rides off on his sea cow.

Aquaman figures out that the fish being murdered spell out the name of an island in the fish preserve, but the tricky bit is that opah fish, which has an alternate name. The Coast Guard folks with Aquaman point out that the fish names spell out STARO, but Aquaman says an alternate name for the opah is kingfish. I think STARO is more interesting, personally. Another name for opah fish is moonfish. Maybe STARM?

Quotefile: Opening text box,

You've all heard of Yellowstone National Park, where animals may roam freely for all to admire, safe from the menace of hunters' guns! Now you're about to see a similar haven for fish on the high seas, run by Aquaman, monarch of the deep!

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 115

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #191 (August 1953) - The Aqua-Cop of the Sea!

Aquaman makes a lot of people unhappy when he becomes a sea cop and starts handing out tickets for minor infractions.

Aquaman is originally called in after Sunday boaters start getting into accidents. But he's there for more than just the traffic problems, as we eventually learn. This is a case of Aquaman willing to destroy his public reputation to capture criminals, which becomes a bit of a habit with him. All the more reason to not worry about what folks think of Aquaman, as he never did. Well... ok, he did a little at the end of this tale: "I'm sure glad it's all over! I've made more enemies handing out phoney tickets than there are fishes in the sea!"

Finny Friends Report: On the splash page, Aquaman is riding what looks like a dolphin with teeth. Once Aquaman is called in, sea cows carry traffic signs and Aquaman rides a sea cow to write tickets. Mollusks attached to boat railings indicate the owners of the boats. To catch a speeder at the end of the story, he has a swordfish puncture the gas tank.

Quotefile: Female boater, "I think it's a shame, Aquaman! There've been 20 boat thefts this week, and all you're interested in is in issuing summonses for minor traffic violations!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 114

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #190 (July 1953) - The Hunter of the Seven Seas!

Joseph Lundgren, a famous big-game hunter, has tired of the same old prey and decides to go bag some monsters of the deep.

Finny Friends Report: A whale is caught and shocked by Lundgren. A giant octopus is caught in a net. Aquaman is alerted by other finny friends, and approaches the ship on dolphin steeds. He has a turtle free itself by biting through a rope, then it smashes a tank with a sawfish in it who frees the whale by cutting through the electric cable. Aquaman asks the whale to not destroy the hunter's ship. When the typhoon hits, Aquaman's fish cut loose a lifeboat. Flying fish locate the crew members washed overboard. The whale frees Lundgren and his friend from their diving sphere tomb, and shelters them as they get into the lifeboat. A group of dolphins pulls the lifeboat to shore, while Aquaman and Lundgren ride on the whale.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is captured in a net with his dolphins as he approaches Lundgren's ship. He frees the dolphins easily, but chooses to stay captured to find out what's going on.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Now-- Since the lives of these creatures are more important than any fun you get from catching them... you can let them go!" Lundgren, "Are you crazy? This voyage has cost me a fortune! If I return empty-handed, my reputation as a sportsman will be ruined!"

This is another story that illustrates Aquaman's fatal flaw in the Golden Age. He's a human. But he's friends with the fish. And he doesn't let people capture fish... except for aquariums and the like, which he supports. Oh, and he supported a whaler earlier, too. And obviously lets fishermen do fishing. So how does he justify stopping Lundgren and not stopping a fisherman? Are some fish his friends and other fish not? Does the Golden Age Aquaman have a double-standard?s

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 113

Adventure #189 (June 1953) - The Nautical Treasure Hunt!

A plane having engine trouble dumps all cargo, including a chest of diamonds, setting off a massive treasure hunt.

Finny Friends Report: Excellent splash page of Aquaman riding a swordfish. Aquaman rides his usual sea cow out to the location of the cargo dump. A dolphin helps him carry a diver to the surface. Three swordfish help him refill the chest.

Quotefile: Newsreporter, "...and the insurance company has offered exactly half the value of the diamonds to anyone who succeeds in salvaging the chest! Here's a chance for all you folks to go on a genuine treasure hunt!"

This is not a very intelligent plot on the part of the bad guys. They sabotage a plane while one of them is ON the plane, all in order to collect some insurance money? The treasure hunt, nicknamed "The Great Diamond Rush of '53", is a giant run of ill-equipped people that make the extremely nervous Coast Guard call in Aquaman to help monitor the crowd. Aquaman is badly needed, as people use homemade diving suits that get tangled in anchor lines, overbalance them out of control, and cause them to black out from going too deep without protection. He finally decides to stop the rush by offering to find the chest himself and split the proceeds with everyone in the crowd. And as it turns out, finding the chest isn't the problem. Finding the diamonds is.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, April 02, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 112

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #188 (May 1953) - Calling Dr. Aquaman!

Aquaman has to capture bad guys without violating a quarantine.

Finny Friends Report: A whale is hit by a ship, and Aquaman is summoned. He arrives on an ambulance pulled by swordfish, and tows the whale to his clinic. A finger-squid cares for the whale. When a swordfish has an anchor dropped on his sword, Aquaman gets an octopus to sharpen the sword. A sea-lion is ailing, and Aquaman is called in and arrives on his sea cow. The sea-lion is contagious, and so goes into quarantine at the clinic. Also at the clinic is a turtle with a patched shell. A carrier fish brings news of the gold smuggler. Two whales launch Aquaman onto the bad guys' boat. He reveals that a lantern fish lured the smuggler into the quarantine zone while cuttlefish and blowfish created a black spray that hid the real lantern.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is limited by the quarantine zone.

Speaking of the quarantine zone, Aquaman keeps it even after he's captured the smugglers... which means the prisoners are tied up for several days before they can be turned in to the Coast Guard at the end of the tale.

Quotefile: Ship captain, "I sent for you as soon as I spotted this ailing sea-lion, Aquaman! Is he badly hurt?" Aquaman, "From the glassy look of his eyes, I'd say he's contracted fish-scurvy! It's a disease that's contagious to other fish, so I'll have to keep him isolated!" Um, "fish-scurvy"?

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, March 30, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 111

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #187 (April 1953) - The Queen of the Sea

When Aquaman chooses another woman as winner of the Queen of the Sea contest, Ann Collins vows to make him regret it.

Lots of great lines in this one, enough to fill a quotefile... Ann first shows up Aquaman during a test of an "atom-powered torpedo" that veers off target. Ann catches the torpedo before Aquaman can, and aims it back at the target. She then challenges Aquaman to a test of who can stay under the water longer... The newspapers get the story of Ann's success and run with it: "Extra!" "Queen of Sea Beats King of Sea!" "Girl Dethrones Aquaman" "New Sea Monarch" "[Aquam]an Beaten By Girl".

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman notices that fish are avoiding a certain area and discovers a bell jar with an air compressor, which is how he figures out how Ann stayed under the water. When Ann races her mini-sub toward the surface, she slows down so she won't kill a school of fish, so Aquaman allows her to win the race.

Quotefile: Ann, "My heart's been set on winning that crown, Aquaman! Why didn't you select me?" Aquaman, "Since you ask, miss... I've seen snails that swam faster than you did!" PWNED!

Special Note: This story's script is later re-used in the Silver Age, one of two instances of re-used scripts I'm certain of in Aquaman's history. When I reach that story, I'll be sure to link back to this one.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 110

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #186 (March 1953)

Ambrose Weems is determined to destroy Captain Hoyle's Dive-In Theater using only legal means.

Weems is worried that Hoyle's theater will take away business from his Seaside theater. So he decides to take out the competition.

Weems claims that everything he's doing is legal, but I think most of it would fall under malicious mischief. First he throws bait into the water to attract sharks which go into a feeding frenzy in Hoyle's theater. He glues "inflated rubber baby swordfish" to the boats watching movies so adult swordfish will sink the boats. That's gotta be illegal. He deliberately cuts Hoyle's power cable with a propeller made of steel blades. Again, that must be illegal. Then Weems sets up a wind machine aimed at Hoyle's movie screen to knock it over.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman orders the sharks away after Weems lures them. When the swordfish won't listen to him, Aquaman has an octopus ink up the water so they can't see the fake baby swordfish. Aquaman rides his sea cow again, and uses electric eels to reconnect the power once Weems cuts the line. A number of Aquaman's friends scare off Weems and his hired help.

Quotefile: Customer watching a western at the Dive-In Theater, "This is a terrific idea! Imagine, we can enjoy a good movie and some cooling ocean breezes at the same time!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 109

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #185 (February 1953) - The Five Lives of the Sea King

Aquaman goes undercover to find a treasure dropped by crooks, but the crooks learn he's after them and make other plans.

Aquaman undercover again! This time he's wearing a nice blue business suit with a red power tie. As a contestant in the swim meet, he wears red swim trunks. Apparently, the bad guys don't know that Aquaman has blond hair, as the other contestants all have brown hair. They decide to figure out who Aquaman is by dropping an eel in the water and claiming that the man who captures it will get the job.

Finny Friends Report: After the other contestants have tried for 15 minutes, Aquaman tells the eel to stop and grabs it, only to reconsider. Unfortunately, the other contestant then grabs the eel. In order to save his life, Aquaman has a sea cow rise up under one of the other contestants and tells Lansing that everyone knows Aquaman rides a sea cow. Then he has seals start pushing another contestant up and down out of the water, making it look like he's doing stunts. Then an octopus makes first one, then two, then three of the contestants swim incredibly fast. Then Aquaman rides his sea cow after retrieving the chest of gems. A whale holds the bad guy's boat long enough for the Coast Guard to capture them.

Quotefile: Lansing, "Get that engine started! A sea full of Aquamen! It's like a nightmare! Let's get out of here!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 108

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #184 (January 1953) - At Sea in the Stone Age

Investigating a mysterious island, Aquaman sees a drawing of himself on a cave wall, then falls into a whirlpool that takes him to the past.

Another Time Travel story! Like the last one, this story leaves doubt as to whether or not it actually happened. Also like the last one, Aquaman falls into a whirlpool, which transports him back in time.

This time Aquaman is sent back to an island inhabited by cavemen. Oddly enough, the cavemen know his name and are depending on him to save them. The way he found the whirlpool in the first place was bizarre, as he found a cave on an island that he'd never seen before... and in the cave was a drawing of himself! This one is a twisty time travel story, and at the end Aquaman doubts that he really traveled in time, just like the last time travel tale.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman starts the story with his loyal Sea Cow mount. Aquaman believes he can control the sea monsters, but fails. He lassos and rides the sea horse monster and aims it at the giant sea lizard to get them to fight. Then, with the help of the cavemen, he ties up the octopus.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman falls into the whirlpool, twice, but isn't knocked out.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Mmm... I-- I thought I had explored every remote spot in the seven seas-- but this island is brand-new to me! I-- wonder if it's inhabited?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 107

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #183 (December 1952) - The First Undersea Jail!

Aquaman puts a number of his fish friends in jail for various acts of mischief, but a pirate decides to engineer a prison-break.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman starts the story riding his usual sea cow. Jumbo the whale likes to tip boats over, but he'd been warned the first two times, so when he does it again Aquaman makes him right the boat then takes him along to go to jail. Spying a ship going in circles, Aquaman finds another culprit: an octopus who likes to remove one propeller from a ship. Aquaman makes him fix the ship then takes him to jail. A third ship is suffering from a power outage. Aquaman discovers a swordfish and electric eel team that like to short-circuit power systems on ships. They also end up in jail. Aquaman is stunned when he sees them free, but they get up to their usual antics on the pirate's ship, stopping him cold. A very smart sea eagle spots Aquaman and frees him.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is captured by the pirates and tied up so he cannot communicate with the fish.

Lots of fun in this one. First off, the fish are just wonderful. The whale looks genuinely contrite as he's going to jail. The eyes of all the sea creatures are expressive. But the whale is just the best.

Captain Fleet, the pirate, has Aquaman gagged so he can't communicate with sea life. And it apparently works. No telepathy here. Aquaman is lucky that a sea eagle spots him bound and gagged and frees him.

Quotefile: Captain Fleet, "When we sprung those ''convicts'' of yours, I figured you'd be too busy rounding them up to notice what went on here! But it's just as well! Tape up his mouth, so he can't communicate with his finny friends!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 106

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #182 (November 1952) - The Ocean Restaurant!

Bill and Jane Wallace have a successful restaurant until their greedy landlord kicks them out of their lease, but Aquaman is willing to help the Wallaces out.

The landlord, Silas Flint, kicks the Wallaces out of their location because he plans to open his own restaurant there and capitalize on the business the Wallaces have built up. When Bill Wallace decides to try to buy another property nearby, Flint sells them a piece of land that's underwater. They don't discover it until after the purchase, when they go to inspect the property. That's when Aquaman arrives, and decides to help them out.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman arrives riding a sea cow. Whales, seals, and octopus gather the lumber for the new restaurant from wrecks on the ocean floor. Swordfish and sea cows join in for the building phase the effort, with seals hamming it up. Electric eels supply power for shore. A gull gives the inspiration for the name of the new restaurant, The Golden Gull. Whales ferry customers to the restaurant. When the typhoon approaches, sponges seal the windows and blubber fish seal the seams of the vessel, with the assistance of octopus. Whales pull the restaurant/ship under the waves where it's safe from the typhoon.

Cosmic justice strikes in the form of the typhoon, which spares the Golden Gull thanks to Aquaman's help, but doesn't spare their old property. Leaving Silas and his nephew out in the cold.

Quotefile: Bill, to Aquaman, "Aquaman, look! Coming right at our new restaurant... a typhoon! Do something, or I'll be ruined!" Aquaman, to himself, "I sure appreciate his confidence in me... but how am I supposed to stop a typhoon?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 105

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #181 (October 1952) - The Evil King of the Sea!

Jim Hall is a champion swimmer who isn't making much money winning meets, so he takes up a new profession.

This is a short, sweet story that is actually very slight in plot, but it's hardly noticeable. The artwork is fantastic, to the point where it's never difficult to tell Jim from Aquaman even though they are wearing the same uniform and have the same color hair.

The islanders of the South Pacific island are a bit stereotyped, but they are also smart. In the brief exposition we get about them, we learn they are being relocated to another island (willingly, apparently) by the Coast Guard and are awaiting Aquaman, whom they've never met, to assist them.

In a single very odd panel, all the islanders except one are dressed in loincloths or dresses, the one being an out-of-place man wearing a brown suit and green hat!

Finny Friends Report: In order to convince the islanders that he's the real Aquaman, Jim Hall has a shark do a somersault, and an octopus become a merry-go-round. Aquaman is unable to get his finny friends to help because of chemical pills that drive off fish. So Aquaman calls seagulls down to remove the pills, then challenges Jim again. Jim has a whale do a dance, but Aquaman's finny friends rip the fake whale to pieces to show the bad guys inside.

Quotefile: Islanders, to Jim, "Forgive us for doubting you, Aquaman! But we couldn't afford to take chances, for our collection of coral is the most valuable in the whole world!" Jim, to himself, "You're telling me!"

Aqua-Exclamations: "Well, I'll be a splintered whalebone!" (at seeing the shark do a somersault).

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 104

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #180 (September 1952) - The Bank Beneath The Sea!

After giving a tour of his underwater bank to a young fan, the boy accidently tells a member of a pirate crew about the tempting target, leading to an attempt to rob it.

Loose lips may not sink ships anymore, but they certainly give pirates ideas. Aquaman is confident that his bank is safe in part because only his friends know about it... until young Billy spills the beans. Still, all is well that ends well, and the bad guys would've learned about the bank eventually anyway. You'd think. Considering how they never seem to have any trouble finding out about Aquaman's health.

Finny Friends Report: A giant clam serves as Aquaman's main vault. An octopus helps stack new deposits. When Aquaman is away, a chain of electric eels acts as an early warning system, and rouse the octopus to throw up an ink screen. A school of phosphorescent fish alert a swordfish that attacks the pirates.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "I've installed a number of devices that would foil any burglary attempt! Besides, only my friends know of the existence of this undersea bank... so why worry?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, March 16, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 103

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #179 (August 1952) - The Raft of Doom!

Five men, sailing on a primitive raft to prove a migration theory, are attacked by criminals intent on stopping their voyage.

Can you say Kon-Tiki? Thor Heyerdahl's famous journey took place in 1947, the documentary of the voyage was awarded an Academy Award for 1951... in early 1952. This story came out in August of 1952. Hmmmm... wonder if there's any relation?

I was fascinated by Kon-Tiki as a child, so this story hit a special spot in my heart. Sadly, the plot isn't terribly good. It's almost as if someone said, "Hey, let's do a story about those guys in the primitive boat!" then figured that would be enough. The bad guys seem partly tacked-on and pretty lame, and Aquaman figures out their whole motive without any hints in the story itself. Nice artwork, yes, but not the best Aquaman tale.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman attaches the raft to some porpoises to pull it into a mist so that the criminals cannot find them. When Aquaman decides to help them over the reef, a group of whales gather and create a giant wave that carries them across. After Aquaman learns they lost their sails going over the reef, he has two manta rays hook up to the mast to become improvised sails. When the raft is attacked by a submarine, Aquaman has whales create a "smoke screen" of spouted vapor to block the view, then as he covers their periscope he orders octopus to surround the sub and "emit an inky black substance". Whales, turtles, and a sea cow tow the submarine to land.

Quotefile: Daily Herald reports on the voyage:

Scientists plan 3,000 mile raft voyage! Hope to prove ancient migration theory!

Five plucky men will set out in a raft today and let the ocean currents carry them into the vast Pacific. Their object is to prove that certain natives from the mainland performed this same feat hundreds of years ago and thus settled on remote faraway islands...

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 102

Adventure #178 (July 1952) - The Return of Captain Flint!

As Aquaman is assisting with a movie production, the main actor is hit on the head and starts to believe he really is a notorious pirate.

If you were a boy in 1952, reading this story, odds are good that you would be familiar with Treasure Island, thus you would recognize the names "Captain Flint" and "Admiral Benbow". Captain Flint is the name of the pirate who collected the treasure that was hidden on Skeleton Island. Admiral Benbow is the name of the inn that Jim Hawkins' family owns. Perhaps the movie was a prequel to Treasure Island?

This is a "detective" tale for Aquaman, in which he figures out that things aren't what they seem using the small clues. The unnamed doctor's diagnosis and recommendation seem really odd... play along with the delusion? But the final clue that Aquaman figures it out from isn't so clever, as ships have booms as well as camera rigs.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman directs whales to position a ship for a scene in the movie. At the end of the movie, the bad guys are rounded up by an octopus and sea cow.

Captured/Knocked Out report: As "Admiral Benbow", Aquaman is chained with heavy weights and forced to walk the plank.

Quotefile: Wally, as Captain Flint, spotting Aquaman, "Aha! So it's my arch enemy, Admiral Benbow, who has sworn to capture me! By the living thunder, this day shall be your last!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 101

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #177 (June 1952) - The Man Who Was Aquaman's Double!

Tommy Leeds looks and sounds like Aquaman, only he can't swim.

Aquaman discovers, entirely by accident, a man who looks exactly like him. But the man, Tommy Leeds, can't swim and is therefore in danger of losing his girl, Ginny, to a rival. Aquaman helps Leeds out, then gets Leeds help to capture Spanner and his gang of pearl thieves.

It's kind of funny to see Aquaman and Tommy Leeds switching outfits. Tommy is wearing a pair of blue swimming shorts and nothing else. And Aquaman has one of those all-time classic kinds of lines: "Leave that to me, Tommy! Just hurry and get that suit off, while I arrange with one of my finny friends to help us out!" Oh really, Aquaman?

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides a sea turtle again. A shark carries Leeds as he's impersonating Aquaman. Sea Eagles beat the air and drive away the smoke. Whales put out the fire around Leeds. At the end of the story, Aquaman leaves on the sea turtle.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is corralled by Ginny who covers him with kisses. I'd call that captured. Tommy Leeds, as Aquaman, is trapped by the "Sea-Carpet of Daggers".

Quotefile: Ginny, "Don't be ridiculous, Tommy! If Aquaman can't beat those crooks, what can you do?" Aquaman, pretending to be Tommy, "I'm sure glad I'm going to be too busy for awhile to answer that question, Ginny!"

Tally: 101 stories down, 405 (and counting) to go...

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 100

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #176 (May 1952) - The Ex-King of the Sea!

While stopping pirate Pete Desmond, Aquaman is walloped on the head and loses the ability to talk to fish.

We last saw a story along this theme in Adventure #134, but in that story the sea creatures attacked Aquaman. In this one he's simply forgotten how to talk to them. We've also seen the "amnesia caused by a bump on the head" before, in Adventure #127, but that was full-blown amnesia, and not simply forgetting how to talk to fish. However, the solution to both amnesia cases was the same: another bump on the head.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides up to the piracy on a sea cow. He attempts to order whales to capture Desmond after he's been hit, but cannot remember how to communicate with them. Aquaman uses food to get a whale to appear to heed his commands, but a wave washes the food away. Then he paints a baby cuttlefish on the propeller of Desmond's ship, causing a large octopus to think it's threatened and smash the propeller. After getting hit on the head again, Aquaman instinctively calls for help, and his finny friends rush to his assistance for the last two panels of the story.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is knocked out by Desmond to start the tale, then hit on the head again to end it.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "T-they heard me - and understood me! That blow on the head jogged my memory back -- and with it, the language of the deep! Now those crooks haven't a chance!"

