Topo (DC Comics)

Last updated
Topo
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Adventure Comics #229 (October 1956)
Created by Ramona Fradon
In-story information
SpeciesPre-Crisis
Sentient octopus
Post-Crisis
Anthropomorphic squid
New 52
Sea monster
Team affiliations Atlantis
Partnerships Aquaman

Topo is the name of several characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, notable as a loyal sidekick to Aquaman.

Contents

Publication history

Topo first appeared in Adventure Comics #229 (October 1956), and was created by Ramona Fradon.

As of current continuity, there have been three different versions of the character. The first version is an intelligent octopus who is usually seen babysitting Aquababy in the Pre-Crisis continuity. The second is an anthropomorphic squid and an ally of the second Aquaman. The third is a monstrous squid-crab hybrid who Aquaman can summon using a special conch.

Fictional character history

Sentient octopus version

The original Topo was born in or near the undersea continent of Atlantis where he became a favored pet of Aquaman. The creature appears to be gifted with an exceptional intelligence compared to that of an average octopus, and possesses superior dexterity and problem solving skills as well. Topo once demonstrated his skill with a bow and arrow, and was even known to have developed a keen ear for music; supposedly he was able to play several musical instruments simultaneously.

Humanoid octopus version

The second incarnation of Topo appears in Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis, as part of the "One Year Later". This version is a humanoid octopus who aided Mera, Tempest, and Cal Durham in returning to Sub Diego. Aquaman soon joins the group and Topo offers to lead them on a trip, but they are surprised by Baron Gargos, who tried to kill them at the behest of the Deep Church. After the fight with Gargos, they finally reach Sub Diego and notice that the city was dominated by Black Manta, who killed the local police and took Alonzo Malrey hostage to lure Orin. Realizing that it is not the original Aquaman, Black Manta orders his goons to shoot them all, Topo takes position and squirts ink as a distraction so they have a chance to escape.

Sea monster version

In The New 52 , Topo is reintroduced as a sea monster, resembling an octopus-crab hybrid, whom Aquaman can summon with a special conch. [1] Aquaman summoned it to deal with the Scavenger, and uses his full telepathic power to unleash the creature on the Scavenger's fleet. However, this version of Topo is found to be too intelligent to be controlled by Aquaman's telepathy; while the creature managed to destroy the enemy submarines, the strain of mentally commanding Topo causes Aquaman to suffer from nosebleeding before passing out of consciousness.

Other versions

Flashpoint Beyond

In Flashpoint Beyond , a sequel to Flashpoint , Topo is a member of the Atlantean army and watches over an imprisoned Wonder Woman, who had previously killed his family. However, Wonder Woman bites off one of his tentacles and he is subsequently shot by Batman, who frees Wonder Woman. [2]

Team-up comics

Topo appears in DC Super Friends , Tiny Titans and Scooby-Doo team up comics.

In other media

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References

  1. Aquaman vol. 7 #19. DC Comics.
  2. Flashpoint Beyond #1. DC Comics.
  3. "Topo Voice - Young Justice (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 15, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  4. Anderson, Jenna (January 18, 2024). "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Home Video Release Date Announced (Exclusive)". comicbook.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  5. Vejvoda, Jim (December 21, 2018). "Aquaman Director on That Crazy, Classic DC Comics Character Cameo". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  6. Massoto, Erick (December 4, 2023). "Jason Momoa Says Topo the Octopus Adds "A Lot of Comedy" to 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'". Collider. Retrieved March 15, 2024.