Aquaman's First DCU Mention?

While chatting with #1 Aquaman Fan (and F.O.A.M.er, of course) Laura Gjovaag for an upcoming episode of The Fire and Water Podcast, she mentioned that Aquaman was referenced in a 1940s Johnny Quick story, quite possibly the Sea King's first-ever mention in the greater DCU. I had never heard of this, and somehow missed Laura's post about it over on her Unofficial Aquaman Website--so here it is!

Aquaman (in)famously did not appear on DC comic book cover until The Brave and the Bold #28. His first official crossover with another DC hero took place just a few months earlier in Adventure Comics #267, when he met his longtime book co-star Green Arrow. But to my knowledge there was never any inkling that Aquaman was connected to any other DC character between his debut in 1941 and 1959--but thanks to Laura I'm happy to learn that's wrong!

This Johnny Quick story was written by Joe Samachson, who also penning Aquaman's More Fun adventures at the same time, so this can be chalked up as a nice little gag for readers. And nerds like me, eight decades later.

Who's Who: Golden Age Aquaman

No, this is not some "lost" Who's Who listing, this is an exquisite custom job done by F.O.A.M.er and Nuclear Sub Xum Yukinori as gift to the Who's Who podcast, on the occasion of our reaching the 26th (and final) issue of the first series.

Xum is a genius with these things, coming up with fake character entries that look so perfect you'd think they actually came right from the series. Knowing that I was always irritated that the Golden Age Aquaman was ignored in Who's Who, Xum was kind enough to bring his considerable artistic skills to bear and create this for the show--which we duly covered on the 26th episode of the podcast, now available.

Click the graphic to embiggen, and enjoy all the details. Thanks Xum!

Adventure Comics #259 - Apr. 1959

Comics Weekend "The Octopus Man" by Jack Miller(?) and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

The Golden Age Aquaman bids us an unknowing adieu in this month's adventure. To celebrate, we're running the whole dang story, so enjoy:

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

As the tag for next month's story shows us, next month the Sea King would be bestowed a brand-new origin, which many (including the Shrine) feel as though is the true first appearance of the Silver Age Aquaman. This version of our hero would not be seen again in a DC comic until All-Star Squadron #31 in 1984, and not in a story until #59 of the same title, twenty-seven years later!

I'm happy to see that the Golden Age Aquaman went out on a winner; The Octopus Man is a classic goofy mad scientist, brought to life with real panache by Ramona Fradon. I find it almost touching how the last time we get to see Aquaman, he's winking at us.

So what now? Is this the end of Adventure Sundays? The answer is a big fat no. Even though the Silver Age Aquaman takes over as of next issue, the tone of these adventures remained the same, and would continue to do so for at least a couple more years. And since the Shrine has not covered those stories the way we've been doing here for the last couple of years, rest assured Adventure Sundays will continue next Sunday, same Aqua-Time, Same Aqua-Channel!

Adventure Comics #258 - March 1959

Comics Weekend "The Incredible Fish of Doctor Danton!" by Jack Miller(?) and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

This month, Aquaman takes on some mutants. No, not those:

Aquaman spies a mutated electric eel shooting bolts of electricity into a nearby lighthouse, so the Sea King commands a school of "regular" eels to surround it, drawing its out of control bursts of power into themselves, rendering the mutant eel harmless for the moment. But that's just one problem is left to solve: next up is an octopus with elastic tentacles!

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

Another story brought to vivid life by Ramona Fradon. I particularly love the dialogue-less panel on page five, with the family watching their food disappear right off the table. Combine that with Dr. Danton's EC-esque visage, and this makes for one of Ms. Fradon's best Aquaman jobs.

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that Aquaman would so cheerfully help collect some of his finny friends to live in Danton's tanks? To a sea creature, living in a tank is essentially prison, so it seems odd to me that Aquaman would not only be okay with, but actively participate in, his friends' forced imprisonment. Maybe it's a good thing next issue is his last adventure (*sniff*).

