A Deep Look at the King of the Seas

Cult Favorite
A Deep Look at the King of the Seas
By Philip Schweier
December 29, 2006 - 14:35

Like Rodney Dangerfield, Aquaman hasn't gotten a lot of respect over the years since his debut in More Fun Comics #73 (September 1941)

At the peak of his popularity in the late 1960s, he shared the billing on Filmation's Saturday morning program, The Superman/Aquaman Hour. However, the King of the Seas was later replaced by Batman on the cartoon show, and sales of his title from DC began sinking.

Perhaps the problem may be with the basic concept, as Marvel's Sub-Mariner has had his own share of struggles over the years. Despite the earth being 70 percent ocean, there are limited challenges for your average super-hero. No banks being robbed, few people to find themselves in trouble.

Throughout much of the 1970s and '80s, Aquaman continued to be a fish out of water. This may be when the King of the Seas suffered his greatest indignity: indifference. Sure, he was a super-hero, and shared space with his colleagues in Justice League of America, Brave & the Bold, or DC Comics Presents. But he was an also-ran in the eyes of many; someone to fill space between Green Lantern and the Flash on the JLA letters page masthead. His regular title long since canceled, he was featured in Adventure Comics for a while, as well as the occasional re-print special or mini-series.

But then the tide began to turn, and I credit Alex Ross and Mark Waid. In their Kingdom Come series, Aquaman makes a brief appearance, indicating that life as a super-hero was never his goal. Makes complete sense to me. Over the years he was a monarch, a husband, and a father. Was he always to be expected to abandoning his people and family and join the Justice League as they battled some cosmic menace?

This has led to a rising wave of popularity. No longer the Shemp of the DC Universe, the surfacing of this new attitude began to breathe new life into Aquaman. He found himself guesting on the animated Superman series, and later on Justice League, portrayed as a defender against the land-dwellers foolish efforts to exploit the oceans. No longer content to merely tread water, Aquaman began to develop as an appealing anti-hero, rather than a costumed crime fighter.

Despite this added depth to character, Aquaman remains something of a joke in entertainment circles. A spoof, Mermaid Man, showed up on the animated hit series, SpongeBob Squarepants. A Mego action figure from the 1970s was prominently displayed among the collection of The 40-Year Old Virgin. On the HBO series Entourage, a young actor is constantly courted to take the role in the next big super-hero franchise to hit the big screen.

We have a catch-phrase in my home: "We laugh because it's funny and we laugh because it's true." So how long could it have been before Aquaman did make his way to the screen? With a well-received appearance on last season's Smallville, the WB network was interested enough to develop a series pilot much in the same vein, detailing a young Arthur Curry’s discovery of his abilities while coping with life as a teen-ager, wondering who he is and where he comes from. The pilot failed to garner enough support to make it to series, but the character is on the verge of making a return engagement, one night only, on Smallville.

Nevertheless, Aquaman seems poised to move out of the DC's literary kiddie pool. Many characters, such as Green Arrow or Hawkman, who 25 years ago were in the same boat, have grown in stature and respect. His title recently resurrected, Aquaman is undertaking a new direction in the wake of the Infinite Crisis. With such high stakes being gambled on what is arguably a B-character from DC's stable, it becomes a sink or swim situation for Aquaman.

Personally, I like to see the underdog win, and I genuinely hope the Sea King emerges from the depths of obscurity and ridicule to take his place among DC’s royalty once again. Those who feel as I do can join me by taking a peek at the latest issue. Granted, he may not be the Aquaman you remember, and I certainly wouldn’t suggest you continue to buy it if you don’t genuinely enjoy it.

But who knows – you just might.

Scorn and ridicule? Praise and admiration? E-Mail me at philip@comicbookbin.com.