HUZZAH! I've made it through the first 100 stories! While I'm still technically in the Golden Age tales, we're in that wavering period between the true Golden Age and the Silver Age. The stories are getting easier to find if you want to hunt them down to read along. And as I continue I will be skipping some tales that feature Aquaman... because I'm only reporting on Aquaman's solo stories, not other character's stories in which he appears. Before I reach story number 200, Aquaman will also join the brand new Justice League. I won't be covering those stories on this go 'round, but I hope to come back to them after I finish with the solo tales. That is, I hope to have finished collecting them by the time I finish my Ripples Through Time on Aquaman solo tales.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, March 12, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 099

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #175 (April 1952) - Mystery of the Disappearing Island!

John Preston is desperate to find an island that the sole witness who can save his son was reportedly headed to, and Aquaman arrives to help.

Captain Tom Preston rescued the survivors of a pirate attack, but because the attacking ship and the island it was headed to have vanished, Tom was accused of the piracy and sentenced to death. The one witness who could clear Tom's name was kidnapped... and that's where we come into the story, with Tom's father, John Preston, an old friend of Aquaman, looking for the island that disappeared.

This story has a few odd twists. It's possible that Aquaman never would have noticed the suspended island if the pirate himself hadn't led John Preston and Aquaman right to it. True, he was trying to get Preston's reward money, but it was still a dumb move.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides a dolphin up to John Preston's ship. He calls his finny friends to help when Captain Dirk threatens Preston from his island, and uses the whales to lighten the island so it surfaces. Sawfish cut a hole in the bottom of Dirk's base, freeing Saunders. Sea eagles carry Aquaman and Saunders to the court to save Tom Preston, while whales resink the island to make sure Dirk can't shot the elder Preston.

Quotefile: Aquaman explains the suspended island, "So all Captain Dirk did was fit the island up with regular submarine ballast tanks! When these are flooded, the island sinks... and from his water-tight compartment inside, Dirk can fill or drain those tanks!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 098

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #174 (March 1952) - The Whale That Was Wanted For Murder!

Aquaman is rescued by Black Beauty, a giant whale, only to learn that a posse has been formed to hunt the whale for sinking ships.

Captured/Knocked Out report: At the beginning of the story, Aquaman somehow manages to get himself trapped between two icebergs that are moving together.

Finny Friends Report: Black Beauty helps push the icebergs away from each other, freeing Aquaman. Aquaman rides a shark to lead the hunt for Black Beauty. He finds the whale before the posse, and quickly figures out that he can't be guilty because his back is still sore from pushing the iceberg off Aquaman. So Aquaman's finny and feathered friends help protect Black Beauty from the posse. The shark pulls the depth charge away, and sawfish cut the whale free from a net. A sea eagle stops the first harpoon, and a group of hard-shelled turtles protect him from the rest. Meanwhile, Aquaman has fish hold up a shell that he rubs with silver nitrate, then 1000 glowing ray fish and a "battery of electric eels" help Aquaman create an x-ray machine, which he uses to discover the real reason Captain Verne is desperate to capture Black Beauty.

Quotefile: Aquaman's thoughts, "Verne, huh? I've always suspected he bought his fleet of merchant ships with profits he made from diamond smuggling! But so far, we've never been able to catch him with the goods!"

Another very straightforward little Aquaman tale, with Aquaman reluctantly participating in a hunt for one of his friends. Of interest is Aquaman's use of a shell tapping on the ice to attract help when he was trapped in the icebergs. Again, the whole idea of his telepathy hasn't yet been fully developed.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, March 09, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 097

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #173 (February 1952) - The First Underwater Gold Mine!

Luke Brady is sold a gold mine, not realizing that it's underwater... but for some reason the thugs who sold it to him want it back.

Captain Daggart is known to Aquaman for looting salvage ships... I presume that means that Daggart waits until the salvage crews have brought up the goods, then steals them.

This is yet another story that mixes cowboys and the ocean. I think the last one was Adventure #148. Once again, the cowboys continue to wear their totally inappropriate cowboy gear while hanging out on the ocean.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman defends Luke and his partners with a whale by aiming the spray from the spout at the bad guys. A crew of whales and octopus help to drop the mining shaft to the ocean floor, while a baby whale pumps the water out. When attacked, a couple of seahorses carry one bad guy away, then a sawfish cuts the bad guy's air line. A flying fish helps Aquaman jump from the water to attack bad guys in a boat, then tarpons take out another boat with the old rope trick. A giant sea turtle and eels help Aquaman attach to the final boat, then a shark helps get the odd group over rocks. At the end, octopuses bring up the gold.

Quotefile: Opening text box, "Remember the yokel who bought the Brooklyn Bridge at a bargain? And the sap who snatched up the Empire State Building for a song? Well, this is the story of rancher Luke Brady and his pals who shelled out their life's savings for a gold mine -- five miles out at sea! But the excitement mounts when the swindlers suddenly start a fight to get it back -- and almost succeed until, to the rescue, comes Aquaman, monarch of the seas, who helps the hoodwinked Westerners solve the puzzle of ... The First Underwater Gold Mine!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 096

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #172 (January 1952) - Aquaman Leaves The Sea!

After a gang of crooks robs Captain Banks, Aquaman goes inland to capture them.

Now, you all know I've been looking for some time for the origin of the "one hour limit" in Aquaman's stories. So far I haven't found it. But this tale makes a LOT of the implication that Aquaman is weaker out of water, and the splash page actually has Aquaman getting groggy from being on land! The opening text box asks, "Does his strength ebb like the tide when he leaves his natural domain?" While the clear answer from the story is no, it's hard to not see this as the possible first cut into Aquaman's abilities.

Aquaman goes after the crooks on land because he made a promise to protect Captain Banks in some unrevealed story. Even after he's been shot, Aquaman continues to pursue the bad guys, and states that he owes Captain Banks a debt of honor. Like Captain Banks, the bad guys assume Aquaman is helpless on land, and are very disturbed when he shows up and easily takes them down. As in a previous tale, Aquaman rides in a train in a milk car.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has a sea gull track the bad guys to their lair after he's been shot. He has a goldfish turn off the light in their hiding place to rattle them, then a sea eagle captures one of the thugs. At the end of the story, Aquaman rides off on his sea turtle.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is shot by the crooks as he follows them to shore, and his arm is injured for the remainder of the story.

Quotefile: Captain Banks, after Aquaman says he's going after the crooks on land, "But what good will that do? Your strength is in your sea power, where all your friends are! On land, you'll be all alone... and helpless!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 095

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #171 (December 1951) - Mystery of the Disappearing Mermaids!

John Jenks' Aquacade is missing its performers, but Aquaman is there to help the show go on and figure out what happened to the girls.

This is the shortest regular Aquaman story, coming in at only four pages, and the last page is only 2/3 of the page. Despite the limited space, a lot of story is packed into it, starting with a tale of greed and sabotage, and moving quickly to Aquaman's innovation and a quick resolution.

Of course, lots of the action is left out. We never see Gropper kidnap the regular swimmers, nor do we see their rescue. The jump from Tate's attempt to electrocute the girls to him shooting at Aquaman is pretty abrupt, and there's no real indication of how the baby whales actually captured the bad guys. It's not bad for a quick tale, but I'm glad stories this short were very rare.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman is again riding his giant sea turtle, which seems to be his main mode of transport, at the beginning of the story. He sends out a carrier fish to get help for Jenks. Dolphins support the replacement performers in their opening act, then the girls balance on seals. An Octopus whirls the girls around in another act. Aquaman uses electric eels to ground the shock from the dynamo, then baby whales capture the bad guys.

Quotefile: Chorus girl, "But we thought we were wanted for a stage job! We can't swim!" Aquaman, "Don't worry, girls! We'll take care of that!"

I had to resist the temptation to make this the longest ever Ripples Through Time...

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 094

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #170 (November 1951) - Mutiny Under The Sea!

Aquaman is stunned when his fishy friends start stealing cargoes and refuse to obey his commands.

This is the 10th Anniversary Aquaman story, showing up in November 1951.

Aquaman doesn't lose his powers in this one, but we learn that they can be replicated with a machine. Tom Lariar's telepathic machine fits into a 1950's camera, and has vacuum tubes in it. Lariar speaks into it to give fish their orders. He has to be within sight, apparently, for his commands to work. The fact that Lariar shows up at all the crime scenes, gloating that he's taking pictures of Aquaman's failures, is the hint that breaks the case.

Finny Friends Report: Two whales attack a ship and steal oil drums. A group of swordfish cut holes in a ship to make it list so the pearl cargo drops off the deck. A shark bites through the line connecting a tug to a barge of cargo, then sea cows haul off the barge. Aquaman is attacked by an octopus, "once the best of friends... n-now... choking the l-life out of me!" Aquaman is attacked by whales, and uses the spout to knock the telepathic machine out of Lariar's hands. Aquaman's finny friends then return all the stolen cargo to make up for stealing it in the first place.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is held captive by an octopus until the telepathic machine is out of range.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Is it possible that I have been deposed as King of the Seas... and that the fish have taken up a life of crime?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 093

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #168 (September 1951) - Aquaman: One-Man Crew!

When Rogers bribes the crew of Captain Matt Cleary to abandon him right before a most important journey, Aquaman takes their place.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides a giant sea turtle at the beginning of the tale. Once he decides to be Cleary's crew, he calls in whales to haul to ship (thus saving fuel). Riding across the sky in a giant clam shell hauled by giant sea eagles, Aquaman goes to find an iceberg to keep the ship's cargo from spoiling. Dolphins bring him the giant clam shell, and sea elephants haul the iceberg back to the ship. Sawfish cut the ice into chunks to put on the ship. After Castaigne dynamites a hole in the ship, Aquaman has whales hold the ship steady, then "thousands of denizens of the depths" rise and lift the ship into a "fantastic floating drydock". Aquaman has dolphins help him pull the good plates off the wreck he finds, then sea elephants hold the plates steady over the hole until Aquaman can weld it on with power from electric eels. Two seals recognize Roger's torpedo as the threat and turn it around to sink Roger's ship.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Folks, the crew has deserted -- but I'm going to help Captain Cleary get this ship safely to Singapore! Anyone who wants can go ashore now!" Passenger, "Not me! Let's go! I'd sooner trust Aquaman than any crew!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 092

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #167 (August 1951) - Treasures of the Sea!

Captain Stillar blackmails Aquaman into helping search for treasures, but gets a lot more than he's bargained for.

New artist report! An artist by the name of Ramona Fradon took over the Aquaman feature with this issue.

Aquaman visits Captain Stillar to find out why Stillar harpooned a swordfish and brought it aboard his ship alive. Stillar explains that he has torpedoes aimed at Aquaman's friends, and will release them if Aquaman doesn't do exactly as Stillar asks. Aquaman agrees. Aquaman accomplishes all three tasks, with twists, but still ends up having to deal with the torpedo.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman visits the injured swordfish that Stillar captured, and is followed by an entourage of sea life that include whales, swordfish, dolphins, turtles, and an octopus. Aquaman fills the first treasure trunk with Jewel Fish to keep his word to Stillar but deny Stillar the reward. Aquaman gets oysters to give him tiny pearls to fill the bag Stillar gave him as the second task. For the third task, Aquaman has whales and the octopus pull apart the sunken treasure ships, then all his finny friends haul the gold up to Stillar's ship.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is trapped in the tank with the injured swordfish by Stillar who then reveals his threats to Aquaman's friends.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Prisoner? Why, I'll rock this boat till it turns on its side... I'll signal my whale friends to ram and sink you if you don't release me, Stillar!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ramona Fradon, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 091

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #164 (May 1951) - The Strangest Questions in the World!

When Brad Jensen graduates from the Coast Guard Academy, he hopes for a sea job but it bitterly disappointed to be assigned to a department that answers questions from ships at sea.

I've got mixed feelings about this one. It's a cute story, but Aquaman's help for Brad seems a bit off. For the first problem, the dust storm, it's not bad. But the second problem... why didn't Brad ask Aquaman to save the burning ship?

Aquaman's goal is to make Brad look good so he'll get a sea posting. While Brad has "weeks of training" before he takes command of the department, it's only a few days before he's moved up. All well and good for Brad... except the Coast Guard wasted all that training on him, and what about the poor guy who has to take his place?

Finny Friends Report: On the splash page, Aquaman has squids releasing "Aquatic Ink" which is being provided in jars by a line of lobsters. Aquaman rides a giant sea turtle up to the dock at the graduation. Aquaman gives Brad some pilot fish in case he runs into any questions he cannot answer. In Brad's first problem, Aquaman calls in whales to clear up the dust storm. For the second problem, Aquaman has sawfish carve up blocks of ice, then has turtles move them close to the burning ship so the gold can be saved.

Quotefile: Opening Text Box: "What kind of noise annoys an oyster? How deep is the ocean? How do you stop a dust storm at sea? These and dozens of equally fantastic questions daily pour into a special department of the Coast Guard which prides itself on its ability to answer every query, no matter how bizarre!" I just want to note that they never do answer those first two questions.

We're getting into the stories that I'm really familiar with, because many of these late Golden Age/early Silver Age Adventure comics aren't hard to find in poor to good condition. The next few issues are ones that I've had longer than just about anything else in my collection.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 090

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #162 (March 1951) - Under the Sea for Life!

Steve Sender wants to become like Aquaman, and Aquaman offers to make him able to breathe underwater, but he wouldn't be amphibious.

The splash page has nothing to do with the story. Aquaman, riding a whale, is going past a beach of surprised people who watch as his fishy friends frolic. I love the dancing fish that are riding the whale with Aquaman.

Steve begins his lifelong fascination with Aquaman when he sees Aquaman perform at a charity event, and dive into a pool with flaming oil on the surface. He immediately starts to practice, staying underwater in the bathtub as long as possible and trying to train sea turtles.

After many years, he becomes a strong swimmer who can hold his breath for nearly three minutes. He hangs out with the press so he can meet Aquaman, and nearly gets himself killed. After he rescues Aquaman in a later incident, Aquaman decides to give him the chance to live underwater, but through a series of tests that Steve can't possibly pass.

Steve's temporary Aquaman costume is a yellow scaled shirt, blue pants, and red belt and gloves. His diving helmet and tank are orange.

Finny Friends Report: Steve Sender trains sea turtle and dolphins with mixed results. Aquaman gets some "airfish" stationed under a stuck submarine, and uses reeds running to the surface to fill them with air, and free the sub. Aquaman has "Luminous X-Ray Fish" provide light while Steve searches the wreck. Aquaman chases off an octopus that broke an underwater warning signal. Aquaman uses a lobster to free Steve from the carnivorous plant, then has squid create a rescue signal for the wrecked pilots.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is caught by a giant clam when the electric fish trap paralyzes him temporarily.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "I'm giving you a chance to be my assistant, Steve! The operation my father performed on me is known only to one living surgeon! But he can't make you amphibious! If he operates, you must remain underwater the rest of your life!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, February 26, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 089

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #160 (January 1951) - Aquaman's Sea Cops

Harbor Patrol chief Juan Jones resigned his position when he couldn't prove that Tim Weed was smuggling gold, but he's still certain of the crime and the criminal... and Aquaman is willing to help him prove it.

Aquaman alone could have wrapped this one up, but helping Juan get his job back, not to mention his self-respect, was an important aspect to the story. Juan used to be the chief of the Harbor Patrol at the International Port, and one aspect of the port is that the police are recruited from all over the world. The other three officers that help Juan are Angelo Caesar, Pierre Brunn, and Lee Chang.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman calls in giant sea turtles to act as "prowl boats" with swordfish escorts. Electric eels act as transmitters, and glowfish somehow receive their messages. A giant lobster opens the sub, and a giant sea-clam pulls the bad guys to the surface and the harbor patrol.

Captured/Knocked Out report: A depth charge knocks out Aquaman after he finds the sub, and the bad guys pull him into the sub as bait for the rest of the patrol.

Quotefile: The bad guys sum up the story: "That fool, Juan Jones, is back, and he and Aquaman stopped me tonight! But they had to let me go when I showed them our "ancient" coins! Haw!" "I'm running off "15th Century Florins" from our last shipment of gold bullion!" "This tarnishing acid really makes them look 500 years old!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 088

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #158 (November 1950) - Portrait in Peril!

Tom Renfrew must paint an action picture of Aquaman to win a scholarship, but Aquaman is busy repairing an undersea cable, and Tom cannot dive after injuries in the War.

Aquaman founded an art college? Of course, one related to marine arts. Fascinating stuff. I wonder what the curriculum is like? In addition to the three previous scholarship paintings, the dean's office has paintings of eels and water plants and sculptures of dolphins and Aquaman.

Major plot hole... Tom dumps enough luminescent dye into the ocean to see Aquaman clearly enough to drop the diving bell on him. Why on earth didn't he just paint Aquaman once he had him visible? Another major plot hole, how can a man who did "lots of diving" during the War be unable to swim?

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has ramoras attach to the diving bell and lift it away from him. Swordfish rip apart Tom's "portrait" of Aquaman (a caricature with water wings).

Captured/Knocked Out report: Tom traps Aquaman in a diving bell to get him still long enough to paint him.

Quotefile: The Dean and Tom, "The scholarship is yours, Tom -- on one important condition. Within three days, you must submit an original action portrait of our founder!" "You mean a portrait of Aquaman, sir?" "Yes... Each year, the student awarded the scholarship must complete this requirement! You see -- 1947 -- Aquaman captures Captain Skull. 1948 -- Aquaman subdues a waterspout. 1948-- Aquaman attacked by tiger sharks... but your job in 1950 may be the most difficult!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, February 23, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 087

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #156 (September 1950) - Aquaman Versus The Sea!

Aquaman agrees to set a record for crossing the English Channel for charity, but learns that he's being used in a nasty swindle.

The new representative of the European Seamen's Charities convinces Aquaman to swim the English Channel for charity, and gets Aquaman to sign an agreement that also requires him to keep silent about his participation. When Aquaman learns that several young hopefuls trying to set the Channel Record are going to be in the same race, he confronts Hartwick and learns that the whole thing is a set-up, as Hartwick is betting that none of the favorites will win... since no one knows that Aquaman will be in the race. Hartwick reminds Aquaman that he signed the contracts, so Aquaman must compete and attempt to win the race. He does so, but alerts his finny friends to the fact that he doesn't want to win the race, so they stop Aquaman from winning.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman walks across a line of dolphins to get to Hartwick's yacht. Once Aquaman learns about the swindle, he tells his problem to a 200 year old turtle and a 100 year old whale, along with other fishy friends, and encourages them to help him without breaking the contract. During the race, an octopus drags Aquaman down and a whale forces him into the grip of a giant clam. After Aquaman frees himself, he gets swordfish to free Pierre from Hartwick's net. After Hartwick attacks Kathie, Aquaman decides the contract is broken and attacks with the help of swordfish and dolphins. At the end of the story he thanks his finny friends for helping him lose the race.

Quotefile: Text box, "Returning to his undersea palace, on a sunken island, he consults his friends of the deep..." Yes, another appearance of the pre-Silver Age Aquacave.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 086

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #154 (July 1950) - Aquaman's Sea-Circus

Ichthyologist Enoch Druten summons Aquaman to Zero Island, then threatens rare species of fish with poison unless Aquaman performs in a sea circus.

Druten's motive is a bit weak. He just wants to be recognized as a genius fish expert, and decides the way to do so is to get Aquaman to perform in his sea circus with one of virtually every type of fish in the sea. This harkens back a little to Adventure #109, in which a man had spent his life gathering specimens of every type of fish, but Druten is a wee bit more insane and considerably less honest.

As usual, Aquaman outwits the bad guy with the help of some finny friends. In general, heroes of the Golden Age were simply smarter than their opponents. Despite being a self-declared genius, Druten was no match for Aquaman. Always be suspicious of people who call themselves smart.

Finny Friends Report: In the sea circus, Aquaman has four fish "sing" a quartet, two swordfish duel, flying fish perform on a trapeze, and an archer-fish spits at targets. As a finale, Aquaman enters a cage of "man-eating tiger sharks" to the awe of the crowd. To thwart Professor Druten, Aquaman sends pilot fish on a special mission. They summon sawfish, electric eels, and sharks who bypass Druten's poison system and free the threatened fish. Then Aquaman has dolphins haul Druten to the nearest Coast Guard patrol.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is "trapped" by Druten's threats to the fish in the electric cage.

Quotefile: Megomaniac talking, "I've sent over 2,000 message afloat. Aquaman is sure to find one! Wait until he learns that professor Enoch Druten, the world's greatest ichthyologist, has summoned him!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 085

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #152 (May 1950) - Don't Go Near The Water!

Just as he's about to embark on a coast-to-coast swim across America, Aquaman is doused with a chemical that makes it impossible for him to touch water.

Another story in which Aquaman cannot touch water for over 48 hours! We last saw this theme in Adventure #107, when exposure to radiation made Aquaman unable to touch water.

