Comic Title: Aquaman:80 Years of the King of the Seven Seas the Deluxe Edition HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2023
On Sale Date: February 14, 2023 Direct Market Date February 14, 2023
Source: DC Connect, #29

Direct Market Date February 15, 2023
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Direct Market Date September 28, 2021
Source: Panels, July 2021

Cover Price: $29.99
Page Count: 440
Editor: Reza Lokman

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Explanation"
Pages: 23

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

Writer: Steve Skeates
Penciller: Jim Aparo
Inker: Frank Giacoia

Reprinted From:
Aquaman #46 (1969)

Feature Character(s)

• Aquaman (last appearance in Aquaman #45; next appearance in Aquaman #47)

Supporting Character(s)

• Aqualad (last appearance in Aquaman #45; next appearance in Aquaman #47)
• Mera (last appearance in Aquaman #45; next appearance in Aquaman #47)
• Vulko (last appearance in Aquaman #43; next appearance in Aquaman #47)
• Aquagirl (last appearance in Aquaman #43; next appearance in Aquaman #47)

Villain(s)

• Narkran (last appearance in Aquaman #42; next appearance in Aquaman #47)
• Members of a crime syndicate (in flashback; earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Aquaman #44)
• A group of Atlantean thieves (in flashback; last appearance in Aquaman #40; next appearance in Aquaman #48)
• The Bugala (last appearance in Aquaman #45; next appearance in Aquaman #47)

Other Character(s)

• Mupo (a rebel leader; first appearance; next appearance in Aquaman #47)
• A group of Atlantean rebels (next appearance in Aquaman #47)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Mera (following her kidnapping; last appearance in Aquaman #40; next appearance in Aquaman #45)

Comments:
Mera's appearance on pages 2-16 of this story, detailing events following her kidnapping, occur between her appearances in Aquaman #40 and Aquaman #45.

This story is continued from Aquaman #45 and continues in Aquaman #47.

Synopsis:
Aquaman awakens following his rescue from the artificial whirlpool and finds Mera. She takes him to a hospital and tells him what happened to her. She was captured by Atlantean thieves who had been exiled from Atlantis. The thieves who worked for Narkran turned her over to surface criminals who intended to use her hard water powers to hijack cargo ships. Mera refused to help, but was forced to give in when the crooks claim they have Aquaman as their captive too.

Mera was being held in a tank in the crooks' underwater headquarters. When Aquaman broke into the hideout, he jarred the controls that kept Mera's cell closed. Once she got free, she was able to escape and help rescue Aquaman from the whirlpool. Aquaman completes his recovery in the hospital, then returns to Atlantis to confront Narkran.

Meanwhile, Aqualad continues his fight with the Bugala, and Aquagirl unites with a group of Atlantean rebels who wish to overthrow Narkran.