Aquaman #23

In "Death of a King Chapter Five: Dead End," Aquaman and Mera flee Xebel after Nereus and the Xebellians pledge allegiance to the Dead King, only to find Atlantis under the control of Scavenger. As tensions rise and Tula hesitates over the mission to free Orm, news of the attack forces Aquaman to lead a desperate defense—only to be injured when the Dead King arrives with his forces. Written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Paul Pelletier, with inks by Sean Parsons, colors by Rod Reis, and letters by Dezi Sienty, this pivotal issue sees the tide turn violently on the ocean floor, with the cover by Pelletier and Parsons capturing the moment of dread and confrontation.