Aquaman #44

Aquaman #44 (On Sale: January 7, 1969) has a great Nick Cardy cover.

"Underworld Reward" is by Steve Skeates and Jim Aparo and continues the story of Aquaman's quest for Mera. Aquaman takes his quest to find Mera to the surface world. He witnesses the mob kill an informant. The killer thinks the informant passed information to Aquaman, so the underworld places a price on Aquaman's head.

Aquaman takes refuge in the apartment of a young woman. He gives her a note detailing the information he has and asks her to give it to the police. He then avoids the mob and returns to the ocean and his quest.

As he swims away, Aquaman has second thoughts about leaving the situation behind. He turns around and confronts the mobsters, who have now kidnapped the woman Aquaman met.
Meanwhile, Aqualad who is being held prisoner by the men of Eldfur is taken to face the Bugala, a creature that has been killing their people. Reprinted in Adventure Comics #495.

Edited by Dick Giordano.