In order to swim across the country without touching water, Aquaman first dives into a giant glass of champagne, then various vats of dye (blue, red, green), then caustic soda and sulphuric acid, then orange juice (freshly squeezed... er, crushed), then milk (which he churns into butter), then mercury (!!), then cactus juice, then crude oil. As he leaves the oil pipe, he stops some thieves and dives into water after them, much to the astonishment of the camera crew following his every move. Aquaman explains that the oil sealed him from the water.

Finny Friends Report: The splash page has a cute image of Aquaman on a rock surrounded by confused finny friends, and on the final page Aquaman is talking to a fish about his adventure.

Quotefile: Camera crew, as Aquaman dives into vats of dye, "Great stuff, Aquaman! You're graceful as a porpoise!" Aquaman, diving into red dye, "If you're calling me a poor fish, notice how read my face is about to turn!"

With the next issue of Adventure Comics, DC decided to try out alternating Aquaman with The Shining Knight. As it worked out, Aquaman and the Shining Knight alternated in issues of Adventures Comics until Aquaman's 10th Anniversary in Adventure Comics #170. Aquaman was meant to appear in the even-numbered issues, and did so except for Adventure Comics #166, which featured a second Shining Knight story in a row. The Aquaman story possibly meant for 166 was published in 167... with new Aquaman artist Ramona Fradon. Make of that what you will.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 084

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #151 (April 1950) - The Biography of Black Jack!

After finding a book on famous pirates in the library of one of his victims, Black Jack decides he needs to have a book written about himself.

As far as I know, this is the last appearance of Black Jack. I'll continue to look for him while I read other stories, of course, but I think that this is the tale that finally sunk him.

Black Jack finds a book called "Lives of the Great Pirates" on a captured ship, and reads about Captain Bartholomew Roberts, Captain England, Captain Kidd, and Henry Morgan. He gets a bit jealous that they are immortalized in a book, and decides he has to be immortalized as well, so he orders his crew to find and capture an author.

The author he gets is a famous biographer, Derek Hartley. After hearing about the kidnapping, Aquaman decides to give Derek some material to work with. The end result is an entirely different book than the one ol' Black Jack wanted. And, apparently, the publication of that book marked the end of Black Jack's career.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has some whales corral and polish an iceberg, which he uses as a mirror to fool Black Jack. He has some whales bring an old Navy ship used for target practice onto Black Jack's course, and Black Jack attacks the ship only to get used as target practice himself. Aquaman also has some sea creatures help him finish off Black Jack when he attacks the yacht.

Quotefile: Black Jack, "Not a word about me, Black Jack, the greatest pirate of them all! Ye might think people never heard of me!" Prophetic words indeed, Black Jack.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Monday, February 19, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 083

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #150 (March 1950) - The Boy Who Went to Sea!

Young Jerry Higgins wants to go to sea and become a sailor, but when he runs away to become a cabin boy, he has the misfortune of ending up on Black Jack's ship.

For a very long time, this was the earliest (by date) comic book I owned, so this story has a special place in my heart.

Jerry's luck is pretty awful. He gets on Black Jack's ship, witnesses the crimes of the crew, then is threatened to keep Aquaman in line. That's what you get for running away from home, kid! If it's a moral tale, though, it's not a great one. Jerry is rescued by Aquaman and rides a porpoise home.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has a whale push Black Jack's ship off the rocks, then has a giant clam cover the hole in the hull. A school of whales hides Black Jack's ship from the Coast Guard cutter. Aquaman enters the ship with a seal through the hole by asking the clam to move aside. Jerry rides a porpoise to safety while the seal pretends to be him. Aquaman and the seal beat up Black Jack and his entire crew, with help from the giant clam who let the water into the ship.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is forced to do Black Jack's will, or see Jerry killed.

Quotefile: Jerry, leaving home, "If I expect to become a sailor, I'd better start now! I'll get on a ship as cabin boy, and learn the ropes... it won't be long before I become a captain!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Friday, February 16, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 082

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #149 (February 1950) - Undersea Artist!

Walter Mason uses the last of his funds to paint a seascape in the hopes of winning a big prize, only to have it stolen just as the exhibition gets underway.

The first panel of the story shows Walter's landscape, and why it becomes important later in the story... I fully expected the bad guys to be familiar, but they were just generic thugs... Walter has run out of money and needs to win the prize in the exhibition to keep painting underwater... Walter is delighted to find that the thieves didn't destroy his painting, and Aquaman figures out what Walter himself didn't while he painted, and there's the happy ending.

Finny Friends Report: A swordfish accidentally cuts the air line to the bathysphere Mason is in, so Aquaman has a group of seals push it to the surface. During the attack on Mason, an octopus is hit by a bullet and releases a cloud of ink that allows the bad guys to escape. Aquaman pursues them and has a sawfish cut a hole in their ship, then attacks them with giant lobsters and an octopus to get them off their ship. An airfish blows their boat over and they surrender.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "I've seen many odd forms of life under the surface of the ocean... but this is the first time I've seen an artist!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 081

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #148 (January 1950) - Cowboy of the Coral Seas!

When Cheyenne Charlie has to leave his beloved Wyoming for moister climes, he takes up ranching sea life.

This one has more awful cowboy-speak than I've seen in many Western comic books. Cheyenne Charlie is a happy cowboy, enjoying life until a doctor tells him that he has six months to live if he stays in dry Wyoming. When Charlie learns that seals travel in herds and are valuable to circuses and aquariums, he decides to open a sea-ranch. Wearing the same gear he used to wear as a cowboy. I'm not sure how he stays on his surfboard with those boots.

Black Jack gets involved, as a seal rustler! Once again, Black Jack has Aquaman caught, but doesn't kill him, just puts him in a motor boat and expects him to die from the crash. Villains in the Golden Age never figured out that a bullet was better than rich revenge.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rounds up Charlie's scattered seals for him. A bunch of sea-horses chew through the ropes Aquaman is bound in. And octopus threatens Black Jack and his crew as Aquaman takes them underwater, and a sawfish destroys Black Jack's rifle. Aquaman ties up the bad guys with eels.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Black Jack throws a grenade at Aquaman, and he's too close when it goes off and is knocked out by the blast.

Quotefile: Black Jack, on his devious plan to get rid of Aquaman, "Look at that Bronc, bucking like mad! But Aquaman is staying on... till he crashes full speed into that coral reef! It'll smash him to bits!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 080

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #147 (December 1949) - The Man Who Was Rescued 100 Times!

Aquaman rescues Dan Dunbar from different perils across the world, and eventually goes to find out why.

Finny Friends Report: A giant sea turtle gives Dan a resting place after his first rescue. Aquaman breaks up a fight between an octopus and a swordfish. He then has to save Dan from a group of sharks, using a giant squid to create a smokescreen. Aquaman rides a dolphin to the Sargasso Sea. He rescues Dan from a giant clam, an angry walrus, and a giant lobster. Aquaman rides a whale in his final rescue of Dan. He then allows an octopus to play with Dan after he learns the truth.

Dan Dunbar and his jet-powered blimp (!) claim to be mapping all the ocean currents. But Dan quickly arouses Aquaman's suspicions, as Dan has to be rescued three different times in three different parts of the world... all of which just happen to be near where Aquaman is. Hmmmm... Oddly enough, Aquaman allows the rescues to continue and doesn't confront Dan directly. He eventually climbs up to the blimp himself and finds a movie crew filming each rescue for "the greatest sea epic of all time"! A large donation to charity, and Aquaman allows the film to go ahead with his name on it.

Certainly not the best tale of this era. It does have the distinction of pointing out that Aquaman doesn't always control sharks. It's also the last of the 1940's tales, as the next story is cover-dated January 1950.

Quotefile: Text box: "Vicious sharks are the renegades of the sea, and Aquaman must outwit them with the aid of a friendly denizen of the deep!"

Aqua-Exclamations: "By Neptune's beard!", "Suffering Seaweed!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 079

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #146 (November 1949) - Aquaman Loses His Powers!

Aquaman is stung by a strange deep sea creature and loses all strength in his muscles for a week.

Imaginary pitch for this story: "Hrm, we made Aquaman unable to touch water, and then we made all his finny friends attack him, then we made it so he couldn't breathe air... what do we do now? I know, let's make it so he can't swim!"

Lots of fun in this one. First off, the ship Aquaman helps is carrying a covered load marked "Top Secret U.S. Government, which falls overboard and sinks in a storm. Aquaman is called to salvage the lost cargo and does so... and we never get the slightest hint of what is in the package.

The cargo sinks to four miles deep, and Aquaman meets the rainbow stingray there, which gives him an electric shock that weakens his muscles. As in previous stories, the news that Aquaman is out of commission gets around entirely too quickly and Black Jack goes on the attack. His first target is a Sea Extraction Plant that pulls salt, iodine and kelp from the sea, but also extracts gold, silver and platinum. You can guess what Black Jack was after. Next, Black Jack attacks a bathysphere with men taking valuable deep-sea pictures. I admit, I can't quite figure that one out.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets two large fish that look a bit like killer whales to take the sunken item to the surface. Then he goes to examine the strange deep sea creature and is stung. After he learns of Black Jack's attacks, a dolphin and swordfish escort him to the area. The swordfish rips up the boat of the thugs, while electric eels make them drop their loot. Other fish return the loot. When Aquaman decides to convince Black Jack that he's back in action, he has two transparent fish push him to the scene of BJ's latest crime spree, then has an octopus create a smoke screen so BJ won't see another fish give Aquaman a push to go with his punch. Then a hammerhead shark attacks at the same moment as Aquaman and with enough speed to fool the criminals.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is zapped by the deep sea creature and has to be pulled aboard the ship he just helped out.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "By Neptune's beard! I never ran across that deep-sea type before. It gives off rainbow colors! I must examine it and... ugg! Worse than any electric eel!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 078

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #145 (October 1949) - The Sea Hitch-Hiker!

Quentin Ward draws the comic strip Al's Adventures, and when a skeptical editor claims Al's adventure is impossible, Quentin sets out to prove it's possible by doing it.

Quentin has a neon outlined giant thumb which he uses to attract ships and rides. His goal is to get around the world, entirely by sea, by hitch-hiking the entire way. Aquaman meets Quentin and gives him assistance on some of the legs of his ride.

Quentin's character parallels the events that Quentin himself eventually goes through, including riding a turtle and scrubbing decks to pay his way... Quentin tells the editor, "I'm on my way! My assistant can fill in on the deadlines while I'm gone."... The story spells Sydney as Sidney, Australia... The canny editor uses Quentin's adventures to double circulation on his newspaper.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets a giant turtle to give Quentin a ride to Panama Canal. An octopus helps him free a boat, and a pod of dolphins pulls it to catch up with a ship bound to Australia. A whale gives Aquaman and Quentin a ride from the Cape of Good Hope back to New York.

Quotefile: A ship captain to Quentin, "You're a queer one! But come on, mister! We'll take you through the canal!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 077

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #144 (September 1949) - A Martian Adventure!

The FBI calls in Aquaman to investigate an S.O.S. signal from the Himalaya Mountains.

I was born after the first Mars probe visited the red planet and proved that there were no canals on it. Thus, it's kind of hard for me to take the FBI agent and Aquaman very seriously when they look at a picture of the valley and immediately say, "That looks like the canals on Mars!" Luckily, the fact that there are no canals on Mars doesn't really destroy the premise of the story. The people of the valley looked at Mars, saw the same optical illusion that other astronomers saw, and got inspiration for their own canals. I can live with that.

There is one major contradiction in this tale. The people of the valley inform Aquaman that he cannot leave the valley because they don't want contact with the outside world, and its savage wars. But they lit a gigantic flaming S.O.S. symbol when a jet flew over! If they don't want attention, that's the worst way to avoid it!

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman notices a fish native to the Arctic Sea in a canal, and figures out that there is a subterranean river connecting it to the valley. He gets lobsters and crabs to weaken the wall blocking the water source, then gets some Arctic whales who live in the river to push the wall the rest of the way down.

Let's not go into the geography of a valley in the Himalayas being connected underground with the Arctic Sea. Nor should we worry overmuch about the fresh water/salt water issue. And I'm not going to wonder why the FBI is involved.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is told he can never leave the valley.

Quotefile: Opening Text, "Ever since the telescope was invented, the baffling canals of Mars have been a mystery to Earthly imagination! Are they the superb engineering feat of a valiant people, staving off the extinction threatened by dwindling water supplies? Nobody knows!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 076

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #143 (August 1949) - The Second Robinson Crusoe!

Phineas Pike is stranded while out testing his new boat, but his deserted island turns out to be a hideout for Black Jack.

Strange splash page... it shows Robinson Crusoe stunned as he finds the footprint, but Black Jack is behind a rock aiming a gun at him while Aquaman leaps at Black Jack from above (not from the water). To finish off the level of surreal, the Sea Sleuth is watching the whole thing from a handy spot on a cliff. Crusoe himself never actually appears in the story, as Phineas takes that role.

Finny Friends Report: Phineas uses the beak of a dead swordfish as a saw, gets a turtle to haul logs for him, and somehow gets seals to assist in building a log cabin. He takes a shower by standing in a spot that a bull-whale like to "blow off steam" at. Aquaman has fish crowd around Black Jack's boat to stop it from moving, but is foiled when Black Jack's crew pours tar on him. Sharks chase off his fish. Later, on the island, he throws fish at Black Jack and his crew to attract sea gulls, then throws sea gull eggs at the crew. He has a walrus and giant sea turtle sit in Black Jack's rowboat to prevent escape.

Captured/Knocked Out report: None in this story, unless you count Phineas crashing his boat and saying "Glub!" a couple of times.

Quotefile: Opening text box, summing up the entire story, "Who can forget the thrilling saga of Robinson Crusoe, stranded on a deserted island, valiantly battling against all odds to survive? But his feat is now duplicated by none other than the Sea Sleuth, Mastermind of the Marine, Sherlock Holmes of the Sea! And as a crowning touch, he aids Aquaman, King of the Waves, in foiling notorious Black Jack! All this and more results when the Sea Sleuth becomes... The Second Robinson Crusoe!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time, Sea Sleuth

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 075

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #142 (July 1949) - Undersea Big-Game Hunt!

Two big-game hunters, tired of the same old boring hunts on land, take the hunt to Aquaman's private preserve.

Not one of Aquaman's finer stories. The fantastic fish are fun, but otherwise I'd label this one a miss. The family of fish on the splash page, a group of plesiosaur-like creatures with strange heads and stegosaurus-like plates on their backs, are pretty cool... but don't appear in the regular story.

Aquaman's marine preserve has signs to warn humans away, but of course the hunters ignored them. One of the signs is a bit amusing: "Last Warning/No Man's Water/Danger/Turn Back". I guess it couldn't be "No Man's Land".

Finny Friends Report: A porpoise warns Aquaman that hunters have entered his marine preserve. He protects the first endangered species, a sea serpent with a lion's head and walrus teeth, but putting a piece of glass coral between the creature and the hunters' electric guns. When the giant lobster/rhino attacks the hunters, Aquaman calms it down. Then he has an octopus steal the hunters' guns. A giant turtle with a horned fringe on its head chases them into a giant shell, which is inhabited by an irate giant snail. As a finishing touch, Aquaman has a small fish with very large teeth chase them the rest of the way out of the grotto.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is shot at by the hunters, but they miss and he escapes easily.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "You fools! Is there any sense in killing off rare creatures, for the sheer sake of killing? Get out of this marine preserve - or you'll be sorry!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, February 05, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 074

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #141 (June 1949) - Return of the Sea Sleuth!

Aquaman starts to teach Phineas Pike how to swim when he notices a stray fishing boat and goes to warn them, only to fall into a trap.

The opening splash page has nothing to do with the rest of the story, except that it shows all three principal characters. Aquaman is tied up and being guarded by two thugs, while Black Jack stalks Phineas Pike, who is studying footprints in sand.

Nice bit of wordplay between Aquaman and Phineas at the start of the story, as Aquaman comments on Phineas' sign ("Sleuth of the Sea/Marine Mastermind/Wizard of the Waves/Phineas Pike/Cases Solved--/Cheap") then tells Phineas he's going to learn how to swim. Aquaman starts to teach him to swim, and says, "Elementary, isn't it, my dear Phineas?" Apparently not, as Phineas still is unable to swim at the end of the tale.

Aquaman follows Black Jack and the phony Aquaman to a water carnival, where Aquaman (the double) is presented with a small box of pearls in honor of the work he does for all seafaring folk. The double was to bring the pearls back to Black Jack, but he's interrupted by the real Aquaman. Phineas figures out that Black Jack wouldn't bother with a disguise for his ship at the water carnival, since a pirate ship would only be expected at a carnival like that.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman sends a fish to find Phineas, as his sea friends apparently can't open the box he's in. Phineas rides his giant sea turtle, which he calls "Myrtle" in this tale, out to Aquaman's location. Aquaman rides a dolphin as he follows Black Jack's trail. Aquaman puts a lobster in the pearl box which pinches Black Jack when he opens it.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is captured in a fishing net when he goes to warn the stray boat that the fishing in the local waters is very poor. Black Jack shows Aquaman his double, then locks him in a steel fish-proof box, which he dumps into Black Bay.

Quotefile: Phineas, looking at a fish that just bit him, "But this is a corealis porcel, native only to Black Bay! Why did it come here, to strange waters? It must have been sent! Deduction -- Aquaman sent it!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time, Sea Sleuth

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 073

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #140 (May 1949) - The Sleuth of the Sea!

Phineas Pike, a master detective who knows everything there is to know about the sea, is unemployed and looking for a job.

The introduction of a new repeating character happens in this story, as we meet Phineas Pike, the Sea Sleuth, for the first time. Phineas is a Sherlock Holmes wannabe, even down to wearing a deerstalker, who uses small clues to figure out details. Like figuring out where a ship docks based on the barnacles on its hull. He also knows how to ride a giant turtle by using a fish as a lure to keep it moving forward. He can tell the age of a fish by looking at its teeth. And figures out where a message in a bottle came from using a map of currents. Aquaman takes advantage of Phineas' skills, and they apparently work well together as a team.

Phineas likes using the Latin names for fish species. He refers to a salvelinus fontinalis, a coralima equatis, and the chelonia major he uses as a steed. He also inadvertantly reveals to Aquaman that he cannot swim.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman is visiting the Aquarium to deliver a rare fish from Madagascar. He has a clam squirt a thug in the face, then when they try to escape to a boat, he has two sharks stop them. Phineas rides a giant turtle, not under Aquaman's command, to stay with the action. Aquaman has an octopus throw him aboard the ship he's attacking. Then he has his fish friends weave a net, which he throws over the bad guys after electric eels shock the guns out of their hands. When Phineas falls off his giant turtle, Aquaman has an octopus rescue him.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Not in this story.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "The Sleuth of the Sea! The Wizard of the Waves! The Marine Mastermind! But he can't swim!?!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, Sea Sleuth

Friday, February 02, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 072

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #139 (April 1949) - The Man Who Owned The Sea!

Simon Drago claims to own the sea by virtue of a 2000 year-old document, but Aquaman is unconvinced.

The story is pretty basic... nasty pirate dude comes up with unique justification for his crimes, which Aquaman has to disprove. What's truly fascinating about this one is the undersea supreme court and its members. For the first time ever, we have Aquaman's undersea friends talking to a surfacer in plain English! Both the walrus and the large golden fish speak during the court session.

And there's even a merman! The first merman ever in Aquaman's history. Indeed, the first hint in the Aquaman stories that such a species exists, as he's said before that they don't exist. This remarkable character only shows up in three panels, is never given a name, and I don't believe he ever shows up again.

Finny Friends Report: A walrus acts as court clerk for Aquaman's undersea supreme court. A merman (!) is the prosecuting attorney, and a gold fish is the first witness. An octopus acts as guard, and a variety of other fish are the jury. In the flashback, Aquaman rides a whale and has the whale spout at Drago and his crew to stop the fighting. A large group of Aquaman's fish friends surround Drago's boat and create a whirlpool, making Drago and his entire crew too dizzy to fight.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman isn't captured or knocked out in this tale.

Quotefile: Aquaman, reading from Drago's document, "We, Augustus Rex, Emperor of the world, grant to the House of Drago, and all its heirs, full ownership of all the seas of the world!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Merfolk, Ripples Through Time

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 071

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #138 (March 1949) - Marooned in the Deep!

Aquaman is unable to breathe open air for a week after a dive six miles down into the Great Deep, and Black Jack gleefully takes advantage of the situation.

Aquaman's condition is leaked to the press very quickly, as in previous stories. Apparently there is no sense of doctor/patient confidentiality, or the paparazzi in the Golden Age DCU are particularly nasty and effective. They GA DCU paparazzi might well be paid a lot by the underworld to report on superheroes' conditions... anything that might give the bad guys an advantage.

Black Jack's ship has an electrified smoke-screen, to throw off radar as well as visual contact.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman starts the story assisting a fish who is trapped in the Great Deep, six miles under water. When he learns that Black Jack is raiding the Gold Coast, he has dolphin steeds take him to the area. Because he can't surface, he has a swordfish poke a hole in Black Jack's rowboat. An octopus grabs the thugs, but Black Jack fights it off and escapes. Aquaman uses a swordfish and turtle in a sword fight with Black Jack and his thugs.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is knocked unconscious by the pressure at six miles down, and is put in a pressure tank when he's found to prevent him from getting the bends. He wakes in the pressure tank.

