Comic Title: Aquaman #54
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Nov/Dec 1970
On Sale Date: September 3, 1970 Newsstand Date September 3, 1970
Source: Direct Currents, Superman #231, Page 24

Newsstand Date September 3, 1970
Source: House Ad, Wonder Woman #191, Page 11

Copyright Date September 3, 1970
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1970

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.15
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dick Giordano

Title: "Crime Wave"
Pages: 23

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

Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Jim Aparo

Reprinted In:
Aquaman:Deadly Waters the Deluxe Edition HC (2020)

Feature Character(s)

• Aquaman (last appearance in Justice League of America #130; next appearance in Justice League of America #86)

Supporting Character(s)

• Mera (imaginary appearance)

Villain(s)

• Members of a crime syndicate (last appearance in Aquaman #45; no further appearances)
• Thanatos (imaginary appearance)

Other Character(s)

• John (a police detective; no further appearances)
• Paul (a police officer; no further appearances)
• Edwin Maxwell (a playboy; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Aquaman rushes back to the sea after meeting with some surface-dwelling friends. He is ambushed by a gang of criminals who take him prisoner. The criminals try to brainwash Aquaman as they have done with other victims, turning them into criminals. During the mental struggle, Aquaman imagines a battle with a being called Thanatos whom takes Aquaman's own form and repeatedly defeats him. Aquaman is able to resist the brainwashing long enough to be rescued by the police before his mind is permanently destroyed. After his rescue, Aquaman learns that the criminals responsible were the same gang that had once kidnapped Mera.