May 1, 1970 CE
First Appearance in Aquaman #42
The Fisherman debuts as an alien parasite that takes control of a human body, armed with a titanium fishing rod weapon. He battles Aquaman for the first time. #comics #villain )
Chronological Storyline (40 Milestones)
Aug 1, 1970 CE
Second Battle in Aquaman #43
Aquaman defeats the Fisherman by breaking his rod and exposing him to deep-sea pressure. The alien parasite is forced to retreat. #aquaman #battle )
Oct 1, 1974 CE
Return in Aquaman #57
The Fisherman returns with an upgraded rod, uses underwater heists to lure Aquaman into a trap. He is defeated again. #comics #heist )
May 1, 1978 CE
Appearance in Adventure Comics #459
The Fisherman teams up with other Aquaman villains like Ocean Master and Black Manta in a crossover storyline. #villainteamup )
Aug 1, 1983 CE
Crisis on Infinite Earths Cameo
The Fisherman makes a brief appearance during the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, fighting alongside other villains against the Anti-Monitor. #crisis #event
Nov 1, 1986 CE
Post-Crisis Reimagining in Secret Origins #47
A new origin story for the Fisherman is revealed: the alien parasite is from a dimension of water, and its host is a fisherman named Harry. #origin #reboot )
Jun 1, 1990 CE
Appearance in Aquaman Vol. 5 #1
The Fisherman appears in the first issue of Aquaman's fifth volume, stealing a powerful artifact from Atlantis. #aquaman #atlantis )
Apr 1, 1994 CE
Death of the Alien Host in Aquaman Vol. 5 #19
The Fisherman's human host is killed by an Atlantean guard, but the alien parasite escapes. #death #parasite )
Sep 1, 1996 CE
New Host: Fisherman Returns in Aquaman Vol. 5 #40
The alien parasite takes a new host, a corrupt Atlantean scientist, and upgrades his weaponry. #newhost )
Feb 1, 1999 CE
Appearance in JLA #50
The Fisherman is recruited by the Injustice Gang to fight the Justice League, but is easily defeated by Aquaman. #JLA #injusticegang
Aug 1, 2001 CE
Batman: Under the Red Hood Reference
The Fisherman is mentioned as one of the villains operating in Gotham's underworld, though he doesn't appear.
May 1, 2003 CE
New 52 Reboot: Fisherman Redesigned in Aquaman Vol. 7 #1
In the New 52 continuity, the Fisherman is reimagined as a human criminal named William Hayes, who uses a high-tech titanium rod and a special suit for underwater crime. #new52 #reboot )
Sep 1, 2003 CE
First New 52 Showdown in Aquaman Vol. 7 #2
The new Fisherman robs an undersea mining facility and battles Aquaman, showcasing his whip-like rod and grappling hook. #battle #aquaman )
Jan 1, 2004 CE
Origin Story in Aquaman Vol. 7 #4
William Hayes' backstory is revealed: a former marine biologist who turned to crime after being fired, using his knowledge of marine technology. #origin #marinebiology )
Jul 1, 2004 CE
Appearance in Infinite Crisis #3
The Fisherman appears as a minor character in the Infinite Crisis event, fighting alongside the Secret Society of Super Villains. #infinitecrisis #secret society
Oct 1, 2005 CE
Death of William Hayes in Aquaman Vol. 7 #18
The Fisherman is killed by Black Manta during a turf war, but his technology is later stolen. #death #blackmanta )
2006 CE
Resurrection as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night
During the Blackest Night event, the Fisherman is resurrected as a Black Lantern, fighting Aquaman and Mera. #blackestnight #blacklantern
Dec 1, 2007 CE
Brightest Day Aftermath: Fisherman Returns Alive
After Brightest Day, the Fisherman is restored to life and imprisoned in Belle Reve. #brightestday #return
Sep 1, 2009 CE
Appearance in The Flash: Rebirth #4
The Fisherman is seen as a member of the Rogues, though he is not a major player. #rogues #flash
Jan 1, 2011 CE
DC Rebirth: New Fisherman in Aquaman Vol. 8 #1
