Today is a special one, as for the first time since I cracked opened my calendar, I'm profiling one of my top three characters...Arthur Curry, Aquaman!!!!! Aside from Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne, there is no other DC character I love more than the King of the Seas. And, if you're one of those that fall in the Aquaman is lame camp- then (to quote his animated, Brave and the Bold incarnation) I think you are OUTRAGEOUS!
Aquaman made his initial splash in More Fun Comics #73 (Nov, 1941), in a tale by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris. The issue (which also contains the debuts of Green Arrow and Speedy) gives readers a quick summary of his origin. According to the Golden Age mythos, Aquaman was the son of a famous explorer that uncovered the ruins of Atlantis. His father then used the advanced science found there to give the future hero powers. Aquaman could,of course, survive indefinitely underwater, swim at super speeds, gain incredible strength, and communicate (later upgraded to full telepathy) with all the creatures that lived beneath the waves. But, Aquaman had one other thing going for him that the vast majority of Golden Age characters did not- longevity. When every other single super-hero book was cancelled, at every single company, Aquaman endured as a back-up in one of the handful of titles that weren't swept away. You see, only series featuring Superman, Batman & Robin, or Wonder Woman survived the purge that hit in the late 1940's. And, our defender of the deep moved into Adventure Comics- the home of Superboy.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Aquaman's continuing presence, is that other than the brief explanation in his first appearance, nothing else is known about the character (not even his real name) until the Silver Age. 1959's Adventure Comics #260, at last revamps his backstory. Now, he is Arthur Curry, the son of lighthouse keeper Tom Curry, and the Atlantean exile Atlanna. This story established how Arthur came into his powers (due to his mother's heritage), and the eventual passing of his parents. After Atlanna's death, Tom would remarry (before dying as well), and have another son. That boy, Orm, would grow to be one of Aquaman's most hated foes, Ocean Master. In 1960, Arthur would get his first human supporting character, Aqualad. But, even more importantly he would become a founding member of the Justice League of America. And, in the process, appear on his first comic book cover (Brave and the Bold #28).
Aquaman swam from Adventure to Detective Comics, to World's Finest. Then in 1962, he finally received his own title. In those pages he would take his place on the throne of Atlantis, as king, marry Mera, and have a son Arthur Jr. He achieved even greater acclaim, when he garnered his own cartoon series (where I first encountered him), and later was one of the Super Friends. At the time this calendar saw print, things were great for Aquaman. But, things took a tragic turn (in the late 70's), as Arthur Jr. Died at the hands of Black Manta. The death of their son continues to haunt Aquaman and Mera to this day. The grief has pushed them apart on many occasions. Plus, Arthur lost, and regained (and lost, and regained, and lost again...) his kingdom. After a brief tenure as the leader of the JLA (or Justice League Detroit as fans dub the era), Aquaman was cast adrift. He went from mini-series to mini-series, and costume to costume.
At last, writer Peter David gave the character a hand, by having Aquaman lose one of his. This slightly revamped take on Arthur (who was also now know by an Atlantean name, Orin) proved very popular. After he replaced his piranha eaten hand with a hook (the sea king also sported long hair and a beard), David also introduced Aquaman's other son, Koryak. A few writers later, Aquaman ditched the hook, when the mythical Lady of the Lake bestowed upon him a hand composed of magical water. He underwent a further change when he was transformed into a sorcerer called the Dweller in the Depths. Eventually, all of these changes led to Aquaman "sleeping with the fishes" (dying that is), rather than talking to them.
Thankfully, both the Blackest Night and Brightest Day storylines, have restored him both to life, and his Silver Age luster. Long live the king!!!!!!
In two days, we pay homage to his QUEEN...
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