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Aquaman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941). Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo comic book series. During the late 1950s and 1960s superhero-revival period known as the Silver Age, he was a founding member of the Justice League. In the 1990s Modern Age, writers interpreted Aquaman's character more seriously, with storylines depicting the weight of his role as king of Atlantis.
The son of a human lighthouse keeper and the queen of Atlantis, Aquaman is the alias of Arthur Curry, who also goes by the Atlantean name Orin. Others to use the title of Aquaman include a short-lived human successor, Joseph Curry; his protégé Jackson Hyde; and the mysterious Adam Waterman, who was briefly active during World War II. Aquaman's comic books are filled with colorful undersea characters and a rich supporting cast, including his mentor Nuidis Vulko, his powerful wife Mera, and various sidekicks such as Aqualad, Aquagirl, and Dolphin. Aquaman stories tend to blend high fantasy and science fiction. His villains include his archenemy, Black Manta, and his half-brother, Ocean Master.
Aquaman's original 1960s animated appearances left a lasting impression, making him widely recognized in popular culture and one of the world's most recognized superheroes. Jokes about his wholesome, weak portrayal in Super Friends and perceived feeble powers and abilities have been staples of comedy programs and stand-up routines, leading DC several times to attempt to make Aquaman edgier or more powerful in the comic books. Modern comic book depictions have tried to reconcile these various aspects of his public perception, with many versions often casting Aquaman as serious and brooding, weighed down by his public reputation, his responsibilities as king, and the complex world of Atlantean politics. Aquaman (vol. 7) #1 (November 2011). DC Comics.
Aquaman has been featured in several adaptations, first appearing in animated form in the 1967 The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure and then in the related Super Friends program. Since then he has appeared in various animated productions, including prominent roles in the 2000s series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited and , as well as several DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Actor Alan Ritchson also portrayed Aquaman in the live action television show Smallville. In the DC Extended Universe, actor Jason Momoa portrays the character in the films , Justice League and its director's cut Zack Snyder's Justice League, Aquaman, the HBO Max series Peacemaker, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
In 1961, Aquaman starred in a four-issue run in the anthology series Showcase in issues #30–33. These Showcase issues are notable as Aquaman's first cover appearances in any comic. Simultaneously, the Aquaman backup feature ended in Adventure Comics with issue #284 and was transferred to Detective Comics with issue #293.
Soon thereafter, the first Aquaman solo series began, with the first issue cover-dated February 1962. The same month, the backup feature in Detective Comics ended with issue #300. Simultaneously with the solo series, an Aquaman backup feature was also published in World's Finest #125–139 (cover-dated May 1962 to February 1964). The solo series Aquaman would last 56 issues in its initial run until 1971.
After a three-year hiatus, Aquaman returned as a backup feature in Adventure Comics for issues #435–437 before becoming the main feature in issues #441–452. This run transitioned into a revival of the Aquaman solo series in 1977, resuming the initial run's numbering at #57; however, the series ended after just seven issues with #63 in 1978.
Aquaman once again returned to Adventure Comics as part of the Dollar Comics revamp of the series, appearing in issues #460–466 over 1978–1979. When this ended, Aquaman appeared in three issues of World's Finest Comics (#262–264) and then returned to Adventure Comics as the first feature for four more issues (#475–#478) and as a backup in issues #491–500. The feature found a new home as a backup in Action Comics for 14 issues (#517–521; #527–530; #536–540), which would be the end of Aquaman's Pre- Crisis solo appearances.
Aquaman's first Post- Crisis appearance was in the four-issue miniseries Aquaman (vol. 2) in 1986, which gave the character a new blue costume which did not reappear in any later series. This blue "camouflage" suit, however, was used as inspiration for one of the main suits in the Aquaman film sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2023. In 1988, Aquaman starred in the one-shot Aquaman #1, followed by the Legend of Aquaman Special one-shot issue in 1989. This was followed by the five-issue miniseries Aquaman (vol. 3). A new ongoing series, Aquaman (vol. 4), began in 1991, but was cancelled after 13 issues.
Aquaman was reinvented in the 1993–1994 miniseries Aquaman: Time and Tide, which provided a revamped origin for Aquaman. This was followed by a new ongoing series, Aquaman (vol. 5), which lasted until 2001 with 75 issues altogether, making it the longest-running Aquaman solo series to date.
Aquaman (vol. 6) was launched in 2003, following on from the Obsidian Age storyline in JLA. In the wake of the DC event miniseries Infinite Crisis and DC's "One Year Later" relaunch, the series was renamed Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis with issue #40 until the final issue (#57); these 18 issues starred a brand new, younger Aquaman named Arthur Joseph Curry. There were no more solo Aquaman publications in Post- Crisis continuity, although the original Aquaman did feature as a main character in the limited series Brightest Day.
The New 52 continuity reboot in September 2011 saw the beginning of the ongoing series Aquaman (vol. 7). A spin-off team title, Aquaman and the Others, also ran for 11 issues from 2014 to 2015. Aquaman vol. 7 lasted for the entirety of the New 52 era of DC, ending with issue #52 in 2016 as part of the line-wide relaunch DC Rebirth. The New 52 volume was immediately followed by the one-shot issue Aquaman: Rebirth, preceding the launch of the ongoing series Aquaman (vol. 8), which ended with issue #66.
Upon cancellation of Aquaman vol. 8, Aquaman did not have a self-titled release until a digital only series titled Aquaman: Deep Dives released in 2020. Throughout 2022 Aquaman appeared in both Aquaman: The Becoming, and Aquamen which saw Aquaman train Jackson Hyde/Aqualad to take over his mantle. However, by the end of 2022, it seemed DC was moving away from this decision as they began publishing regular Aquaman team-up stories again. These included the seven-issue series Aquaman/Green Arrow: Deep Target and the three issue Aquaman/The Flash: Voidsong. In August 2022, Aquaman received a three-issue mini-series called Aquaman: Andromeda under DC's adult audience comic series DC Black Label. The most current Aquaman titled released was the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Special one-shot, released in October 2023 to coincide with the release of the Aquaman sequel film of the same name.
