When Did Aquaman Become a Badass?

In the movies, Aquaman is played by the hulking giant Jason Momoa. But the bearded, long-haired, angry hero wasn't created out of whole cloth. It was strongly based on the comics run by writer Peter David. This episode looks at the various origins Aquaman has had in the Golden Age and Silver Age and how the Modern Age version with a harpoon hand stood out from everything that came before.
/ comictropes

[@kevingriffith6011]

Honestly my favorite version of the "Aquaman loses his hand" trope has to come from the Justice League animated series. No disrespect to the comic versions of the event, but cutting off his own hand because it was the only way he could save his infant son is probably the most iconic Aquaman moment for me.

[@bryansteele832]

How it was done in the comics was lame. In JL it's a powerful moment.

[@bobgarlen]

Probably the moment that actually made people start to see Aquaman as an interesting character.

[@chrisgrech7992]

@@bobgarlen wrong Aquaman before superfriends was considered badass, it was with that cartoons that the perception changed, than he became the butt of jokes until Johns New52 run.

[@writeroffiction5101]

I remember that episode! It was one of the best Justice League Episodes.

[@jeanemlicar]

Yeah. That episode was awesome. I must’ve watched that episode at least 5 times when I got that Justice League The Complete Series DVD Boxset for Christmas that year.​@@writeroffiction5101

[@levesteM]

My first introduction to Aquaman was in the JL cartoon, so I never understood why people found him lame.

[@Frankenstein077]

A lot of _older_ fans (like myself) were first introduced to him in the Justice League of America comics and the Superfriends cartoon. _Very_ different character.

[@kamulecPL12]

@@Frankenstein077 aquaman was a joke

[@josephsuttonano6354]

The hook hand was wack and it reeked of trying to hard.

[@waterking74]

Seth macfarlane and robot chicken kind of kept shitting on the character

[@AC-gb7do]

vladthetransilvanian watch some Superfriends, he was lame af back then, and in comics for a long time too.

[@stueygriffith4671]

making Aquaman an underwater CONAN THE BARBARIAN seems to have worked.....

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

I understood that reference.

[@TheCow-j1l]

I didn't expect this intro... now I have to change my panties...

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

WTF! Personal Insight thought we don't need to know that

[@ChaelSonnen000]

@@dcmarvelcomicfans9458 fucking beta

[@turtleanton6539]

Lolz

[@v-trigger6137]

@@dcmarvelcomicfans9458 you most be really fun at parties

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

@@v-trigger6137 actually I am although it depends on which parties were talking about

[@lsgreger2645]

My favorite Aquaman version is the Batman: The Brave and the Bold version voiced by John DiMaggio.

[@lucianganea3034]

*Outrageous!*

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

That was my favorite as well when I was a kid now it's from Superman the animated series

[@georgetinker1292]

I like how they played him up as royal and capable. But,silly and goofy. And,I loved the embellished stories! The best!!!

[@lsgreger2645]

@@georgetinker1292 I think my favorite episode was when he went on a family vacation and he wanted to be heroic. He spotted the Sportsmaster driving next to him on the highway and wanted jump into action, but realized the Sportsmaster was in the same boat, on a family vacation.

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

@@georgetinker1292 yeah definitely but I personally like new 52 run by Geoff Johns don't get me wrong I love the 90s run by Peter David it was beautiful it made him a badass and made him cool and dark and edgy it made him serious and I will always love that about the character and those stories were great and some obscure characters were put to good use and he really expanded the Mythos a lot more than my previous writers do before him

[@Emohawk707]

I remember my mother telling me about Aquaman when I was a kid and I thought it was the coolest thing ever! I didn’t know what he looked like so I imagined a dude basically made of water with a big A on his chest. However inaccurate mental image, I thought this Aquaman was awesome and my little child brain loved it. I don’t remember if I was disappointed at all by discovering what he really looked like, but I always remember thinking Aquaman was really cool. His ocean powers were different from everyone else’s, you’d see a lot of really cool underwater stuff, and I remember Atlantis being pretty sweet too.