Quotefile: Aquaman, walking through a polluted city at the end of the story, "Oh boy! Is it great to breathe in air again -- or is it? Cough... Choke!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 070

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #137 (February 1949) - The Undersea Lost World!

Aquaman is commissioned by the United Nations Marine Bureau to help Professor Peabody find valuable mineral deposits on the ocean floor.

Great splash image of Aquaman shoving a rock down the throat of a prehistoric-snake-thing that has Prof Peabody wrapped in its coils, with the UN flag in the background! Very exciting.

Aquaman and Peabody are considered explorers and compare themselves to Amundsen, Perry, and Byrd. Aquaman gets a ticker-tape parade and a medal for his efforts.

Peabody's pressure suit contains a supply of liquid oxygen, and allows him to stay down for days. That's some pressure suit! It's clearly got some level of robotics, or Peabody wouldn't be able to move at all. But there's no worries about the bends... Aquaman drags Peabody up from the ocean floor to an island to fix the suit very rapidly, as the oxygen to Peabody had been cut off. This story requires a little extra suspension of disbelief.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets some porpoises to pull a giant shell chariot that he and Peabody ride in. Aquaman attempts to stop the prehistoric monster from attacking, but says, "No use, this species doesn't know me! I'm not King of the Sea here!" Aquaman gets a sawfish to free him from the giant clam that Black Jack puts him in, and then the fish fights off monsters while Aquaman escapes to the surface. A large seal deals with Black Jack's crew while Aquaman beats up Black Jack.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Peabody is knocked out by Black Jack while working on his diving suit, then Aquaman is knocked out by Black Jack (in the diving suit) while claiming the copper bed for the UN.

Quotefile: Peabody, "Ever been here before, Aquaman?" Aquaman, "I doubt it! The ocean is three times the land area! It would take me ten lifetimes to see all of it!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Monday, January 29, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 069

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #136 (January 1949) - Water Boy!

Chuck Finn is a fantastic swimmer who wants to become more like Aquaman, but a criminal gang sees potential is Chuck's skills.

Chuck is one of the first to want to be like Aquaman, but he's far from the last. There will be many other people who try to become Aquaman in the future.

The criminals have a decent idea for a job, robbing a riverboat at a point in the river that is apparently impossible to swim across. If Chuck hadn't already written to Aquaman, the plan would have worked. They convinced Chuck to participate by threatening to blow up the levees if he refused.

Finny Friends Report: An octopus delivers Chuck's letter to Aquaman. Aquaman later has fish retrieve the stolen gems and put them in the pockets of the thieves.

Captured/Knocked Out report: One of the thieves hits Aquaman on the back of the head with the butt of a pistol.

Quotefile: Chuck's letter, "Dear Aquaman, I love to swim. I swim to school every day, and to the store. I want to swim like you. Can you tell me how to do it? You are the best swimmer I know. Very truly yours, Chuck Finn. P.S. I can swim across the Mississippi now!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 068

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #135 (December 1948) - The Ship That Dared Not Land!

The Proteus is a strange ship that doesn't land in any port, and Aquaman's curiousity leads him to find out why.

Three scientists create new life, but it eats everything in its path and they cannot figure out how to kill it. They decide to ride around the ocean on their ship for ten years, trying to destroy it, while chasing away anyone who comes to investigate. This makes them a legend, and Aquaman goes to check them out.

The three scientists all have long beards, and they eat only fish, drink only rain water, and use whale oil to run their engines. Um. Ok. Aquaman just happens to stop by right when the Malignant Amoeba breaks free from its cage (killing two of the scientists) and heads out to sea.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides on a giant turtle as he approaches the Proteus. He sends his fiercest finny friends to attack the Malignant Amoeba, including a whale, but they are all eaten by it.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman apparently dies when he leads the amoeba into the area of Bikini, hoping that the radioactivity will destroy it.

Quotefile: Dr Blaine, "Artificial life, Aquaman! Then years ago we created it, and kept it alive! But then we found that it couldn't die! We named it the Malignant Amoeba!

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, January 26, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 067

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #134 (November 1948) - Exiled from the Sea!

Aquaman is attacked by all his marine friends after putting out a chemical fire, and is exiled from the ocean for 30 days.

Lots of newspapers in this one, all with headlines that shouldn't be announced to the world when Black Jack is about. The Bulletin says, "Aquaman Exiled From The Sea!" and The Trumpet says, "King of the Sea to Be Landlubber for 30 Days!" and The Star says "Monarch of the Waves "Grounded"!" No surprise that a later headline is "Black Jack Plunders Seven Seas, Unguarded by Aquaman!" Apparently, there weren't any medical privacy laws in 1948, much to the dismay of Black Jack's victims.

Chemical names on the barrels near Aquaman during the fire: Propylene, Ethyl Carbolate, Hexene Dichloride, Methylate, and Carnotite. No, I really don't know what they are, or why they'd all be on one ship next to one another.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets seals to help him put out the fire by forming a bucket brigade. When Aquaman enters the water, he's attacked by an octopus, giant turtle, sharks, dolphin, sworfish, and whales. When Black Jack knocks him into the ocean, Aquaman is chased out by sharks. At the end of the tale, we see Aquaman hanging out with all the fishy friends who attacked him except the sharks.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman has to be rescued by a passing ship after he first is attacked. After Black Jack knocks him into the water, he is forced to outswim the sharks.

Quotefile: Doctor, "I'm afraid it will take 30 days for a new growth of skin to replace your stained skin! There is no way of removing those chemicals from your skin!" Aquaman, "You mean--?" Doctor, "Yes, Aquaman! Stay out of the sea for 30 days!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 066

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #133 (October 1948) - The Great White Whale!

A whaler named Captain Mohab goes after the great white whale, and Aquaman gets involved.

This is a truly bizarre story. At first it seems to be a retelling of Moby Dick with Aquaman involved, but then you notice the different details... like Ahab changed to Mohab. But Mohab is missing a leg, just like Ahab... and blames the whale, just like Ahab... and this is an old-fashioned whaler, not a modern ship. And, of course, there's the whale itself.

There is never any indication that this is a dream, or a time travel tale like Adventure #121. The opening text box does say, "Fate plays strange tricks in the deep. This time a great sea-story - the tale of Moby Dick - is re-enacted when Aquaman runs afoul of the brutal Mohab"... so that seems to indicate that this is happening in modern times.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman never actually calls on fish in this tale.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Sharkey hits Aquaman from behind when he gets in a fight with Captain Mohab. Aquaman is hung from the mast as a storm is coming.

Quotefile: Aquaman, thinking, "This Mohab is made of iron - and hate! But iron man can be mastered by Aquaman!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 065

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #132 (September 1948) - The Aquagirl!

When millionaire Mark Windham sees a mermaid, he can't rest until Aquaman gets to the bottom of the mystery for him.

Back in Adventure #110, Aquaman says, "I've explored every ocean on Earth and never have I seen a mermaid!" In this story, Aquaman scoffs at Mark's certainty that he's seen a mermaid, and says "I've swum the seven seas and searched for all kinds of things, but this is the first time I've had to hunt for a mermaid!" No one is more surprised to find out that she exists than Aquaman.

Aquaman's suspicions are first roused when Thetis the Mermaid makes it clear that she has not "mastered the uncanny method of communication all sea creatures understand". He realizes that she's not a mermaid when her fishtail is caught by a stray fishhook and she doesn't feel pain.

Finny Friends Report: Porpoises bring word of a fire on a yacht, then carry Aquaman and Thetis to the disaster. A whale helps Aquaman put out the fire. Aquaman gets oyster friends to supply pearls for a priceless present for the bride.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman isn't captured or knocked out in this tale.

Quotefile: Mark's message in a bottle, "Aquaman: I have actually seen a mermaid three different times. My friends think I'm crazy - but I know I'm not. Please help me."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Merfolk, Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 064

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #131 (August 1948) - The Undersea Post Office!

Cap'n Gregg is about to earn the mail charter for a remote island route after a year's trial, but his final trip runs into disruptions.

There's a map on the opening page, upon which someone is pointing out Cap'n Gregg's route, but for the life of me I can't figure out where in the world it's supposed to be. I think it's an attempt to draw Indonesia and the Phillipines, but not only does that not make a lot of sense, it's also missing a lot of key land mass.

The opening splash actually has nothing whatsoever to do with the rest of the story. It shows Aquaman with a trident attacking two men in diving suits opening a safe full of cash. No post office there, no mail, and there aren't any diving helmets in the rest of the story. This might be the first time a splash page for Aquaman depicted something completely different than the story. It won't be the last time.

Aquaman gets a whole sack of mail from Cap'n Gregg. Fan mail, "as usual". Heh.

Finny Friends Report: At the beginning of the story, Aquaman is riding on a giant sea turtle. He has a giant turtle, two octopi, and a swordfish fight off sharks to save a member of Cap'n Gregg's crew. Aquaman has a swordfish, flying fish, and a sea-eel deliver mail. When the flying fish and their mail bag are shot by Barton's crew, Aquaman has tiny squids plug the holes in the bag, then dolphins carry the mail to its destination while Aquaman takes a ride on another large fish to deal with Barton. Aquaman has a whale bump the ship then lobsters attack Barton and his crew.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Not in this story.

Quotefile: Opening Text box: " "Neither snow nor rain, nor heat nor gloom of night, nor undersea deeps and marine dangers, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds!" Does this familiar quotation seem wrong with that underlined phrase? You'll see how right it is when Aquaman, the Sovereign of the Seven Seas, makes sure that the mails go through, by the victory of... "The Undersea Post Office!" "

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Mail, Ripples Through Time

Monday, January 22, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 063

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #130 (July 1948) - The Sweetheart of the Seven Seas!

Aquaman sees a movie starring Esther Grable and falls in love, so he decides to go to Hollywood and marry her.

The movie that Esther Grable is in is called "Swimantics of 1948" ("Swim Antics"?) and has two reviews that we can see, one from the Daily Bugle... Aquaman manages to watch a whole movie and spends the night in a sleeper car on a train without any special water help, so I think it's safe to say that he still has no "one hour limit" here... Once Aquaman finds Esther, he immediately has to save her from a gorilla in pants. No, I'm not joking. She's attacked by a gorilla in pants. Or maybe it's supposed to be Bigfoot. Wearing pants. I don't know... Esther doesn't want to give up her career to marry Aquaman, so she sets him some tasks. The first is to fetch Arctic ice for her "daily beauty refresher", the second is to get her a string of pearls, and the last is to jump over a rainbow. He manages all three feats... There's a bit of twist ending after Esther tells Aquaman that she won't go into the water because it would ruin her makeup, and also that she can't swim, but I'll leave that as a surprise for folks who someday get a chance to read this wonderful little story.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman's fishy friends tell him where to find pearls for Esther. He also has whales blow liquid into the air so he can jump over a rainbow for her.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman falls asleep on the train to Hollywood, and faints when Esther refuses to go into the water.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Gosh, she's beautiful! And look at her swim! There's a pain in my head, a ringing in my ears, I'm seeing double, my feet hurt - Hey! I think I'm falling in love! There's a fit mate for the captain of the seven seas! I've got to see her - I've got to meet her - I believe I've got to marry her!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 062

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #129 (June 1948) - The Treasure Beneath The Lake!

When Aquaman and Ark go on vacation to a new lake created by Brentwood Dam, they quickly stumble across villainy.

I love the splash page on this one, with Aquaman (and Ark) inside a bottle with a model ship. I also like the implication that Aquaman goes on vacation to "new" bodies of water created by man. In this case, the lake created by a new dam. Aquaman tells Ark that there are still trees, roads, and houses in the lake.

Naturally, the vacation doesn't last long, as Aquaman spots a diver being attacked by three other divers. He rescues the victim, Frank, who tells Aquaman about a fortune in gold dust that his old partner hid before being murdered by Duke. Aquaman takes up the treasure hunt, and plays an underwater ghost to scare off Duke's thugs. But Duke himself isn't frightened, and Aquaman soon requires rescue.

Despite his problems, Aquaman spends a lot of this tale smiling. His grin after he scares off Duke's thugs is pretty amusing.

Finny Friends Report: Ark is the only sea-life assist in this story, and he helps Aquaman search as well as rescues him near the end of the tale.

Captured/Knocked Out report: After Aquaman scares off Duke's thugs and lets his guard down, Duke himself sneaks up and wallops him with a wrench underwater.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Here goes my vacation - because crime never seems to take one."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ark, Ripples Through Time

Friday, January 19, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 061

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #128 (May 1948) - The Sea Circus!

Aquaman starts a circus to raise funds for protecting fish.

Aquaman visits an area he hadn't been to for awhile, and discovers all the fish have left. He learns firsthand why, when a rockslide hits him. After getting free, he checks the hillside, and decides to hire an engineer to support the cliff. To raise the money, he puts on a Sea Circus.

The crowds are HUGE. In fact, we know how much the take is, because some thieves are stealing it while the show is on! Forty grand... but the thieves think that turning out the lights is enough to stop Aquaman. Ha. Aquaman puts aside his top hat and grabs a deep sea fish to light his way. The thieves are quickly stopped, and the show goes on.

Finny Friends Report: A dolphin helps get the boulder off Aquaman's leg. In the sea circus: Flipp the Flying Fish jumps through a flaming hoop. Louie the Leading Lungfish climbs a tree, two seals and a pod of whales put on a rescue show, and a balloon fish swells and deflates. When the lights go out, luminous fish spell out "Aquamans Sea Circus" and an unknown fish works as a flashlight for Aquaman. The criminals are attacked by an octopus, then a walrus bursts through ice at them. The ever-present electric eels shock one thug. The lungfish chases another thug up a tree. The trained seals throw things at another thug and the whales spout off to finish him off. As a final act, Aquaman has starfish do a water ballet.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Nope, not in this tale.

Quotefile: Advertising Sign: "Aquaman's Sea Circus! A whale of a show! Nothing fishy about it! See it, and you'll never crab!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 060

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #127 (April 1948) - A Fish Out of Water!

As Aquaman is fighting Black Jack, a depth charge goes off too near and Aquaman loses his memory.

Depth charges make a sound like "WHROOM!" ... Aquaman's suit was nearly shredded, and Black Jack's crew spot a piece of it and think they've finally killed Aquaman... The lighthouse keeper, Henry, apparently didn't know Aquaman because there was enough suit left to identify him as Aquaman, but he leaves the lighthouse without any clue to his true identity... Without any memory, Aquaman still walks directly to the docks as he wanders, leading him to conclude that "I seem to like water!" ... Without even thinking about it, Aquaman makes a very Aquaman-like rescue of some sailors from a burning ship... Despite the rescue, no one seems to realize he is Aquaman, except Black Jack... Black Jack immediately hires "Seven Seas Saunders" to work as a mess boy, which gives his crew endless amusement... We get to see Aquaman in a chef's hat.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides up to Black Jack's latest venture on a whale, but tells the whale to turn back once Black Jack starts attacking with depth charges. Once he's regained his memory, Aquaman has swordfish dismantle the hull of Black Jack's ship, then has whales capture Black Jack and his crew to turn over to authorities.

Captured/Knocked Out report: A depth charge knocks Aquaman for a loop and gives him amnesia. Later, as an inexperienced cook, the lid of a pressure cooker hits Aquaman in the head and he regains his memories.

Quotefile: Aquaman, as Seven Seas Saunders the mess boy, "Aquaman! That's a familiar name! Wonder who he is?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Monday, January 15, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 059

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #126 (March 1948) - The Man In The Iron Shoe!

When wanted criminals start committing suicide by drowning themselves, Aquaman is called in find out why.

We get lots of named criminals in this story, but the main character of focus is never named! We learn of Trigger Malone, a murderer, Mark Smith, a thief, Snatch Uzell, a kidnapper, and Tipper Dale, a jewel thief. All of them apparently commit suicide, always with a police officer as a witness. Well, except for Tipper Dale. His "officer" turns out to be Aquaman in disguise, who follows him into the water.

Once in the water, Aquaman learns that the criminals use iron shoes to drag them into a waiting sub, which then takes them to an underwater resort where they get plastic surgery from a gang doctor who runs the whole operation. Aquaman fights the doctor and his rescued criminals, and uses his knowledge to outwit them.

One big problem... Aquaman lets a lot of oxygen into a room. The doctor then fires a bullet into that room, which bounces off a metal wall. Aquaman (and the doctor) must be really really lucky that the bullet didn't cause a spark, leading to a deadly conflagration.

Finny Friends Report: No fishy help in this story.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman allows himself to be captured when he follows the sub, but escapes as soon as he's sized up the situation.

Quotefile: Narrator, "What's this? Aquaman using a gun, after having sworn never to kill or maim a prisoner? Then why should he reach for a gun now? Will he spurn his sworn code?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 058

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #125 (February 1948) - D-Day in Davy Jones' Locker!

Professor Saybrook is attempting to set a world record for deep sea exploration, but Black Jack intends to use Saybrook's equipment to trap Aquaman.

Very straightforward plotline. Black Jack takes over Saybrook's expedition, sends out a false distress signal, then waits for Aquaman to come. Once Aquaman arrives, the battle begins.

Finny Friends Report: A deep sea turtle saves Aquaman from the initial harpoon attack. He then rides the turtle to counter-attack. A saw-fish frees Aquaman from the net. Then an octopus creates a smoke screen when Aquaman is blinded. The octopus then throws boulders at the "pill boxes", leading to Black Jack's men retreating back into the bathysphere. Aquaman uses a ray as a parachute to reach the top of the bathysphere where he ties a rope on, which is taken by a whale who drags the bathysphere to the surface.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is briefly trapped in a barbed wire net.

The bathysphere goes down without a line. Exactly how are Black Jack and his crew able to keep breathing? Black Jack's crew get pounded, the suits they are wearing (that Black Jack claims to have invented) must be really strong, both to resist the pressure and the pounding Aquaman gives them. The whole fight is likened to a war, with Aquaman and his sea friends as the allies. Aquaman drags the bathysphere up very quickly... considering that they were so deep that the pressure was too much for any diver except Aquaman to attempt, they really ought to be suffering from the bends. But then, they already should have suffocated, so the bends would be the least of their worries.

Quotefile: Black Jack, "If it wasn't for Aquaman, I'd be king of the seven seas! But the day has come when he'll interfere with my plans no more! He'll never escape this trap!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 057

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #124 (January 1948) - The Sea Serpent!

Professor Ness, studying giant turtles on Galapagos, discovers a growth serum... but his assistant becomes greedy.

If you are a Golden Age scientist, you simply cannot trust your assistant. You are fated to die by your assistant's hands. If you discover anything whatsoever of value, you won't make it past the second page.

Jack Leach, the assistant, is smoking in the second panel as he asks Ness about the giant turtles. Ness explains that he thinks the secret of why they grow so big is in their food, and follows the turtles around to see what they eat. He finds a type of moss and eventually extracts the growth serum out of it. Leach kills him over it, but the initial sample is spilled, which leads to a water snake getting some and becoming ... a sea serpent!

Aquaman finds Ness's body, and goes to question Leach. He's attacked by a giant bunny, which he distracts with a pile of carrots, No, I'm not making this up, and Leach falls off the bunny and breaks his neck. Aquaman then oils himself down to face the coils of the sea serpent. I have to admit I wonder what happened to the Giant Galapagos Bunny.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gathers an army of fluorescent fish to attract the sea serpent, then is carried away from the corpse of the serpent by dolphins.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is knocked out by the grenade he feeds to the sea serpent when it explodes.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "A GIANT RABBIT!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, January 12, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 056

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Want to read these stories yourself? Write to DC: Dan Didio, Executive Editor, DC Comics, 1700 Broadway, New York NY 10019 and ask for a reprint of Aquaman's Golden Age tales.

Adventure #123 (December 1947) - Villainy in Venice!

Dina Lewis spent her life savings to travel to Venice to find romance, instead she stumbled over a plot to steal paintings and ran into Aquaman.

Finny Friends Report: A fish delivers Dina's compact to Aquaman, complete with the note begging for help. He has dolphins patrol the canals of Venice, and they find Dina when the thugs throw her into the water. Dolphins also pull the giant clam shell that Aquaman uses to transport Dina, sealed, to an underwater treasure, then to the pageant. Octopi and dolphins clog the engine of the modified gondola and remove the guns from the crew.

At the beginning of the story, Aquaman is at his "Adriatic Headquarters in the Gulf of Venice". Hmmm. I think this means that Aquaman has multiple headquarters! Which makes sense for a guy who appears to be constantly on the move, checking out the oceans from shore to shore.

I love the opening splash of Aquaman in a "chariot" made from a giant shell pulled by two dolphins. Even better, the chariot shows up later in the tale. The ball is dedicated to Neptune, and Aquaman's "costume" and chariot fit the theme nicely.

