Get ready to dive deep into the watery world of Aquaman as we explore his incredible journey from the colorful pages of our favorite comic books to the big screen. Now, I know what you’re thinking — “Aquaman? The guy who talks to fish? Seriously?” But hold on to your seahorses, my friends, because there is so much more to this underwater hero than meets the eye.
In this article, we’ll embark on an adventure filled with laughs, thrilling action, and stunning visuals as we discover why Aquaman has become the unsung hero of the superhero universe. So grab your tridents, strap on your fins, and lets delve deep into the history of the character for the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on December 22, 2023.
Examining Aquaman’s comic origins and how they shaped the superhero we know today
Meet Aquaman, the legendary American comic book hero who rises to safeguard the enchanting underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Born as Arthur Curry to a human lighthouse keeper and the queen of Atlantis, he’s also known as Orin in the Atlantean realm. Additionally, Aquaman is known to be an esteemed member of the illustrious superhero alliance, the Justice League of America.
Jason Momoa is open about the likely end of his Aquaman’s run.
“I think it’s a really great movie that sums it all up. You get to see where he’s at, and it’s a pretty cool journey. It’s been 12 years, and the DCEU is at its end.”https://t.co/pWgZinbMSE pic.twitter.com/mAuOsA5Z1E
— DCU on ComicBook.com (@DCUonCB) December 20, 2023
Aquaman made his debut in the anthology series More Fun Comics #73 in 1941, but it wasn’t until 1962, almost two decades later, that he gained enough popularity to have his own comic. Mort Weisinger expertly penned this inaugural comic, while Paul Norris brought it to life with his beautiful illustrations. Over the years, Aquaman has made appearances in numerous DC Comics publications. Although his presence has had its ups and downs, there’s no denying that Aquaman has firmly established himself as a cornerstone of the vast DC Comics universe.
His origin story has gone through more revisions than a superhero costume fitting! While Arthur Curry is the most well-known Aquaman, did you know there have been other Aquamen too? Yep, like Joseph Curry, who had a brief stint as the aquatic hero. Oh, and let’s not forget about his former protégé Jackson Hyde or Adam Waterman, the Golden Age hero who made waves during World War II.
Aquaman isn’t just your average guy who can swim fast. He’s got superhuman strength, can breathe underwater like a fish, and can even chat with sea creatures telepathically. Talk about marine multitasking! He’s never alone in his adventures either as he’s got his powerful wife Mera, wise mentor Vulko, and cool sidekicks like Aqualad, Aquagirl, and Dolphin by his side. But wait, there’s more! He also has some seriously villainous foes to spice up the story, like the notorious Black Manta who’s caused Aquaman a lot of personal pain, and his own half-brother Orm, aka Ocean Master. Family drama, anyone?
Beyond the panels: How Aquaman surfaced in film and television
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Media
Back in the late ’60s, Aquaman left his mark in animated TV shows with his very own Aquaman series. It came onto the scene by repackaging the 30-minute segments from The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, minus the Superman and Superboy parts. Then, he joined forces with the Super Friends crew in the ’70s. These appearances made him one of the most recognized superheroes worldwide, but sadly, he became the target of wimpy jokes due to his portrayal in Super Friends. Poor Aquaman!
However, DC took it upon themselves to rectify this misperception. They embarked on a journey to reinvent Aquaman, crafting versions of the character that exuded an edgier and more formidable presence. Often depicted as somber and contemplative, Aquaman grapples with the weight of his public image, the burdens of kingship, and the intricate realm of Atlantean politics. These alterations aimed to shed the notion of weakness and establish Aquaman as a force to be reckoned with.
But that’s not all! Aquaman didn’t just swim in the animated waters. He ventured into live-action too, making appearances in the Superman-centric TV drama Smallville and even had his own self-titled made-for-TV movie in 2006. But his big break came in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where actor Jason Momoa brought him to life. And boy, did he make a splash!
Momoa then starred in the epic Justice League movie, but it was his standalone Aquaman film that really made waves. It received rave reviews and made over $1.1 billion globally — talk about success! Recently, Aquaman has also made cameos in other DC Extended Universe projects, like the Max series Peacemaker and a post-credits scene in The Flash.
The adventures continue with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Get ready for an epic showdown in the upcoming film! After failing to defeat Aquaman before, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is back with a vengeance, fueled by the need to avenge his father’s death. Armed with the powerful Black Trident, he’s more formidable than ever, unleashing an ancient and malevolent power. But hold on, Aquaman won’t face this challenge alone! In an unlikely alliance, he will join forces with his imprisoned brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the former King of Atlantis and also known as Ocean Master. Together, they’ll set aside their differences to safeguard their kingdom, protect Aquaman’s family, and even save the world from irreversible destruction.
Hold on, there’s more! According to Empire Magazine, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will embrace a retro, ’60s horror aesthetic, setting it apart from previous DCEU entries. It should be intriguing to see this unique vision from acclaimed horror director James Wan, known for his work on Insidious, Malignant, and the expansive Conjuring Universe.
Moreover, this film marks the conclusive installment of the DCEU, signifying the shift into the newly revamped DC Universe, overseen by the newly-formed duo of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs of DC Studios. It’ll be interesting to see whether the box office success of this movie will have any ramifications or influences on forthcoming DC ventures.
Aquaman is a deep-sea hero with a splash of fun and a whole lot of heart, keeping the seas safe and making waves in the DC universe. So, next time you think of Aquaman, remember his journey from the comics to the big screen — a journey that turned him into a billion-dollar superhero.
Be sure to catch Aquaman’s latest adventure in theaters on December 22, 2023.
Ben Ahrens is a versatile Silicon Valley-based writer, content marketer, photographer, and graphic designer. His passion lies in crafting engaging stories for the entertainment industry and embracing the tech culture of the Bay Area to uncover the next ground-breaking innovations. When not weaving words, you’ll find him curating the perfect playlist for every occasion or exploring the diverse landscapes of Northern California.
