Action Comics #404

Action Comics #404 (On Sale: July 29, 1971), has a Superman cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with Superman in "Kneel to Your Conqueror, Superman" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman is tricked into the clutches of Rufus Caesar, a "human computer" who uses an apparatus of his own devising to drain the Man of Steel's superpowers and infuse them into his own body.

Our first reprint is the Atom in "The Specter of 3000-Moons Lake" by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane, and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Atom #5 (1963). Ray Palmer and Jean Loring accompany millionaire Don Morgan to where he keeps his cottage at 3000-Moons Lake. There, a series of strange thefts and supernatural activities have become the subject of debate. Since the grounds are the location of an ancient Indian curse, the people of 3000-Moons Lake are torn between believing in the curse or summing up all the strange happenings as unrelated pranks by local children.

Ray decides to investigate as the Atom, and when another subject of strange supernatural events occurs, the Atom learns that they are really being caused by resident Fred Harris, who is using the old curse to get away with the thefts. However, the Atom tricks him into confessing by pretending to be an ancient Indian spirit (really shrunk down in size and hiding in Harris's ear) and incapacitating him by throwing off his center of balance.

Next, we have Aquaman in "The Coward and the Hero" by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Adventure Comics #220 (1956). Aquaman meets Johnny Blake, a former war hero who is now scared of the water. Johnny is humiliated when he won't dive into the water to save his own girlfriend. Aquaman saves her, then doubles as Johnny to save the man's reputation. 

His hoax is soon discovered. Aquaman explains that Johnny crashed into the water during the war and barely survived which has led to his fear. Aquaman then stages an accident where Johnny must enter the water to save him. Johnny unknowingly dives in to save Aquaman and regains his courage.

We end this issue with Superman in "The Day They Killed Clark Kent" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Clark Kent teaches a lesson to a group of fraternity brothers who like to haze new pledges.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Teen Titans #35

Teen Titans #35 (On Sale: July 15, 1971), has a  cover by Nick Cardy.

We begin with "Intruders of the Forbidden Crypt" by Bob Haney, George Tuska, and Nick Cardy. The Titans and Mr. Jupiter are in Italy to see the beginning of construction of Jupiter's newest laboratory. Lilith believes she is the reincarnation of Shakespeare's Juliet, and the son of Jupiter's enemy appears to be the reincarnation of Romeo. Together they begin to act out the drama from the play Romeo and Juliet. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Teen Titans Vol. 2 TPB (2007) and Teen Titans: The Bronze Age Omnibus HC (2017).

Next up is a solo Mal story, "A Titan Is Born" by Bob Haney, George Tuska, and Nick Cardy. While the rest of the team is in Italy, Mal minds the store at Mr. Jupiter's American base. A dimensional monitoring experiment goes awry, and the Titans' old enemy, the Gargoyle, is released from his banishment in Limbo. Mal manages to deduce the villain's true identity, though he is disguised as a scientific colleague of Mr. Jupiter's, and causes the computer monitor to reverse its error, returning Gargoyle to his exile in Limbo. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Teen Titans Vol. 2 TPB (2007) and Teen Titans: The Bronze Age Omnibus HC (2017).

Our first reprint is Aquaman and Aqualad in "The Doom Hunters" by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #139 (1964). After Aquaman and Aqualad refuse to place prize markers for an undersea treasure hunt in dangerous areas, Wally Welky, head of the Daredevils' Club, goes ahead with it on his own. Aquaman has to rescue one of the contestants from a whirlpool, thus indicating the need for he and Aqualad to look after the others. 

When Tom Blake, another member, almost dies from a deliberately-set trap, Aquaman lures Welky into revealing his intentions to murder Blake, his cousin, and thus gain Blake's uncle's wealth by inheritance. The heroes capture Welky and his confederates.

We end this issue with Green Arrow and Speedy in "Have Arrow – Will Travel" by Robert Bernstein and Lee Elias and reprinted from Adventure Comics #263 (1959). Green Arrow’s partner Speedy wants to buy a sailboat. To make money, he places an ad in the paper to perform odd jobs using archery. Many requests for his services come in and Speedy begins saving money for his boat.