The bad guys could've avoided a lot of grief if they'd just killed Dina before tossing her in the canal. Dina, in the meantime, clearly falls for Aquaman and is heartbroken when he leaves her at the end of the story, suggesting that the reward money for the capture of the Count go to her. Let's see... he saved her life twice, took her to an underwater shipwreck filled with treasure, escorted her in style to a ball... yeah, I can see why she's heart-broken.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is briefly choked by the smoke bombs.

Quotefile: Dina, on going to the ball with Aquaman, "I can't go! My dress is ruined - and my other clothes left with my ship this morning!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 055

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #122 (November 1947) - Operation Justice!

Navy officials learn of a man on Bikini atoll just before the July 1946 test, but Aquaman explains who the man is and why he was there.

Nice splash page, with Aquaman drawn on the missile (no, he doesn't ride a missile again). There's also a nice little... um... current events lesson. No, I wouldn't call it history at the time it was written. The Bikini tests would be only a year old when the story was written.

Nice little set-up in this one. Aquaman runs into a mystery on a cruise liner when a strange man who always wears a life preserver is accused of stealing salt. At the same time some jewels are stolen. Aquaman puts the facts together and figures out the crime and the method, and captures the bad guy, Dune, and his hired thugs (comparing himself to Batman in the process).

Dune escapes, though, and that's where Bikini comes in. Because the thief escapes by murdering a guard, Aquaman declares the death of the man on Bikini to be an execution and urges the Navy officials to not spoil their safety record over his death. There are a couple of problems with this, not the least of which is that the Navy apparently let a raft with a living human on it drift into a severely restricted zone. That should spoil their safety record.

Finny Friends Report: No help in this one.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Not in this tale.

Quotefile: Dune, "That noise - a plane circling - it's dropping something! Oh... those ships... that plane! Now I know where I am!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 054

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #121 (October 1947) - Shades of John Paul Jones!

A strange whirlpool throws Aquaman back in time, where he saves the Bon Homme Richard before it can be sunk by the Serapis.

A history lesson for the kiddies, with a distinctly American slant, of course. Aquaman gets caught in a whirlpool and is apparently sent back to the Revolutionary war where he witnesses and participates in the battle between John Paul Jones' ship Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. During his time travel, Aquaman rescues John Paul Jones himself and patches up his ship long enough for him to defeat the Serapis.

This story evokes The Phantom Fleet, in which Aquaman witnesses a battle between two old ships, only to discover that it's a pageant. In this tale, however, we never learn if Aquaman actually traveled in time or just dreamed he did. The way Aquaman's Golden Age powers worked, it would be slightly strange that the fish of the past so readily obeyed him, so I'm inclined to say it was a dream. You, however, may have your own opinion on it.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets his finny friends to patch up the Bon Homme Richard before it sinks. Octopus gather seaweed cut by swordfish as electric eels light the scene, then fish carry the seaweed to the surface where it is packed into the holes by hammerhead sharks.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Not in this tale.

Quotefile: Aquaman sums up his experience, "Was it real? Or was it a dream? Did I journey backward through time? Did I, Aquaman, actually help win one of the greatest battles of all time?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 053

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #120 (September 1947) - Aquaman Goes to College!

After Aquaman is stung by the spines of an unfamiliar fish, he decides to attend college to learn more about sea life.

Lovely art in this one. The fish with poisonous spines is genuinely freaky looking. The college scenes are nicely done. Aquaman makes a good-looking student, wearing glasses and a turtleneck. He climbs up to a water tank for a swim after classes.

An alumnus of Weston College, Mr Reed, finances the college almost single-handedly. Professor Hatcher seems certain that the school will close without his money. But Mr Reed wants the school to win athletic events, and threatens to stop financing the school if they don't win a swimming meet. Guess who overhears?

Finny Friends Report: Early in the story, Aquaman is stung by an unfamiliar fish, and became sick for several days. At the swim meet, he is warned about Reed's peril by an eel who swam through "miles of water pipes" to reach Aquaman. Aquaman gets an octopus and a whale to help him free Reed and his crew.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Not in this story. But Aquaman does wear glasses.

Quotefile: Aquaman, explaining why he's leaving to his fishy friends, "The ocean's too big for a man to learn all about it from his own experience! So I've decided to go to college to study about fish!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, School

Monday, January 08, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 052

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #119 (August 1947) - The Floating Observatory!

Shooting stars are attacking ships on the high seas, and Aquaman goes to warn the Floating Observatory of pirates.

There was no Aquaman story in Adventure #118.

The whole idea of a floating observatory is ... well ... I hate to say it, but it seems to me that it's ridiculous. The observatory platform itself would have to be kept absolutely still. I just don't think that gyroscopes would manage that feat. And the idea that the thugs could use the telescopes, designed to look at stars, to find victims also seems pretty unlikely. I wonder if the writer remembered the curvature of the Earth?

This does have a lovely splash page. I particularly like the face in the moon. And the whole thing with tying Aquaman to a missile is pretty amusing, too.

Finny Friends Report: A giant octopus frees Aquaman from the missile by squeezing it so the ropes slacken. A group of incredibly lively starfish help Aquaman by attacking the legs of the thugs.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is kicked in the face by the crime boss while being held by his thugs. He's tied to a dud missile and launched.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Since this is an observatory, I invited some star fish!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 051

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #117 (June 1947) - The Flying Dutchman!

When the Flying Dutchman starts robbing ships, Aquaman goes ghost hunting.

At the beginning of the story, Aquaman is chatting with an old friend, Cap'n Dan Billows, who currently captains the luxury yacht Fantasy. Billows is a bit worried about shipping out with the current attacks by the Flying Dutchman, but his boss Rex Collier doesn't believe in Aquaman, much less a ghost ship. Of course, they get attacked by the Flying Dutchman. But this time, instead of robbing the cargo, the ghost ship kidnaps Collier.

Aquaman puts it all together pretty much the instant he hears that Collier has been kidnapped, and is able to hunt down the specially outfitted submarine that is pretending to be the Flying Dutchman. And he finds Collier just where he expects him to be.

Finny Friends Report: Porpoises report that something has happened to Billows' ship, so Aquaman goes to investigate. He uses gulls as scouts. He has the porpoises help him tangle the submarine in seaweed. The gulls act as bombers and drop the gas pellets on the bad guys.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Not in this story.

Quotefile: Aquaman, swinging with a rope to attack the bad guy, "I'm not a Dutchman - but I can fly when I have to!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 050

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #116 (May 1947) - Peril of Pearl Valley!

Menckin is the only person who is able to dive in Pearl Valley because of the monster that inhabits the waters, but Aquaman is a bit suspicious.

A lovely little tale of pearl divers and a greedy man trying to make a buck through illegal and immoral means. Menckin uses his "monster", a fake giant octopus, to kill a diver who is a native of the local island when he tries to get to the pearls after learning how much they are worth. Menckin is also altering the pearls, creating cultured pearls with a "special fluid". He very kindly talks to himself about his misdeeds while altering the oysters. Aquaman comes to investigate the monster, and runs into Menckin and ends his reign as the only diver who can risk Pearl Valley.

Finny Friends Report: Menckin is killed by a real giant octopus while Aquaman battles the fake monster. Aquaman apparently kills the octopus trying to save Menckin.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is pushed into the arms of the fake monster by Menckin, but isn't knocked out and isn't really captured.

Quotefile: Aquaman, musing about the story of Luna Vaya's Pearl Valley, "It's rather odd - a monster guarding the spot where precious pearls are found!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, January 05, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 049

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #115 (April 1947) - The Phantom Fleet!

A society is holding a pageant in remembrance of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac, but Black Jack has plans of his own involving the replica ships.

I love when we get history lessons in Golden Age stories. This one covers the Battle of Hampton Roads. The whole story isn't in there, of course, and reading an article on the subject clears up some of the tale if you aren't familiar with it.

This is a fairly straightforward tale... there's a recreation of the battle happening, only Black Jack has put his thugs on the replica ships. They plan to use the ironclads to rob the various yachts watching the show. To keep the rich folks from fleeing too early, they go ahead with the pageant, but then start using real cannonballs. Luckily, Aquaman is in the area. He rescues a girl who accidentally got involved, then scares Black Jack's crews with a ghost ship. Lots of fun.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has fish call for help when he's tied to a loaded cannon and ditched in the water. The fish bring back a swordfish who frees him. Then he sends the swordfish to get a couple of whales, who help him lift the U.S.S. Cumberland to make the illusion of a ghost ship.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is hit on the back of the head by one of Black Jack's thugs with a ramrod.

Quotefile: Doris, to Black Jack, "You fiend!" Ok, it made me giggle.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 048

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #114 (March 1947) - Skyscraper Aquarium!

Aquaman is helping a twelve story Aquarium raise funds, but Black Jack plans to use the opportunity to deal with Aquaman once and for all.

The new Aquarium is twelve stories high and "built of solid glass". Lots of problems with this, from the weight of the water in the aquarium to the effect of sunlight on the sea creatures in the building. And they make a point of saying that the animals are "deep sea creatures" that would be most likely hurt by light.

The next amusing problem is that Aquaman (and the staff of the Aquarium) checked the tanks to make sure none of the fish were missing, but none of them noticed that the octopus was a robot, the jelly fish an electric trap, and that the "Killer Shark" was actually a guy named Spike with a rifle.

Yes... this is the story with the single best ever panel in Aquaman history.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman doesn't actually get help from the fish in this story, but he spends a few panels describing them to interested crowds.

Captured/Knocked Out report: He's slowed down, but never captured or knocked out.

Quotefile: Guards, "But I tell you, Aquaman, we were attacked last night!" Aquaman, "Hmm.. But none of my fish friends are missing! We've checked every tank..."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 047

Adventure #113 (February 1947) - Fathoms in Film!

The actor playing the role of Merman in a movie based on Aquaman's adventures becomes jealous when he is constantly told to act more like Aquaman.

It's odd, but no character is actually named in this one. The actor has a point... he's only known as "Merman" and never by his name! This is yet another instance of Aquaman getting involved in show business. I should start counting the times he ends up on TV or Film.

Aquaman knows Morse Code. He sends out an S.O.S. then gives his position in Morse. The fish must've also told him where he was.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman wrestles a shark away from the filming area, and gets a pod of porpoises to chase it away. The fish tell Aquaman who locked him up. An electric eel powers the old radio so Aquaman can call for help. Aquaman uses a torch to free Merman from a "giant man-eating clam".

Captured/Knocked Out report: Merman uses underwater chloroform to knock out Aquaman and then locks him in the radio room of an old wreck.

Quotefile: Merman, in his dressing room, "Aquaman! Do it like Aquaman! Like Aquaman! I'm sick of hearing about Aquaman!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 046

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #112 (January 1947) - The Television Thieves!

Black Jack pirates a load of gold from a ship entering a new port, but doesn't realize his crimes are being televised live.

Strange coloring on the splash page, as Aquaman's shirt is green. Perhaps those early DC color TVs weren't so faithful at reproducing reality.

The entire heist is captured by cameramen on a plane above the new port, and they follow Black Jack. Aquaman is at a home for retired sailors (who all have pipes and similar hats) and sees the action on their big screen TV. And no, I'm not kidding. It's a big screen.

At the end of the story Aquaman has to convince the audience that the whole thing was done on a stage. Neat trick, that! But those unsophisticated Golden Age TV viewers were fooled anyway. Apparently DCU Golden Age TV special effects were fantastic.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman asks a fish where Black Jack and his gang went. Aquaman has fish untie him after he escapes from Black Jack's thugs.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is knocked out by a wrench dropped by the cameraman from the plane.

Quotefile: Old sailor watching the TV, "Shades of Davy Jones! If it ain't Black Jack! That television can pick up anything!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Monday, January 01, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 045

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #111 (December 1946) - The Man Who Robbed Davy Jones' Locker!

Aquaman and Ark visit Manila, and learn about a salvage operation that's being poached by unknown thieves.

Oooh, this is another one that doesn't date well. The Secret Seven Gang are a bunch of Japanese, complete with all the stereotypes and insults typical of the era. There are also at least eight of them, although Aquaman seems to think there are only seven. He takes out one outside their bunker, then sees seven more inside. This story also uses the vulgar English term "hara-kiri" for Seppuku, and the circumstances for it are... very odd. Again, it's the stereotypes as understood by Americans of the time. The story is notable for the return of Ark, but otherwise is worth a miss.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman is hanging out with Ark again! After visiting a U.S.O. show and learning that the performing seal is sick, Ark takes his place in the show... learning some new tricks in the process. To figure out who is stealing the money being salvaged, Aquaman asks the local fish where the divers who come at night go. He has an electric eel sting one of the gang so he can enter their base. When Aquaman is attacked by the gang leader, Swordfish Sam rams the bad guy and saves Aquaman. And lastly, when the sole survivor faces off with Aquaman, Ark uses the tricks he's learned to take out the last of the bad guys (and gets a medal for it).

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is held at bay twice by enemies with weapons, but never actually captured or knocked out.

Quotefile: Intro text box - "Aquaman, ruler of the seas, is weary... he's fought gangsters of the sea-ways who were harpooning all the whales in the sea... he's won a battle of brawn with the ocean's most fearsome scourge - the giant octopus... and he's done many other feats of derring-do! Yes, Aquaman needs a vacation!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ark, Ripples Through Time

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 044

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #110 (November 1946) - The Monster and the Mermaid!

Captain Zeb Jones exhibits a mermaid to make some money, but rivals Gooch and Harms aren't happy that he's taking away their business.

After Zeb Jones sees a fake sea-elephant on display, he decides to create his own attraction: A mermaid! The exhibit draws a lot of attention, including that of Aquaman. It also angers the guys exhibiting the sea-elephant, as it takes away their business. They decide to kidnap the mermaid, but unluckily for them, Aquaman is nearby and rescues her. The mermaid is actually Zeb's daughter in disguise, and Aquaman recommends stopping the fake mermaid show. Then Aquaman goes after the kidnappers.

This is another instance of Aquaman going on land in disguise. He wears a trenchcoat and hat. His thoughts as he enters the mermaid show are interesting: "I've explored every ocean on Earth and never have I seen a mermaid!" That seems to indicate that in the Golden Age Aquaman's world, Tritonis and its mer-people don't exist. And yet... when did Lori Lemaris first appear?

Finny Friends Report: When the mermaid is trapped under an old wreck, Aquaman summons fish to help him pull it off of her.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman isn't knocked out or captured in this one.

Quotefile: Zeb, on seeing the sea-elephant, "Arrghh... It's a stuffed whale with a fake elephant's head fitted on! A fraud! And fools pay good money to see it! Wonder much they'd give to look at a critter worth seein' -- like a mermaid..?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Merfolk, Ripples Through Time

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 043

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #109 (October 1946) - The Waters of the World!

Doctor Roamer's Aquatic Museum has genuine water from oceans and lakes around the world, while a writer has a theory about an underwater gold mine, and then Aquaman gets involved.

Aquaman rescues a drowning man, who turns out to be a chemist and oceanologist. The man was writing a book about the oceans, and had reached a chapter where he theorized that all the gold in seawater came from one single immense gold mine. If you had samples of water from around the world, you might be able to locate the mine. In a fun coincidence, Doctor Roamer's Aquatic Museum, which has genuine water from around the world, sails into port. Aquaman sets up a trap to get the man's manuscript back from the thieves by becoming part of Roamer's aquarium and letting the thugs know that he's also looking for the gold mine. It works. And, incidently, Aquaman figures out where the gold mine would be... five miles underwater.

Another reference to Aquaman's abilities, this time using the word "telepathical": "The man who has swum the seven seas speaks in the strange telepathical language of the fish." Is this the first time it's referred to as telepathy?

Finny Friends Report: A flying fish knocks the gun out of a thug's hand as he's about to shoot Aquaman.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman tips over the thugs boat, and as it is tipping an "unexpected wave" brings the boat down on Aquaman's head and knocks him out. Yes, he managed to knock himself out.

Quotefile: Doctor Roamer, "*sigh* I'd need only one more exhibit to make my aquarium complete -- Aquaman! *sigh* However, I'm afraid that will never be!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 042

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #108 (September 1946) - The Stolen Light

A group of thieves turn off the light in a lighthouse that Aquaman is visiting, and set up a false light.

Aquaman apparently makes social visits to lighthouses, as he is visiting with the lighthouse keeper when the thugs attack and turn off the light. Aquaman doesn't figure out who the "light thieves" are until he tries to warn the ship they are attempting to crash. The folks on the ship shoot at him, and he learns that the ship is carrying Nazi war criminals to Europe for trial.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman calls Tusky the walrus, who frees Aquaman, then pretends to be Aquaman so his captors won't know he's escaped. Aquaman gathers phosphorescent fishes to light up the coastline so the prison ship won't crash, and uses whales to first herd the fish up to the surface, then to attack the spies holding the lighthouse keeper captive. Tusky protects the lighthouse keeper during the flood the whales cause.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is hit on the head by a rifle butt and tied up.

Quotefile: Aquaman, calling out in "walrus language", "NARHH! AGHGH!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Lighthouse, Ripples Through Time

Friday, December 15, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 041

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #107 (August 1946) - 'Ware Water!

Because of the uranium he was exposed to in his last case, Aquaman cannot touch water for 48 hours, and Black Jack decides to take advantage of the situation.

The story starts out with a doctor refusing to treat a gunshot wound because the patient refuses to allow the doctor to report the wound to the police. As the doctor is escorting the man to the door, Aquaman enters. The gunshot victim listens in to the case (no medical privacy here!) and learns that Aquaman can't touch water for forty-eight hours. He immediately goes to Black Jack with the information (still clutching his arm where he was shot). That's the last we see of gunshot wound guy.

Aquaman has to avoid water, so Black Jack floods a factory in order to steal the payroll. Aquaman has to save the workers and avoid being shot by Black Jack without touching the water. He doesn't catch Black Jack, though. And so Black Jack sets a trap for him on a yacht. Aquaman manages to win, then takes off for a desert for the remainder of the time he needs to avoid water.

I think this story pretty much establishes beyond any doubt that the Golden Age Aquaman had no one-hour limit.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman isn't in the water, so no fish can help him.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Nope, not in this tale.

Quotefile: Sign in final panel, "Sandy Desert No rainfall in ten years! Absolutely no water in fifteen miles!"

Bonus: I found a 60-year-old typo: Aquaman says, "I can't follow him. And even if I could, it's getting to dark to find him."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 040

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #106 (July 1946) - The Ghost Ship!

A shrewd scientist figures out a way to mine uranium on the ocean floor, but some pirates decide to hijack the load.

This is a fairly straightforward tale. A scientist and his crew are mining for uranium, successfully, on the sea floor. Somehow, a ship of crooked gamblers finds out about the mining effort and decides to hijack the ore. Aquaman arrives just as the action starts and saves the miners. Then he goes after the gamblers, who know enough to wear lead-lined clothing around radioactive materials, but don't know that it glows (thus leading Aquaman to them) or that it messed with their navigation system.

The title comes from the fact that the ship has a ghostly glow once it's loaded with the uranium ore. The miners aren't wearing any obvious protective clothing, but the gamblers put on lead-lined goggles and clothes that don't cover their faces or hands. Methinks all of these guys are likely to have troubles in the future.

Finny Friends Report: Fish tell Aquaman about the radioactive sea floor.

Captured/Knocked Out report: One of the crooked gamblers hits Aquaman as he's investigating the miners' dome. They trap Aquaman inside the dome with the doomed miners.

Quotefile: Butch, to his crew, "We're going to hijack a load of uranium!" Generic thug, in response, "Uranium? What's that boss?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 039

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #105 (June 1946) - The Impossible Voyage!

Gordon attempts to cross the Atlantic in his sailboat, The Rainbow, and Aquaman gets involved near the end of the voyage and learns that everything is not as it seems.

The beginning starts with Badger and Gordon having a fight, and wagering a hundred pounds that Gordon cannot sail his boat single-handed to the States. The fight and wager are apparently well-publicized, because even Aquaman knows about it when he sees the ship a week out from its destination. Of course, this is where some of the oddness comes in. Why did Badger wait until Gordon was only a week away from the US to try to take him out? And how on earth could Badger have caught up in his tiny launch? Did he fly to the US then attack from land? But if Gordon was still a week from land... oh, my head hurts.

The smuggling angle wasn't too bad, but it left the story with no one to root for but Aquaman. Sure, Aquaman is a hero and all, but it's nice when he helps good people instead of just beating up thugs and smugglers.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has starfish and octopuses fight to distract Gordon while he removes the jewels. He replaces them with electric eels that shock Gordon, Badger, and nameless thug when Aquaman reveals he knows all.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Once again, Aquaman is never captured or knocked out in this story. It seems to have become much less common.

Quotefile: Gordon, "I shall set out to win your bally money this moment!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 038

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #104 (May 1946) - Four Fish to Fetch!

Aquaman mediates in a dispute over a captured fish, which leads him to hunt for four more fish in the name of science.

I must admit, this one is kind of creepy. Aquaman uses fish to round up four fish which are definitely dead. And the reason for getting those fish is to prove that there are enough of them to start fishing for in large quantities. This Aquaman really doesn't seem to mind the circle of life, but it is a bit strange to see him using fish to capture fish.

