The origins of the being known as Aquarius are lost in deep time, likely before the rise of life in the Universe of Earth-Two.   At some point in eons past, Aquarius became deranged and begin to manipulate dangerous forces in the universe.  A being known as a "living star", Aquarius was eventually captured and held before a Council of such beings for judgement.  Concluding he was too dangerous to be free with the abilities of his kind, he was reduced to a subsistence level of energy and cast out to drift across the universe.

In the spring of 1969, his essence drifted in range of Earth-Two, where he attracted the attention of amateur astronomer Ted Knight.   Knight decided to investigate as his alternate identity Starman.  As he gentle probed the abstract form of Aquarius, the stellar being absorbed the energy and amplified it.  Sensing aggression, Starman pressed harder but with each engagement Aquarius become stronger and more cohesive.  Realizing the Starman's cosmic rod was a mechanism by which to regain his stellar powers, Aquarius snatched it away and sent Starman hurtling to the ground below.  He crashed through a window right as Dinah and Larry Lance arrived.  When Dinah switched to identity as Black Canary to investigate, she was taken off guard by Larry who had fallen under Aquarius sway.  When he attacked, she repelled him, shaking him back to normalcy.  Realizing they were dealing with something powerful, She called in the JSA.

As they answered the call, the JSA encountered a world gone mad. Neon signs came to life and attacked Green Lantern while a child with super-strength delayed Dr. Mid-Nite.  Dr, Fate was the first to make contact with Aquarius but was repelled.  The assembled heroes engaged the conceited being with distracting conversation until the more powerful members of the Society - Superman and Wonder Woman - arrived on the scene.  The two attempted to overpower Aquarius but were themselves defeated.  Angered at their resistance, Aquarius unless his full stellar might and dispelled the entirety of Earth-Two into a different plane of existence.  The planet was tethered to its original place only by the continued survival of the Justice Society, who Dr. Fate had enclosed in a protective sphere.  Aquarius, depleted by his efforts, could not break Fate's spell and late arrival Red Tornado had seen enough to flee to Earth-One for reinforcements.

Busy with other work, the JLA stalled the Red Tornado for two weeks before hearing his concerns.  Ashamed at themselves for the delay, the immediately joined him in the journey back to Earth-Two to rescue their comrades.