One of the Sea Devils, Biff, jumps in and drags Aquaman out of the polluted water after having jumped in to save a bird last issue. He explains to Arthur that he thinks Merrevale sabotaged its own oil rig, knowing the Sea Devils would hit it. Then when it spilled all of its oil into the water, Merrvale can do the clean-up, looking good to the world and turning public opinion against the Devils. But the chemicals dumped into the water go awry, the head of Merrevale, a man named Wylie, then sends a phalanx of shock troops to go after the Devils and Aquaman.