And then there's the dirty joke he plays on the frustrated fisherman. Admittedly, the guy hit the professor on the head and stole the fish Aquaman had been hunting, but still... take him to jail if you must. Don't promise him a big catch then leave him to figure out where you stuck his hook. Sheesh, Aquaman.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets a luminescent deep sea fish to help him with light in a deep water cave. He battles two sea monsters for the fish he's after. Later, he watches an octopus chase a shark chasing a fish that's chasing one of the banded fish he's hunting. He throws a lobster at the octopus, which releases ink and Aquaman catches the banded fish in the confusion. The third fish hides among sea anemones, but Aquaman herds fish that eat anemones in among them and they flee, revealing the fish. A gull takes a fish, and Aquaman gets flying fish to knock the banded fish away from it. And when the other fisherman steals the professor's and Aquaman's catch, Aquaman has a bunch of large fish hold his boat steady in the water.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never captured or knocked out in this tale.

Quotefile: Aquaman to fisherman, "Thanks! Just for being so honest... I'll see that you get a big catch!" Aquaman hooks the fisherman's hook into the bottom of his own boat, "There! That'll teach you not to steal other people's fish!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 037

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #103 (April 1946) - Footsteps in the Ocean!

Aquaman finds giant footprints on the ocean floor and a challenge for battle from a sea giant, but his suspicion leads him to discover the truth.

Finally done with the More Fun issues, I've moved into the Adventure Comics. Aquaman was a stalwart in Adventure Comics for 15 years, from this story until 1961. He never made the cover, but he appeared in the vast majority of issues, only missing a few appearances, including the time the Shining Knight replaced him on alternate issues for a year. This run consists of 171 stories and included the change of Aquaman's uniform from yellow gloves to green, the introduction of Topo and Aqualad, and Aquaman's new Silver Age origin.

This is a two-part story. First we get the mystery of the footprints, which we quickly learn were hoaxed (by the 3rd page), then the mystery of the coral sign, which is answered by Chang. This is the first story to talk about the end of WWII, as Chang's duty is to return the treasures of China from the safekeeping they were put in during the war. After the hook of the giant footprints, it's a pretty straightforward tale.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman asks his finny friends if they've seen a giant, and when they say they haven't, he sticks around and learns he was hoaxed. After freeing Chang, he summons a group of swordfish and octopus who battle the badguys, dig out the treasure, and get Chang back to the mainland.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never captured or knocked out in this story.

Quotefile: Challenge of the Sea Giant: "Aquaman, I defy you! I dare you to follow my tracks 1,000 miles to the deepest sunken valleys of the Indian Ocean! There we'll battle for the supremacy of the seas."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 036

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #107 (January 1946) - Blackie, Come Home!

Ark's son, Blackie, is frightened of Aquaman and runs away on a very long journey across the United States.

The final Aquaman in More Fun Comics! All the superhero features in More Fun moved to Adventure Comics after this one, and More Fun became an all-humor magazine. For Aquaman's last More Fun, he goes and visits Ark the Seal, who helped on a few previous adventures and was Aquaman's first recurring ally. We learn that Ark has retired to a safe island in "Northern Waters" and is raising a family. His son, however, thinks humans are dangerous, and runs away from Aquaman.

Blackie must move really fast. First he is chased by a polar bear, which Aquaman stops. Then he swims up the St Lawrence River, and to Lake Ontario. Then Niagara Falls. Yes, Blackie goes over the falls in a barrel and gets to be on the front page. Then he goes through Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and bothers a fisherman in Lake Michigan. He escapes Aquaman and goes overland in a fish truck to the Mississippi, where he interrupts a singing act on a showboat. In a single text box he goes down the Mississippi, "into the Gulf of Mexico, up the Rio Grande and overland again to Great Salt Lake," where Aquaman finally catches up to him.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman runs into his old friend Ark, and chats with him. When Blackie runs away, Aquaman follows him. First he protects him from a polar bear. Then he runs into another seal who points the way Blackie has gone. He throws a very large fish into a fisherman's boat to protect Blackie from being killed for stealing the fisherman's other catches. Lastly, he throws Blackie himself at a poacher, before returning Blackie to Ark for some punishment.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman isn't captured or knocked out in this one.

Quotefile: Ark, "RK! RK!* (*Seal language meaning, 'Well, if it isn't Aquaman! Sure is a small world!')" ... Polar Bear, "RRRRRR...* (*Translation: 'Lunch-Time! Here's a blue-plate special')"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ark, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 035

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #106 (November 1945) - The Liar Who Told The Truth!

Captain Ligh enjoys his tall tales, until the Five-Fathom Fisherman's club insists he prove his adventures to become a member.

Captain Ligh's first tale is about wrestling an octopus and tying it into a knot. His second one is the classic "tiger by the tail" story, only with a shark. Those are just the two we get to see, but apparently he tells stories about catching deep-water fish, because that's what the club members want him to do, and they give him only ten days to do it. By incredible luck, he manages the feat on the first day! But Aquaman steals the fish, because it will explode in a few minutes due to lack of pressure. Eventually Aquaman makes it right, on the last day of the test.

To solve Ligh's problem, Aquaman goes looking for a deep-water fish that can handle low pressures, but gets attacked by a gang of nasty fish who don't respect his dominion over the sea. We get two solid pages of deep-sea action with Aquaman, with dark and moody coloring, with the bright exception of Aquaman himself. Eventually, Aquaman finds some plastic powder and uses it to "glue" an oyster shell on the fish, protecting it for a journey to the surface so Ligh can join the club.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rescues the fish that Ligh hooks from the low pressure of the surface. He's later chased by the same fish and its friends, who don't have "respect for royalty". He sends turtles after them, but the turtles are too slow. He gets giant jellyfish to sting them, but a few escape. So he gets his octopus friends to create a cloud so he can escape. Later, Aquaman captures the same fish and puts it on Ligh's hook.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is not captured or knocked out in this story, although he is chased by a gang of fish for awhile.

Quotefile: Aquaman, upon being attacked by a gang of fish, "Hey, back up! Don't you know that I'm ruler of the sea?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 034

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #105 (September 1945) - Be-Kind-To-Whales Week!

Aquaman interrupts an argument on a ship, and is informed by the captain that the professor who chartered his ship is working for whalers.

This is a bit of a scattershot type of story, with a series of adventures that are tied together very lightly by the overall theme of "save the whales". Very odd that the folks trying to save the whales are whalers who want to increase the number of whales and protect their harvest. Captain Trawler doesn't want to help the professor when he learns that he works for whalers because, as he says, "I was a whaler years ago, in the North Atlantic and Pacific... and I saw what happened to the critters. Almost killed off, they was, by greedy men... I gave it up... swore I'd never harpoon another whale."

Aquaman doesn't seem very sympathetic, but in the end he protects the professor and lets him gather data to protect the whales. But first he has to save whales from orcas, swordfish, and whalers himself. Plus an iceberg gets involved. Just to make things even more odd.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets octopuses to plug the holes in the ship while the crew repairs it. Aquaman saves whales from killer whales and a swordfish. Then he has whales push the whalers' boat to a patrol ship.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never captured or knocked out in this tale.

Quotefile: Aquaman, to killer whale, "You with the teeth... lay off." and "My, what a job a dentist would have with you."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, December 04, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 033

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #104 (July 1945) - The Great Goldfish Bowl!

A message in a bottle brings word of a lost goldfish, with a young boy's happiness riding on whether or not Aquaman can find it.

This is a pretty straightforward tale. Ronald, recently orphaned, loses his pet goldfish. His current guardian, Spencer, wants to keep control of Ronald because Ronald is due to inherit a huge fortune. So Spencer contacts Aquaman to find the goldfish, which managed to get into the river. In the meantime, Spencer's cousin Wilbur wants to protect Ronald from Spencer's money-grubbing and is trying to get custody. So Spencer has to impress the court that he's serious about making Ronald happy. Aquaman isn't inclined to go goldfish hunting, so Spencer offers a huge reward to the charity of Aquaman's choice.

The catch is that Spencer doesn't have the money for the reward (and can't use Ronald's money, even if he gets custody), so he wants the fish to stay lost. So naturally he hires thugs to take out Aquaman. Like that ever works.

Finny Friends Report: A fish gives Aquaman the message in the bottle that kicks off the adventure. Aquaman chats with some fish to find out if the goldfish was seen. Aquaman fights off a couple of large fish, rescuing the school of fish the goldfish is part of. He feeds the fish larvae to bring them back after they've scattered. Then he gets some large, angry-looking turtles to scare Spencer's thugs.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is caught in a net, but the thugs get too close and he battles his way out.

Quotefile: Narration, "With strange gifts, possessed by him alone, Aquaman is able to communicate with the creatures of the sea!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 032

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #103 (May 1945) - The Professor Goes to School!

Aquaman corrects a fish expert on land about where chaetodon triangulum lives, setting the professor off on an ocean adventure to confirm Aquaman's report.

On his way to a war bonds rally in Gotham, Aquaman stops off at Professor Kenyon's lecture on Butterfly Fish, aka chaetodon triangulum. Kenyon insists the species he is talking about only exist in Madagascar, but Aquaman says they live near Samoa as well. However, Kenyon has never heard of Aquaman (although the other people at the lecture have). Still, because the existence of the fish in Samoa will demolish Kenyon's theory, he charters a boat to the islands to find out for himself.

First mention of Gotham in an Aquaman story, although that could easily be the nickname and not the DCU city. We'll pretend it's the DCU city... Aquaman goes in disguise so he won't be mobbed by autograph seekers. His disguise is a green trenchcoat and sunglasses... Aquaman is a big success at the war bonds rally... Aquaman rescues Kenyon from drowning in a hurricane, which is only fair since Aquaman's words sent the poor guy into the hurricane in the first place... To rescue the ship, which is taking on water, Aquaman puts crude oil on the surface of the ocean, calming the waters enough for the crew to make repairs. We won't talk about the possible environmental impact of Aquaman opening an oil field on the sea bottom... In a comic book twist of fate, Kenyon's ship anchors near another ship crewed by pearl poachers. They think Kenyon's ship is a rival gang of pearl thieves, and decide to take them out... Aquaman and Kenyon team up to take down Hurricane Hinks' Pearl Poaching gang... Kenyon seems surprised by Aquaman freeing the chaetodon triangulum after showing them to the professor. Apparently he really does know nothing about Aquaman.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman notices fish diving to deeper, calm waters and realizes there is a storm above. To save Kenyon's ship, he has a narwhal drill a hole in the ocean floor to release oil. Shortly after he gets large fish or dolphins to pull the ship to harbor. When Aquaman cannot open the bathysphere, he gets a giant starfish to pry it open for him. And lastly, he captures some chaetodon triangulum for Kenyon.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is not capture or knocked out in this tale.

Quotefile: Aquaman, to drowning professor, "You picked a bad time to go swimming, pal!" ... Professor Kenyon in bathysphere, "That octopus staring at me makes me nervous! I wish he'd go away!" Octopus, staring at Kenyon, "? ? ?" ... Aquaman, in a flurry of pure oxygen and bad puns, "Looks like you gust wrong, Hurricane!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, December 01, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 031

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #102 (March 1945) - Silent Sounds!

Aquaman feels a strange vibration under the ocean, and tracks it to its source: A project on ultrasonic waves.

The real fun of this tale is the "ferrocrystallizing" illustrations. The iron atoms are drawn as happy little spheres holding hands, until the vibrations make them grab their... um... heads and let go of their neighbors. Thus weakening the iron enough for Aquaman to escape. Yay science!

The bad guys are both named "Rocky". Later in the story they distinguish between each other by calling each other "Big Rocky" and "Little Rocky". Reminds me of three guys in college who had the same name who distinguished themselves by adding the prefixes "Wee", "Not-so-wee", and "Frigging Huge".

Aquaman sets up his own type of vibrations by throwing the flywheel of the boat's motor off balance. That shakes the ship enough to break the ultrasonic wave generator and take down the baddies.

The Rockies end up in prison togs breaking rocks, while Aquaman finds a distant Northern island for the scientists to work on. There are seals there, but Aquaman wants the seals to leave the island because of hunters, so it all works out in the end.

Finny Friends Report: No help from sea life in this issue, but we get a cool lesson with cute little iron atoms.

Captured/Knocked Out report: One of the doctors tries to throw a gun to Aquaman during the fight, and knocked Aquaman out instead.

Quotefile: Little Rocky, "Hey - Dis ship is jitterbuggin'!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 030

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Wow. I'm done with my first month. I didn't intend to do one every single day, but I managed it somehow anyway. In future, I may take short breaks depending on how busy I am, and to keep myself from burnout.

More Fun #101 (January 1945) - Orhpans of the Sea!

When the aquarium is closed, Old Pete takes over the care of the larger fish near his seaside home, causing problems for a couple of crooks.

This isn't one of the best stories. In fact, it's pretty low on my list of Golden Age tales. Touching and cute that Old Pete would still want to feed the fish, and it's not a poorly constructed story. It just doesn't have any highly distinguishing features.

Have you noticed the dearth of war stories? By the time this story was written in late 1944, the War had changed course. Most of Aquaman's WWII tales came during the darkest days of the War, when people needed reassurance. Once the days weren't so dark, Aquaman switched back to standard battles against average thugs. At least, that's my theory. It's hard to read the minds of writers and editors from 60 years ago.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets Octy from the Aquarium to deflate the pufferfish. Later, he flings the flatfish at the thugs. At the end of the story, he gets other finny friends to train the fish from the aquarium on how to survive in the wild.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never captured or knocked out in this story.

Quotefile: Thug, "You slugged him just right! There's not a mark on him!" Bingley, "Yeah, all we gotta do is dump him into the ocean, and he'll drown! Aquaman'll think it was an accident!" Aquaman, "Sure of that, rats?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 029

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #100 (November 1944) - The Captain of Cactus Gulch!

Aquaman runs across a ship whaling in restricted waters, and learns that the captain is totally clueless.

This story refers to Aquaman's ability to communicate with sea life as "that mysterious magic known only to Aquaman and the dwellers of the sea he rules." The idea that it was telepathy didn't come along for quite awhile, as I recall... though I'll be sure to point out the first instance of that word.

Cactus Gulch must be a really small town, as they report when local boy Peter Reeks gets promoted to second mate... Horace is reading "Two Years Before The Mast", which is (in my opinion) one of the most boring books ever written... Horace is too old to ship out as a beginner, so Peter suggests he buy a ship and go out to sea as captain. It's all part of Peter's plan to get away with illegal whaling... Peter justifies attacking Aquaman to Horace by saying that Aquaman is a dictator of the seas who is lying about the waters being restricted for whaling. Horace buys it... A swordfish comes to help Aquaman, but can't use his "sword" on the wire the thugs tied Aquaman with... Horace isn't convinced that Peter is using him until Aquaman helps him overhear Peter calling him a "blustering idiot" and talking about killing him.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman is playing tag with whales in the opening sequence. He gets a starfish to loosen the wires binding him when he's captured, then uses flying fish to board the ship. He has his whale friends bring the patrol ship faster.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is hit by the ship's boom while dodging thugs.

Quotefile: Horace: "Barometer's falling... she's clearing up, me hearties!" and "Ho there, ye lubbers! Luff her rudder hard a-port to sta'board!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 028

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #99 (September 1944) - The Smoking Volcano!

Aquaman and his fishy friend Goo-Goo Eyes discover a crooks hideout disguised as an active volcanic island.

We get two new named finny friends in this story: Goo-Goo Eyes, who is an unidentified species of deep sea fish, and Saw-Nose the Swordfish. Cool!... Aquaman figures out that the volcano is fake when he finds the cooled lava is street paving tar... Aquaman is stunned by the fake volcano, and very impressed... Aquaman uses the volcano's smoke maker to send the S.O.S. signal. I wonder how many cops are paying attention to the smoke of a presumed volcano? ... The turtles attacking the Duke's gang look really mean.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman is showing the upper reaches of the ocean to Goo-Goo Eyes when the story starts. Goo-Goo helps Aquaman find a channel into the volcano. When Aquaman is captured, Goo-Goo goes for help and brings back Saw-Nose the Swordfish and his mate who free Aquaman. He sends the Swordfish and Goo-Goo to get more help, and they bring back iron-beaked turtles, who battle and defeat Duke's mob with Aquaman's help.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is spotted in the cave thanks to his "gleaming costume and golden hair", and netted in a steel net by Duke Flarer.

Quotefile: Aquaman, directing his army: "Clinch their hands! Their clothes! Hand on to them, turtles!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Monday, November 27, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 027

More Fun #98 (July 1944)

Phineas Blodgett believes he has invented a way to extract gold from sea-water, but his financers have other plans in mind.

No one believes in Blodgett's invention, not even Aquaman, but it does work in a fashion in the end... Baldy is completely confused as to why his boss is helping the daft little inventor, which goes to show how slow on the uptake he is... Aquaman thinks he's capturing criminals stealing gold from the factory, but the movement was the other way... Blodgett creatively names his company "Blodgett Gold-From-Sea-Water Enterprises Inc.", which allows Aquaman to figure out what the factory is for right away... Baldy is happy to see Aquaman working for him and his boss in recovering gold bars from the ocean floor... To escape the steel vault, Aquaman releases acid onto the floor so it falls away. It makes one wonder just what the vault was for.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets no assistance from finny folks in this story, although he does apologize for bothering them at one point.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is locked in a steel vault when he goes in to rescue Blodgett.

Quotefile: Blodgett: "But, Aquaman... y-you're letting out some of the most dangerous acids! If we should fall..." Aquaman: "Just don't fall, that's all!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 026

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #97 (May 1944) - Penguin Island!

Archibald just wants to live in peace away from his greedy relatives, so he exiles himself to an island of penguins... but his relatives follow him.

After five war-related tales, we finally get a break with PENGUINS! Yay! ... Aquaman sees Archibald arrive at the island, and chooses to leave him alone because that's clearly what the man wants... With a niece like Alicia, I'd want to exile myself as well, but at least she's honest... I have to wonder how Aquaman is wrestling with a sea lizard near an island inhabited by penguins. Wouldn't the lizard find the waters too cold to exist in? Probably best not to think about it too hard... I love the bit where Archibald's army of penguins join the fight... My biggest complaint about this story is the blatant bit of sexism at the end when Alicia surrenders to the sea-mouse. Ug.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman's friend, a sea lizard, helps him fight the bad guys. Archibald calls in an army of penguins as well. A penguin shows Aquaman a gun when Aquaman is trapped in a cave, and Aquaman uses the gunpowder to escape. Aquaman calls in octopuses and sharks to subdue the crew, then a sea-mouse to subdue Alicia. Archibald rides a shark back to Penguin Island with Aquaman. A penguin thought Archibald's emeralds were eggs and therefore had been protecting them.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Alicia throws make-up powder in Aquaman's face, making him sneeze, and giving the thugs a chance to knock him out with the butt of a gun.

Quotefile: Alicia: "EEEEE! Take it away! I give up!" Archibald: "Huh...? What's she scared of?" Aquaman: "A sea-mouse, uncle Archibald! You know how women are!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 025

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #96 (March 1944) - Champion in War!

Lun Ming, an Olympic swimmer, fights the Japanese invaders in China by smuggling messages from his home island to the mainland.

I have a soft spot for this story, despite the stereotypes in it. It was the first Golden Age Aquaman tale I ever read, on a really low quality photocopy made from a microfilm of the book. In addition, my husband loves the Olympics and this is an early mention of the Olympics that shows that people didn't understand the Games much.

Aquaman first meets Lun Ming when both of them are on missions. Aquaman says he would help, but is on a mission of his own. He comes back later during a storm and saves Lun Ming. Even later, Aquaman is visiting the island and learns that Lun Ming was captured.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets no assistance from sea life in this tale.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never caught or knocked out, but he does break into jail.

Quotefile: Lun Ming: "Can't a man go for a swim in the moonlight here without being threatened?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Friday, November 24, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 024

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #95 (January 1944) - Guerrillas of Fen-Shu!

Aquaman assists a group of Chinese guerrillas working to drive the invading Japanese out of their land.

This is one of those fairly rare Aquaman stories that is so offensive in its stereotypes that I find it difficult to read. Oh, the Chinese are strong and smart and brave, but they speak broken English. The Japanese are horrible caricatures of people, with extreme features and broken English that attempts to be pointedly polite and formal. It's a good primer on what kind of propaganda was being spread at the time, but it's difficult to read from a modern viewpoint without cringing. A lot. I'll note that the stereotypes of the Nazis and Japanese throughout these early stories are all offensive, but this one goes a bit beyond the usual, in my opinion.