[@nkemnoraulmanfredini7286]

Look up just imagine aquaman

[@Emohawk707]

@@nkemnoraulmanfredini7286 Well I'll be damned

[@nkemnoraulmanfredini7286]

@@Emohawk707 seen it?

[@Emohawk707]

@@nkemnoraulmanfredini7286 Yeah, I didn't realise that I had the same imagination as Stan Lee XD

[@nkemnoraulmanfredini7286]

@@Emohawk707 😹😹,yeah

[@figxre516]

The guy that controls the speed at which lobsters die

[@papanurgle8393]

When was he not honestly? Pretty much all the oldschool DC characters started off as dorks, and then got progressively worked on.

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

Superman wasn’t a dork. He was just a massive violent asshole.

[@NyctoPhobia197]

@@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770 no the guy was just a dork really, the silver age was pretty fun but pretty stupid at the same time lol

[@harrylane4]

@@NyctoPhobia197 silver age supes was a dork, golden age supes was super mean

[@AndrewJohnson-oy8oj]

Agreed. What other character in the Silver Age had enemies who use constricting steel wire, harpoons, and knives as weapons? In one story he killed a guy by dragging him over a coral reef, a bloody and vicious death.

[@docdelta]

It was on Peter David's era when I became an Aquaman fan. I particularly like the story where he declares war to Japan.

[@macoy3943]

Everyone for a while: “Aquaman’s so lame his only power is talking to fish” Also everyone: “Batman is so cool, he doesn’t even need powers”

[@owenwalker1774]

I love it when you notice contradictory talking points from fans. In the Game of Thrones community will say GRRM kills all my favorite characters and Tyrion is my favorite character, yet Tyrion lives. Lol

[@damonmet584]

well Batman is so cool...

[@disposable_hero1725]

Everyone for a while: “Aquaman’s so lame his only power is talking to fish” Geoff Johns: "Hold my Beer".

[@jacobstaten2366]

That speaks more to how lame Aquaman was rather than people being hypocritical.

[@joaoviktor992]

A character having lame or weirdly specific powers like talking to fish dosent make the character itself lame.

[@DomCim]

Well, that opening was unexpected....

[@thefilmtwitplays]

I think Geoff Johns’s New 52 run on Aquaman leans into greatness several times, as does Eisenhorn creator Dan Abnett’s stuff, but I’m a dyed in the wool Aquaman fan so take that for what it’s worth.

[@giovannimaldonado5072]

I am a fan of Geoff John's run in the New 52 and his involvement in the Rebirth run.

[@chrisgrech7992]

Johns remade Aquaman into the Awesome character he deserved to be, not just Arthur but he also made Mera into an Awesome hero.

[@kingbeauregard]

Aquaman's biggest problem: he is a member of the the Justice League. That means that he chooses to hang out in the one place on earth where there are three people with greater raw physical strength than him (Superman / Wonder Woman / Martian Manhunter) and one with vastly greater telepathic abilities (Martian Manhunter). Anywhere else, Aquaman would be by far the strongest, toughest guy in the room, with some degree of telepathic ability no less. He wouldn't even need a bad attitude; he'd command respect just by being unstoppable. DC needs to establish that the Justice League (Superman / Wonder Woman / Batman) are whom you call when there's an extinction-level threat, but for anything short of that, the "B" team will be fine: Aquaman as the powerhouse, Green Arrow as the overachieving normal guy, and so on. Kind of like how Marvel has the Avengers and then there are teams like the Defenders that take on threats smaller than Thanos or Kang.

[@DrLynch2009]

You never readed Grant Morrison's JLA, right?

