Ripples Through Time - 144

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 #221 (February 1956) - The Boy Who Refused To Swim

Not even Aquaman can teach Johnny Hartley how to swim, or so everyone thinks.

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman rides his sea cow at the beginning of the tale. Whales help him show Johnny how to float. Whales also prevent Captain Hartley's ship from approaching the island in the flashback.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman hits his head on the pier and apparently is knocked out.

Quotefile: Aquaman, sneaking into Johnny's tent to go through his personal effects, "That photo of Johnny and his father... I-- I think I get it all now! And I'd better do something about it at once!"

Glove Color: Green.

Perhaps Aquaman deserved to be taken down a peg or two. He's convinced that the camp instructors just aren't doing a good enough job teaching Johnny how to swim, "There's no reason why anyone shouldn't be able to learn how to swim-- if he's taught properly!" Ooh, way to insult the instructor, Aquaman!

Johnny is actually an excellent swimmer, but he's angry at Aquaman and wants to disgrace him. He's successful, as he continues to pretend he cannot swim after getting personal lessons from Aquaman. Somehow Aquaman doesn't figure out that the kid is upset at him despite the sullen one word answers during the lessons. The other campers and the instructors are very upset at Aquaman for endangering Johnny's life by making him think he could swim.

Johnny's father attempted to claim a remote Northern island for the United States, but Aquaman wouldn't let him and couldn't explain (at the time) why. Apparently the elder Hartley complained about Aquaman's actions in the hearing of his son.

Have you read this story? What do you think?