Some crooks hire Speedy to test out manufactured targets. Using the holes left in the target, they are able to create an arrow identical to Speedy’s with a time bomb inside. They switch arrows with one of Speedy’s in hopes that it will explode and kill him. However, Speedy is tipped off to the fake arrow by the color of the arrowhead and is able to catch the crooks.

During his jobs, Speedy’s wallet was lost. Without his money Speedy can’t buy his boat, but he saves the life of a boat manufacturer who happily gives Speedy a boat as reward.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Super DC Giant S-26

Super DC Giant S-26 (On Sale: May 20, 1971), has an Aquaman cover by Dick Giordano.

This reprint-fest begins with "The Creatures from Atlantis" by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Showcase #30 (1961) During a morning sea-storm, Aquaman and Aqualad come to the rescue of a cargo ship that's been struck by lightning. When Aquaman finds that the cargo hold broke open and crates carrying a new type of poison are drifting out of the ship, Aquaman and his undersea pals collect all the boxes. Ordering Aqualad to bring all the cargo to shore, Aquaman then returns to his home. There he finds fish with a telepathic message from Atlantis asking for help. Thinking of Atlantis, Aquaman recounts his origins: How his mother was an exile from Atlantis who bore a child with a lighthouse worker. As he remembers how his mother revealed his true nature on his death bed, Aquaman decides to go to Atlantis to find out what he's needed for. Upon his arrival, he is suddenly attacked by two giant humanoid sea monsters.

Brought into the city, Aquaman sees that the people of Atlantis have been enslaved by this race of amphibious sea creatures. When trying to demand answers by one of the leaders of these creatures, Aquaman is sentenced to work on the same device the other Atlantians are working on. There he finds out from one of the workers that these creatures came from a "hole" that appeared in the water. Sometime later, Aquaman attempts to start a revolt by summoning an army of sea creatures to come to his rescue, however, the creatures have blowguns which they use to turn back the attackers. Later, hiding in a tube close to the creatures, Aquaman learns the truth: They are criminals from another dimension who are building a device that would melt all forms of resistance from the surface world in their bid to conquer the entire planet Earth. Spotted by the creatures, Aquaman is locked up in a cell but manages to contact his undersea friends, who summon Aqualad with a swordfish to spring Aquaman out of the jail.

Racing to the surface to stop the creatures who are out on a test of their new weapon, Aquaman, Aqualad, and an army of sea life attack the monsters. However, they do not stop the creatures from testing their weapons. After a number of attacks, Aquaman orders an army of seagulls to drop bombs on the creature's vessel rendering it inoperable. The feeling creatures enter an undersea forest, where Aquaman manages to grab hold of their dimensional device and uses it to send them back home. Once the people of Atlantis are free, they reward Aquaman with a Hero of Atlantis medal before Aquaman and Aqualad return to their home in the sea.

Next, we have "A World Without Water" by Joe Millard and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Adventure Comics #251 (1958). Aquaman is thrown into the year 6958 A.D. by an accidental atomic explosion. There he is revived by Zed-3, a scientist, who informs them they have done limited time travel experiments, but that almost all water on Earth evaporated in a nova eruption 1000 years ago. The sea creatures adapted to life on land, and Earthmen invented pills to replace moisture content, which sustains Aquaman. Just as Zed-3 is about to send Aquaman back to 1958 with a time machine, criminal scientist Dr. Varn breaks in and attempts to hijack the device. Aquaman commands the land-dwelling whales, manta ray, octopi, and flying fish to defeat Varn and his gang. Then Aquaman is sent back to his normal era.

Next up is "The Human Flying Fish" by Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Adventure Comics #272 (1960). One day in a lighthouse, a man named Victor Bragg and Dr. Krill watch as Aquaman uses his fish telepathy in order to catch a number of smugglers making their getaway on a speed boat. Bragg figures that there is no way to beat Aquaman, however, Dr. Krill tells Bragg of a special operation that would turn him into a human flying fish. With new-found powers based on the flying fish, Dr. Krill predicts that Aquaman would not be able to stop Bragg. Bragg undergoes the operation and is transformed into the Human Flying Fish. Soon he is sent on missions to steals sunken treasure and other items of value from under the sea, outperforming Aquaman each time and making his escape in a helicopter that Dr. Krill has waiting for him each time.

