I owe an apology to...

 Chandra Abbott.

You'll be forgiven if you don't remember who Chandra Abbott was; I forgot her, too.

She was the (non-monstrous) police officer who assisted Aquaman during his "Sub Diego" phase.

The monstrous one was Officer Malrey (Alonzo to his friends). I won't get into what his deal was right now because, like most of the Sub Diego storyline, it didn't make much sense.

Chandra Abbot CLEARLY should have been included in my line-up of Mystery Analysts for Aquaman, since that's exactly how she functioned in Sub Diego.

Sigh; Sub Diego. I loved the idea. I actually own original art from the series (including the delightfully memorable Dead Floating Panda), was an early advocate of Loran "Aquagirl" Marquez, and I was happy that Aquaman finally had (again, ahem) what other heroes had: an (American) fictionopolis of which he could be the protector.  Its original issues by Will Pfeifer (Aquaman #15-22, "American Tidal" and the first two of three installments of "With The Fishes") weren't air-tight (as underwater stories should be!), but they were a bold start with interesting mysteries, a unique setting, and intriguing new (or renovated) characters (such as Dr. Geist, Lorena Marquez, Koryak, The Eel).

I was quite saddened as it began to spin off into chaos that had to be retconned away by the next regularly-schedule reboot of the DC.  

Aquaman 15-22    Pfeifer

Aquaman 23-24     Ostrander

Aquaman 25-29    Arcudi

Aquaman 30-31    Guggenheim

Aquaman 32-39    Arcudi

John Ostrander did two issues after Pfeiffer, then John Arcudi became writer and halted all momentum with a three-issue story about Ocean Master magically changing reality to switch roles with Aquaman (the ONLY significant result being Aquagirl's new costume).  Officer Malrey was introduced, and although I kind of liked him, he made zero sense, since no one would happily (and SECRETLY) ask to be turned into a monster just so he could be a better police officer.  Evil corporation "GeneTech" seemed wildly UNDERmotivated as the perpetrators of the sinking of Sub Diego and the only real ongoing effect of which was to make Black Manta capable of breathing underwater.

I don't know, I can't keep track any more; can Black Manta STILL breathe underwater? If so, how is that explained, since that was tied in completely with Sub Diego, which is now retconned away. Just another part of the ongoing editorial chaos in the DCU.

Marc Guggenheim followed with a two-issue Sub Diego serial killer storyline, with ridiculous elements  like scrabble letter clues, Sub Diegans exhaling OXYGEN, and Aquaman hauling his butt to ARKHAM just to consult with Jonathan Crane, of all people.

Then Arcudi came back, with a dying Mera, an angry Tempest, and Atlantean magicopolitical problems in tow, which drew focus off of Sub Diego for the rest of the series. That all tied in with the company-wide crossover storyline of Jean "Eclipso" Loring seducing The Spectre into destroying all free-range magic in the DCU.

You remember: when the Spectre literally STEPPED on Atlantis and gave his silly "Widows of Atlantis, bring out your shrouds!" speech.

And that was the end not only of Atlantis but Sub Diego. Now, once again, after only THREE ISSUES,  Aquaman has wandered off into familiar, chaotic waters of obscure irrelevancy, wherein 

• Atlantis is missing or destroyed;
• Mera is missing or destroyed;
• Everything is all Magicky.

And Aquaman himself has literally wandered off the map.

If only Chandra Abbott were on hand to find Missing Person Arthur Curry.

Mystery Analysts: Aquaman

Aquaman may not really have a city per se (I don't count Atlantis and Amnesty Bay seems like a small town that would only have mysteries to solve if Jessica Fletcher lived there), but I'm sure he needs Mystery Analysts as much as anyone.  Great guy, very powerful, awesome hair, but not a detective, so I'm sure he could use some help when confronted with mysteries and clues.

Q.E.D.

Fortunately, in his case there are some obvious candidates (omitting the Sea Devils, who deserve to have their own thing going on).

Sea Sleuth

Phineas Pike, a.k.a., the Sea Sleuth!

Well, it's right there in the name, isn't it? 

He's a detective who is also an expert in all matters maritime.  I even made a custom Heroclix figure of him and an able assistant for Aquaman he is.  

Kind of like original Alfred. Except Alfred was an incompetent, in poor shape, and an expert on absolutely nothing at all.  

Captain Mark Compass

A former Navy frogman, Mark Compass is a "noted nautical investigator". 

Are there any... NON-notable nautical investigators? One has to wonder.

A roving maritime troubleshoot and "ship's detective"? It's almost as if he was created to be one of Aquaman's Mystery Analysts.  

Besides, he's a snazzy dresser.

Esther Maris

I love Esther Maris and I don't care who knows it.  In short, she was Aquaman's "Patty Spivot"; the romantic interest who actually seemed suitable for and chemistry-full with the hero, but whom the hero abandons for his One True Love.

Pictured: chemistry.

But in addition to being a love interest for Aquaman, she was a science reporter, specializing in sea stories.

She's sharp, like a fishing hook.

Clearly, she handily fills the "investigator reporter" role in this group of Mystery Analysts.

Lorena Marquez

Lorena "Aquagirl" Marquez was part of the aborted "Sub Diego" storyline, which was how she got her ability to live underwater.  

How she got her fabulous fashion sense, I do not know.

She was never a detective, but she was Robin-ing for Aquaman during that time, so she definitely did investigating and crimefighting.  Nothing has been done with her since she was retconned away. But she could be brought back as perhaps another offspring of an Atlantean and an air breather, which would allow her access to both of Aquaman's domains.  

Erika Watson

She's the named police officer in Amnesty Bay and she and Arthur were schoolmates.

She's no Kaye Daye, BUT if Aquaman came up against a mystery, there is every likelihood he would consult the one police officer he seems to know.  

Cal Durham

A former Black Manta follower who turned over a new leaf, Cal's motivated to fight against injustice and has the ability to breathe underwater.  

I can easily imagine him doing a lot of "leg-work" for Aquaman both in and out of the sea, making him a reliable (if not stellar) choice for the Mystery Analysts.

And for the bonus round, a surprise pick:

A.J. Curry

A.J. Curry, a.k.a. "the Sword of Atlantis".  

I do not imagine the reworked version looking like this.

Naturally (and fortunately) this character was retconned away once Real Aquaman returned.  But a re-worked version of him might be an ideal aide.  No reason Arthur couldn't have a paternal cousin whom he trusts and who is some kind of littoral investigator.  House detective at a beach resort?  Ecological crimes investigator?  Just someone who solidly represents Aquaman's land-roots.