In January 2025 a new ongoing series began with Aquaman (vol. 9) as part of the DC All In initiative.
In his early Golden Age appearances, Aquaman can breathe underwater and control fish and other underwater life for up to an hour. Initially, he was depicted as speaking to sea creatures "in their own language" rather than telepathically and only when they were close enough to hear him (within a radius). Aquaman's adventures took place all across the world and his base was "a wrecked fishing boat kept underwater," in which he also lived. More Fun Comics #84 (October 1942). DC Comics.
During his wartime adventures, most of Aquaman's foes were Nazism U-boat commanders and various Axis powers villains from when he once worked with the All-Star Squadron. The rest of his adventures in the 1940s and 1950s had him dealing with several sea-based criminals, including modern-day pirates such as his longtime archenemy Black Jack, as well as various threats to aquatic life, shipping lanes, and sailors.
Aquaman's last appearance in More Fun Comics was in issue #106, before being moved along with Superboy and Green Arrow to Adventure Comics, starting with issue #103 in 1946.
In "The New Golden Age" #1 (2022), writer Geoff Johns restores a variation of the Golden Age Aquaman to DC continuity. This version's profile tells the story of an Aquaman who was the predecessor of Arthur Curry. This Aquaman was the unnamed son of two well-respected scientists who studied what they believed to be the underwater ruins of Atlantis (in reality an abandoned Atlantean scientific outpost), where they lived in an underwater lab. This unique environment seemed to slowly alter their young son's physiology. The boy learned how to breathe in the water, developed incredible strength, and formed a bond with sea life while training some of them to aid him in his underwater heroic activities. In 1941, he first appeared to the surface world as Aquaman. While he turned down the offer to join the Justice Society of America when he encountered Alan Scott, he was briefly a member of the All-Star Squadron. In 1947, Aquaman left the sea where he sought to live on the land using the Pseudonym of "Adam Waterman". He retreated back to the ocean soon after for reasons unknown. This Aquaman disappeared from the public eye in the 1950s. The New Golden Age #1. DC Comics.
At the end of the "Flashpoint Beyond" limited series, this version of Aquaman was among "The Thirteen" characters "removed from time" seen in the custody of the Time Masters. The capsules containing this Aquaman and those with him were found to have failed and they have been pulled back to the 1940s, restoring them to DC's history in modern-day stories. Flashpoint Beyond #6. DC Comics.
The Silver Age Aquaman made his first appearance in Adventure Comics #260 (May 1959). In it and subsequent Silver Age comics, it was revealed that this Aquaman was Arthur Curry, the son of lighthouse keeper Tom Curry and Atlanna, a water-breathing outcast from the lost underwater city of Atlantis. Due to his heritage, Aquaman discovered as a youth that he possessed various superhuman abilities, including the powers of surviving underwater, communication with sea life and tremendous swimming prowess. Eventually, Arthur decided to use his talents to become the defender of the Earth's oceans. It was later revealed that in his youth Arthur had adventured as Aquaboy and, on one occasion, met Superboy, Earth's only other publicly active superpowered hero at the time. Superboy #171 (January 1971). DC Comics. When Arthur grew up, he called himself "Aquaman".
It was later revealed that after Atlanna's death, Tom Curry met and married an ordinary human woman and had a son named Orm Curry, Aquaman's half-brother. Orm grew up as a troubled youth in the shadow of his brother, who constantly bailed him out of trouble with the law. He grew to hate Aquaman not only for the powers that he could never possess, but also because he believed that their father would always favor Aquaman. Orm disappeared after becoming an and would resurface years later as Aquaman's nemesis the Ocean Master. Aquaman #29 (October 1966). DC Comics.
Aquaman's ability to talk with fish eventually expanded to full-fledged telepathic communication with sea creatures even from great distances. He also retroactively developed a specific weakness akin to Superman's vulnerability to kryptonite or Green Lantern's vulnerability to the color yellow: Aquaman had to come into contact with water at least once per hour or he would die. Prior to this, Aquaman could exist both in and out of water indefinitely. Adventure Comics #256 (January 1959). DC Comics.
In Aquaman #18 (December 1964), Aquaman married Mera in the first superhero wedding depicted in a comic book.
Aquaman was included in the Justice League comic book series, appearing with the team in their first adventure, The Brave and the Bold #28 (March 1960). DC Comics. and was also a founding member of the team.As shown in a flashback in Justice League of America #9 (February 1962). DC Comics. Aquaman took part in most of the 1960s adventures of the superhero team.
Aquaman's supporting cast and rogues gallery soon began to grow with the addition of Aqualad, an outcast, orphaned youth from an Atlantean colony whom Aquaman took in and began to mentor. Adventure Comics #269 (February 1960). DC Comics. Aquaman later discovered the submerged fictional city of New Venice, Adventure Comics #264 (September 1959). DC Comics. which became Aquaman's base of operations for a time.From World's Finest Comics #263 (July 1980) onwards. DC Comics.
Aquaman is recognized as the son of Atlanna and is later voted to be the King after the death of the former regent, who had no heirs. Aquaman #18 (December 1964). DC Comics. By this time, Aquaman had met Mera, Aquaman #11 (September 1963) a queen from a water-based dimension, and married her shortly after he became king. They soon have a son, Arthur Jr. (nicknamed "Aquababy"). Aquaman #23 (October 1965). DC Comics.
