Monday, April 16, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 117

I'm reading every Aquaman solo adventure in publication order. After I read each story I will post the cover/splash page and a few thoughts on the story.

Adventure #193 Aquaman Splash Page
Adventure #193 (October 1953) - Secret of the Sea Monster!

While freeing a ship from a field of icebergs, Aquaman discovers a giant sea monster and revives it, only to have it attack passing ships.

Ah, one of my all-time favorite splash pages. Who doesn't love a giant sea monster hand attacking the confident hero from behind?

Finny Friends Report: Whales pull the icebergs away from the stranded ship. Aquaman rides his usual sea cow during the story. A dozen octopi and 20 whales restrain the sea monster for a short time. Electric eels supply power so Aquaman can repair the break in the hull the sea monster caused. Whales pull a ship the sea monster has damaged.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman is "captured" by the sea monster after it breaks free from the whales and octopi, but it only wants to be friends.

Quotefile: Aquaman, on spotting the sea monster in the iceberg, "WOW! This is a new one... Even on me! I---I wonder if it's alive? I'll try feeding it some seaweed!"

This is a fairly cute little tale with a happy ending for everyone involved. Modern Age Aquaman also runs up against sea monsters who bear a resemblance to this guy, so it's just not unusual for Aquaman to meet strange giant beasts in the sea. Even so, this story is slightly more fantastical than the ones that came before.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

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