Read: The Brave & The Bold #51

Issue: The Brave And The Bold #51 (reprinted in Showcase Presents: Hawkman v.1)
Title: "Fury of The Exiled Creature!"
Published Date: Jan 1964
Generation: Silver Age Katar
Retcon Status: Changed Generations

Summary: Exiled Atlantean Tyros discovers a mysterious gem, which gives him the power to transform in a creature who can cause havoc both in the water and in the skies.  Using his new powers, he incites a narwhal to attack Atlantis for him, hoping to take control of the city he was once a citizen of.  Aquaman and Aqualad intervene, however, and are able to stop the assault and spare Atlantis for the time being, though they are unable to catch Tyros.

Moving to the skies, Tyros seeks out and steals the Horn of Quixtol, an ancient artifact which gives him dominion over birds.  This attracts the Winged Wonders, Hawkman and Hawkgirl!  They battle the beast, but Tyros is able to fend off his foes by turning Hawkgirl in a harpie under his mental command!  Hawkman is forced to retreat but vows to rescue his lady love and stop Tyros.

Tyros, meanwhile, takes the opportunity to attack Atlantis again, pummelling the city walls with various undersea creatures.  He threatens the inhabitants that either he will rule the city, or it will be destroyed!  Hawkman and Aquaman run into one another and decide to team up, taking a divide and conquer approach.  Hawkman is able to strip Tyros of the Horn, while Aquaman tracks down and smashes the gem.  The artifacts broken, Tyros and Hawkgirl revert to the their normal states, and the Atlanteans retake the city, casting Tyros out once again.  The heroes exchange their thanks and head off on their seperate ways.

Review: A typically insane but also insanely fun Silver Age team-up, as the Winged Wonder and the King of the Seven Seas join forces to take down a common foe, with plenty of monsters and magical artifacts thrown in for good measure.  Bob Haney is in top form here -- I would say "rare form" but he pulled this sort of stuff with regularity.  Artist Howard Purcell, who handles both pencils and inks, does a good job on the monsters and beasties, even if his heroes are a little off model.  Man, imagine Joe Kubert drawing this?!  But still, he is a good choice for the story and his work is very eye-pleasing.  My little write-up cannot encapsulate the awesomeness of this tale, so be sure to check out more in-depth write ups over at The Aquaman Shrine and Mail It To Team-Up.  Or, pick up a copy of Showcase Presents: Hawkman v.1 (or Showcase Presents: Aquaman v.2, if you'd prefer) and read it for yourself.

Image: The Brave And The Bold #51, 1963, Howard Purcell.