If you can't tell what's happening on that splash page: Aquaman is dumping out a ship full of weapons and planes and such which the guerrillas are rushing to collect. In the lower left corner, a Chinese guerrilla is pulling a Superman by lifting a tank and dumping the Japanese soldiers out of it... Aquaman's domain is the waters of the entire globe, which is why he swims up the Yangtze in this story (and the Mississippi a few stories ago)... When the Japanese catch Aquaman they refer to him as a famous American... Aquaman marches all night with the guerrillas, for hours, without water. Another sign that he didn't have any one-hour weakness... Aquaman sort of explains the concept of breaking step when marching over a bridge so you don't cause it to collapse. Good physics lesson here... Aquaman goes undercover twice in this tale, once as a guerilla when he joins their troop, and once as a regular Chinese loading ammo onto a ship... When captured in Chinese disguise, he begs the Japanese not to throw him in the water because he'll drown. Naturally, the Japanese throw him in the water... The artist didn't know the difference between a rudder and a propeller. Aquaman talks about damaging the rudder while the art shows him damaging a propeller.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman has a group of river fish pull on ropes to cause a vibration in a bridge that brings it down. Later, a group of river fish pull pieces of wood dressed as guerrillas so the Japanese will waste their ammunition.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is caught in a steel net as he swims up the Yangtze. Later he is caught while in disguise as a Chinese worker by Japanese soldiers with guns.

Quotefile: Guerrilla soldier: "This is Aquaman! I recognize by pictures! Hello, Aquaman!"... Guerrilla soldier, bopping enemy on head: "We bow respectfully to new order in Asia!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 023

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #94 (November 1943) - Battle of Italy!

Aquaman helps an American general in the Mediterranean to steal a Nazi ship to get to London.

Aquaman is enjoying the peaceful Mediterranean when he witnesses a battle between allied forces and Nazis... Aquaman can't turn the torpedo around, but he uses his body weight to make it go under the ship... General Lundigan has an important mission, and must get to London. As soon as he sees Aquaman, he enlists his help... The radio reports of the British and American attack are hilarious, with reports that il Duce was so confident in his troops that he was hastily going on vacation... Aquaman goes undercover again, and apparently speaks perfect Italian as nobody confuses him for the Americans they are waiting for... The Italian civilians are gathering to present flowers to the invading British and Americans... The Nazi captain thinks Aquaman is "a mere nobody" out of water, and Aquaman is happy to let him believe that as it helps him escape... Lundigan and Aquaman learn that they actually set off the rumors of an American attack by stealing a Nazi ship. Lundigan explains to Aquaman that he was sure there wasn't a real attack because Lundigan himself is planning the attack.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets no assistance from sea life in this tale.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is shot by Nazis when he attacks them for shooting at Italian civilians. He only gets a flesh wound, but is somehow knocked out by it.

Quotefile:

"The Yanks are coming! The cry rings out, sweeps through the tortured but still hopeful peoples of occupied Europe, and then dies down... for the Yanks have not come... yet! But some day, perhaps even as you read this, they will arrive..."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 022

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #93 (September 1943) - Convoy to Murmansk!

Aquaman goes to help a convoy, and discovers that a Russian ship, the Neva, is crewed entirely by women.

I grew up in the 70's and 80's, and to me the Russians were always the bad guys. They were the ones who hated us and wanted to kill us. It's very strange to read a story in which they are our allies. As usual with the allies, they are portrayed as noble and strong, while the Nazis are weak cowards.

Very interesting opening text box, talking about a woman's place in war (the hospitals, a sniper's perch, a pilot, and even on a ship's deck)... Aquaman is stunned to learn that the Russian ship is crewed by women, and even more stunned once he learns it's a munitions ship, and they are fighting to save the ship despite the danger of it blowing up... Once they save the ship, the captain refuses to try to rejoin the convoy, explaining that they would slow it down and put more lives in danger. Aquaman then decides to provide his own escort... The Nazis have thick accents, the Russians speak perfect English... The women save the sailors from the ship Aquaman's whale sinks... They also "save" the Nazi spies, who claim their ship was destroyed by Nazis. The spies release the other prisoners, but the readers are left hanging for awhile while Aquaman has his adventure with a Nazi submarine... When Aquaman leaves the Nazi sub, he puts a silhouette of a ship on their periscope so they will chase something that doesn't exist... The women of the Neva have no problem dealing with their escaped prisoners, which again surprises Aquaman... When Aquaman goes to say good-bye to the captain of the Neva, he finds her at a dance. He stammers a bit and asks for the next dance.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman calls on a group of whales to act as escort to the ship. One of the whales sinks a Nazi ship to protect the Neva. Later, a whale uses his water spout as a weapon to knock a bomber out of the sky.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is injured when a mine goes off near where he's swimming, while he's unconscious a Nazi sub picks him up.

Quotefile: Nazi Captain: "Whales! Der whole vorld is against our fuehrer, even whales! Va are der only vuns dot love him!" Thought balloon from a crew member: "Who says ve love him?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 021

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #92 (July 1943) - Saga of the Seven Sisters!

This story follows the "life" of the Yankee Clipper Seven Sisters, launched in 1878, until her end at the hands of the Nazis.

This story plays with the format a little, following the ship's adventures meeting Aquaman, after a short history of her life until the WWII era. We get three short stories. First Aquaman defeats pirates on the ship when it is owned by a millionaire. Then, after the war starts, the ship becomes a freighter and Aquaman defeats a group of opportunistic sailors who intend to sell the cargo to the Nazis. Lastly, Aquaman helps the ship defeat Nazis on the ship's final voyage. Three stories in eight pages. Wow.

Aquaman has no fire weakness in this story, as he uses the boiler to build up a fire and send smoke signals... Aquaman traps sailors in mercury to prevent them from taking the ship... For her final mission, the Seven Sisters is meant to explode in a channel, blocking the Nazi fleet. The mission is interrupted by the Nazis, who intend to aim her at a British warship instead... The Nazis get onto the Seven Sisters by air - yes, they parachute onto the ship. At night. With the ship running silent and showing no lights. It's a wonder that Aquaman only finds one drowned Nazi who missed the ship... Aquaman again addresses the readers directly at the end of the story, to explain that the ship that the Seven Sister blew up was a Nazi warship, and not the intended British Battleship, because of a compass problem caused by Aquaman's escape.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets no help from finny friends in this story, but the ship itself seems to be communicating with him.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is locked in the boiler room when he runs in there by mistake. Later, Aquaman is hit on the head from behind by a Nazi soldier, and chained up.

Quotefile: Sailor, after Aquaman throws mercury on him: "Ouch! That water hit me like a load of bricks!"... Aquaman is interrupted in his escape attempt by a Nazi soldier: "Just when I was getting along so well!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Monday, November 20, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 020

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #91 (May 1943) - Marauders of the Mississippi!

Aquaman and Ark take a swim up the Mississippi and catch some men in the act of breaking a levee.

Ark is referred to as a seal in this story... Ark has subtitles in his speech balloons... Aquaman comments on a levee while swimming upstream, "Lucky there's no danger of its breaking!"... The boss, Ebenezer Rugg, wants to flood the area so he can buy cheap land. However, he tells his thugs that the flood will allow them to loot. This leads to the thugs flooding the wrong bits of land, Rugg's own farm, once Aquaman stops them twice at the location Rugg would have preferred... Rugg is actually pretty smart for a bad guy. He lures Aquaman into a flooded house by pretending he's drowned, then burns the house, making sure all the exits are blocked.

Finny Friends Report: A catfish warns Aquaman and Ark about the first break in the levee. Ark plugs the hole in the levee with his body while Aquaman gets clay to repair it. During the flood, Ark leads cows to safety. Ark also participates in the battle against the thugs.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is clocked on the back of the head with a gun and left in a burning house.

Quotefile: Ark, upon seeing a catfish talking to Aquaman: "ARK! (Suffering Catfish!)"... Cheering bystander: "Aquaman not only saved my life--- he saved my chickens, too!"... Ark, while fighting: "A---ARK! (When I flap this flipper---crooks take a flop!)"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ark, Ripples Through Time

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 019

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #90 (April 1943) - Somewhere in the Pacific!

Aquaman helps a US Marine scout patrol battling the Japanese on a small Pacific Island.

This is the first story in which Aquaman is explicitly referred to as American, although it has been inferred before. At the end of the story, as he's being awarded the Navy Cross, the officer tells Aquaman that he's getting the award "for valor and distinguished service in the cause of your country." Also, at the end of this story, Aquaman addresses his readers and asks them to buy war bonds and stamps.

Aquaman doesn't get involved in the war effort much in these first stories. This was only the third time he gets involved directly. The War is a big part of the background of his stories, but direct involvement has been fairly rare so far.

Besides commander Bob Crane, the only named characters in this story are "Tex" and "Yank". I don't think the writer was trying very hard... The porpoises are poorly drawn, I don't think the artist had any reference for them... When they spot Aquaman, one of the Marines says, "Another legendary tale come true!" I wonder what other tales have come true for these guys... Aquaman dresses up as a sea monster to scare away the Japanese, and it works... Aquaman apparently abandons the Marines as the fight starts, but he's gone to deal with the mini subs.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never captured or knocked out in this story, but he's nearly accidentally shot by the US Marines.

Finny Friends Report: A porpoise leads Aquaman to a safe cave on the island. Another porpoise helps him out of the water to where the scout patrol is holed up. A group of electric eels powers the patrol's radio for Aquaman. Aquaman leads "an armada of giant squid" against the Japanese baby subs.

Quotefile: Aquaman, after nearly being shot by the Marines: "That was a mighty warm reception, boys!"... The Japanese threaten torture: "must we use unpleasant inducements?"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 018

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #89 (March 1943) - The Streamlined Buccaneers!

Black Jack has gone truly modern, with tommy guns instead of cutlasses and a new-fangled ship with all the latest piratical innovations.

At the beginning of the story, Black Jack and his pirates abandon the old Jolly Roger to go to their new ship, the Jolly Roger II. JRII has a gasoline engine, smoke bombs, and can fly... A new named sea friend is introduced, Slippery the Eel... Ark the Sea Lion, Slippery the Eel - you could make your own set of beanie babies or pokemon out of Aquaman's finny friends... Black Jack tries to drown Aquaman by using a chemical that removes oxygen from water, but Aquaman tricks him into turning on a current, which according to Aquaman produces oxygen from the water by electrolysis... At the end of the story, the Navy finds the original Jolly Roger and uses it to transport Black Jack and his crew to prison.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman plays tag with a bunch of fish early in the story. Ark the Sea Lion reports the sinking of the first victim. Ark gets a group of manatees to help get the survivors to an island. Ark gets a group of "fierce giant turtles" to assist Aquaman in keeping Black Jack's ship from flying. Aquaman and Slippery the Eel get a group of whales and more eels to attack Black Jack's hideout. The whales use their water spouts to get the eels and Aquaman up into the place, and the eels tie up Black Jack's crew of thugs.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is captured by a "mechanically thrown lasso" which snags him while he's diving into the water from the flying ship.

Best Quotes: Black Jack: "Aqua-GLUB!"... unnamed pirate on drowning Aquaman: "This is gonna be fun!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ark, Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Friday, November 17, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 017

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #88 (February 1943) - The Man Who Chased The Rainbow!

John Wilson has been diving around the world for mysterious purposes for longer than Aquaman has been living underwater, so Aquaman goes to find out why.

There are so many flaws with this story that it's hard to decide where to start. I will say, however, that if you manage a massive amount of suspension of disbelief, it's not a bad little tale. It's just when you start to think about it...

Let's start with Blackbeard the pirate. While he's a huge part of this tale, he is only mentioned on the last page, and his real name is Edward, not John as the story says. He's the driving force behind Wilson's lifelong search: a hunt through the seven seas to find directions to a buried treasure. First: Blackbeard just didn't travel that far, so the whole "lenses buried around the world" thing is ridiculous. Second: Wilson wants to return the treasure to the descendents of Blackbeard's victims... how's he going to find them? Most of Blackbeard's victims were merchant companies. It'll take Wilson longer to return the treasure than it did to find it in the first place.

For another flaw, look at the lenses themselves. Each one is hidden in a different sea, and each is marked by a nearby yellow pyramid. Ok. Drift, silt and mud, currents, sea life, and years would have made it literally impossible to find any of the pyramids or the nearby lenses. No wonder it took Wilson decades to find the first three. But the last four are insanely easy to find. Then... once he's got all of them... he has to look at Mars through them to read the words?!?

Ok, I like the cameo by the Seal Island seals. And I thought Rocky was a decent standard villain. I like how Aquaman outsmarted him. And the hunt for the lenses itself was fun. It was also interesting to see Aquaman burning two ships, one of them underwater. But the flaws in this one. Ay-yi-yi!

Finny Friends Report: A tiny seahorse "gossips" with Aquaman and lets him know that John Wilson is diving nearby. The seals from Seal Island (see More Fun #85) tip over Rocky's boat and keep him and his thugs away from their guns.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never captured or knocked out in this story.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 016

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #87 (January 1943) - Ark of the Ancients

A trio of scoundrels hijacks a very special ship containing examples of most land animals, but the ship belongs to Aquaman.

This is a massively cool story for one big reason. This is the first appearance of any civilization that lives under the sea. And what civilization, you ask? Atlantis, complete with a dome. That's right, the undersea domed city of Atlantis first appears in this Golden Age tale, complete with a retelling of the sinking!

The Atlanteans in this tale are survivors of the disaster rescued by Milo, an Atlantean who warned of the impending doom but was ignored and made fun of (hmmm, sounds familiar somehow). Milo created a giant bell jar outside of town and when the disaster hit he got as many as he could save ("only a few") into it. The colony thrived, and centuries later Aquaman finds it. He's able to communicate with the people because he "learned several languages during my travels," but tells them "You do speak peculiarly". Heh.

What these Atlanteans want most is to see what sort of creatures live in the world above. So Aquaman takes three Atlanteans, a boat, and gathers up a huge zoo of animal life so they can see the animals for themselves. In the middle of a war. There is a page of Aquaman easily capturing animals while the hapless Atlanteans look on. When the task is finished, Aquaman leaves the ship to do a patrol, leaving the Atlanteans to sail home by themselves. Which is when the hijackers come in.

The three hijackers are adrift in a row boat because they mutinied against their captain. They are quite delighted to find the ark, and even more happy to discover it's only guarded by three peaceful Atlanteans, whom they promptly throw overboard. The hijackers have apt but silly names. Runt is short. Pegleg has a pegleg. And Vulture looks a bit like that bird.

This story doesn't exactly contradict Aquaman's origin. His father could still have discovered the ruins of the city, since the bell jar Atlantis was not on the exact same location as the original Atlantis. But that inspires the question of why, if Aquaman's father could use the knowledge of the Atlanteans to give Aquaman the power to live undersea, couldn't Milo have given his people the same abilities, allowing them to become a race of people at one with the sea?

Captured/Knocked Out report: Pegleg uses his crutch to knock Aquaman out.

Finny Friends Report: When Aquaman is tightly bound and tossed into the water, a shark attacks him. He bites it by the tail to keep it from eating him. When he escapes, he gets a sawfish to cut his bonds. Then he uses a whale to stop the ship and pull it to Atlantis.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Atlantis, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 015

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #86 (December 1942) - Race Around The World

A movie producer gets Aquaman to swim around the world in seven days, and Black Jack offers a half million dollar reward to the pirate who kills Aquaman.

On the splash page, Aquaman is walking down a street in Hollywood and is at least a full head taller than anyone else, showing off his heroic proportions... Someone named "Hedy Hepburn" asks for Aquaman's autograph... A swimming champ asks Aquaman for swimming pointers... The movie studio is named Pariversal Pix and the President's name is Mr Smith... Aquaman agrees to the challenge because the profits will go to the Navy Relief Fund... Aquaman's exact route is publicized, leading Black Jack to declare the reward... Lots of inset maps so the readers could follow along Aquaman's journey. Readers got a tiny bit of geography from this one... The Japanese are horrible stereotypes, as is common in Golden Age tales. However, they are also the only group that even comes close to killing Aquaman... The pirates at the Cape of Good Hope drop depth charges on Aquaman, and he off-handedly explains how they work to his readers... Aquaman makes a baseball reference, "No hit, one error!" the pirates miss him and he sinks them instead... The Japanese capture Aquaman, hoping to use him to sink American ships... Aquaman is stuck in a muddy channel when six Japanese bombers attack him. A single American fighter arrives and shoots down two of the bombers, rescuing Aquaman, then helps him out of the mud... Aquaman makes it in less than six days, breaking all records... When asked what he's going to do next, Aquaman says he's going home to take a bath.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets no help from sea life in this story.

Captured/Knocked Out report: The Japanese pirates drug the water in the Indian Ocean that Aquaman is due to swim through to capture him, but the drug wears off fast and he escapes.

Special Note: This story's script is later re-used in the Silver Age, one of two instances of re-used scripts I'm certain of in Aquaman's history. When I reach that story, I'll be sure to link back to this one.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time, WWII

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 014

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #85 (November 1942) - The Unhappy Hunting Grounds

A group of poachers attack Seal Island, but are soon in trouble when Aquaman is warned and comes to stop them.

To kill Aquaman, the leader of the poachers, Morrell, leaves him on a tropical island. Yes, they had to go south to get to one. Aquaman drinks all the coconut milk and attempts to find shade under a palm tree. He's briefly saved by a tropical rainstorm. But then, after all that, the caption says that he tries to escape for "hours". Clearly there's no one hour limit, and equally clearly it's the sun and heat that are causing him problems, not the lack of water. But I wonder if this story isn't one of the inspirations for the infamous one hour limit?

The poachers are using "electric guns" that deliver a fatal shock to the seals in order to preserve the furs... Ark the Sea Lion makes a very brief one panel appearance in this story... The electric guns don't work on the polar bear... The poachers are terrified of the walruses, but still apparently have time to get dressed before jumping into the icy water to escape... Aquaman leaves a gloating note for the poachers threatening to introduce them to his whale friends... Aquaman digs his way to freedom after finding an oyster inland and figuring out that there's a water passage under the island... Aquaman radios for help for the poachers after he sinks their ship. On the strength of Aquaman's radio testimony, the poachers are thrown in jail.

Finny Friends Report: A seal seeks out Aquaman to warn of the poachers. A polar bear attacks Aquaman, and he throws it at the poachers to scare them off the island. Aquaman gets a group of walruses to board the poachers boat while they sleep and scare the poachers into the water. He's attacked by a swordfish, but tames it and has it ram a hole in the poachers ship.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman rescues a poacher who apparently fell overboard, and is captured in a net. He's then placed on a tropical island to die from exposure.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ark, Ripples Through Time

Monday, November 13, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 013

More Fun #84 (October 1942) - Raid on Atlantis

Three greedy men capture Aquaman to use in an exhibition, and use gas to control him.

Ah! This story features the first appearance of Ark the Sea Lion, a friend of Aquaman who shows up in multiple stories. Ark is the first sea creature that is actually named by Aquaman, but definitely not the last.

Back in World's Finest #6, Peers and Rogan had this same plan, but never carried it out... The readers are informed in the opening text box that they must root for Aquaman in the story... I'm not good with telling Golden Age writers apart, but this story seems very different than previous ones, and my guess is that it has a new writer... Coburn somehow knows where Aquaman's Sea Fortress is... After Jerrod and Skol kill Coburn, they lose the secret of the drug that pacifies Aquaman, which eventually allows him to escape... Two children attending the exhibition note that Aquaman doesn't look happy to be in the tank as part of the show... When Aquaman breaks free from the gas, the same two children notice that Aquaman looks happy again... Aquaman is shown outswimming a human, a dolphin, a shark, and a sea lion (presumably Ark), all in the same tank. How'd they get the shark to race and not eat?

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman chats with Ark the Sea Lion and Ark responds with repeated "Ark!" calls. It's unclear if Aquaman understands him at this point. Aquaman battles a hammerhead shark, batwing ray, octopus, and barracuda. A giant sea turtle saves a thug, apparently at Aquaman's request. And finally, Ark bowls over the bad guys, knocking away their gun.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is captured when he swims close to the bathysphere, and held by a net. He isn't knocked out. Doctor Coburn uses a gas to make Aquaman willing to sign contracts and be willing to perform in the exhibit.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ark, Ripples Through Time

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 012

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #83 (September 1942) - Thomas Jefferson's Treasure

Black Jack finds a chest of rare coins on the ocean floor, but needs financing to bring them up, so he enlists a hapless coin dealer.

The art has improved in this one from the previous story, probably because it isn't a story with a bunch of guys all dressed in the same prison uniform, so distinguishing the characters is possible through the use of clothing. Noppy does bear a strong resemblance to Yascom from the previous story.

Ah, the treasure of Thomas Jefferson! Ok, this one is fascinating, so try to follow me. According to Drew Carson, the coin dealer in this story, Thomas Jefferson sent almost the entire minting of 1804 silver dollars to Napoleon to pay for the Louisiana Purchase, and Napoleon melted them down to make French money, thus making the coin incredibly rare. Black Jack finds a chest full of the 1804 silver dollars, which he says was aboard a French ship which sank. This triggers the whole story. BUT that's not the truth about the 1804 silver dollars. That may have been what collectors believed in 1942, but the reality is much odder... as the 1804 silver dollar wasn't actually minted until 1834. I won't go into detail, but the full story can be found on Coinfacts.com and Wikipedia. A similar story to Drew Carson's can be found on 1804dollar.com, only in this case the coins were to pay soldiers. I find the mis-history in this tale almost as fun as the story itself.