[@kingbeauregard]

@@DrLynch2009 I read some of it; I recall that Aquaman was pretty good at stopping one White Martian. (Then Batman walked in with four of them.) But overall, Aquaman's telepathy is way weaker than a Martian's, so he got lucky on that one. I read all of Peter David's run, and i remember when PAD increased his telepathic powers to insane levels like his Atlantean ancestor. But those sorts of changes never stick; because they feel like an add-on to the character. Aquaman is one of those characters who should be fine as is -- one of the five survivors of the Golden Age (Superman / Batman / Wonder Woman / Green Arrow are the others) -- we just need to put him in a less unflattering context.

[@joetadlas9375]

This is what made justice league unlimited (animated show) really great. It didn't focus on the trinity, it featured lesser known heroes in their own adventures.

[@christopherpyles5568]

This reminds me of when three kryptonians attacked the watchtower and one, punches aquaman across the room while the rest of the justice league unlimited rush in. As aquaman was getting up, batman tells him to be careful that they were stronger than he was. Aquaman laughs, and says simply that has yet to be seen. He then dives in the middle and kicks the crap out of the invaders. Aquaman has gone against the entire justice league before he became a founder in later installments. He attacks the surface for all the polluting and a nuclear sub attack on atlantice. He took on superman, wonder woman, and superman at the same time. He beat them so badly and even made one of the first times superman ever bleeds. Martian man hunter once pushed aquaman too far, this during the water bearer installment of aquaman, and aquaman nearly put the Martian to death. After letting him live, man hunter claims Arthur wouldn't stand a chance against superman, and Arthur just smirks as he steps over the beaten Martian.

[@MrSafior]

@@christopherpyles5568 That wasn't Kryptonian. That was evil version of the Marvel from earth 3.

[@LupineShadowOmega]

Answer, his first appearance when he basically punched the shit out of a Nazi submarine.

[@antthomas7916]

@johnmburt1960It's not that they're back, they never really disappeared. Due to certain politicians and the political climate, they're just more brazen and out in the open now.

[@MusaMansu]

Trump and the overwhelming majority of his supporters aren’t Nazis. Half of his family is Jewish.

[@LupineShadowOmega]

@@MusaMansu crazy I know, but I don't remember anyone calling anyone a Nazi. And even if you somehow got that from Ant Thomas's statement, you basically created your own strawman here and argued against it...

[@somerandofilipino6957]

@johnmburt1960 Problem is, the ones getting punched are the furthest thing from actual Nazis.

[@MusaMansu]

Who else Ken he referring to when Ben says the nazis are back. Who else could he be referring to?

[@vincentfranklin17]

Arthur Curry has always been a badass! Screw Robot Chicken, and Family Guy! If you can pick up a damn POLAR BEAR, and throw it at poachers, you are a BADASS!

[@DrLynch2009]

You forgotten the single greatest contribution to "making" Aquaman a badass: Grant Morrison's JLA.

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

That's where I liked him best for sure.

[@TuanNguyen-ko9wz]

That moment when Aquaman telepathically triggers a minor stroke on a White Martian

[@pettespizzaparlor3245]

Morrison just continued the themes started by Peter David, in the mid-90's. Continued and streangthend.

[@JR-ju3kj]

@@pettespizzaparlor3245 That's what I was about to say before I read your post. Peter David's run on the Aquaman books in the 1990s, Grant Morrison's JLA AND Geoff John's work on the Aquaman comics from ''The New 52'' all cumulatively helped to make Aquaman a bad-ass. But the fans always knew all along that Aquaman is a bad-ass, now people in the general audience who don't read comic books are finding out what the fans already knew.

[@pettespizzaparlor3245]

@J R. YES. and a shout out to Geoff Johns N52 Aquaman run, (one of the better N52 titles), first 2 pages and he FLIPS AN ARMORED TRUCK!! (plus dealing with the "talking to fish" thing) very well handled. I also think that as we move farther and farther away from the '70s SuperFriends cartoon, more and more people are remembering him from the '90s Justice League cartoon instead.

[@ImranKhan-kn5sz]

Peter David's Aquaman work was some of the best of all the 90's comics. I grew up reading it and it was a lot of fun. It should be required reading for anyone trying to get into Aquaman.

