The Silver Sphere

When a silver sphere appears between the lands of the Tortoids and the Lizard Men, the two races begin a war. Aquaman initiates an athletic competition to decide which group may keep it, but the Black Manta has designs on it for himself. Aqualad, returning a favor, represents the Tortoids in the tournament and endures some torturous labors while Aquaman chases Black Manta, who has stolen the sphere.

Aquaman, Aqualad, Mera, Imp, Tusky, Tortoids, Lizard Men

DC Comics' Aquaman, as his name suggests, really, really liked the water. The green-and-orange suited superhero could breathe underwater, swim at superhuman speeds and communicate with any of the ocean's inhabitants via aqua-telepathy. Luckily, all of Aquaman's foes (Black Manta, The Fisherman, etc.) committed their crimes in or around the water, enabling him to ride to the rescue astride his giant seahorse, Storm.

Aquaman's junior companion Aqualad (a.k.a. Tadpole, Aquaman's ward in the comics) often assisted the blonde water-breather, while fellow Atlantean Mera, our hero's wife in the comic book series, rarely appeared in the animated series. The cartoon's Aqua clan also included a seahorse named Imp and a silly pet walrus named Tusky.

Originally just the second-billed player on The Superman/ Aquaman Hour of Adventure, Aquaman got his own series after one season, although no new episodes were produced. Despite the lack of fresh material, The Adventures of Aquaman benefited from the appearance of many guest superheroes, including Green Lantern, Hawkman and The Flash, all of whom were members of the "Justice League of America."

Aqualad was eventually spun off to his own segment, and along with Wonder Girl, Kid Flash and Speedy formed "The Teen Titans," a group of rising young superheroes.

Aquaman himself only lasted one season in his own show, but the amphibious wonder went on to co-star in the hanna-Barbera's long-running Super Friends series, ensuring that no water-based crimes would go unpunished.