Eventually getting wise to the Human Flying Fish's tactics, Aquaman devises a trap for the crook, luring him to appear when he makes a false report of a priceless cargo of uranium that was lost at sea. Taking the bait, the Human Flying Fish attempts to steal the uranium (really an empty container) and is soon incapacitated when Aquaman summons electric eels to his aid. He then uses swordfish to knock down Dr. Krill's helicopter and the two crooks are arrested.

That is followed by "The First Aquagirl" by Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Adventure Comics #266 (1959). While riding in her yacht, a young woman sees through its glass floor that Aquaman has his leg pinned in the mouth of a giant clam. Grabbing an electric torch and jumping overboard, she saves Aquaman's life. Upon returning to the surface, both Aquaman and the girl are shocked to learn that she was under the water for 60 minutes. The girl introduces herself as Lisa Morel, daughter of Dr. Hugo Morel, a famous Ichthyologist. Swimming to meet her father, Aquaman is once more surprised to find that Lisa can also swim at great speeds and up waterfalls. When revealing the discovery to Lisa's father, he dismisses it until she exhibits the ability to command sea life when she orders seals to prevent her father's prized globe from falling into the ocean. Convinced, Dr. Morel asks Aquaman how he acquired his powers, Aquaman explains his origins once more. Since none of the Morel family originated from Atlantis, that theory was ruled out. Aquaman tells them he must return to the sea but he will return the next day.

Upon his arrival, he is met by Lisa, who is wearing a duplicate of Aquaman's costume and calling herself Aquagirl and wants to patrol the seas with Aquaman. Aquaman allows her to follow along, only to ensure that she remains safe from the perils of the sea. After a few missions out at sea, suddenly Lisa's powers begin to fade away and Aquaman must rush her to the surface. Wondering what happened, Lisa is given the answers from Aquaman who found them in his mother's diary. In it, it explains that in Atlantis they eventually developed the ability to breathe underwater, however, there was the occasional "throwback" that were unable to, and so they were sent to the surface so that they can live. These throwbacks were identifiable by their purple eyes. Aquaman explains that Lisa must have been one of these throwbacks and that she gained her water-powers only because she attempted to save Aquaman, and that she would be fated to lose them anyway. Returning back to Dr. Morel's home, he admits that he lied to Aquaman about his daughter's past and that he found her 20 years ago in a lifeboat.

Up next is "The Shark with the Human Brain" by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Adventure Comics #203 (1954). Shark Wilson escapes from prison. He heads for the beach where legend has it that the sand will transform men into fish. Aquaman then encounters a real shark with Wilson's face. The shark displays amazing intelligence, but Aquaman and his fish friends defeat it. The shark then disappears, and Wilson is found on the beach. Aquaman wonders whether the legend is true and Wilson was really the shark.

The issue ends with it'\s one piece of original content,  "The Island of Fear" is a two-page text story with illustrations by Steve Skeates, Sal Amendola, and Dick Giordano.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Super DC Giant S-16

Super DC Giant S-16  (On Sale: July 23, 1970) has a disappointing cover by Carmine Infantino, Ramona Fradon, Murphy Anderson, Joe Giella and Charles Paris featuring "The best of the Brave and the Bold." It is a real mishmash of old covers and figures that does not much in endearing anyone to buy this thing off the rack. I looks more like an ad for a book than an actual book.

We begin with "The Death of the Flash," a 25-pager by Bob Haney, Carmine Infantino and Charles Paris reprinted from Brave and the Bold #67 and featuring Batman and the Flash.
Gotham City is plagued by a series of robberies committed by thieves in sneakers that run at super speed. Though batman tried to keep up with them, time after time they are able to elude the Batman.

While the speed thieves run rampant in Gotham, in Central City  the Flash is having problems of his own. While in the midst of taking down a gang of robbers, the Flash suffers a bout of vertigo, followed up by even more severe physical symptoms. Consulting a physician, the Flash discovers that the wear and tear his body endures, moving at extreme velocity, is killing him. He's literally running himself to death. The doctor advises the Flash against ever running at superhuman speed again, lest the exertion kill him.

