OVERVIEW:

In Seaville, old retired Captain Bean tells the children tall tales of how he used to help Aquaman. His granddaughter, Mabel, doesn't approve. And Seaville has just put up a plaque about Aquaman on the beach, which Aquaman and Aqualad just happen to be visiting. The kids drag Captain Bean over to Aquaman, and he's getting nervous about being found out when Aqualad spots a ship in trouble. The captain makes a suggestion, which Aquaman and Aqualad take, and the children are not disappointed in their local hero after all.

COMMENTS:

This is just a really sweet story. It's very cute, which automatically makes it annoying to a lot of fans, but I love it. Captain Bean knows his tall tales are going to get him into trouble when Aquaman arrives, but he ends up saving the day after all with his active imagination. His comment to Mabel at the end of the story shows that he's learned his lesson... but he'll probably keep telling tales anyway.

Captain Bean's tales include one where he got Aquaman to signal for help using oil paint, and one in which he helped Aquaman save serum packets that had broken out of a ship's hold by suggesting that octopi throw them in the air and seagulls snatch them up and deliver them.

When the kids excitedly announce Captain Bean to Aquaman and Aqualad, there's an incredibly well-drawn shot of the two giving each other knowing looks. Cardy also does a great job of making Bean look suitably terrified of meeting his "old friend".

There is an ad for Aquaman #1 at the end of the story.

CONCLUSION:

A wonderful little tale worth checking out.