[@macsnafu]

"When Did Aquaman Become a Badass?" Short answer: when his arm was replaced by a hook. Also, Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy, and Jim Aparo, especially Jim Aparo!

[@jondunmore4268]

Jim Aparo fan!!! OOHHH YEEESSS! The greatest superhero artist! I always loved his smooth-lined, sensual, action-pose Batman!!!

[@RamManNo1]

I was really surprised no mention of Skeates and Aparos run

[@TF2Fan101]

Why do people keep forgetting this character's portrayal in the Justice League Animated Series? Because that version was pretty awesome.

[@omiorahman6283]

Tf2fan101 animated series Arthur was a Man.

[@omiorahman6283]

@A.A. V that's assuming he didn't read any comics

[@omiorahman6283]

Tf2fan people are not allowed to talk about animated aqua man from justice league that was awesome.

[@michaelwayman9600]

He does briefly mention the animated series, but he’s addressing more of the comic book source material more.

[@jacobstaten2366]

He was lame then too.

[@maybelive765]

Not gonna lie, if aquaman acts like a drunken fisherman in the movie, imma love it.

[@ΦραγκισκοςΧαλκιαδακης]

Yes he act

[@gold190175]

@johnmburt1960 You've got a better imagination than the hacks working on the DC movies.

[@johnmooney5829]

@johnmburt1960 I would add in Beast Boy/ Changeling to the hero's' roster: His adaptability with his aquatic forms could be very bene-fish-ial(yes, pun very much intended).

[@gold190175]

@johnmburt1960 Great idea for a story. Do you post it on some social media fan fiction subsite?

[@gold190175]

@johnmburt1960 I'd definitely want to read that series. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

I don’t know how Marvel didn’t sue in the ‘60s when Aquaman was given practically the exact same origin as Namor the Sub-Mariner…

[@NUCLEARDASH]

If marvel sue dc cause of copycats characters, or vice versa, there would be an war of sues after sues cause they copy each other all the time

[@josiahdensby2053]

My favorite interpretations been the rebirth Aquaman. He's commanding, but compassionate. He wants to be the best husband and leader he can be, but knows he can't be the king his people need. It's a tragic reflection of a monarchy that doesn't make him seem entitled, but makes him seem trapped

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

I've always loved Aquamans blue costume more than his OG one. But I get it, his original design is too iconic

[@oliverl.5834]

I liked Aquaman best when Aparo did the artwork. I've read them when I was a kid and rediscovered them a couple of years ago. I was quite suprised how good they were.

[@cdubbart]

No talk of the water hand, huh?

[@eladiocofresi5202]

My favorite comic book run by Peter David was Young Justice. While the series has dated itself with references, he was able to capture a balance between light hearted and serious issues. Arrowette tried living vicariously through her daughter. An entire issue was written with no dialogue. Lobo tried going on a date with Empress. Arrowette’s tried avenging a death, to be reminded to do what is right (this story also contains a ridiculously funny moment where she says she is a villain and will have to get cleavage.) As a Teen Titans fan, I would love to see more moments of kids being kids. With a new Young Justice comic book debuting next month (and bringing back Kon-El,) I hope the light hearted spirit remains.

[@gustavgnoettgen]

Metalocalypse: "Go into the water Live there Die there" (THIS ALBUM IS INTENDED FOR FISH ONLY)

[@HughMansonMD]

*HAMMER!?* ☑ *GLOVES!?* ☑ *AXE!?* ☑

[@Elementa2006]

My favorite version of Aquaman is the Batman Brave And The Bold Aquaman, imagine Aquaman with the larger than life persona of Brian Blessed.

[@jandrewworld]

#AngryFishJesus

[@BowmansWorld]

I hate dc “fans” who always thought he was a loser. Aquaman has always been a beast in the comics.

[@PotatoOnAQuest]

BowmansWorld, same. I even like the gold and silver age Aquaman even if it is cheesy! Haters gonna hate!

