All-Star Squadron #116, homage to Infinity Inc issue #32

Another new "Continuation Project" commission for All-Star August - issue #116, art by Brendon and Brian Fraim, based as always on the cover of a comic written, plotted or scripted by Roy Thomas, in this case Infinity Inc #32, original art by Todd Mcfarlane and Tony DeZuniga.

Title: "The Depths Of Defeat!"

Story: As seen in issue #115, Tsunami and Neptune Perkins, hunting a mysterious figure who had been sinking Allied shipping, were captured by General Haifisch, the Nazi Killer Shark, and shocked when his secret weapon was revealed as ... the Golden Age Aquaman!

This issue - Haifisch reveals that Nazi magicians had succeeded in 'growing' another Spear Of Destiny from a splinter of the original, and transferred a fraction of the Spear's power to the copy, although that had killed many of them and caused a temporary weakening in the magical field around Occupied Europe (as seen in Annual #6).

The duplicate Spear had diminished powers, but could be used to control one super-powered hero outside the influence of the original Spear, provided it was kept in close proximity. When Haifisch captured Aquaman, he became the test subject, used as a propaganda weapon to sink ships for the Axis.

Neptune Perkins and Tsunami overcome their captors and tackle Aquaman and Killer Shark. Tsunami is able to convince Aquaman that, just as she no longer serves the Japanese, he should try to resist his Axis masters - and when he is temporarily able to break free of the Spear's influence, the three heroes defeat Killer Shark and escape with the duplicate Spear (keeping it well away from Aquaman).

They agree that the artifact should be disposed of in the deepest trench in the ocean, and Tsunami and Perkins set off to do so, while Aquaman heads to the Perisphere to explain what's happened. He'll remain on patrol in the Atlantic, while the other two aquatic heroes relocate to California.

I wanted to make sure that Aquaman made an appearance in my continuity, and an all-underwater-heroes issue seemed the best solution for that. It's possible he'll appear again - but I'm not sure I'd hold your breath, to be honest. Finding a cover, and a story, for the aquatic All-Stars is problematic.