The 1960s series introduced other such archenemies as the Ocean Master (Aquaman's amnesiac half-brother Orm), Aquaman #29 (September 1966). DC Comics. Black Manta, Aquaman #35 (September 1967). DC Comics. the Fisherman,Nick Cardy (p)"The Fearful Freak from Atlantis", Aquaman #21 (May–June 1965). DC Comics. the Scavenger, Aquaman #37 (January 1968). DC Comics. and the terrorist organization known as O.G.R.E. Aquaman #26 (July 1976). DC Comics. Other recurring members of the Aquaman cast introduced in this series include the well-meaning but annoying Qwsp (a water sprite); Aquaman #1 (January/February 1962). DC Comics. Nuidis Vulko, a trustworthy Atlantean scientist who became Aquaman's royal advisor and whom Aquaman eventually appoints to be king after leaving the throne himself; The Brave and the Bold #73 (August/September 1967). DC Comics. and Tula (known as "Aquagirl"), an Atlantean princess who was Aqualad's primary love interest. Aquaman #33 (May/June 1967). DC Comics.
In the mid-1980s, after his own feature's demise, Aquaman is briefly made the leader of the Justice League of America. In a storyline in Justice League of America #228–230, an invasion of Earth by a race of White Martian occurs at a time when the core members are missing. Aquaman is thus forced to defend Earth with a League much depleted in power and capability, and he takes it upon himself to disband the Justice League altogether in Justice League of America Annual #2 (1984), thereafter reforming it with new bylaws requiring members to give full participation to the League's cases.
With the help of veteran Justice League members Martian Manhunter, Zatanna, and Elongated Man, Aquaman recruits and trains four new and untried members: Gypsy, Vibe, Vixen, and Steel. Arthur also relocates the team's headquarters to a reinforced bunker in Detroit, Michigan after the destruction of the JLA's satellite headquarters during the Martian invasion. Aquaman's participation in this new version of the Justice League ended in #243 (October 1985), when he resigned to work on his marriage with Mera.
In late 1988, Aquaman appeared in the Invasion! storyline, guest-starring with the Doom Patrol and once again wearing his trademark orange and green costume.
In 1989, the Legend of Aquaman Special (officially titled as Aquaman Special #1 in the comic's legal indicia, the second Special in back-to-back years) rewrote Aquaman's mythos and origin while still keeping most of his Silver Age history intact. The special was written by writer Robert Loren Fleming with plots/breakdown art by Keith Giffen and full pencil art by artist Curt Swan.
This origin story of the Modern Age recounts that Aquaman is born as to Queen Atlanna and the mysterious wizard Atlan in the sunken Atlantean city of Poseidonis. As a baby, Orin was abandoned to die on Mercy Reef (which is above sea level at low tide, causing fatal air exposure to Atlanteans) because of his blond hair, which was seen by the superstitious Atlanteans as a sign of a curse they called "the Mark of Kordax." The only individual who spoke up on Orin's behalf was Vulko, a scientist who had no patience for myth or superstition. While his pleas fell on deaf ears, Vulko would later become a close friend and advisor to the young Orin.
As a feral child who raised himself in the wilds of the ocean with only sea creatures to keep him company, Orin was found and taken in by a lighthouse keeper named Arthur Curry who named Orin "Arthur Curry" after himself. One day, a young Arthur returns home and finds that his adoptive father has disappeared, so he sets off on his own. In his early teens, Orin ventures to Alaska, where he meets and falls in love with an Inupiat people girl named Kako. It is also here that he first earned the hatred of Orm, the future Ocean Master, who was later revealed to be Arthur's half-brother by Atlan and an Inupiaq woman.David, Peter (w), Jarvinen, Kirk (p). Aquaman: Time and Tide #4. DC Comics.
As detailed in the five-issue miniseries Aquaman (June–October 1989) (by the same creative team of the 1989 special of Robert Loren Fleming, Keith Giffen, and Curt Swan), which continued a few of the themes from the Legend of Aquaman Special, Mera is eventually driven insane by grief over the death of her son, Arthur Jr., and is committed to an asylum in Poseidonis. Shortly afterwards, a jellyfish-esque alien force conquers Atlantis. Arthur is forced to save the city, but is hampered by an escaped Mera, who personally blames Arthur for the death of their son. In a fit of rage, Mera leaves Earth for her homeworld of Xebel in another dimension.
The publication of writer Peter David's The Atlantis Chronicles #1–7 (March–September 1990), which tells the story of Atlantis from antediluvian times to Aquaman's birth, introduced the ancient Atlantean characters Orin (after whom Aquaman was named) and Atlan (who was revealed to be Aquaman's father).
Another Aquaman ongoing series with creative team Shaun McLaughlin and Ken Hooper (#1–13) thereafter ran from December 1991 to December 1992, which portrayed Aquaman reluctantly deciding to remain in Poseidonis as its protector once again. For a time, Arthur served as Atlantis' representative to the United Nations, but always found himself thrust back into the superhero role. Becoming more and more of a workaholic and solitary figure, Aquaman eventually returned to the oceans and soon becomes tangled up in another attempt by Black Manta to destroy Atlantis by dragging it into a war with a surface nation.
Peter David returned to Aquaman in another miniseries, Aquaman: Time and Tide, a 1993–1994 four-issue miniseries which further explained Aquaman's origins, as he finally learns all about the history of his people through the Atlantis Chronicles, which are presented as historical texts passed down and updated through the centuries. Aquaman learns that his birth name was Orin and that he and his enemy the Ocean Master share the same father, "an ancient Atlantean wizard" named Atlan. This revelation sends Orin into a bout of rage and depression, setting the stage for later confrontations between the two, as it is said in the Chronicles that "two brothers will also battle for control of Atlantis". This is in contrast to the Silver Age Aquaman, who had always known that the Ocean Master was his half-brother Orm, although Orm's amnesia prevented him from remembering this fact for some time. This series is credited by Kevin Melrose of Comic Book Resources with helping Aquaman reach the height of his modern-era popularity.
Aquaman starred in his own series again with the publication of Aquaman (vol. 5) #1 (August 1994), initially scripted by Peter David, following up on his 1993 Time and Tide miniseries. This series was the longest-running for the character, lasting until its 75th issue. David left the series after issue #46 (July 1998) after working on it for nearly four years.
