50 Greatest Super Heroes In Comic Book History
By FanSided
18. Aquaman
(Write-up by Nick Tylwalk, Bam Smack Pow Editor)
I might be dating myself a bit with this reference, but Aquaman has a little bit of the Rodney Dangerfield syndrome going on. It’s been awfully tough for him to get respect, even though he’s one of the most powerful and regal (as in, he’s really a king) super heroes on the DC roster. Even in his most recent revamp at the hands of Geoff Johns, there was a bit of a running joke about how he was a running joke.
Defenders usually point out how he could go toe-to-toe with the most powerful Justice Leaguers and give them a good fight or turn into apologists for his ability to “talk to fish.” They shouldn’t have to, though, as Arthur is a character with a richness and complexity that goes far beyond his power set. Like others on this list, he takes fantasy elements and presents them in a relatable manner thanks to his Atlantean heritage. Who hasn’t felt torn between two very different worlds or felt pressured to accept a legacy that might be unwanted?
It’s easy to forget that Aquaman is also a leader, shepherding the Justice League through a period when most of its heavy hitters had left the team. Sadly, the “Justice League Detroit” era also helps contribute to his reputation, and he ended up handing the reins to Martian Manhunter due to trouble at home.
This is probably a good place to mention that despite the fact that it’s composed of two superhumans born of mythical undersea races, the Aquaman-Mera relationship always struck me as one of the more realistic ones in super hero comics. They love, they argue, they sometimes call it quits for a bit, but they eventually find their way back to each other. That’s something that happens in real life, minus the super powers.
Maybe his upcoming shot at the movies — starring Jason Momoa, not Adrian Grenier/Vincent Chase — will get Aquaman some of the props that are rightfully his. If so, he could be moving up this list in the future, and that would be nice to see.
Next: No. 17: The ever-lovin', blue-eyed one