[@johnjohnson7004]

Think super friends. He was perceived as lame because all he did was talk to fish. That’s why he gets a bad rep. But he has so many other abilities that people don’t get told very much.

[@BowmansWorld]

@@johnjohnson7004 Ya which is why i said he has always been a beast in the comics. Casuals dont know whats up.

[@jacobstaten2366]

No, he was the Star Scream of DC. He's always been a D loster until now. FYI, people disagreeing with your unpopular opinion doesn't mean they're not fans. They're just fans of more interesting characters.

[@BowmansWorld]

@@jacobstaten2366 What a fucking idiot. Arthur has been a member of every single justice league incarnation. Has been in films and cartoons, and has some of the most interesting stories in comics. You are just a dumbass casual that has never bothered to learn about the character. True DC fans know he has always been awesome. he can kick superman and batman's ass.

[@mariogreen2213]

Man you’re intros get better and better every time.

[@lukebaldock4672]

The peter David Aquaman is my favorite, and the art alone is worth the price of admission.

[@martine8056]

Thanks Luke!

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Has it been done in trades? I will have to check.

[@vpaulbartilucci8544]

Aquaman was always badass. The PAD "mid-life crisis" version of the character was a low point in my opinion.

[@poeterritory]

You know, even though i never did it, I seriously thought that jumping off the balcony with an umbrella would allow me to float like Mary Poppins.

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

I tried yelling into a bag to see if I could store it like that old Droopy cartoon by Tex Avery.

[@dopenasty187s]

It does for sure. Try it. I guarantee it. Or maybe not, I don't know.

[@gin3868]

Poe Territory You were a stupid child

[@poeterritory]

@@gin3868 Maybe, but not stupid enough to insult someone, not knowing the first thing about them. :)

[@onyeokegbe1962]

Poe Territory YESS. I did the same thing thinking I was the penguin. I also tried to hypnotize my brother by spinning my umbrella

[@lucianganea3034]

2:43 Well I tried to wall climb or shoot webs when I was a child

[@michaelpecukonis5074]

Me too.... But its because I knew I could not fly. Well thats after falling off my shed in my wheelchair :/ .

[@hyperion3145]

@@michaelpecukonis5074 Did you try telepathy?

[@ronniec8218]

Your theme song gets my feet tapping and fingers snapping every time.

[@georgetinker1292]

I loved how David made him almost like Namor. But,different. His nobility is a lot different from the sub mariner. He's more noble. And,I think what changed for his character was adding his struggles of being a king,hero and husband. The crown is heavy...

[@charliewenger7682]

funny how each aquaman backstory progressively become closer to Namor's original one from 1939.

[@salvation7362]

Like Riker in ST:TNG it was all about the beard... pop it in and don't mention how or why. Just let the beard do the rest.

[@markleach679]

Hilarious opening and as usual excellent in-depth episode, well done.

[@arkasubhroc2]

Chris/Fat Aquaman/Faquaman managing to up the ante with every video opening ......

[@doctorsam5771]

If you read John's new 52 run, you'd know that Arthur Curry's been a force to reckon with since 2011.

[@edwarddillon5886]

"When Did Aquaman Become a Badass?" I was just wondering this a few hours ago.

[@fury5500]

I love water hand aquaman so much, i hope they introduce that in again at some point.

[@everettst.claire870]

My favorite Aquaman series was his Geoff Johns written New 52 run. As far as his look goes, I really like how he's portrayed in the Zack Snyder films.

[@mysteryneophyte]

This is my favourite KZbin channel about comicbooks, it's one of my favourites in general for real. 😸✌️

[@PhillipCummingsUSA]

Hopefully your channel pays for itself.

[@Jay-sy4kd]

maybe he should complain about sjw politics and ask for donations

[@omiorahman6283]

@@Jay-sy4kd you meant tell the truth of what's currently going on in the comic industry and the issues so huge that shops are getting toys r us-ed.

