Pitch This!: Aquaman
Aside from perhaps Martian Manhunter, Aquaman is quite possibly the most maligned member of the big 7 Justice League. The reason being has been given many a time, his power set, his costume, his personality. The truth is there is never a bad character, just writers who cannot make that character exciting. Jeff and I are done with hearing “Aquaman sucks.” It’s time we made him as epic as Superman and Batman. So, we give you Pitch This: Aquaman. The incestual Wonder Twins have more street cred compared to Aquaman. Not only do we want to make Aquaman viable to today’s readers but also create a franchise that the character deserves. We work him how DC recently did Hal Jordan. Restructure his comic series, then a direct to DVD animated feature and then maybe, a live action movie. Why in that order? Because the comics need to have a streamlined origin and characters so people can easily, pardon the pun, dive into the ocean of awesome that is Aquaman.
Lets start with the fact that Aquaman is not Namor, Marvel’s Sub-Mariner. He is his own person, a man of two worlds. He was raised by humans, but is quite proud of his Atlantean heritage. Arthur has an innate honor and nobility that are key to him one day being almost an ambassador between Atlantis and the surface world. Sure, he can sometimes be arrogant, but he does love both races. His arrogance comes from being also a bit of an outsider to both races. Humans see him as an alien, Atlanteans see him as their personal anti-Christ. His arrogance is pure frustration that two species that he loves cannot get along. It’s the frustration some outsiders have to the Middle East. If you want realism with a dash of fantasy, that’s your parallel.
The primary power that he gets ridiculed for in pop culture and amongst fanboys is the “ability to talk to fish.” The ability is much more than this. In fact, the ability is telepathy with all aquatic life. That means mind control, empathy, memory access, and communication with all aquatic life. That’s all sea life, but mostly the animals, Atlanteans, even an affinity to plant life. He can survive to the deepest depths of the ocean, therefore he is plenty strong and invulnerable. Finally, lets talk about how he works on the surface. Arthur is quite literally adept at breathing air as water, as both worlds are his home. Nuff said.
Briefly, lets talk about Atlantis. Atlantis has always been somewhat alien and unrelatable to the reader. In order to create some sort of relatability, the magic system of Atlantis has been lost to science except for a select few priests and those that can delve into the background. True magic is lost in Atlantis but much of the old ways are a basis of religion. Atlantis is a modern society, but the look is distinctly underwater. Everything is in bright colors and their main source of energy is the magma of the Earth.
How exactly do you reconstruct the franchise? Following Geoff John’s suit, I suggest launching a Rebirth and Secret Origins mini-series. Lets start with the beginning. Secret Origins would reintroduce the reader to Aquaman as well as clear up any continuity issues that would arise with the relaunch. Aquaman is one of DC Comic’s bigger characters that no one would really care for if there were changes in his origin as long as the story was good. Secret Origins would simplify and retell Aquaman’s origin in a 5 issue run. Themes that would need to be explored? His connection to the surface world as well as Atlantean heritage, his surface world life, his rise to power in Atlantis, and his introduction as a superhero to the DC Universe.
This brings us to Aquaman Rebirth. A 5 issue mini-series that would bring back Aquaman from the dead. Many may know now that Aquaman appeared as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night and raised a bunch of undead sharks to wipe out Atlantean military forces. Rebirth would take place after Blackest Night with the fallen King resurrected. What has happen to Atlantis since the King has been gone? Who has come to the kingdom in his image claiming to be the fallen king? Rebirth would show not only Aquaman’s place in the DC Universe but where Atlantis fits into the larger universe. What would Rebirth build that would allow a relaunch of a full fledged title? Political and religious themes galore.
What exactly what a full fledged Aquaman title do for the character? Solidify his importance to DC Comics. The first arc would have to pick up right where Rebirth left off. Following the first arc, reintroducing Aquaman’s rogues gallery as well as building newer threats that are essential to the character. Taking him on a Batman: Hush style story arc that would pit him against foes and team him up with friends. Re-establishing Aquaman’s place in the DC Universe is key to creating a franchise that would allow TV and movie spin offs.
Aquaman is a character that is far from being lame. Often tied down by fantasy lore and magic if often makes most newer comic readers and even regulars shy away. Modernizing Atlantis, creating a real society with parallels to our own, political and religious themes wrapped up in a superhero world would get Aquaman passed the “Superfriends” phase. What do you guys think? Would you read Aquaman now? Still think he sucks? Let us know! By the way, Jeff and I have Aquaman Secret Origins and Rebirth all plotted out. If you guys are interested in reading that, let us know!
11 Responses to “Pitch This!: Aquaman”
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Great article! Zombie fish for the win? A secret origins and rebirth for Aquaman would be pretty neat.
Well, I’ve never read a single Aquaman comic, but these concepts would get me reading them much like I’ve been getting into Green Lantern with his recent arcs. I would love to read these stories and I hope DC gets the message soon that this could work if done right.
“The truth is there is never a bad character, just writers who cannot make that character exciting.”
O rly?
Rebuddle: Squirrel Girl.
The floor’s yours.
She took out Dr. Doom.
…touche
Excellent post, couldn’t agree more
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Aquaman is my favorite Superhero. I am very interested in your take on the character. I agree with many of the things you have mentioned. I would love to read what you have written.
Hi, Josh. I’m really glad I followed the link from The Aquaman Shrine to here. Your love for Aquaman absolutely shone through this well-reasoned pitch.
My best to you, sir.
Glad you enjoyed the pitch. I can’t take full credit as Senior Editor Jeff Adams co-wrote the pitch.
This Pitch This was roving around our brains for a long time, and just had to come out. I am very happy to hear how much everyone enjoyed it.
I would definitely read this. Granted, I am already a fan of Aquaman, so I would just love for DC to focus on him a bit.