OVERVIEW:

Aquaman and Aqualad witness reporter Ken Wall's news helicopter being shot down, and rescue the reporter from his would-be murderers. Ken, however goes into a coma. His wife tells Aquaman and Aqualad that Ken contracted to publish his newspaper once a week without fail, and that he'll lose the paper due to the coma.

After reading a headline in the paper, Aquaman tells Mrs Wall that he'll make sure the paper is published. He and Aqualad take photos of an underwater volcano, and report about their own adventures. But Aquaman's unorthodox methods of delivering the paper are getting it too soggy, so he contracts for a boat to carry the papers.

But somebody doesn't want the paper delivered, and attacks the two as they start their run. It's Captain Scobey, and Aquaman believes the paper was going to reveal him as the Phantom Raider. The attack confirms Aquaman's suspicions. Aquaman and Aqualad take out the crooks, and Ken Wall's paper publishes the result.

COMMENTS:

After Aquaman's run in Showcase, DC wanted to wait a bit for the sales returns to see if he could support his own book. While they waited, though, they didn't want Aquaman to not be published, so he became a backup in Detective Comics.

I probably shouldn't say this, but I prefer the six page Aquaman stories to the current 22-23 pagers. Those writers and artists packed more story into 6 pages than most modern 3-issue arcs manage. Although plenty was left out, such as character development and multiple plots, the stories are best at what comics were meant to do: entertain and educate. Although they are simple and often silly, they never talk down to their audience, and they never pretend to be more than what they are. And what they are is strong stand-alone stories with excellent art.

CONCLUSION:

A fun little story that has a lot to recommend it.