Ripples Through Time - 189

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 #266 (November 1959) - Aquaman Meets Aquagirl!

Lisa Morel suddenly discovers she has all of Aquaman's powers, and is determined to join him in his sea patrols.

Glove Color: Yellow.

Regular Supporting Cast: Topo.

Captured/Knocked Out report: Aquaman starts the story trapped by a giant clam.

Quotefile: Lisa Morel, "Migosh! According to my waterproof wristwatch, I've been down here sixty minutes! And I feel as if I could last hours!"

Finny Friends Report: A giant clam apparently is holding a grudge against Aquaman, as it refuses to release him until Lisa burns it. Lisa orders seals to save her father's trophy. Aquaman rides on Topo. Topo plays "Happy Birthday" on a piano, drum set, bass, banjo, and xylophone. Lisa has whales destroy the top of an iceberg. Aquaman has luminous fish light up the remainder of the iceberg to save the ship.

Oh, where to start with this one? There's a lot happening in here. First off, we're given Aquaman's origin again, but it's been changed already. In it, Atlanna admits she's from Atlantis while still living and vibrant, not on her deathbed. Aquaman implies that his parents died at the same time. And he mentions his mother's diary, which he promises to read to Lisa.

Aquaman states "But now I must return to the Sea! I can only exist for an hour out of water!" This is the first time the one-hour limit has been described as such. And Lisa suffers from it as well, and had to sleep in the swimming pool!

Aquaman doesn't explain to Lisa why he thinks she's in danger. WHY?!??? I mean, seriously, that's a bit obnoxious of him. Can't he just say, "There's a possibility your powers may vanish as suddenly as they've come, so I'd rather you don't go out on patrol with me"??? Why be a jerk? He doesn't have to say that Lisa's father lied about her birth.

We later learn that Atlanna's diary explains it all. Children in Atlantis born with purple eyes are exiled to the surface world because they cannot survive underwater. This fact is to become important in a few more stories, as another character with purple eyes will be introduced.

Have you read this story? What do you think?