Ripples Through Time - 175

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 #252 (September 1958) - The Robinson Crusoe of the Sea

While rescuing a ship, Aquaman is doused with a chemical that makes him allergic to the salt in sea water.

Glove Color: Green.

Regular Supporting Cast: Topo.

Aqua-Exclamations: "Shades of Davy Jones!"

Captured/Knocked Out report: The effects of the chemical knock Aquaman unconscious, and Topo has to pull him ashore.

Quotefile: Aquaman, "Well, Robinson Crusoe survived in a similar situation. With my fish to help me, I think I can do as well."

Finny Friends Report: Aquaman starts the tale riding Topo, as usual. Topo saves Aquaman's butt by pulling him to dry land when he passes out. A whale and some sawfish widen the channel and help Aquaman set up a system of waterways on the island. Topo and a fellow octopus help Aquaman build a house. Topo notices fruit trees, but Aquaman notes that there a wild bobcats in the trees, so a group of turtles help shield Aquaman and Topo as they go hunting for provisions. When Aquaman spots the pirate attack, a group of octopi throw a barrage of rocks at the pirates. Then seagulls drop lobsters on the pirates, which attack the pirates. Topo squirts Aquaman with sea water throughout the battle, and Aquaman only figures out at the end that the chemical has worn off and Topo was trying to tell him.

We've seen this story before. Well, the concept of Aquaman being unable to touch water is a re-used one. We saw it in Aventure #107 and Adventure #152. Admittedly, it's a slightly different twist than the previous stories, but you have to wonder how many times Aquaman can be exiled from the sea.

Aquaman references both Robinson Crusoe and the biblical story of David and Goliath in this tale.

A strange coloring issue... Aquaman is wearing his gloves in the scene in which Topo would have first noticed that Aquaman wasn't having a negative reaction to the sea water, but in the flashback memory of it, Aquaman's hands are colored as flesh, without gloves. Almost makes you wonder how often he removes his gloves in a day.

There is STILL no one hour limit. Yes, he might be using fresh water, as the chemical apparently made him react to the salt in sea water, but it's never stated. It just wasn't a concern.

Have you read this story? What do you think?