[@toolwatchbldm7461]

I'm sure it does. Unlike other garbage channels that pretend to talk about comics to preach his political view like a jehova witness. They don't even love comics

[@Jay-sy4kd]

@@omiorahman6283 grow up

[@Jay-sy4kd]

@Silver Star I don't keep up on comicsgate cucks my bad, have you watched the news lately?

[@jettcord6834]

That was a great opening, and great video!

[@shinigami146]

Great history and commentary!! I am a little surprised that you didn't mention Flashpoint where it is shown just how much of a badass he can be. It showed that he was one of the most powerful characters on Earth in the DCU. Yes, it was an alternate universe crossover event but it was still Aquaman with no added abilities. IMO, this showed just how powerful he can be when given the right circumstances and motivations.

[@ecclairmayo4153]

Good information, I love to see how characters evolve. Thank you!

[@Spikex1]

Rick Veitch's Aquaman stuff that introduced Aquaman's water hand was the best, and continued on with other writers like John Arcudi (The Mask) and stories like Sub Diego. Not known for rugged badassery with a beard like David's run, but for sheer quality? The whole era of the water hand and the community of Sub Diego is wonderful. Unfortunate that that period is kind of slipping between the cracks as most people nowadays seem to only really talk about Johns' New 52 run or Peter David's bearded badass run when the subject of memorable Aquaman comics comes up.

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

When did Veitch do Aquaman? I missed that one and i have followed Veitch pretty close over the years. Just thought i'd ask.

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

Nevermind, i googled it. It was during my protracted divorce, so that explains why i missed it.

[@samuelchristie570]

Sub Diego was great. I felt Arcudi dropped the ball a bit picking up from where Will Pfeiffer left off, though

[@mariod1547]

I need to check that out. Thanks

[@eliotdelacruzkriviski8390]

Definitely a more realized character with a better supporting cast.

[@Benjieboy247]

Your videos get better and better, keep up the great work!

[@TheAmbitiousFilms]

The New 52 and Rebirth versions are my favorite

[@GonzoCiosain]

I would argue that Aquaman has always been a badass because the open ocean is absolutely terrifying. Think about it: just on the surface you have landless expanses the size of continents in all directions, and beneath that, unfathomable cubic miles of territory that humans have never explored in person.

[@jacobstaten2366]

That's just the potential he never lived up to.

[@zachpitcher5800]

I’m from Bermuda, grew up on the water so I always thought it was cool to talk to fish as a kid

[@ryancresawn4726]

My uncle actually jumped off of a telephone pole because he thought he was Superman. Full body cast at 8 or 9 years old. He's still dumb.

[@maryfrancess93]

Honestly, why can't he be both badass and a wholesome meme? It's like characters can't be fun at all. Just one or the other. Weak writing.

[@derekgreen7319]

I think the peter david run is great and criminally underrated. It should have a omnibus and in my opinion is essential reading for dc fans

[@fad23]

I LOVE The Atlantis Chronicles! I picked those up probably a couple years after they were released. That might be my intro to Peter David.

[@ShinKyuubi]

Maybe it's just cause in the Greek Zodiac I'm a Cancer, but I have a bit of a soft spot for Aquaman. Yeah I'm not the biggest fan but that's more cause I rarely read comics so I'm more influenced by the shows and games. Depending on which version of the guy you get he's a lot scarier to face than people expect..as mentioned in the video the old Super Friends cartoon really stuck with people in how they see him and because of that he's considered a joke of a character at times. I like the less all powerful or well known heroes from time to time, that's why I'm a fan of the gadget users more than anything for DC and have a rather strong dislike for Superman..but Aquaman and Flash are still two of my favorite DC heroes along with the Bat family and Green Arrow.

[@DrLynch2009]

"That i's called rape"... and incest. Atlan was Atlanna great-great grandfather.