David began by giving Aquaman an entirely new look, forsaking his former clean-cut appearance. Following his discoveries reading the Atlantis Chronicles during Time and Tide, Aquaman withdraws from the world for a time. Garth finds him weeks later, with his hair and beard grown long, brooding in his cave. Aquaman loses his left hand when the madman Charybdis, attempting to force Arthur to show him how he can harness Arthur's ability to communicate with sea life, sticks Arthur's hand into a piranha-infested pool.David, Peter (w), Egeland, Martin (p), Vancata, Brad. (i). "Single Wet Female", Aquaman (vol. 5) #2 (September 1994). DC Comics. This loss causes Aquaman to become somewhat unhinged and he begins having prophetic dreams, and then, feeling in need of a "symbol", attaches a harpoon spearhead to his left arm in place of his missing hand. His classic orange shirt is shredded in a battle with Lobo,David, Peter (w), Egeland, Martin (p), Shum, Howard M. (i). "A Porpoise in Life", Aquaman (vol. 5) #4 (December 1994). DC Comics. but rather than replace it, he instead goes shirtless for a while before donning a gladiatorial manica.David, Peter (w), Calafiore, Jim (p), Ramos, Rodney; Shum, Howard M. (i). "Out Cold", Aquaman (vol. 5) #5 (June 1995). DC Comics. After the destruction of the harpoon,David, Peter (w), Egeland, Martin; Jones, Casey (p), Gilmore, Craig; Shum, Howard M. (i). "Elemental, My Dear Aquaman", Aquaman (vol. 5) #8 (April 1995). DC Comics. Aquaman has it replaced by a cybernetic prosthetic harpoon from S.T.A.R. Labs with a retractable reel that he can fully control.David, Peter (w), St. Pierre, Joe (p), Ramos, Rodney; Shum, Howard M. (i). "Dreaded Deadline Doom", Aquaman (vol. 5) #9 (June 1995). DC Comics.
A major storyline, culminating in #25, concerns the Five Lost Cities of Atlantis. Facing an unearthly invading species linked to the origin of the Atlanteans, Aquaman has to search out and unite the lost cities. This storyline established Arthur as a Warrior King and a major political power, ruling largely undisputed over all the Atlantean cities. The remainder of Peter David's run focused on Orin coming to terms with his genetic heritage and his role as king. During this time he discovers the remnants of a sentient alien ship beneath Poseidonis and is able to take control of it, returning Poseidonis to the surface and bringing Atlantis into greater contact with the outside world. The cultural changes this brings about, including increased tourism, as well as his conflicting duties as superhero and king, bring him into increasing tension with the political powers in his city.
After a brief stint by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, David was replaced as writer by Erik Larsen with issue #50 (Dec. 1998) and again by Dan Jurgens in issue #63 (January 2000). The series ended with issue #75 (January 2001). During this time Aquaman's wife Mera returns, once again sane, from the otherworldly dimension where she had been trapped and Aquaman narrowly averts a coup d'état orchestrated by his son Koryak and his advisor Vulko. Arthur's second harpoon is also destroyed, this time in a battle with Noble, King of the Lurkers. Aquaman replaces it with a golden prosthetic hand developed by Atlantean scientists which can change shape at his command, thus retaining the powers of the former harpoon while also being more all-purpose. After a brief war with an island nation, Aquaman expands Atlantis' surface influence by annexing the country to Atlantis.
Aquaman had no regular series of his own from 2001 to 2003, but his plot went through several developments via his cameo appearances in multiple other titles.
Aquaman was a founding member of the reformed JLAMorrison, Grant (w), Porter, Howard (p). JLA #1 (January 1997). DC Comics and remained an active, if sometimes reluctant member of that team, until the "Our Worlds at War" storyline in 2001 (shortly after the cancellation of Aquaman vol. 5), during which Aquaman and the city of Poseidonis disappear during a battle between Aquaman and an Imperiex probe.
The Justice League eventually found out that the city was still there, just magically shielded, but in ruins and apparently uninhabited. These Atlanteans were trapped in the ancient past, sent there by Tempest (Aqualad) as a last measure when it appeared that the city would be destroyed by the probe. There, however, they were enslaved by their own Atlantean ancestors, led by a powerful sorceress named Gamemnae, and Aquaman himself was transformed into living water and imprisoned in an ornamental pool. Over time, this civilization had collapsed until only Gamemnae herself, now immensely powerful, inhabited the ruins.
After a few months of their own time, but fully 15 years for the Atlanteans, the JLA free Aquaman in "The Obsidian Age" storyline in JLA. JLA #68–75 (July 2002 – January 2003). DC Comics Although the original League is killed by Gamemnae, their souls are contained by the magician Manitou Raven to use in a spell to contain Gamemnae in Atlantis until the present day, when he is able to resurrect them. Aquaman is freed from his imprisonment in the pool and Zatanna enhances his abilities so that he can now control the entire ocean as a powerful water wraith. With this power, Aquaman is able to sever Gamemnae's connection to the city by sinking it under the sea again. While he fights Gamemnae, the League members return the modern Atlanteans to the present, where they begin rebuilding the city, which is once again at the bottom of the sea. Aquaman is restored to his regular form, but for exposing the dark secrets of Atlantis's past and being responsible for his peoples' enslavement in the past, he is put on trial by Atlantis.
A sixth Aquaman series began shortly afterward, initially written by Rick Veitch, who sought to take Aquaman in a more mystical direction. Subsequent writers who contributed to the series include John Ostrander, Will Pfeifer, Tad Williams, and John Arcudi. This series ran 57 issues, starting in December 2002 (cover-dated February 2003). Initially focusing on Aquaman's efforts to survive after he was exiled from Atlantis and the ocean following his trial, the theme of the storyline changed when Aquaman became involved after a sizeable portion of San Diego sunk into the ocean. Over the next few months, it was discovered that the sinking was the work of a scientist who had acquired a sample of Aquaman's DNA. Believing that the human race as it currently existed would destroy Earth, he had sunk the city while also using the DNA sample he took from Aquaman to convert most of the residents into water-breathers. Aquaman goes on to establish himself as the protector of 'Sub Diego', aided by new Aquagirl Lorena Marquez, despite such problems as the human residents' poor reaction to being trapped underwater and the Ocean Master's attempt to rewrite history so that he is Aquaman while Orin is the Ocean Master.
