Topo (DC Comics)

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

Publication history
Topo first appeared in Adventure Comics #229 (October 1956),but his name wouldn't be revealed until Adventure Comics #243 (December 1957), 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.

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. 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.

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.

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

In other media

 * Topo appears in Young Justice, voiced by James Arnold Taylor. This version is a friend of Aqualad and a student of the Conservatory of Sorcery who later becomes prime minister of the Atlantean city-state of Lemuria.
 * Topo appears in the films set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). This version was genetically engineered to possess enhanced intelligence, is skilled in espionage, and his name is an acronym for Tactical Observation and Pursuit Operative.
 * Topo appears in the film Aquaman, providing drum accompaniment during Arthur and Orm's Ring of Fire combat.
 * Topo appears in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.