Unaware of the Flash's medical issues, Batman asks for his help in apprehending the speedsters. The Flash agrees reluctantly and makes his way to Gotham by train. It doesn't take long for the Flash and the Speed Boys to cross paths, the Flash quickly chasing after the thieves, who appear to be just as fast as the Flash himself. With a final burst of speed, the Flash tackles the thief. The thief's sneakers begin to smoke, then quickly disintegrate. Batman arrives to take the man into custody, and learns that the thieves call themselves "The Speed Boys". Later that night, the masked members of the Speed Boys discuss their future plans, as well as how best to deal with Batman and The Flash.

The Queen of Buldavia will be traveling along a parade route in Gotham City with the world's most valuable emerald necklace around her throat. Batman is certain the Speed Boys will make a grab for it. Sure enough, a member of the gang snags the necklace, with the Flash in hot pursuit. The Flash herds the Speed Boy into a deserted side alley, where Batman is able to knock the man out with a well thrown batarang. The necklace, however, turns out to be a fake. Batman has no time to investigate the matter further, as the Flash suddenly collapses.

The leader of the Speed Boys takes possession of the real emerald necklace. It had been switched with a fake necklace, when the Speed Boy who grabbed it, passed it off to his girlfriend, in the crowd, faster than the eye could see. Meanwhile, Batman gets the Flash to a hospital, where the Caped Crusader learns the truth about the Scarlet Speedster's dire condition. Unbeknownst to the two heroes, the Speed Boys also learn of the Flash's plight, through the clever use of a simple child's kite and a radio transmitter. The Speed Boys plan to take the Flash out of the game permanently.

The next day, while Batman and the Flash patrol the streets of Gotham City in the Batmobile, a Speed Boy robs a bank. The Flash takes off in pursuit only to run across another Speed Boy, in the midst of robbing a jewelry store. The Flash breaks off the first pursuit, to chase after the second Speed Boy. This pursuit of the second man is interrupted by a third Speed Boy, stealing antique vases. The three Speed Boys begin a fantastic relay race with the Flash switching targets, depending on which man is carrying the group's ill-gotten gains.

The Speed Boys' leader, from a high vantage point, watches as the Flash first stumbles, then collapses. Soon thereafter, the Speed Boys' leader contacts police headquarters, to inform Batman and Commissioner Gordon of the Flash's demise. Batman is, at first, devastated by the news. Despite the grief, the world's greatest detective intensifies his investigation into the Speed Boys.

Batman discovers that the Speed Boys' ability to run at high speed is due to a radioactive isotope embedded in their sneakers. Studying a recording made of the Speed Boys' broadcast to police headquarters, Batman determines that their hideout is in an old brownstone, one he is able to find using a geiger counter set to track the emissions of their radioactive sneakers.

Entering through the chimney, Batman gets the drop on the Speed Boys, and quickly coats the floor in oil. As the Speed Boys slip, slide and fall, Batman gets the bat-rope around their ankles and trusses them up like rodeo steers. Only the leader is able to make his escape, putting a bullet in Batman, as he leaps through the window.

On the street below, the Speed Boys' leader finds himself being pursued by... the Flash. The Scarlet Speedster easily outpaces his adversary, and kicks the man into a nearby fountain. Batman and Commissioner Gordon are round up all the other Speed Boys. As it turns out, the radioactive isotopes in the Speed Boys' sneakers had a curative effect on the Flash, and thus, that which gave the Speed Boys their power is, ultimately, what lead to their downfall.

The second story, can't really call it a back-up, is "The Origin of Metamorpho" by Bob Haney, Ramona Fradon and Charles Paris and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #57.  Soldier of Fortune Rex Mason heads an expedition to the lost pyramid of Ahk-Ton, where he attempts to retrieve the Orb of Ra for his employer, millionaire Simon Stagg. Stagg's neanderthal henchman, Java, joins Mason with secret orders to maroon Mason inside the pyramid. Mason recovers the Orb, but Java surprises him and takes it. Mason is left behind where he is exposed to radiations from an ancient meteor, from which the Orb was created.

