Aquaman # 23.1: Black Manta # 1 3-D Lenticular Motion Cover 2013 NM

Aquaman #23.1: Black Manta #1 (2013) is a special tie-in issue titled "Sea Change". Released in September 2013, this book was part of DC Comics' company-wide "Villains Month" initiative during The New 52 era. Instead of regular series progression, the issue steps away from Aquaman to deliver a dark, focused look at his iconic archenemy, [Black Manta], adjusting to the sudden global landscape of the Forever Evil crossover event.

Key Storyline Points

• Rejecting the Suicide Squad: The story begins inside Belle Reve prison, where Amanda Waller attempts to recruit Black Manta into Task Force X (the Suicide Squad). Manta bluntly declines, stating his only goal in life is to kill Aquaman.
• The Breakout: Moments later, Crime Syndicate members Power Ring and Deathstorm attack the prison, shutting down the power grids and setting all super-criminals free. While other inmates riot, Manta ignores the chaos, calmly locates his signature armor, and kills a guard who had previously mocked his father.
• An Identity Crisis: After escaping via helicopter, Manta joins a mass gathering of villains organized by the Crime Syndicate. There, the Syndicate reveals that the Justice League has been destroyed and displays Aquaman's trident as proof of his death.
• The Purpose Lost: Learning that Aquaman is dead completely shatters Manta's drive. Denied his lifetime goal of personal vengeance for his father's death, he visits his father's grave in a solemn state of emptiness.
• A Spark of Rage: In his despair, a group of Crime Syndicate followers attacks the graveyard. Realizing that these interdimensional conquerors are desecrating the world he and his father lived in, Manta destroys them, takes up his blades, and finds a new purpose—vowing to tear down the Crime Syndicate.

Creative Team

• Plotter: [Geoff Johns]
• Script Writer: [Tony Bedard]
• Artist: Illustrated by penciler and inker [Claude St. Aubin].
• Cover Artists: Main artwork and the popular 3D lenticular motion variant cover were created by [Paul Pelletier] [Rod Reis] and [Sean Parsons]