OVERVIEW:

Chapter 1

Aquaman is called to Atlantis, where he learns that the king, Juvor, is dead. Tumol tells him that the people have decided on him to succeed him as king, and if he doesn't accept, a civil war might erupt. He accepts, to avoid the war.

The first item of business for the new king is to get married, specifically to a woman from Atlantis. He flees in terror, claiming he needs to go on patrol and also needs time to think.

On the surface, he sees Mera being pursued and goes to her rescue. She's knocked out during the rescue, and Aquaman takes her to the Aquacave to recover. Aqualad asks if he's in love with her, and he admits it, finally.

When Mera awakens, she explains that she came to this world because the machine that controlled the dimensional warp is burning out, and she decided that she would rather be with Aquaman than never see him again. But she was followed through the warp by Oceanus, who wanted her to marry him and rule this world with him. He took away her powers with a weapon designed to remove powers permanently from criminals.

But now she's with Aquaman, and finally feels safe.

Chapter 2

Aquaman, heart-broken, tells Mera that he cannot marry her. She runs away before he can explain that he's now constrained by Atlantean law.

Mera, who has given up her royalty, her world, her life, for Aquaman wanders aimlessly until Oceanus captures her. He lets her go, then acts heart-broken. She can't help but feel compassion for him, and he tells her that he's found an underwater kingdom they can rule together.

He goes and conquers Atlantis, then brings Mera back so they can rule as King and Queen. Aquaman, still on patrol, is warned by the fish of the trouble in Atlantis, and goes to help. He is succeeding against Oceanus' water troops when Oceanus binds him in water cords...

Chapter 3

Oceanus is about to kill Aquaman, and Tumol begs the new Queen to save him. She acts like she doesn't care, and let's Oceanus use tighten the bands to kill them. Then she tells Oceanus that such a death is hardly humiliating enough to repay Aquaman for dumping her. She suggests that they make the pair into servants.

In the weeks that follow, Aquaman and Aqualad are servants chained up at night and constantly watched by Oceanus' water guards. Oceanus orders a temple built for his wedding to Mera, complete with statues of Oceanus and Mera.

Aquaman and Aqualad escape as the temple is nearing completion, and attack Oceanus in bed. But Oceanus was ready for them, and sends a water guard to kill them. Mera enters just in time to snatch the weapon that took her powers, and tell Oceanus that she still loves Aquaman.

Oceanus is let free, and Aquaman and Aqualad live. Aquaman finally explains why he cannot marry Mera, at which Aqualad says that Aquaman ought to make Mera an honorary citizen for saving the city. He does so, and the two finally get married.

COMMENTS:

For the readers, it's been over a year since Mera was first introduced. At this point, I doubt the cover was much of a surprise. One interesting point about the cover: look at who needs helmets to live underwater, and who doesn't... The guests to the wedding only show up on the last page of story, but Superman and J'onn J'onzz both have speaking parts.

No individual chapter titles in this issue.

A common complaint of the Atlanteans of their new king: He's never around when they need him. It starts here, in the first issue he's actually king. Makes you wonder why they elected him king.

Mera's powers are gone, permanently. She has the weapon that did it at the end of the story, but it's already been used on her.

Shorts and notable ads in this issue: Another 3/4-page Trix ad with a quick quiz filling out the page, and a 3/4 page text piece on "Escape to the Sea".

CONCLUSION:

Rating: 8

The marriage itself was rather abrupt.