Mason awakens finding himself transformed into an elemental state by the meteor. He now possesses the ability to alter his form and substance. Using his powers, he escapes the pyramid and returns to confront Stagg.  Mason infiltrates Stagg's mansion and defeats Java with his powers. However, Stagg now possesses the Orb which can weaken Mason. The two men come to an agreement, whereupon, Stagg will attempt to cure Mason. Until a cure can be found, Mason is convinced by his finacee, Stagg's daughter Sapphire, to become a force for good as Metamorpho the Element Man.

I have a personal love/hate relationship with the original Brave and Bold issue this came from. As a kid I remember reading my brother's copy and then cutting it up to make little Batman figures. Years later I had to pay a premium to buy a book I had destroyed as a kid.

This reprint issue is edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Aquaman #48

Aquaman #48 (On Sale: September 4, 1969) has another wonderful cover by Nick Cardy.

We begin with "A Kingdom to Re-Build" by Steve Skeates and Jim Aparo. Continuing from last issue, Aquaman helps Aqualad defeat the Bugala. The men of Eldfur celebrate the victory over their nemesis and resolve to handle their own problems in the future.

Aquaman, Aqualad, and Mera then return to Atlantis where a revolution is already underway. While Mupo the rebel leader battles Narkran, Mera spots the thieves that kidnapped her. Aquaman defeats them, then returns to the throne room. Before he can finish Narkran, an earthquake rocks the city. Narkran is taken into custody, and Aquaman is left to rebuild the Atlantis. Reprinted in Adventure Comics #499.

The back-up story is "How Aquaman Got His Powers" by Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Adventure Comics #260. Aquaman prevents an atomic test by disarming the warhead on several bombs. He meets with the commander of the submarine to explain why he interfered with the testing. In doing so he reveals his origin to the sub commander.

Aquaman’s father was lighthouse keeper Tom Curry. Tom found a woman caught in a hurricane and rescued her. The woman was Atlanna, an exile from the undersea world of Atlantis. The couple fell in love, married, and had a son, Arthur.

As Arthur grew older, he displayed the ability to breathe underwater and communicate with fish. Atlanna’s secret past was revealed to Tom and Arthur on her deathbed. Tom trained Arthur to use his abilities to help others. In doing so he became a renowned friend of all sea life. After his father passed away, Arthur became Aquaman, King of the Seas.

The commander of the sub is still uncertain as to why Aquaman halted the test. Aquaman reveals to the commander that the test site is the location of Atlantis, his mother’s home. The navy agrees to conduct tests elsewhere and keep the secret.

Edited by Dick Giordano.

Aquaman #47

Aquaman #47 (On Sale: July 3, 1969) has another dramatic cover by Nick Cardy.

We begin with "Come the Revolution" by Steve Skeates and Jim Aparo. Continuing from last issue, Aquagirl tries in vain to talk Mupo and his rebels out of starting a revolution to overthrow Narkran from power in Atlantis. As the revolt begins Narkran takes Aquagirl as a hostage. She is injured while escaping which triggers a fight between Mupo and the tyrant.

Meanwhile, Aquaman and Mera hurry home from the surface world to deal with the despot, but are temporarily side-tracked when they spot Aqualad battling the Bugala. This was reprinted in Adventure Comics #498.

The back-up story is "The Adventures of Aquaboy" from Adventure Comics #268 by Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon. Aquaman rescues a drowning blind man. The man has lived on a deserted island for years and does not believe in Aquaman’s powers. Aquaman recalls other men being sceptical about his existence when he was just a boy.

Years previous, Aquaboy rescues the man, Captain Harte, from a sinking freighter. Harte believed that the boy was a liar, and that he was saved by accident. Aquaboy had more difficulty in proving his existence, when he saved a town from a broken dike and also when assisting some treasure hunters.

A sea quake causes Harte to fall back into the ocean. Aquaman summons a whale to help him. Harte is convinced of Aquaman’s abilities because he can feel inside the whale’s mouth. He reveals the location of a missing chest of pearls which can be used to pay for an eye operation. Aquaman finds the missing pearls and gives them to Harte.

Edited by Dick Giordano.