Adventure Comics #257 - Feb. 1959

Comics Weekend "The Imitation Aquaman" by Jack Miller(?) and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

A truly disturbing story on tap this month for Aquaman:

The townsfolk are thrilled at all the valuable booty Aquaman and his finny friends have delivered to them, which will pay for the rebuilding. Aquaman then heads out to find the fake version of himself, so he's not there when Hadley shows up to steal some the pearls!

Hadley pulls this same trick--stealing the treasure Aquaman unearths--the next day, and then again that night:

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

Of all of Aquaman's Golden/Silver Age villains, I feel as though it's Hadley that is the greatest candidate for a reboot. His fish-like visage is truly disturbing (kudos to Ramona Fradon), and a bad guy subjecting himself to dangerous experimentation just to gain Aquaman's powers seems like the kind of concept that perfectly fits today's "grim and nasty" view of supervillains.

Since Hadley was never seen again (he's no Electric Man!), I wonder if he ever got his face put back the way the doc promised? I bet that would make a good story for Aquaman #23.3: Imitation Aquaman, don't you?

Adventure Comics #256 - Jan. 1959

Comics Weekend "The Ordeal of Aquaman" by Jack Miller(?) and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

Man, do I love that Superboy cover! Great staging and beautifully colored.

A few pages deeper into the issue, the Golden Age Aquaman starts his final year of publication with a trek through the desert:

The crooks, watching from above, are worried Aquaman might find some more water and make it out. So they land their plane in the nearby reservoir with a plan to turn off every valve and water main going to the nearby town--so even if Aquaman makes it there, he'll find no water to drink!

The Sea King does in fact make it to town, but gets no relief. Luckily he gets an idea, asking to be carried to the town ice rink. The building's roof is rolled back, and the hot sun starts to melt the ice, saving Aquaman's life! Meanwhile, back at the reservoir:

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

I thought this story was enormously fun--sure, Aquaman stranded in the desert is hardly a new story hook, but...well, actually here it was, for this was the first time the Sea King had been placed in this particular pickle (though not the last). Funny to thing that, in this whole town, there wasn't one family with a pitcher of water or a supermarket with jugs of aqua for sale? What kind of one-horse town is this?

But the art is great (of course--it's Fradon), and we do get to see Topo milk a horse, so there's that. And I like to think Aquaman left those crooks in the giant fish tank.

Today is The Aquaman Shrine's Seventh Anniversary! Every year I hope to make a big deal on October 13th, but time always gets away from me, so this little graphic will have to do. Thanks to everyone who helps keep the Shrine a thriving, fun place, and let's get going on Year Eight!

The Fire and Water Podcast, Episode 66

THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST: Episode 66

The official podcast of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE and FIRESTORM FAN

Episode 66 - Golden Age Aquaman

Shag is off for the week, so I am joined by VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX host Michael Bailey to talk about the Golden Age Aquaman and his appearances in Roy Thomas' ALL-STAR SQUADRON!

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Opening theme, "That Time is Now," by Michael Kohler.

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Thanks for listening! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Adventure Comics #255 - Dec. 1958

Comics Weekend "Aquaman's Double Trouble" by Jack Miller(?) and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

This month, Aquaman finds himself with more trouble than he can handle!

Once again Aquaman finds himself with two emergencies to tackle, one above the sea and one below. With the help of some whales and octopi, Aquaman tugs a storm-tossed freighter to safety, and then turns his attention towards the diving bell:

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

This story has to win the awards for Most Out of Left Field Resolution. An old man reveals himself to be Poseidon--Poseidon--and Aquaman just accepts this, wishes him well, and that's that! I mean, according to Aquaman's system of beliefs (not that that was ever explored), this would be equivalent of Jesus Christ showing up, telling you he solved your problems, and taking off down the street. I know it probably takes a lot to shock Aquaman, but come on!

I find it amusing that Mike's Amazing World lists Poseideon's next appearance as being in Wonder Woman #131, presumably suggesting that whenever Poseidon showed up in a DC comic, it was all the same guy. I'm not arguing with that assessment, I just thought it was funny.

