Aquaman #42

Aquaman #42 (On Sale: September 3, 1968) has a wonderful cover by Nick Cardy. In The Art of Nick Cardy Nick says of this cover, "This cover is a departure...The logo was placed at the bottom in the shape of stalagmites, the design is in the form of an inverted 'V' as if viewing from the inside of the inferno. There is heavy influence from my Eisner/Iger days."

"Is This My Foe?" is by Steve Skeates and Jim Aparo. As the story of Mera's kidnapping continues, Aquaman locates the Maarzons and discovers that they worship Black Manta as their god. He concludes that Black Manta must have kidnapped Mera, and a fight begins. Black Manta really had nothing to do with Mera's disappearance, but he uses Aquaman's suspicion to force his advantage in the fight. Aquaman triumphs and forces his opponent to flee. Black Manta then admits that he lied about kidnapping Mera. Aquaman then must flee the area before he is attacked by the Maarzons.

However, with Manta gone and no more clues to Mera's whereabouts, an anguished and unbelieving Aquaman wishes he could have "beaten the truth out of Black Manta." Reprinted in Adventure Comics #493.

Edited by Dick Giordano.