Issue Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis 40 Subtitle Once and Future Date May 2006 Writer(s) Kurt Busiek Artist(s) Butch Guice storyline A man named Arthur Curry was swept out to sea by a huge storm. Disoriented, he heard someone call to him. He followed the "voice." He was instructed to help Nanaue - King Shark - in a battle against Aurati raiders. King Shark called in reinforcements (other sharks) and the two escaped. The Dweller of the Depths called them to him. He gave Arthur an amulet which allowed him to understand other sea creatures. He instructed the young man into a cave where he would find his "proper raiment" as he dealt with Nanaue's wounds. Arthur emerged wearing a scaly orange top and green pants. King Shark admitted to the Dweller that he feared Aquaman, but Arthur confessed he wasn't Aquaman. The Dweller asked him his story. Arthur was born three months premature. His mother died in childbirth. His father, an oceanbiologist, gave his infant son a mutative catalyst due to his lungs not being fully formed. He grew gills and survived. The Dweller told young Arthur a prophecy - what he knew of his life was a lie. He was to be the king of an underwater city. King Shark was confused - the Dweller spoke as though Aquaman was something new, but he knew Aquaman had been around for years. The Dweller saw Arthur's life as though he'd already lived it.

Issue Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis 41 Subtitle Over his Head Date June 2006 Writer(s) Kurt Busiek Artist(s) Butch Guice storyline King Shark and Arthur traveled to Curry's former home (he'd lived in a tank in his father's research facility). The storm had completely destroyed it. They found no one alive - some had suffered gunshot wounds. Nanaue returned Arthur to the Dweller and left them. The Dweller promised Arthur he'd help him; Arthur told him he had an uncle who ran a lighthouse. A sea creature named Juriti introduced himself to the pair. Arthur had saved some of his family while helping King Shark. He offered to take them to his queen so she could thank him in person. Queen Mera demanded to know why Arthur wore what he did. He told her the Dweller (who'd disappeared) gave it to him. She told him of Atlantis' destruction and the loss of her husband. After the great war, they were attacked by barbarians. One of the warriors returned and labeled Arthur a coward. Arthur told everyone that the man was lying and challenged him. They would duel the next morning. Astiul defeated Arthur in combat, but his anger drove him forward. The tide turned and Arthur emerged victorious. King Shark appeared and took him away before he dealt the killing blow.

Issue Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis 42 Subtitle Deep Down Date July 2006 Writer(s) Kurt Busiek Artist(s) Butch Guice storyline Though Queen Mera tried to convince Arthur to stay, he had to know if any of his family survived. He and King Shark headed toward Maine. They stopped by an underwater bar on the way, and Arthur met a mermaid named Tejaia. She seduced and robbed him. He talked to King Shark about his place in life, then someone called to Aquaman. He ignored it at first, but turned to go help. When he found the people, they called him an impostor and readied their weapons for King Shark. Jimmy Lockhart introduced himself and told his Sea Devils to stand down. Lockhart gave him a tour of Windward Home, a refuge in international waters for scientists, philosophers, mystics, an d thinkers. They then took him below and introduced him to Vulko, a ghost.

Issue Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis 43 Subtitle Conversations with Vulko Date August 2006 Writer(s) Kurt Busiek Artist(s) Butch Guice, Tony DeZuniga storyline Arthur talked to Vulko about Aquaman. He told the young man that Orin was named for his family and had been raised by his great uncle, Thomas. He also told him of the Spectre's attack on Atlantis. He felt he still had things to do, so he didn't follow the other spirits into the light. Arthur told Vulko of the prophesies he'd been given by the Dweller. Vulko knew them to be Orin's life. Arthur learned that his father had been found dead. He leapt into the sea to collect himself. He got a telepathic call from the Dweller - Mera's kingdom was under attack. He headed back with the Sea Dogs.

Issue Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis 44 Subtitle Masters Date September 2006 Writer(s) Kurt Busiek Artist(s) Butch Guice storyline Arthur and the Sea Devils arrived - the attackers were mining minerals to sell to humans. Arthur had words with the Dweller. The Aurati claimed they were the slaves of the surface dwellers, who'd conquered them with technology. One of them offered to take Arthur to where Mera was being held. The Dweller used sorcery to break through the wall which held the prisoners. He was confused when Queen Mera called Arthur "Orin" by mistake. After a plan of action was devised, Mera wanted to see the Dweller's face. He refused. The Atlanteans came face to face with the Ocean Master. The Dweller cowered away from him and warned the others off; Arthur gave the order to attack. As they fought, the Dweller fell deeper into his confusion - he seemed to know everyone, but the "other" Aquaman they spoke of.

Issue Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis 45 Subtitle Watery Grave Date November 2006 Writer(s) Kurt Busiek Artist(s) Butch Guice storyline The Ocean Master fought back with the huge armored warriors from the surface world. Orm cut Arthur; the Dweller threatened him. Mera led another attack, using hard water against the mechanical warriors. The Dweller healed Arthur. After a short rest, he came up with a plan. The Atlanteans retreated into a chasm, when the mechanicals followed, the chasm was destroyed, leaving them buried. Orm retreated, vowing to take over other lands. Later, Arthur asked the Sea Dogs how the walls fell (since Orm had taken their detonators) - something, or someone, had caused whales to smash them. Mera spoke with Orin - the Dweller. She noted that he was now half water (instead of just his hand). He asked that she let him be. Mera told Arthur to let no harm come to him. Arthur told the Dweller he had nothing more - he would do his best to be the hero Atlantis needed. Elsewhere, Arthur's father was awakened.