One final note: Aquaman's strip didn't generate a lot of mail (or, if it did, the editor didn't see fit to print much of it), but this issue features an Aquaman-centric letter that was quite interesting:

The debut of Aqualad was a mere 14 months away at this point, I wonder if this letter had a little something to do with it?

Adventure Comics #254 - Nov. 1958

Comics Weekend "The Menace of the Electric Man" by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

Strap in and get ready for one of the most exciting Aquaman adventures in a long time!

Aquaman approaches the boat, and sees the startling sight of Roy Pinto, immersed in a haze of electricity. The Sea King leaps onto the boat, only to get zapped by Pinto, allowing the crook to get away!

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

I really loved this month's story, even if the ending is unfortunately truncated (damn Tootsie Rolls and their Big Money). We've finally got a bad guy with a gen-u-ine super power, and he is powerfully brought to life by Ramona Fradon, who makes the Electric Man looks truly fearsome.

 

Now, normally, this is where I would state for the umpteenth time that the villain of the month never appeared again, but in this case that's not true! Roy Pinto aka The Electric Man did in fact return, in the pages of Justice League of America #5! Sadly, that was Roy's second and final appearance, making his career as an Aquaman villain very short, but still second only to Black Jack in terms of number of appearances.

 

Some of you might remember, I made a case for all of these late-1950s Aquaman stories still being considered the Golden Age Aquaman back during our look at Adventure Comics #229, which was the first appearance of Topo. I have to admit, Roy's appearance in JLA #5 damages my case, because of course the JLA featured the Earth-1/Silver Age Aquaman, and there the Sea King refers to him as "My old nemesis", indicating that they've tangled before--which presumably is this story. So I must be honest and say that the line of demarcation--which I thought was so clear--is a little fuzzier when you look at all the evidence.

Adventure Comics #253 - Oct. 1958

Comics Weekend "The Ocean of 1,000,000 B.C." by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

Not a dream! Not an imaginary tale! Not a bump on the head! Aquaman goes back in time!

Aquaman deduces the creature is allergic to the plant, so he heads right into the thick of it to avoid beaten eaten. But when he reaches the surface, he sees another beast, swimming amid a pool of oil. That gives him an idea!

He grabs a big handful of oil, throwing into the mouth of the purple creature. It shoots flame out of its snout, causing a ring of fire (down, down, down) to ignite, leaving only one prehistoric beast to worry about:

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

I really do long for the days when one panel was all it took to establish your main character traveled back in time--some funny coloring, and boom! Back in time, let's roll!

As I joked about above, it's nice that for once there's no last minute dodge to establish the premise: Aquaman actually does go back in time, consarnit, and you little whippersnappers just have to accept that.

A couple final notes on the art: that drawing of Aquaman and the caveman shaking hands in the last panel looks pretty close to my work. Finally, Ramona Fradon decided to try a couple of things out with this story, going for lighting effects she didn't usually indulge in, like in this panel from page four:

Man, is she good.

Adventure Comics #252 - Sept. 1958

Comics Weekend "The Robinson Crusoe of the Sea" by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon.

It's Adventure Sunday!

Aquaman, stranded on an island? How is that even possible? Well, let's sit right back and hear a tale...

Topo helps Aquaman find food, but danger lurks in the form of some wild bobcats who seem ready to attack. With the help of some turtle pals acting as shields, Aquaman and Topo fend the bobcats off.

When he gets back to the beach, Aquaman notices "the notorious pirate, Captain Troy",  attacking a tramp steamer. But since he's allergic to salt water, what's the Sea King to do?

...and so ends another adventure with Aquaman!

Topo really does all the heavy lifting--literally and figuratively--in this story. Aside from helping Aquaman figure out that he's no longer suffering from the chemicals, he fights off the bobcats alongside his hero, and acts as a sort of greek chorus for the audience (check out panel 5 of page 2, where Ramona Fradon cleverly drew Topo mimicking his pal's mood).

We also get to see Topo give Aquaman a full-on military salute, something I want to see in every Aquaman story going forward. Somebody call Geoff Johns!