Aquaman Checklist

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Aquaman, seven series number one issues, two of which were limited series. None of the regular series made it past 77 issues. What does this mean exactly? Well it means that Aquaman was never a character taken very seriously. Always on the receiving end of the joke. Nowadays things are a bit different (many thanks to Geoff Johns), although the character still holds the stigma of being a lame duck in many circles, Warner Brothers will be going all in with a solo movie release. Rumor has it that he’ll first appear in the Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice first, then we’ll see the solo movie a couple of years later. It’s then we’ll see if the world is truly ready for a live action Aquaman movie.
It was writer Geoff Johns that vowed to make Aquaman a cool character. He’s achieved this feat with many naysayers saying it couldn’t be done. Now the transition to film will be the defining moment for the most powerful water character in the entire DC Universe.
Below are some key Aquaman appearances throughout the years. First appearances, number one issues, appearances in other comics, etc. Debuting from 1941, there are plenty of comics to look for here. Plenty of affordable books along the way here too.
Please remember as always here on InvestComics, read the disclaimer. With that said, there will in fact be books that are not on this list. They were probably inadvertently missed. No problem, list your favorite book below or in the comment section in one of our social media outlets. Also remember that the Aquaman movie comes out in 2018, there are no right or wrong answers here.

Aquaman Checklist
More Fun Comics #73 (1941) First appearances of Aquaman and Green Arrow. Golden Age.
Worlds Finest Comics #6 (1942) Aquaman first appears with Batman and Robin in the same comic. They are not together in the same story, Aquaman is featured in a backup.
Adventure Comics #229 (1956) First Silver Age. First appearance of Topo, Aquaman’s pet octopus.
Adventure Comics #260 (1959) Key origin issue. Also dubbed as the first Silver Age origin issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adventure Comics #269 (1960) First Aqualad appearance.
The Brave and the Bold #28 (1960) First appearance of the Justice League of America and Aquaman is on the team.
Superman #138 (1960) First time appearing in a Superman comic.
Justice League of America #1 (1960) First Justice League comic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detective Comics #293 (1961) Before the first Aquaman series debuted, there were backup stories in this title. This is the first of those backup stories.
Showcase #30 (1961) The Aquaman “tryout” issue. The origin of Aquaman.
Showcase #32 (1961) First appearance of The Creature King of the Sea.
Aquaman #1 (1962) Aquaman’s first solo series and first appearance of Quisp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman #11 (1963) First appearance of Mera.
Aquaman #15 (1964) First appearance of Dr. Deering.
Aquaman #18 (1964) Aquaman weds Mera. The Justice League of America were invited. Rumor has it they had their own table. Very rowdy crowd when they drink.
Green Lantern #29 (1964) First time appearing in a Green Lantern comic. Pencils by Gil Kane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman #21 (1965) First appearance of Fisherman.
Aquaman #22 (1965) First appearance of Siren.
Aquaman #23 (1965) First appearance of Aquababy.
Aquaman #24 (1965) First appearance of Karla.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flash #158 (1966) First time in a Flash comic.
Teen Titans #1 (1966) Aquaman appearance.
Aquaman #26 (1966) First O.R.G.E and first Huntress Silver Age. This is not the same O.R.G.E. As in Batman Confidential #1 (2007).
Aquaman #29 (1966) First appearance of Ocean Master.

Aquaman #30 (1966) Justice League of America appearance. Story titled; “The Death of Aquaman”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman #33 (1967) First appearance of Aquagirl.
Aquaman #35 (1967) First appearances of Black Manta and Dr. Vulko.
Aquaman #37 (1968) First appearance of Scavenger.
Aquaman #42 (1968) A classic Nick Cardy Black Manta cover.
Aquaman #54 (1970) First appearance of Thanatos. No Not Thanos, Thanatos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonder Woman #215 (1974) First appearance in the Wonder Woman title.
Superman #379 (1983) First Bizarro Aquaman appearance.
Swamp Thing #24 (1984) Aquaman (JLA) appearance. Alan Moore writes.
Aquaman Vol 2 #1 (1986) Post Crisis origin story.
Aquaman Special #1 (1989) A retelling of Aquaman’s origin. Written by Keith Giffen and Robert Fleming. Art by Keith Giffen and Curt Swan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman Vol 3 #1 (1989) This five issue mini-series was a continuation of the Aquaman Special from a couple of months prior. Brought to us by the same creative team.
Atlantis Chronicles (1990) The title says it all. Seven issue limited series. Written by Peter David. Plenty on first appearances throughout.
Aquaman Vol 4 #1 (1991) This series made it up to lucky number 13.
Suicide Squad #61 (1992) First Aquaman (JLA) appearance in a Suicide Squad comic.
Deathstroke the Terminator #13 (1992) Aquaman (JLA) appearance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman: Time and Tide (1993) A four issue mini series from writer Peter David.
Superboy #9 (1994) First full appearance of King Shark.
Aquaman Vol 5 #1 (1994) This series would become the longest lasting series of all the volumes. Peter David begins the series as writer. First appearances of villains Bres and Charybdis.
Aquaman Vol 5 #4 (1994) First Kimon Tanaka, later becomes Demon Gate. Lobo appearance.
Aquaman Vol 5 #26 (1996) First Demon Gate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Lantern: Circle of Fire (2000) This two issue story was written by Brian K. Vaughan. Aqauman (JLA) appearance.
Superman Emperor Joker #1 (2000) A one shot featuring a ton of guest stars and JLA (Aquaman). Written by Joe Kelly and Jeph Loeb. Spectacular cover by Ed McGuinness.
Green Arrow #16 (2001) First appearance in a Green Arrow comic. Written by Kevin Smith and art by Phil Hester. One of Aquaman’s greatest adversaries appears in this comic; Black Manta. Great Matt Wagner cover.
Aquaman Vol 6 #1 (2003) A new direction for Aquaman; “The New Wave”. Written by Rick Veitch, pencils by Yvel Guichet and cover by Alex Maleev. This series lasted 57 issues.
Aquaman Vol 6 #5 (2003) First appearance of The Thirst.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman Vol 6 #21 (2004) First appearance of Eel.
Aquaman Sword of Atlantis #40 (2006) Title change in Vol 6. Written by Kurt Busiek, Art and variant cover by Butch Guice.
Aquaman Vol 7 #1 (2011) New 52 Aquaman series written by Geoff Johns and art by Ivan Reis. Geoff actually made Aquaman a cool character. The series did well under his watch.
Swamp Thing #1 (2011) A New 52 Aquaman appearance written by Scott Snyder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquaman Vol 7 #16 (2013) First appearance of The Dead King.
Secret Origins #2 (2014) A New 52 secret origins story featuring Aquaman.
Aquaman and The Others #2 (2014) First appearance of Legend.
Superboy #0 (1994) Cameo (first appearance of Killer Shark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jay Katz