Aquaman #49

Issue Details

Synopsis

A scuba clad saboteur emerges from the frigid ocean depths, plants and detonates explosives in a factory, before escaping back into the sea. In deep waters, off the coast of Alaska, Aquaman and Aqualad arrive for their meeting with one Professor Davidson, a leading Oceanographer. En route, they are attacked by a "school" of fish. The fish are frenzied, and fail to respond to Aquaman's telepathic commands. The pair receive unexpected aid from a deep sea diver. Said diver turns out to be amateur undersea explorer, Phil Darson. On vacation in Alaska, Darson has been investigating the cause of the strange fish madness, a malady that, ultimately, leads to death. As it turns out, the problem regarding the fish is also why Professor Davidson sent for Aquaman. He suspects that waste chemicals from one of the nearby factories is the cause, but all his inquiries have, thus far, been rebuffed. Especially since the previous night's sabotage, which destroyed one of the factories. The professor is in the process of showing Aquaman and Aqualad to their quarters, when the night is rocked by another explosion. The saboteur has struck at the Leland Factory. Aquaman spies the saboteur racing across the ice. He pursues the man into the sea, only to run headlong into a missile. As Aquaman's unconscious body settles to the sea floor, the saboteur makes good his escape.Aqualad fishes Aquaman's limp form from the icy Alaskan waters. Fully recovered the next morning, Aquaman leads his young ally back into the sea, where the pair begin their own investigation of the suspect factories. A press conference, held at the Leland Factory, finds the company president denying that any acts of sabotage have taken place, blaming the explosions on accidents. Mr. Leland is well aware of the truth of the matter. An investigation into his factories would reveal that chemical waste is being dumped into the sea. A fact he can ill afford to have brought to light. Meanwhile, outside the great dome of Atlantis,...