Starting with #40 (May 2006), following the events of the Infinite Crisis storyline, the series was renamed Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis which ended with issue #57 (October 2007). These issues featured a new, younger Aquaman named Arthur Joseph Curry.
Following the "One Year Later" storyline (starting with Aquaman (vol. 6) #40 (May 2006)), the series was renamed Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis and taken in an entirely different direction by writer Kurt Busiek. In this version, Aquaman is missing and presumed dead following the events of Infinite Crisis. A young man with aquatic powers by the name of Arthur Joseph Curry is summoned by the mysterious Dweller in the Depths to take up the mantle of Aquaman, but it gradually emerges that the Dweller himself is Aquaman, having lost much of his memory and been strangely mutated, while gaining magical powers (see the Arthur Joseph Curry section below).
These changes were explained later during the "missing year" between Infinite Crisis and One Year Later depicted in the weekly series 52, where Aquaman makes a brief appearance at the memorial for Conner Kent. Sometime later Elongated Man, seemingly accompanied by Doctor Fate's helmet, meets a bearded, long-haired and amnesic Orin in the ruins of Atlantis. The helmet portends that " if he lives... if he lives... it is as a victim of the magicks of legend and the power of the sea."
During the "Infinite Crisis" storyline, Orin makes a deal with the gods of the sea in a desperate bid to gain the power to save the lives of several Sub Diego inhabitants who had lost the ability to live in water. Using the bones of his severed left hand in a magical ritual, the sea gods give Orin the power to raise Sub Diego onto dry land. However, as a side effect of this, Orin mutates into the "Dweller of the Depths" and loses his memories. The fate the Dweller foresees for Arthur Joseph Curry once they meet is revealed to really only be a confused memory of the Dweller's own past as Aquaman.
In the midst of trying to help his successor, Arthur Joseph, the Dweller (Orin) is murdered by Narwhal. Upon the receipt of Orin's body, members of the Justice League, including Superman, Batman, Hal Jordan, and the Wally West, examine the body in Atlantis and wish the best for Mera and the new Aquaman.
Orin seemingly reappears in Atlantis during the 2008 Final Crisis storyline to fend off the forces of Darkseid, but this Aquaman is revealed to be from another Earth in the multiverse. The appearance of this Aquaman is later perceived by Hal Jordan and Barry Allen to be an unsubstantiated rumor, however, since this person was never seen nor heard from again. Sometime between his death and the beginning of the 2008–09 Blackest Night storyline, Orin's body is moved and buried on land at Mercy Reef alongside Tom Curry in accordance with his final wishes.
In Blackest Night #1 (July 2009), Garth returns to Atlantis and tells Orin's wife Mera that he is angry at the notion of Aquaman's body being buried on land. Mera relays to Tempest that Orin felt safe on land and that this is indeed what Arthur wanted. Sometime later, a black power ring is seen entering Orin's grave, bidding him to rise from the dead. Aquaman's corpse rises, along with those of Tula and Dolphin as revenant members of the Black Lantern Corps, and demands that Mera reunite with him in death, offering her a chance to see her son again. Garth is killed and joins the Black Lanterns himself. Mera rejects Aquaman's corpse before fleeing. In the climax of the miniseries, Aquaman is among those resurrected by the Life Entity and is reunited with Mera. The Black Lantern Ring helps reconstruct Orin's body and when he is resurrected, his hand is restored as well.Johns, Geoff (w), Reis, Ivan (p). Blackest Night #8 (March 2010). DC Comics.
During the "Brightest Day" storyline, Aquaman and Mera spend the night together in the lighthouse of Amnesty Bay, but in the morning Mera finds Arthur on the dock looking at the sea and wondering why he was resurrected. Brightest Day #0 (April 2010). DC Comics. They later intercept a pirate vessel, but Aquaman finds that he can now only call on dead sea life to help him. Brightest Day #1 (May 2010). DC Comics.
While cleaning up an oil spill, Aquaman and Mera are attacked by soldiers from Mera's homeworld, led by the Siren, and Mera reveals that the Siren was sent to kill him. Brightest Day #5 (July 2010). DC Comics. Mera also hints that, despite the long-lasting exile of her people, Xebel's soldiers had been enemies of Black Manta himself from a distant time, even preceding the first public appearance of Aquaman. She also states that, despite Mera's original mission being a solo one, the Siren is now backed by an entire Death Squad of elite Xebel soldiers acting at the orders of the acting princess and also later reveals that the Siren is her younger sister. Brightest Day #6 (July 2010). DC Comics.
Aquaman is instructed by the Life Entity to find Jackson Hyde before a second, unidentified group does. Brightest Day #7 (August 2010). DC Comics. Mera states that she knows who Hyde is and after she tells Aquaman, he leaves and rescues Jackson from a Xebel attack. Brightest Day #9 (September 2010). DC Comics. It is revealed that Aquaman's Silver Age origin has been re-established and he is once again the half-human son of Tom Curry and an Atlantean queen. Brightest Day #16 (December 2010). DC Comics. The Entity subsequently reduces Aquaman to what appears to be white water. Brightest Day #20 (March 2011). DC Comics. Aquaman is revealed to be one of the Elementals, transformed by the Entity to become the element of water and protect the Star City forest from the Dark Avatar, the Black Lantern version of the Swamp Thing. Brightest Day #23 (April 2011). DC Comics. After the Dark Avatar is defeated, the Swamp Thing returns Aquaman to normal. Afterward, Aquaman is reunited with Mera, at which point he discovers that the Xebels' weapons were made of Atlantean technology. Brightest Day #24 (June 2011). DC Comics.
