Aquaman, Vol. 4

Bill Bailey drags Aquaman out of the toxic water. He thinks Merrevale Oil sabotaged its own rig. This serves the dual purpose of making the Sea Devils look bad, and Merrevale look good when they come in to correct the problem. However, their chemicals have created unexpected effects and they need to shut this down. That starts with silencing witnesses and jamming transmissions, so they send shock troops after Aquaman and his friends. Biff goes to find out who's behind this, while Aquaman fights. He tips the oil rig, ruining it - and he notices these troops are dressed like those Oumland sent against Poseidonis. Could Merrevale and Oumland be working together? Dane Dorrance manages to get the story out by using a news chopper that's outside the jamming. Merrevale cuts their losses, murdering their shock troops!

Aquaman and the Sea Devils believed they were doing good work, but were exploited by clever men at Merrevale. Poseidonis is accepted into the United Nations, following which Aquaman confronts Merrevale president Jordan Wylie over the company's misdeeds, shielding himself with diplomatic immunity. Wylie's secret backers, the Exchange, move him to a less visible project, and he swears revenge on the Sea King. But Poseidonis King Thesily is unamused by Aquaman's outburst at Merrevale, regarding it as abuse of power...