Aquaman Allies and Adversaries: Ocean Master and Sea Sleuth

Both men featured today, Ocean Master of Earth-One and Sea Sleuth or Earth-Two, were intrepid explorers of the briny depths. One was a foe, the other a friend, of the Kings of the Seven Seas of 2 Earths.

For Orm Curry Marius, who assumed the alter ego of Ocean Master with a desire to unseat his Aquaman's supremacy of the seas, he specialized in oceanic piracy on a grand scale. Employing technology to replicate the powers of his half-brother Arthur aka Aquaman, Ocean Master several times attempted to vanquish his sibling while amnesiac although once discovering their familial connection, Orm softens his stance for a time. However, he eventually reverted to his murderous hatred of Aquaman, even battling fellow fiend Black Manta for the honor of slaying their mutual adversary. Orm even allied himself with Arthur's long lost mother, Atlanna, in her insane scheme to wipe him out, before she too came to her senses prior to her passing.

For Phineas Pike, who assumed the alias of Sea Sleuth with a desire to live up to inspiration Sherlock Holmes as a master detective, but going about in one step further, as Pike specialized as to crimes at sea. After his first appearance, he was next seen twice facing down arch-villain Black Jack, pirate of the high seas! After an initial encounter with his world's Aquaman, with whom he became the best human friend of, Pike was trained in swimming to compliment his deductive abilities and mysterious command of sea life. This led to his having repeated conflicts with his pal versus Aquaman's arch-foe, Black Jack, each time defeating the pirate.

While Orm remained a recurring antagonist in the life of Aquaman, such was not the case for Phineas. During his final appearance, the Sea Sleuth was shipwrecked on a desert island, although eventually his pal located him. However, at the conclusion of the tale when Aquaman offered to liberate him from his temporary home and return him to the mainland, Phineas expressed his preference as to remaining on the island. However, an image of an undocumented second encounter with Black Jack with Aquaman involved indicates that he would return later.

While Pike was always a reliable ally, the same could not be said for the duplicitous Marius, who in his last documented appearance attempted to gather ancient items in order to emass power with the goal of eventually conquering Atlantis. When this scheme backfired, it was unknown if Ocean Mastee still lived.

Two men, each mastering the secrets behind the seven seas. Yet each was a pale shade of Aquamen themselves!