Drew Carson has a lot of friends who care deeply for him, enough to try to help him even while he's blinded by greed... Vera, Drew's fiancee, gets a message to Aquaman because her friend Jo is the main squeeze of a Naval Officer who knows how to contact Aquaman... Vera doesn't believe the whole "throwing a bottle into the ocean" thing until she sees a lobster grab the bottle... Vera refers to it as "Sea-Mail", echoing the V-mail that readers would be familiar with... Aquaman goes in disguise as a normal sailor, but isn't able to join Carson's crew... Drew's butler, Jorrocks, attempts to get Aquaman aboard anyway because he's concerned about Black Jack and Noppy... The treasure is either in very shallow waters or very clear waters, because they can see it from the ship through a glass-bottomed box... Black Jack shatters a chain holding a diving bell with an axe... Black Jack and Noppy argue about how they are going to split the treasure, enough so that Noppy pulls a knife on Black Jack... Once again, Aquaman declines any reward, but Drew invites him to the wedding anyway.

Finny Friends Report: A green lobster brings Vera's message to Aquaman. Aquaman asks a fish to get "someone who can handle these knots" when he's trapped in the treasure chest at the bottom of the ocean.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman and Jorrocks are knocked into the water by a load of coal, the water revives Aquaman but Jorrocks has to be saved. Noppy hits Aquaman on the back of the head with the treasure chest, then traps him inside it and sinks it.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 011

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

A lot of people have asked me how I got all these stories. The short answer is that I spent the last 10 years collecting them. Most of the earliest stories I have on microfiche. Others I have in paper. I've also been asked how to get these stories. That I cannot answer, but I have a suggestion. Pull together your best writing skills and write a paper letter to

Dan Didio, Executive Editor
DC Comics
1700 Broadway
New York NY 10019

and ask very nicely for a reprint of Golden Age Aquaman stories, starting with his first appearance. If you aren't feeling as devoted to the idea, you can write an email, but a paper letter is more likely to get attention. You can also grab a copy of a recent DC book and write to the first few names after Dan Didio in the masthead. The more the merrier.

More Fun #82 (August 1942) - King of the Convict Island

When the prisoners on Convict Island see the allied fleet defeated in the distance, they overthrow their guards and declare Yascom the giant to be their king.

The artwork changes in this story, and I can't say it's an improvement. Oh, it's not bad, but the previous artist had the ability to draw faces that looked different from one another. The faces in this story fit certain types. Adams is a dead ringer for Leef, except Leef has a moustache and a pith helmet. Yascom looks the same as most of the other prisoners, except for his silly crown.

Aquaman takes Adams to his headquarters. But it's made absolutely clear in the opening that this is in the Pacific. That argues that Aquaman's home, and the city of Atlantis, are in the Pacific ocean. This would work with the third story, in which Aquaman brings Keoki of Pearl Island to his home as well.

Yascom is a blacksmith, and a moment is spared from the story to show him making his crown... Aquaman comes to the island after an off-page adventure: "Having saved survivors of a sunken warship, he turns his attention to the drama on shore!"... The warship might have been from the battle the prisoners see at the beginning of this story... Aquaman and Adams first undermine Yascom's authority with tricks, then start a full-on rebellion... Yascom is very surprised that Aquaman survives being hit on the back of the head by Yascom's hammer, but he's smart enough to figure out that dry heat will kill Aquaman... This is the second time that heat/dryness are used as weapons against Aquaman, but there is no indication of any time limit... Adams tells Aquaman that his crime was stealing "some funds" and that he had repented and was willingly serving out his sentence. Why would a white collar criminal be sentenced to hard labor on an island in the Pacific?

Finny Friends Report: A lobster grabs Yascom's crown when Aquaman sends him out on a line. A swordfish cuts the rock Aquaman is tied to away from the cliff, so Aquaman ends up in the water. A lobster cuts Aquaman free from the rock.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is knocked out from behind by a blacksmith's hammer. Ouch.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Friday, November 10, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 010

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

More Fun #81 (July 1942) - Champ of the Waves

After another man claims to have saved a woman that Aquaman just rescued, Aquaman starts to give swimming lessons.

The opening text box is yet another telling of his origin, complete with explanation of Aquaman's headquarters:

Greatest wonder of the Deep -- Aquaman!
His scientist-father trained and taught him from childhood to live and rule in the ocean, great source of life and strength -- Today, he is ruler of the waves and of the depths beneath them where he can live indefinitely, outswimming the fleetest of fishes and outfighting the fiercest monsters of the water -- human or animal! His headquarters is a temple of the drowned city of Atlantis from which he fares forth to keep the seven seas free of oppression and danger!

Aquaman cheats to help George Riggs win the Semi-Finals and thus make it to the big race. Apparently Riggs wins the final by himself... Humber is in league with a bunch of gamblers and must win the final, which makes it very strange that he suggests the Riggs should enter the marathon after he finds out Riggs can swim after all... All this trouble was to impress Riggs' girl Dotty... Roder tries to kill Aquaman by holding him underwater, as he reasons that Aquaman will drown since he doesn't have a mask. Apparently the tale of who Aquaman is hasn't reached this area yet... the fish that notifies Aquaman of drownings manages to look nervous when it reports the second one. Too much excitement for the little fish?

Finny Friends Report: A fish reports to Aquaman when it sees a woman drowning, and leads Aquaman to the victim. Later, apparently the same fish leads Aquaman to the drowning Riggs. A swordfish helps Aquaman open the trunk that Riggs was stuffed into.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman isn't captured or knocked out in this story!

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 009

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

One of the hardest parts about doing this feature is keeping myself from reading ahead. I find that after I've read a tale, I want to read the next one right away. I have to hold myself back.

More Fun #80 (June 1942) - The Scourge of the Seven Seas

Black Jack escapes from his seaside prison and takes over a pleasure yacht.

Black Jack's daring escape from prison takes about two and a half pages of action. He first throws a guard into the electric fence so the other guards must shut off the power to free him. With the power down, Black Jack climbs the fence and dives into the nearby ocean. Once there, he stuffs his prison outfit with seaweed so the guards (and Aquaman who comes along just in time for this part of the escape) are distracted by recovering "Black Jack's body" from the ocean floor. And then he swims away.

Aquaman is still not well-known. A prison guard asks who he is, and another guard gives a nice recounting of Aquaman's origin... Black Jack is called a "natural leader of men" and shown talking the crew of the yacht into joining him as pirates... When Aquaman finds Van Mille adrift in his lifeboat, starving and dying of thirst, Aquaman gets the man fresh water from undersea springs and offers him shellfish to eat... Black Jack takes the ransom for the people on the yacht, but plans to kill them anyway so they can't testify against him... Black Jack offers to spare Phyllis if she'll marry him, but she says she'd prefer the clean water after knowing him... Aquaman's leadership skills out-trump Black Jack's, as the crew come over the Aquaman's side after Aquaman saves the ship... Black Jack is marooned on an island instead of being taken by Aquaman back to prison.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman fights a shark. He also gets a message of the activities of Black Jack from a fish (the fish reports men fighting aboard a yacht with one thrown into the water).

Captured/Knocked Out report: Black Jack knocks out Aquaman with the butt of a pistol, and throws him in the metal-lined hold.

A note about measurements at sea... A "fathom" is used to measure depth, and is 6 feet (1.83 meters). A "league" is used to measure distance, and is 3.0 statute miles (4.8 kilometers). The caption boxes on these early stories often refer to Aquaman as being the man from "twenty thousand leagues under the sea" which is complete nonsense. The title of the book, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, is referring to a journey of that distance, not to the depths which the Nautilus could go. If Aquaman was from twenty thousand leagues under the sea, he'd be from 60,000 miles under the sea... and the diameter of the Earth is only about 8,000 miles. It's odd what little things annoy, and this is one that always manages to bother me for some reason.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 8 Nov 2006

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

My Aquaman collection is organized by date, and my not-at-all complete Justice League collection is organized the same way. Someday, in the far distant future when I've collected every single Aquaman appearance, I plan on rereading the entire collection in chronological order.

World's Finest Comics #6 (Summer 1942) - The Zoo of the Deep

Aquaman meets an undersea hunter, and eventually learns the extent of his illegal activities.

The undersea hunter, Peers Pike, is running an aquarium on a boat. It appears to be a completely legit operation. But we learn that Peers has a shady past when his old partner Lorry Rogan shows up and insists on a piece of the action. Rogan is on the run from the police, having escaped jail. In a nice piece of exposition, Peers reveals that Rogan was part of Black Jack's kidnapping operation (see More Fun #77) and was caught and jailed because of that. Peers attempts to kill Rogan, and Aquaman rescues him.

In a very cool moment, Aquaman reveals that he knows who Rogan is because of his "Radio Television". Television wasn't widespread at that point, and most broadcasts had been halted for the duration of the War. I wonder if the "Radio" was tacked on in case people weren't sure what "Television" meant?

This is the first Aquaman story to have an official title, in quotes, on the splash page... Aquaman is getting more recognition, the Coast Guard official who talks with Aquaman says "we've been directed to cooperate with you at all times, Aquaman!"... Aquaman again refuses a reward, asking instead that it be donated to war relief... Either Aquaman is really good at playing dead, or Peers' henchmen are really bad at telling if someone is alive... Peers and Rogan plot to capture Aquaman and put him in the show. I seem to recall this eventually happens in another tale... At the end of the story, Aquaman takes the ship out to sea and sinks it, freeing all the captured fish on board.

Finny Friends Report: A fish referred to as "a close friend of Aquaman" is chased by the hunter, and Aquaman saves him. Aquaman fights and kills a sting-ray. An Octopus grabs a thug when Aquaman punches the thug into its tank. Aquaman releases an electric eel who "frightened and enraged" attacks the bad guys. There is no indication that Aquaman actually directs any of the sea life in this story, but they do help him out.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is never knocked out or captured in this story, although he pretends to be unconscious for awhile.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Ripples Through Time - 7 Nov 2006

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

In the future, if I don't want to vote for any of the offered choices, I think I'll write in "Arthur Curry". Of course, in some places up here in Washington state, you needed to be Aquaman just to get to the flooded polls today.

More Fun #79 (May 1942)

After an iceberg attacks and sinks an American destroyer, Aquaman dives in to solve the mystery.

The Berg-Battleship was created by a Nazi scientist named Krutz whose mind is described as warped. It's made of shatteproof glass on the inside with an ammonia freezing system on the outside. The floors are fairly thin with no armor, only ice underneath. The ship has a submarine escort and some sort of airfield with a bomber. Krutz's lab has a heat-ray he's invented in it, which Aquaman uses to sink the ship.

Great exchange between the Nazi captain and Aquaman. The captain slaps Aquaman for being insolent: "You dare bandy words with me, you Yankee pig? This is your payment!" Aquaman responds by punching him back: "And this is your change!" He continues the theme into the next panel: "Now that this has come to trading wallops, we'll operate on the barter system -- giving you good measure!" The guard just runs for help.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets no help from sea life in this story.

In this story Aquaman is knocked out with a blow to the back of the head with a rifle butt... Lieutenant Adams, a survivor from the sunken destroyer, does not recognize Aquaman... The opening text panel reiterates Aquaman's origin, "His power is great and just -- trained by his scientist-father to plumb the depths or cross the vast stormy stretches, he knows and guards the seven seas..." The Nazi captain goes down with his ship rather than be captured by Aquaman, who attempts to save him... Krutz the warped scientist is the only survivor, and his brain is apparently addled by the narrow escape. He ends up a prisoner working on a perpetual motion machine.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII

Monday, November 06, 2006

Ripples Through Time

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

If you are reading this on my Aquaman website, it's also available on Bloggity-Blog-Blog-Blog, my regular weblog. If you are reading this on Bloggity, it's also available on my Aquaman website.

More Fun #78 (April 1942)

Aquaman finds a message in a bottle warning sailors away from the Sargasso Sea, so naturally he goes there to find out what is happening.

I love how Golden Age stories jump right into the action. In the modern age, this same story would take at least six issues to tell, as Aquaman would get the warning, angst about it a bit, then finally decide to visit the Sargasso Sea after conferring with his allies. Then an issue would be devoted to the ship with the "frozen" men on it. Then an issue devoted to Aquaman finding a cure. An issue to set up the villain, with some dramatic reveal as a cliffhanger. An issue for Aquaman to get an ally. Then a final issue, or possibly two, with the climatic battle of the freed slaves. But in the Golden Age, ten pages was enough for the entire tale.

This is Aquaman's sixth story, and his legend is still growing. The bad guys on the frozen ship say, "There he is! I never believed those Aquaman yarns before!" "Seeing's believing!"

Finny Friends Report: No finny friends help Aquaman at all in this tale.

If you haven't heard of it before, the Sargasso Sea is a place in the mid-Atlantic where the ocean currents seem to stop and lots of seaweed grows. In this tale, Master Sargasso has set up a pirate's nest in the middle of the seaweed... Master Sargasso is described in the text as a giant, but doesn't look any bigger than his "servants", and in fact appears a bit frail. He also wears a very silly crown... When Master Sargasso gets annoyed that his thugs failed to capture Aquaman, he has the thug who admitted failure disposed of in the same way Aquaman "died". Of course, Aquaman rescues the guy who spills everything about Sargasso's set-up. Villains should learn to treat their thugs right... Aquaman is offered command of the fleet of newly freed merchant ships at the end of the story, but declines and swims off, as usual.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Ripples Through Time

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

I started this feature in November 2006 - Sixty-five years after the cover date of the comic that carried the first Aquaman story in November 1941.

More Fun #77 (March 1942)

After rescuing a man thrown overboard a gambling ship, Aquaman goes undercover to learn the secret of the ship.

Another Black Jack story, and Black Jack's first disguise. He has another ship and dresses up as the Rajah of Joon. Aquaman's suspicion is aroused when he learns of the Rajah, as he tells the man he rescued, "I've traveled much, but never heard of the country of Joon!" He enlists the man, who is never named, to help him with a disguise, and Aquaman goes aboard the gambling ship as a rich fool.

This time Aquaman is knocked out with what appears to be a bottle. Instead of throwing him overboard, "No! Water is his life!" Black Jack tosses him in the furnace hold. This is the first hint that Aquaman is weaker out of the water and dry. Then again, any person tossed in a room with flames shooting out of a furnace as depicted would have trouble. Then again, water revived his strength enough to smash out of Dawn's prison.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman gets a sawfish to free the drowning man from the weights Black Jack's thugs put on him.

Black Jack kidnapped Senator Burton's daughter, Dawn, because the Senator is the chair of the Waterways Committee, and he wants shipping privileges for his smuggling operations... When Aquaman asks if there is water, Dawn throws the water on Aquaman despite there being a fire right next to her as well. Either she's heard of Aquaman or it was clear somehow that's what he wanted... When undercover Aquaman flashes money, the goons let him win so they can get him to the office and rob him... The money Aquaman gives them is jewels from the ocean floor... Aquaman and Black Jack instantly recognize each other, even though Black Jack is still in costume... Aquaman looks distinguished in a tux... Black Jack kills one of his goons to get the last lifeboat, and plans to shoot Dawn as well before Aquaman stops him.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Ripples Through Time

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

I'm going to test drive this feature name for awhile. It's based on two of David Oakes' suggestions. If you absolutely hate it, please let me know.

More Fun #76 (February 1942)

Aquaman spots a sinking ship and suspects foul play, his hunch is confirmed by the captain of the salvage ship.

It's amazing how much story is crammed into eight pages. This one is considerably better on this reading than it was on my first read through. For one thing, we get a bit of Aquaman the Detective in it, then we get a weird menace in the form of the evil diver, and Aquaman gets to show off both his strength and his finny friends' assistance.

The evil diver outfit worn by Captain Skover was a great Golden Age design. It would've been nice to have more than one page of it. If the Golden Age Aquaman had a trophy room, that outfit would belong in it.

The one really false note in the story is the airtight cabin that the cabin boy and jewels are in. I found it slightly odd that any merchant ship would have such a specialized room, even if they were carrying jewels. Then again, this is Golden Age, so I'll let that bit go.

Captain Skover doesn't recognize Aquaman, nor does his crew... Let's see, Aquaman's had a sledgehammer dropped on him, he's been gassed, and now he's thrown in a decompression chamber that is then emptied of air. He pretty much rips through the wall of the chamber to get out... Aquaman's finny friends are able to get the wreck out of the mud, but they can't raise it to the surface. Aquaman uses the anchors of the ships surrounding the area to do that job... Only one panel of Aquaman's finny friends in this one... Aquaman refuses a reward, telling the Navy man to divide it amoung the honest men who tried to raise the wreck.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time

Friday, November 03, 2006

Sea King A Clever Title

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

I'm still mulling them over title suggestions for this feature, and H's suggestion for a temporary title was too good to not use.

More Fun #75 (January 1942)

After saving a diver from a giant clam and octopus, Aquaman learns that Black Jack is alive and has taken over Pearl Island.

First appearance of the "Aquacave", although it is referred to as Aquaman's Sea-Fortress, and described as a temple of the ancient lost city that Aquaman keeps free from water and filled with his possessions. This is probably the same place we saw Aquaman's father living during the first story.

Again with the great artwork! The dialogue is snappy, but not quite as snappy as the last story because there aren't a bunch of pirates to be constantly beaten by Aquaman. I love the splash page.

Most of the natives of Pearl Island are dressed only in loincloths, but one of them wears robes and gets all the expository lines. I suspect he's meant to be the priest. The only woman we see is Loana, and she's mostly tied up or in peril from Black Jack, though she does take the initiative and runs from him at one point.

In the last story, Aquaman didn't call for help from his finny friends at all. In this story, he ends up fighting two sea creatures, and killing them both. So much for "friend of all ocean life".

Keoki is the diver that Aquaman saves... The location of Pearl Island is a complete mystery, since they act like South Pacific Islanders, but are apparently in the Atlantic near to Aquaman's Sea-Fortress... Keoki becomes the chief at the end of the tale, and banishes Black Jack instead of executing him... The islanders offer to make Aquaman the chief, but he suggests Keoki instead saying "the whole sea needs me."

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Insert Clever Title Here

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story. This will no doubt evolve as I continue reading for the year and a half required to get through all the Aquaman tales.

I've gotten a lot of suggestions for the name of this feature, and I'm mulling them over now. Feel free to add more if you think of any. Suggestions so far: "Curried Tales", "Aqua-blogging", "Aquaman through the Ages", "Writing the Waves", "Past Ripples", "Talking to Fish", "Waves of Time, Time of Waves", "EYWTKAA,BWATA", "Fish Stories", "Sea Tales", "Water Log", "Charting the Course", "Deep Sea Thoughts", "Deep Thoughts", "Fish Tales", "Water Lines", and "Strait Talk".

More Fun #74 (December 1941)

Aquaman stops pirates from attacking a yacht, then fights the pirates and sinks their ship, but the captain of the pirates survives.

The first appearance of Black Jack the Modern Pirate! Yay! Black Jack captures Aquaman (using gas this time, not a sledgehammer to the head like the Nazis in the last story) and asks him to join the crew. Black Jack explains that by wearing old-fashioned pirate gear, the ships he attacks know exactly what they are in for as soon as he appears.

Lots of really amusing banter during the fight scenes in this one. The language is just lovely! "Into the cradle of the deep you go, Lubber! Sleep well!", "Bust his binnacle for him!", "I don't like your faces - think I'll scramble them a little -", "If I knew the swab that did this, I'd keel-haul him from here to Singapore!", "Here, let me part those whiskers in the middle!", "I'll gouge out your headlights!" While the art was excellent, and the story ok, the dialogue really made this one shine.

Black Jack's ship is the Nemesis... The splash page is signed "by Paul" (Paul Norris)... Black Jack's crew wear green shirts with black horizontal stripes... Depending on which view we get of it, the Nemesis looks like everything from a motorboat to a destroyer, but it has metal sides and torpedo tubes, so I'm leaning towards a destroyer-type vessel... Aquaman is more clueful in this story about the ways of the the surface. He knows what a torpedo is, when in the first story he didn't recognize a grenade.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Black Jack, Ripples Through Time, WWII

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Insert Clever Title Here

Starting today, I'm going to read every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order, one per day. After I read each story I'm going to post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story. These aren't going to be reviews, just impressions with maybe a short summary.

I was utterly unable to come up with a good name for this feature, so if you have any suggestions, post them in the comments. Be nice. Now, to start:

More Fun #73 (November 1941)

Aquaman rescues some refugees, introduces himself, then attacks and defeats the Nazis who sank the refugee ship.

Man, I wish I had this story in the original colors. The differences in Aquaman's costume alone would be worth the sight. ... Aquaman is tied up by the Nazis and apparently cannot escape, but shortly later he is able to burst the same bonds. Hmmm. ... Who was Aquaman's mother? Aquaman claims that his father is famous, but says very little about his mother except that she died. If I were to revisit the Golden Age Aquaman, I'd love to explore his heritage. ... Aquaman sinks a u-boat with one punch. He is, however, knocked out when the Nazis drop a sledgehammer on his head. ... Aquaman claims no country as his heritage, and makes that clear. I wonder where his well-known father was from? ... I love the artwork. It's very dynamic and as simple as it needs to be.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

Labels: Ripples Through Time, WWII