Adventure Comics #452 is an issue of the series Adventure Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1977.
Synopsis for Aquaman: "Dark Destiny, Deadly Dreams"
Black Manta and his gang have taken control of the Idylists' city and have captured Aqualad. Before long, they add Aquaman and the Idylist trio sent to find him to their catches. In prison, Aquaman learns from Mcaan that Syan, his young, purple-eyed son, ran away years ago, and he mistakenly thought Aqualad could be his son. Black Manta, who reveals himself to be an African-American out to make himself and his gang "masters below" (of the undersea kingdoms), controlled Topo with a telepathic device, and now has Aquababy in a globe filling with air. The water-breathing baby will suffocate within five minutes unless Black Manta presses a control in his hand, and he refuses to do that until Aquaman and Aqualad engage in gladiatorial combat with tridents and one of them lies dead. The two heroes do begin battle, since Aquaman feels there is no other alternative. But after a few blows are dealt out, Aquaman deduces that Topo can still follow his commands, and breaks off the fight, causing the octopus to destroy Black Manta's control box. Aquaman hurls his trident at Aquababy's glass prison and shatters it. But the action comes too late. Aquababy is dead. Black Manta gets away in the confusion. When the grieving Aquaman tells Aqualad that they can catch him if they try, Aqualad sadly refuses. He realizes the reason why his mentor tried to kill him, but it has still changed things between him. He opts to stay and help Mcaan find his son. Bitterly, Aquaman sets off in search of Black Manta and revenge.
Appearing in Aquaman: "Dark Destiny, Deadly Dreams"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Aquababy (Dies)
- Aqualad
- Topo the Octopus
Antagonists:
- Black Manta
- Cal Durham (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Ambassador Diez (Single appearance)
- The Idylists
- Sett
- Thoran
- Mcaan
- Mera (Flashback only)
- NATO
- Starro (Flashback only)
- Syan (Flashback only)
Locations:
- Atlantic Ocean
- Atlantis (Flashback only)
- City of the Lost Tribes
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in Aquaman: A Celebration of 75 Years.
- Aquaman appears next in Aquaman (Volume 1) #57.
- Final appearance of Aquababy; dies in this issue.
- Aqualad appears again next issue.
- Black Manta appeared last in Adventure Comics #448. He appears next in Aquaman (Volume 1) #57.
- Starro appears in flashback to events from Adventure Comics #451.