Aquaman Swims back into the Spotlight in September

I’ve always been a creature of the sea. I love any body of water. Whether it be oceans, lakes, or even swimming pools. So naturally one of my favorite heroes has always been Aquaman. This was also a nickname of mine growing up since I was on the swim team. But this nickname also came with snickers and laughter because for years Aquaman had been the laughing stock of the DC Universe. Ever since the Super Friends cartoon series back in the 1970’s Aquaman never got any respect, even though he was one of the founding members of the Justice League along with Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter.

People think his powers are lame, but let’s run down the list:

1. Can swim super fast in world that is 70% water.

2. Has super-strength and can breathe underwater.

3. Can speak to sea creatures. I for one don’t want to mess with a guy who can sick an octopus or shark on my ass.

Aquaman first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941. His origin was that his father was sea explorer and when he built himself an underwater home his son developed powers, like breathing underwater and the ability to swim really fast. Later, when the character was re-introduced in the Silver Age, his origin had changed to where he was the son of an Atlantian outcast and a lighthouse keeper. Then his origin was changed again to where is Mother was a queen and his father a scientist. Arthur Curry started out as King of Atlantis. When he lost his child he turned into a creepy sea hermit with a harpoon hand. He was later resurrected as a being with a magical water hand. Finally though, after his presumed death in Infinite Crisis, a young man believed he was Arthur Curry reincarnated, but it turns out his mentor was the real Aquaman, who finally met his demise in Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis. Talk about your Identity Crisis. If Arthur Curry had no idea who he was, how was a reader supposed to know?

Even though on the HBO series, Entourage, an Aquaman movie was the #1 film of all-time he’s had rough waters outside of comic books as well. In 1967 The Adventures of Aquaman cartoon series had a short run of only three seasons. And during the fifth season of Smallville actor Alan Ritchson guest starred as Arthur Curry and was the shows highest rated episode. Creators Miles Millar and Alfred Gough planned an Aquaman live-action TV series starring Justin Hartley. But this was in the middle of the WB/UPN merger into The CW and although a pilot was shot, the series was not picked up. But Gough and Millar liked Hartley so much they used him as a reoccurring character on Smallville, playing Oliver Queen, a.k.a. Green Arrow. Ritchson also returned for several episodes as Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman.

It wasn’t until 2010 that Aquaman would find his redemption thanks to comic god, and DC Chief Creative Director, Geoff Johns. Johns made Arthur Curry one of the characters that returned from the dead at the end of Blackest Night. But Aquaman returns to find out that his wife, Mera, was originally sent to kill him, his protégé is dead, and he only has the ability to control DEAD sea life. This turned Arthur’s world into more of an underwater Shakespearian tale than just some guy riding a sea horse. With Brightest Day over Aquaman still lives, and is about to dive into some fresh water I hope.

I’m not sure yet how I feel about DC revamping almost

their entire collection of characters, mainly because I don’t know all the details. But one thing I am excited for is Geoff Johns writing what will be the seventh comic with the title Aquaman #1. Johns has reinvigorated Green Lantern, The Flash, and now he’s working on Aquaman; I love it! First thing I feel Johns has to do is clean up Arthur’s origin story, and it’s probably best to throw out a lot of his past. However Johns will be including him in the new Justice League line-up, just has he originally did back when the League began.

        

 My hope in writing this is that anyone who has been an Aquaman hater needs to realize that this is just as epic a character as Batman or Superman, and that this is the beginning of something good, if not for DC, at least for Aquaman. I also recommend you check out the Aquaman live-action pilot online. It was like Smallville, but in bathing suits; which is a winner in my book!