The relaunched series cemented Aquaman's status as the half-human son of Tom Curry and Atlanna and saw him return to Amnesty Bay with Mera. Greatly distressed by the harsh treatment given to the oceans during his time as ruler of Atlantis, Aquaman decides to abdicate the Atlantean throne and return to full-time heroics. Arthur struggles, however, with his lack of reputation with the greater public, which views him as a metahuman with less impressive powers than those of his peers.Johns, Geoff (w), Reis, Ivan (p). Aquaman (vol. 7) #1 (September 2011). DC Comics. He is also once again a founding member of the Justice LeagueJohns, Geoff (w), D'Anda, Carlos; Lee, Jim (p), various (i). Justice League (vol. 2) #6 (March 2012). DC Comics. and it is revealed in Aquaman (vol. 7) #7 that early in his career, Aquaman had teamed with a mysterious, loose-knit group of characters simply known as the Others. The Others consist of Aquaman, the South American jungle girl Ya'Wara and her panther, a Russian known as Vostok-X, an ex-army veteran called Prisoner-of-War, the Operative, and an Iranian called Kahina the Seer. All of the Others have in their possession an enchanted relic from Atlantis. From 2014 to 2015, an independent Aquaman and the Others series was launched based on the success of these new characters.
Unbeknownst to him, however, this habitation is a place set within the Sphere of the Gods where forgotten sea deities go—either when/after they perish, fade from their worshipers' memories or simply forget their role in servicing the ocean's majesty. Aquaman (vol. 8) #44 (March 2019). DC Comics. One such goddess, who was actually a primordial adept from before time, begrudgingly makes her home on a separate island adjacent to that of the divinity who betrayed her and her departed husband. Namma, whose real name is actually Mother Salt, has every intention of drowning the world in brine with the intended consequence of killing everything that lives and breathes on it in revenge and to start over—remaking the universe in her own image. Aquaman (vol. 8) #45 (April 2019). DC Comics.
With the help of one of Namma's cast-off creatures—needed to regain her full power as well as aid from the forgotten gods—who is reawakened by Arthur/Andy's clarion call through the Life Force power, Aquaman is able to best the vengeful divine progenitor and scatter her essence across the cosmos, ending her threat for a time. Aquaman (vol. 8) #45–47 (April–June 2019). DC Comics. In thanks for aiding them in quelling their mother's fury, the Sea Gods of the World and the newly revived Father Sea (the aforementioned life mate of Mother Salt), give praise to Arthur for his valor and integrity. The Sea Gods awaken his dormant demigod abilities by bestowing upon him tribal tattoos, christening him a bastion of the High Seas, while Father Sea himself retrieves Arthur/Andy's trident from the waters bestowing it to him once more. Aquaman (vol. 8) #47 (June 2019). DC Comics. Yearning to remember who he was, Arthur/Andy undergoes a ritual where he communes with another primal ocean entity known as Mother Shark, who, when asked to, restores Arthur's memories wherein he realizes Mera killed him in a fit of rage because of his hesitation about hearing that he is going to become a father. Aquaman (vol. 8) #48–49 (July–August 2019). DC Comics.
Aquaman and the sea gods return to Amnesty Bay, the gods settle on Amnesty Island, in an abandoned lighthouse formerly occupied by Tristram Maurer, a 19th-century horror writer. Aquaman is called upon to bail Jackson Hyde out of jail, and Jackson appoints himself Aquaman's Sidekick. Aquaman (vol. 8) #51 (October 2019). DC Comics. Along with Callie and Tula, the two fight a sea monster which mysteriously disappears when the new lamp in the restored lighthouse is destroyed. An Amnesty Bay civilian named Ralph is killed during the fight, and at his funeral, Aquaman meets the resurrected Tristan Maurer. Aquaman (vol. 8) #52 (November 2019). DC Comics.
Black Manta destroys an Atlantean historical site in order to provoke a confrontation with Mera and the recently resurrected Arthur. Mera, along with Arthur, Jackson Hyde, and Arthur's new ally Tristan Maurer successfully fight off Manta, who is equipped with a mecha provided by Lex Luthor. Mera joins her powers with Jackson to create a gigantic, bioelectric powered water construct of herself, destroying the mecha, however, the strain of the immense hydrokinetic power Mera she is forced to use puts her in a coma, and she gives birth to her daughter Andy shortly after. Arthur was present for his daughter's birth, and fell in love with her instantly, losing all of his trepidation about becoming a father or the kind of life they could have together. He named her Andy, the name he used while amnesiac and stranded on Unspoken Water.
Mera remains comatose for ten months, during which Arthur and Andy would regularly sneak into Atlantis to visit the comatose Mera in secret. After 10 months in a coma, Mera reawakens. With the ruse of a fake wedding to Vulko she calls to Atlantis the leaders of the 7 underwater kingdoms. Prior to the wedding, she has the entire widowhood arrested. Once all 7 kingdoms are assembled, to their surprise, Mera announces that she was dissolving the Atlantean monarchy and that she intended to hand power to the people. Orm attempts to take power for himself, however, Orm and his forces are stopped by Aquaman, assisted by the Justice league and the Sea gods.
Following this, Mera finally embraces her daughter, as she and Arthur settle down in Amnesty Bay. Soon afterwards, Mera and Arthur marry in the presence of their family and friends, in what was originally planned as a welcome back party for her. Aquaman (vol. 8) #65 (November 2020). DC Comics.
Following the abolition of the monarchy, Arthur and Mera intended to hold themselves apart from Atlantis to allow the city to govern itself, but they were forced to intervene when the Frost King's forces attacked the city during what was intended to be their honeymoon. Arthur journeyed into the city's heating vents to meet with the Fire Trolls who lived in the tunnels below Atlantis, hoping they could be an ally against the Frost King. Originally Mera agreed to stay behind to guard Andy but quickly followed him, arriving in time to save Arthur from a Fire Troll with a hydrokinetic attack. The Trolls were in awe of this and swore loyalty to her. With her army of Fire Trolls, Mera and Arthur defeated the ice creatures attacking Atlantis. Aquaman (vol. 8) #66 (December 2020). DC Comics.
