Comic Title: Aquaman #52
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Jul/Aug 1970
On Sale Date: April 30, 1970 Newsstand Date April 30, 1970
Source: House Ad, Batman #223, Page 42

Copyright Date April 30, 1970
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1970

Newsstand Date April 30, 1970
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V25 #4

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.15
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dick Giordano

Title: "The Traders' Trap"
Pages: 16

Feature(s):
Aquaman (of Earth-1)

Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Jim Aparo

Reprinted In:
Adventure Comics #503 (1983)
Aquaman:Deadly Waters the Deluxe Edition HC (2020)

Feature Character(s)

• Aquaman (also appears concurrently in the second story of Aquaman #52; last appearance in Aquaman #51; next appearance in Aquaman #53)

Supporting Character(s)

• Aqualad (last appearance in Aquaman #51; next appearance in Aquaman #53)
• Mera (also appears concurrently in the second story of Aquaman #52; last appearance in Aquaman #51; next appearance in Aquaman #53)
• Vulko (also appears concurrently in the second story of Aquaman #52; last appearance in Aquaman #49; next appearance in Aquaman #55)

Villain(s)

• Black Manta (last appearance in Aquaman #51; next appearance in Aquaman #53)
• A group of alien slavers (next appearance in Aquaman #55)
• Black Manta's henchmen (next appearance in Aquaman #53)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Deadman (behind-the-scenes; last appearance in Aquaman #52; next appearance in Aquaman #52)

Other Character(s)

• An unnamed girl (last appearance in Aquaman #51; next appearance in Aquaman #55)
• A cave dwelling tribe (last appearance in Aquaman #51; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story is continued from the first story of Aquaman #51 and continues in part in Aquaman #53.

The second story of Aquaman #52 occurs concurrently with this story which is presented after page 14 and preceeding the two-page epilogue.

Synopsis:
Aquaman and his female companion are attacked by a tribe of cave dwellers. An alien ship rescues them, but the aliens intend to use Aquaman as a slave. They imprison the Sea King and his companion in glass tubes, but Aquaman is able to break loose. He then defeats the aliens and escapes the ship. He is forced to leave the girl behind.

Aquaman then returns to the caves where he feels a pulling force guiding him. He is knocked out by the villagers who take him closer to the source of the pull. Aquaman recovers and fights off the villagers.

Back in Atlantis, Mera watches as Black Manta sends men to the ocean floor outside the city. She wishes Aquaman was still there to help. Suddenly, Aquaman begins growing at rapid speed. He continues growing until he suddenly appears before Mera at full size. Aquaman then goes to confront Black Manta.