[@MateusDrake]

Geoff John's and Dan Abnett's runs on Aquaman are my favorites. I think the world building and character development from these superb writers were amazing. Even when the stories weren't all that amazing (Specially during the later days of the New 52), the character work was on point. My gf and I both fell in love with Orm due to Geoff's earlier arcs, culminating in the JL crossover (which Johns was also helming at the time) Throne of Atlantis. Orm also had an amazing epilogue during Forever Evil's Villains Month... Peter David's run has an awesome Aquaman, OK supporting cast, great stories, excellent Atlantis and political intrigue, but I do feel it lacks a lot of what Johns and Abnett brought to the table, specially regarding the supporting cast, villains and the dichotomy and depth of a badass, but always underestimated Aquaman. (Peter David's was mostly just a badass)

[@mihalis483]

Just returned from the aquaman movie, it was a ton of fun and quite good

[@jazzapplecider]

Ah, yes, Aquaman and his evil doppelganger, Thanos Toes

[@stephencoppins9467]

Though I never attempted to breathe underwater, I always pretended to be Aquaman swimming laps underwater at the local public swimming pool. Respect to the King of the Seven Seas (even before he became a “badass”)! I always assumed the badass look was just cashing in on the extreme 90s looks, that a lot of other characters were going through at the time.

[@cephasoj108]

Your intros are so freaking funny

[@gentlepapa1033]

Great video as always, informative and entertaining! I go way back with Aquaman and fell in love with Nick Cardy's Mera. Jim Aparo was also superb. While the bad ass run was, in a way needed, my favorite creative team is Johns and Reis.

[@dadeleemurphy85]

Aquaman has ALWAYS been cool. The Stigma is solely from the Superfriends Cartoon. Which you pointed out right off the bat. Thank you for that.

[@dadeleemurphy85]

I also have to Admit; my first Aquaman comic was the 1986 POST Crisis version. Which I liked the Blue Outfit.

[@jacobstaten2366]

He was lame then too. He's the Star Scream of DC.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

I always liked that underwater camo suit and thought it should've stayed.

[@lindoluciano431]

Really now... a knowledgable guy like "faquaman" - not mentioning any of the key names that actually showed how badass Aquaman really was, FIRST: Steve Skeates, Jim Aparo and David Michelinie. Heck, even Paul Levitz, Dick Giordano and Bob Haney wrote awesome tales showing off Aquaman 's true potential! And his greatest run was by Michelinie and Aparo - PAD is second, really and Johns third

[@pkmcburroughs]

A guy I used to work with thinks an actual underwater civilization called Atlantis really existed. And those pictures we've all seen of mythological creatures, like the Minotaur, for example, that combine human and animal parts? Yeah. He thought that was the result of super-advanced, Atlantean gene splicing technology. Just saying. And, no, I'm not joking.

[@LARKXHIN]

I expected "Oh Hi! You Caught me being Aquaman."

[@BarryFrancis]

Boy, Aquaman has really let himself go! Lol

[@terhiherukka2476]

Barry Francis you could say he’s fatquaman

[@macsnafu]

Too many of McDonald's Fish Filet sandwiches.

[@sdh2383]

the cringiest opening yet. i love it

[@lewislovelord8977]

Aquaman isn't a tough guy and they have never convinced me otherwise. Mamoa is dope but he'd be a better Lobo. Aquaman is The Deep.

[@KLeo-ss1kn]

Aquaman has always been a good character. It's just some idiot came up with that stupid, unfunny 'talks to fish' crap joke.

[@burimtafilica4933]

Children imitating Superman is true. I had a classmate who jumped from the third floor after watching superman. He used a red tablecloth for cape. He fell on a car with his head and had a huge scar across his skull as a result. He survived pretty well.

[@racekitty]

As someone who never grew up with the super friends version and instead grew up with the badass king in the justice league show who in his first appearance sacrifice his own hand to save his son I've always liked Aquaman.

[@Durermac]

There is no such thing as a bad character(s) - only bad writer(s).

[@TrumpCardMAGA]

If Aquaman had to be in contact with water to not loose his powers couldn't he just piss on himself to resolve the weakness? I could see a story line where he's getting beat up because he's gotten so dry because he's on land, and he convinces the other heros to gather around him and provide him with enough golden showers to restore his powers.