In the Sword of Atlantis series, Arthur becomes acquainted with Aquaman's supporting cast and rogue's gallery, and learns of the cruel fate of the original Aquaman following 52, who is now a cursed creature known as the Dweller of the Depths. It is later revealed Arthur was named after the original Aquaman by his father, Marine biology Dr. Phillip Curry (nephew of Orin's father Tom Curry), who saved his life with an experimental procedure involving water from Aquaman's mystical water hand. When Aquaman later exhausted his powers to save the city of Sub Diego, part of his soul latched onto Arthur Joseph Curry's dead body, while Orin mutated into the Dweller. The younger Arthur then vowed to never use his "stolen" name again, going by Joseph instead of Arthur. He later makes scattered appearances in a few comic books, including Outsiders and Superman/Batman, but is not mentioned again in any comics following the Final Crisis crossover story, where Tempest finds Joseph's trident and costume draped over a throne, confirming that he had abandoned his duties as king.
In the New 52 onwards, Aquaman's telepathy abilities changed; acknowledging that most marine life does not possess enough intelligence to carry on a meaningful telepathic communication, Aquaman is now stated to simply add compulsions and needs in the mindset of aquatic life, compelling them to do his bidding by a subtle altering of their cerebellum. It is later revealed during Drowned Earth event that Arthur's ability to speak with the ocean comes from a metaphysical energy known as the Life Force, Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth #1 (December 2018) a vast ocean of genesic power which enables him to connect with any and all forms of sentience within the cosmos, even from across realities. Aquaman (vol. 8) #46 (May 2019). DC Comics. Through it, Arthur could also use its power to revert lost forms and assert varying consciousnesses within, like making the human shell of Mother Salt's monster daughter, the Cailleach, subservient to her human host's will; even restoring the true forms and divine powers of long-forgotten ocean gods while calling out to them through his aquatelepathy. Aquaman (vol. 8) #46–47 (May–June 2019). DC Comics.
Although Aquaman can remain underwater indefinitely without suffering any ill effects, he grows weak if he remains on land for extended periods. Originally, when Batman invented Aquaman's water suit, he was able to walk on land for an indefinite amount of time and was no longer vulnerable to a "dehumidifier". This weakness was later removed from continuity in 2011, establishing that he grew up on land before learning of his Atlantean heritage, Aquaman (vol. 7) #0 (2012). DC Comics. but he still runs the risk of dying by dehydration within incredibly hostile environments, such as deserts. Aquaman (vol. 7) #5 (2012). DC Comics. Aquaman had also been bestowed an ability he never showcased before, given to him by an old Sea Monarch, granting him the ability of unaided flight using his own power. Aquaman (vol. 7) #46 (2012). DC Comics.
At various times in his life, Aquaman has been transformed into a purely oceanic entity with power over all the seas of the world, such as the "Water Wraith" JLA #70 (September 2002). DC Comics. and the "Dweller in the Depths". This was usually temporary, as he would often revert to normal afterwards. Aquaman (vol. 6) #11 (December 2002). DC Comics. JLA #75 (January 2003). DC Comics. Brightest Day #23 (2019). DC Comics.
Following DC's 2024 Absolute Power event, Arthur is accidentally given his wife Mera's hydrokinesis. She begins schooling him in how to use it in Aquaman (vol. 9) #1 (2025) as part of DC All In. Aquaman previously used hydrokinesis in his "water hand" era prior to One Year Later in 2006. Versions of Aquaman in other media possess this power naturally. For example, the original Super Friends Aquaman could create concussive "water blasts", while the Aquaman who appeared as a recurring character in used water manipulation as his primary power.
In the New 52, the Trident of Neptune (also called Atlan's Trident or the Trident of Atlan) is a weapon in which is part of a collection of seven very powerful Atlantean magical items, forged by the first king of Atlantis who calls himself 'The Dead King'. Aquaman (vol. 7) #7 (2012). DC Comics. initially thought to be the most powerful weapon of the set, with the possible exception of the recently discovered seventh item, the Trident is completely indestructible and able to hurt even the most powerful of opponents, such as the evil New Gods Darkseid. In one instance, the Trident was shown glowing with magical power when Black Manta used the rest of the items to discover the hidden seventh one. Sometimes when Arthur utilizes the Trident of Neptune's supernatural powers, his eyes glow with arcane power and this further strengthens his abilities as well as giving him various arcane energy-based capabilities. Aquaman (vol. 7) #33 (June 2011). DC Comics.
