Aquaman # 1: "Into the Abyss!" 1994 NM-

Aquaman # 1: "Into the Abyss!", published in August 1994 by DC Comics, is a key issue that launched a popular, critically acclaimed era for the character, written by Peter David. The comic marked a turning point, portraying a grittier, more introspective Aquaman. 

The story finds Aquaman in a deep depression, isolated in the old Aquacave with a long beard and hair, reeling from the loss of his family and kingdom after the events of The Atlantis Chronicles and the Time and Tide mini-series. 

• Conflict with Aqualad: Aqualad (Garth) confronts Aquaman, frustrated with his mentor's despondent behavior, which leads to a physical and verbal altercation.
• Investigating the Triton: The two eventually reconcile, and Aquaman agrees to help Aqualad investigate a missing nuclear submarine named the Triton at the request of Admiral Strom.
• The Trap: Aboard the sunken submarine, they discover dead sailors and find a seemingly alive cook who is actually a new villain named Charybdis. Charybdis, an international terrorist, has set a trap, defeating Aqualad and capturing Aquaman.
• The Cliffhanger: The issue ends with Aquaman trapped and Aqualad left bleeding in the water, ostensibly as shark bait. This sets up a storyline where Charybdis attempts to drain Aquaman's powers and eventually leads to Aquaman losing his left hand and replacing it with a harpoon. 
• Writer: Peter David.
• Pencils: Martin Egeland.
• Inks: Brad Vancata. 

This run is known for its darker tone and character development, re-establishing Aquaman as a formidable, serious character who prioritizes his Atlantean heritage and duties.

First Appearance 

• Charybdis: An international terrorist and supervillain created by writer Peter David and artist Martin Egeland. In this issue, he baits Aquaman and Aqualad into a trap aboard a sunken nuclear submarine. He is historically significant as the antagonist responsible for the events in the subsequent issue (#2), where he causes Aquaman to lose his left hand to a swarm of piranhas.