Wednesday, February 07, 2007


Ripples Through Time - 076

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 #143 Aquaman Splash Page
Adventure #143 (August 1949) - The Second Robinson Crusoe!

Phineas Pike is stranded while out testing his new boat, but his deserted island turns out to be a hideout for Black Jack.

Strange splash page... it shows Robinson Crusoe stunned as he finds the footprint, but Black Jack is behind a rock aiming a gun at him while Aquaman leaps at Black Jack from above (not from the water). To finish off the level of surreal, the Sea Sleuth is watching the whole thing from a handy spot on a cliff. Crusoe himself never actually appears in the story, as Phineas takes that role.

Finny Friends Report: Phineas uses the beak of a dead swordfish as a saw, gets a turtle to haul logs for him, and somehow gets seals to assist in building a log cabin. He takes a shower by standing in a spot that a bull-whale like to "blow off steam" at. Aquaman has fish crowd around Black Jack's boat to stop it from moving, but is foiled when Black Jack's crew pours tar on him. Sharks chase off his fish. Later, on the island, he throws fish at Black Jack and his crew to attract sea gulls, then throws sea gull eggs at the crew. He has a walrus and giant sea turtle sit in Black Jack's rowboat to prevent escape.

Captured/Knocked Out report: None in this story, unless you count Phineas crashing his boat and saying "Glub!" a couple of times.

Quotefile: Opening text box, summing up the entire story, "Who can forget the thrilling saga of Robinson Crusoe, stranded on a deserted island, valiantly battling against all odds to survive? But his feat is now duplicated by none other than the Sea Sleuth, Mastermind of the Marine, Sherlock Holmes of the Sea! And as a crowning touch, he aids Aquaman, King of the Waves, in foiling notorious Black Jack! All this and more results when the Sea Sleuth becomes... The Second Robinson Crusoe!"

Have you read this story? What do you think?

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