| Aquaman Vol. 1: The Trench | Aquaman (vol. 7) #1–6 | 144 | |
| Aquaman Vol. 2: The Others | Aquaman (vol. 7) #7–13 | 160 | |
Aquaman Vol. 3: Throne of AtlantisRereleased as Aquaman: War for the Throne
/ref> | Aquaman (vol. 7) #0, 14–16; Justice League (vol. 2) #15–17 | 176 | |
| Aquaman Vol. 4: Death of a King | Aquaman (vol. 7) #17–19, 21–25 | 192 | |
| Aquaman by Geoff Johns Omnibus | Aquaman (vol. 7) #0–25, #23.1, #23.2, Justice League (vol. 2) #15–17 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 5: Sea of Storms | Aquaman (vol. 7) #26–31, Aquaman Annual #2, Swamp Thing (vol. 5) #32 | 208 | |
| Aquaman Vol. 6: Maelstrom | Aquaman (vol. 7) #32–40 and material from Secret Origins (vol. 3) #2, 5 | 240 | |
| Aquaman Vol. 7: Exiled | Aquaman (vol. 7) #41–48 | 200 | |
| Aquaman Vol. 8: Out of Darkness | Aquaman (vol. 7) #49–52, Aquaman: Rebirth #1 | 144 | |
| Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint Featuring Wonder Woman | Emperor Aquaman #1–3 and Outsider #1–3, Lois Lane and the Resistance #1–3, Wonder Woman and the Furies #1–3 | 272 | |
| Aquaman and the Others Vol. 1: Legacy of Gold | Aquaman and the Others #1–5, Aquaman (vol. 7) #20, Aquaman Annual #1, | 176 | |
| Aquaman and the Others Vol. 2: Alignment: Earth | Aquaman and the Others #6–11, Aquaman: Futures End #1, Aquaman and the Others: Futures End #1 | 176 | |
| Convergence: Zero Hour: Book Two | Convergence: Aquaman #1–2 and Convergence: Superman: The Man of Steel #1–2, Convergence: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1–2, Convergence: Supergirl: Matrix #1–2, Convergence: Green Lantern/Parallax #1–2 | 272 |
| Aquaman Vol. 1: The Drowning | Aquaman (vol. 8) #1–6, Aquaman: Rebirth #1 | 192 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 2: Black Manta Rising | Aquaman (vol. 8) #7–15 | 212 | ||
| Aquaman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 1 | Aquaman (vol. 8) #1–12, Aquaman: Rebirth #1 | 392 | August 22, 2017 | |
| Aquaman Vol. 3: Crown of Atlantis | Aquaman (vol. 8) #16–24 | 216 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 4: Underworld | Aquaman (vol. 8) #25–30 | 152 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 5: The Crown Comes Down | Aquaman (vol. 8) #31–33, Annual (vol. 2) #1 | 144 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 6: Kingslayer | Aquaman (vol. 8) #34–38, Annual (vol. 2) #2 | 128 | ||
| Aquaman/Suicide Squad: Sink Atlantis | Aquaman (vol. 8) #39–40, Suicide Squad #45–46 | 128 | ||
| Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth | Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth #1, Justice League (vol. 4) #10–12, Titans (vol. 3) #28, Aquaman (vol. 8) #41–42, Aquaman/Justice League: Drowned Earth #1 | 224 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 1: Unspoken Water | Aquaman (vol. 8) #43–47 | 152 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 2: Amnesty | Aquaman (vol. 8) #48–52 | 144 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 3: Manta vs. Machine | Aquaman (vol. 8) #53–57, Annual (vol. 3) #2 | 168 | ||
| Aquaman Vol. 4: Echoes of a Life Lived Well | Aquaman (vol. 8) #58–65 | 200 | ||
| DC Meets Hanna-Barbera Vol. 2 | Aquaman/Jabberjaw #1 and The Flash/Speed Buggy #1, Super Sons/Dynomutt #1, Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey #1 | 168 | December 24, 2018 | |
| Future State: Justice League | Future State: Aquaman #1–2 and Future State: Justice League/Justice League Dark #1–2, Future State: Flash #1–2, Future State: Green Lantern #1–2 | 288 | June 22, 2021 | |
| Aquaman Deep Dives | Material from Aquaman Giant #1–4, Aquaman: Deep Dives #4, 6–7, 9 | 168 | June 8, 2021 | |
| Aquaman: Andromeda | Aquaman: Andromeda #1–3 | 176 | November 21, 2023 | |
| Aquaman/Green Arrow: Deep Target | Aquaman/Green Arrow: Deep Target #1–7 | 200 | October 18, 2022 | |
| Aquamen | Aquamen #1–6 | 144 | November 29, 2022 | |
| Aquaman/The Flash: Voidsong | Aquaman/The Flash: Voidsong #1–3 | 168 | February 23, 2023 | |
| Aquaman: A Celebration of 75 Years | Adventure Comics #120, 174, 220, 260, 266, 269, 444, 452, 475; Aquaman (vol. 1) #1, 18, 40; Justice League of America Annual #2; Aquaman (vol. 2) #3; Aquaman (vol. 4) #2, 34; Aquaman (vol. 5) #4, 17; Aquaman (vol. 7) #1, 43 | 400 | October 25, 2016 | |
| Aquaman: 80 Years of the King of the Sea | Stories from: Aquaman #0–37; JLA: Our Worlds at War #1; Aquaman #17; Outsiders: Five of a Kind – Metamorpho/Aquaman #1; Adventure Comics #120–137, 232–266, 269–475; More Fun Comics #73; Aquaman #11–35, 46–62; Aquaman #1; Aquaman Special #1; Aquaman #25 | 429 | February 14, 2023 |
He also appeared in the live-action television series Smallville being portrayed by Alan Ritchson.
There was also an Aquaman pilot made by the creator of Smallville, featuring Justin Hartley, which never aired.
Aquaman has made non-speaking appearances in the animated series Teen Titans Go!. In "Don't Press Play", he is voiced by Greg Cipes. In "Finding Aquaman", he is voiced by Patrick Warburton.
Within the live-action DC Extended Universe films, American actor Jason Momoa plays Aquaman, and the character made his feature film debut in (2016). Momoa reprised the role in Justice League (2017) and The Flash (2023) and starred in his own films Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023). This version is of Polynesians ethnicity, rather than the blond-haired White people man of his traditional depiction. He has long, dark hair, a full beard and extensive .
Another one, Aquaman Splashdown, is an Arrow Dynamics hydroflume water ride at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. The water ride was Yankee Clipper in 1976, but was re-themed to Aquaman in 2022.
In 2023, the Aquaman: Power Wave roller coaster opened at Six Flags Over Texas.
By 2008, cultural critic Glen Weldon noted that Aquaman had become ridiculed by a popular mindset that cast him as an ineffectual hero. This was due to the perception that his heroic abilities were too narrow. Weldon wrote that critics and pop culture comedians who chose to focus on this had overplayed the joke, making it "officially the hoariest, hackiest arrow in the quiver of pop-culture commentary."Spiegel, Danny (July 28, 2014). Comic-Con Preview: First Looks. TV Guide. p. 26.
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Archived from the original on April 4, 2012.
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