Showcase 32

First Thoughts:

The Showcase series originally was a try-out issue of a new DC character who, if successful, got his own mag. All in color for a dime! Early Aquaman fought monsters and had his sidekick Aqualad along in their undersea adventures.

Story and Plot:

Aquaman and Aqualad discover a diver in trouble. The diver is rescued and gives a tale about a wizard and deep-sea treasure. Through a series of situations and traps, Aquaman, helped by his ability to tell fish what to do – recovers the treasure. Two vials! One turns you into a monster, the other back to human again.

This is typical Silver Age, with Aquaman trying to fend off the diver/monster (talk about an ingrate!) and try to prevent the monster from stealing a cargo of gold bricks from a cargo ship that is in the ocean.

It looks like the end for Aquaman.

What’s interesting about the story is how Aquaman does not give up. He even commands seagulls which I didn’t know he could do. All the stories about Atlantis, his half-brother or other enemies are in future mags.

Nick Cardy art is fun to look at, the scripts were hilarious, and these comics at the time also gave educational articles. This one was about Captain Jacque Cousteau who invented the aqualung. Coolness!

Final Thoughts:

Worth a read. This is Aquaman’s fourth appearance in Showcase before he got his own book. He was never really considered a top character like Superman/Batman and was usually played second fiddle to them.

Check it out!
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