Thursday, December 20, 2007

Ripples Through Time - 181

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 #258 Aquaman Splash Page
Adventure #258 (March 1959) - The Incredible Fish of Doctor Danton!

A radioactive cloud turns all the fish at an experimental aquatic station into dangerous mutants.

Glove Color: Yellow.

Regular Supporting Cast: none.

Aqua-Exclamations: "Galloping Sea Horses!"

Quotefile: Dr. Danton, "Hmmm... That strange cloud of dust descending on the island... it may be radioactive fallout from some distant nuclear experiment! I'd better seek shelter at once!" What a world!

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides a dolphin in this story, Topo is nowhere to be seen. Aquaman orders flying fish to use an old anchor rope to tie up the mutant swordfish's metal cutting saw. He has a group of regular electric eels surround and contain the blasts of the mutant electric eel. Pairs of lobsters tentacle-cuff the mutant octopus. Aquaman has the mutant whale put out a fire on a ship.

This one has a definite Golden Age feel to it. There's a giant radioactive cloud that causes the fish on an isolated island to mutate. The mutants escape and start causing trouble. Aquaman has to round 'em up. The science is completely dreadful, as usual, with the mutations happening immediately and then wearing off. Natural mutations are mentioned, but this would be akin to an adult cow spontaneously growing another head, not a calf being born with two heads.

Have you read this story? What do you think?

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