In DC Rebirth, a new Fisherman appears: a female alien parasite that bonds with a human female, gaining empathy. #rebirth #alien )
Apr 1, 2011 CE
Showdown with Aquaman in Aquaman Vol. 8 #2
The new Fisherman attempts to communicate with Aquaman, but is attacked by Atlantean guards, leading to a conflict. #firstencounter )
Jul 1, 2012 CE
Alliance with Aquaman in Aquaman Vol. 8 #10
The Fisherman temporarily allies with Aquaman to defeat a common enemy, the Dead Water. #alliance #deadwater )
Feb 1, 2013 CE
Fisherman's Betrayal in Aquaman Vol. 8 #14
The Fisherman betrays Aquaman to steal a power source for her own kind, leading to a clash. #betrayal )
Oct 1, 2014 CE
Death of Female Fisherman in Aquaman Vol. 8 #24
The female Fisherman sacrifices herself to stop an invasion of parasitic aliens from her home dimension. #death #sacrifice )
Jun 1, 2015 CE
Return of the Original Alien in Convergence: Aquaman #1
During the Convergence event, the original alien parasite Fisherman from pre-Crisis appears in a battle with Aquaman. #convergence #retur n )
Sep 1, 2016 CE
DC Rebirth: Fisherman Reimagined in Aquaman Vol. 8 #42
A third version of the Fisherman appears: a human inventor who uses a high-tech fishing rod suit to commit crimes, but with a code of honor. #rebirth #newversion )
Jan 1, 2017 CE
Rise of the Fisherman Gang in Aquaman #45
The new Fisherman forms a gang of underwater criminals, targeting shipping lanes and oil rigs. #gang #crime )
Aug 1, 2017 CE
Battle with Aquaman in Aquaman #50
Aquaman confronts the Fisherman and his gang, dismantling the operation but the Fisherman escapes. #battle #aquaman )
Apr 1, 2018 CE
Fisherman Appears in No Justice #1
The Fisherman is part of a villain alliance in the No Justice event, fighting against the Omega Titans. #nojustice #event
By anyjazz65 from USA - No Justice, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23313307
Dec 1, 2018 CE
Backstory Revealed in Aquaman Annual #1
The Fisherman's origin as a former Atlantean engineer is revealed, explaining his expertise with underwater technology. #origin #atlantean )
Jun 1, 2019 CE
Aquaman #60: The Fisherman's Redemption Arc
The Fisherman helps Aquaman stop a terrorist attack on Atlantis, earning a temporary pardon. #redemption #atlantis )
Nov 1, 2019 CE
Return to Crime in Aquaman #65
The Fisherman returns to his criminal ways after being framed by Black Manta, feeling betrayed by Aquaman. #betrayal #blackmanta )
Mar 1, 2020 CE
Appearance in Dark Nights: Death Metal #3
The Fisherman is among the villains resurrected by the Batman Who Laughs to fight the heroes. #deathmetal #event
Sep 1, 2020 CE
Fisherman's Heroic Sacrifice in Aquaman #73
The Fisherman sacrifices himself to save a group of Atlantean children from a collapsing undersea base, dying a hero. #sacrifice #hero )
Jan 1, 2021 CE
Post-Death: Legacy in Aquaman #76
Aquaman honors the Fisherman's memory, and a statue is erected in his honor. #legacy #tribute )
Aug 1, 2021 CE
New Fisherman Appears in Aquaman: The Becoming #1
A new character takes up the Fisherman mantle, a young Atlantean using the old technology for vigilante justice. #newmantle #vigilante
Mar 1, 2022 CE
Showdown with Aquaman in Aquaman: The Becoming #4
The new Fisherman clashes with Aquaman over methods, but eventually earns respect. #clash #respect
Oct 1, 2022 CE
Fisherman Joins Aquaman's Team in Aquaman #80
The new Fisherman becomes a provisional member of Aquaman's team, using his tech for good. #team #aquaman )
May 1, 2023 CE
Lazarus Planet: Fisherman's Role
During the Lazarus Planet event, the Fisherman helps stabilize the magical energies affecting the oceans. #lazarusplanet #event
Jan 1, 2024 CE
Current Status: Ongoing Appearances
The Fisherman continues to appear in ongoing Aquaman titles, balancing between hero and villain roles. #ongoing #comics )