[@bobgarlen]

It's sad that the movie has given the most interesting and well developed version of Aquaman's origin. Would love to see Momoa's Aquaman lose his hand in a movie.

[@jamesspinner7764]

Peter David wrote more than just comics. He wrote alot of books. Alot of GOOD books.

[@DocDevious23]

The fact they didn't call the connection of ocean life 'The Blue' to coincide with the Red and the Green is a missed opportunity that irrationally bugs me

[@ReaperXC]

You skipped the sword and sorcery run! Abnett and DeConnick had good runs also.

[@rn6312]

Aquaman hanging out in Detroit with the crappy JLA at the time will always be funny

[@Phoenix5365]

The most impressive thing Aquaman ever did in the Superfriends that stands out in my memory was some crisis that had him at the beach to fortify against an assault. He tore the shovel off a bulldozer and ran off with it to get to work. No crush depth, no bends, super strong/tough, super senses, telepath...and now a waterbender, too! When wasn't he a badass? Well done recounting. I was around for a lot of those and have them in my collection. No disputes here.

[@kempmt1]

I would also like to recommend the Aquaman on Justice League cartoon, you know, the long blonde hair, big muscle, beard, the missing left hand, and a permanent frown. Plus, he had issues with the surface world screwing up his oceans.

[@TheyDarthElmo]

I'd love to see augaman take on some Lovecraftian Eldritch horrors.

[@Shatterglass23]

Aquaman is still lame to me but the actor gives him life on the silver screen

[@KamisamanoOtaku]

I've never been an Aquaman reader, but considering these four iterations each as a "baseline", I'd say the newest is the strongest. Going to be blunt; just the fact that Aquaman cannot _really_ talk with most marine life because they aren't intelligent enough to hold a conversation takes care of a huge snag that would ruin my suspension of disbelief. I was once pretty fond of Peter David, and I like a good chunk of what he did, but I pretty much *hate* the concepts of "The Red", "The Green", "The Blue", etc. for DC elementals. Peter David's take on Aquaman is part of what gave me some appreciation for the character. I *liked* the ideas Peter David often began with but didn't take to quite as logical of a conclusion as I'd like e.g. telepathic powers good, still having the fish "talk" to Aquaman bad. XP Oh, and though I am not a reader of the current - pardon the pun - Aquaman, I'm not reading *anything* Marvel or DC or even "other" right now due to a severe budget crunch. ^^'

[@AmityvilleFan]

For me, the short answer is, with the New 52 Swamp Thing crossover.

[@sage4all2000]

I thought Aquaman rode a large seahorse, not a dolphin. He also had a partner...Aqualad. And what about those "water balls", he used to throw at enemies?

[@TB-to8uy]

He's had some great runs, even before PAD. What makes that series special is how accessible and markeatable it was which increased his popularity the "right" way.

[@221b]

Aquaman became a badass in November of 1941 and stayed that way until the writers got self-conscious and tried to darkngritty him up.

[@bigghoww]

I don't know anyone that buys or reads Aquaman comic books.

[@Gerald22222]

I know no one cars but I have a Lego figure of cool comic Aquaman

[@Principles_of_Psychology]

Great video, well-researched overview of Aquaman. As one of the lesser known Golden Age characters, he was largely an unknown. As a kid, I read some reprints of the classic version which I liked at the time. So thanks for enlightening us on the somewhat convoluted history of Aquaman!

[@LadyHawke78]

Curious as to your thoughts on Dan Abnett’s current run. (AND, do you think Kelly Sue DeConnick is going to COMPLETELY ruin this character when she takes over?)

[@littleindio]

Pardon sir, I’m in the process of trying to write a comic book, and your videos help a lot. I did have a question, can you do a video on tropes of paranormal investigators like preacher or Constantine?

[@andrewt6338]

I liked the Dan Jurgens run.