Aquaman was first introduced in the Golden Age when DC Comics hit a boom period, and it wasn't long before the aquatic hero came swimming in. Like everyone not named Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman, Aquaman faded away with time, but would return come the Silver Age. Arthur Curry joined the ranks of DC heroes new and old, becoming a part of the Justice League's Big Seven and an icon in his own right.
Over the years, Aquaman's popularity has ebbed and flowed through countless comics and adaptations. During this period, the character experienced some major milestones, each of which would help redefine his arc, history, and mythos. Aquaman has been around a long time, but he wouldn't be who he is today without these events.
10 Aquaman Helps Found The Justice League
The Brave And The Bold (Vol. 1) #28, By Writer Gardner Fox, Artist Mike Sekowsky, Inker Bernard Sachs, Joe Giella, And Murphy Anderson, And Letterer Gaspar Saladino
The Justice League changed the DC Universe, bringing together a team with the same concept as the Justice Society. Fox and company redefined what superhero comics could be in the Silver Age. Honestly, Aquaman got lucky that he even made it into the group, as the character's popularity was usually mild at best.
Even then, Aquaman's place in the Justice League cemented his role within DC Comics' most important club. He became an integral part of the publisher's greatest team, something that took a character who was never the most important and made him a big deal.
9 Aqualad's First Appearance
Adventure Comics #269, By Writers Jerry Siegel And Robert Bernstein, Artists/Inkers/Letterers George Papp, Lee Elias, And Ramona Fradon
Many DC heroes got sidekicks after Batman & Robin's success. Some took longer than others, which was the case with Aqualad. Aquaman had premiered in the 1940s, but Aqualad wouldn't make his debut until 1960 in Adventure Comics #259, in the story, "The Kid From Atlantis!" He quickly became an extremely important part of the Aquaman mythos and was even a founding Teen Titan.
For years, Aqualad was Aquaman's main partner and Garth of Atlantis was inextricably linked to the Sea King. Much like his mentor, Aqualad's changed a lot over the years. It's impossible to picture DC's Atlantis without Aqualad at this point.
8 Aquaman's First Solo Starring Title
Aquaman Vol. 1 #1, By Writer Jack Miller And Artist/Inker/Letterer Nick Cardy
Unlike many of his Golden Age compatriots, it took a long time for Aquaman to get his own solo series. For years, he guest starred in back-ups in Adventure Comics, but 1962 would change all of that. Aquaman (Vol. 1) #1 gave Aquaman his first big starring role as a solo hero, pitting him against the menace of the Fire-Trolls.
Without a solo book, Aquaman would have been just another guest star or back-up hero in DC's roster and he never would have joined the Justice League. Aquaman's first ongoing comic presaged many great volumes and runs that would define Aquaman in the years to come.
7 Aqualad II Becomes Aquaman
The Aquaman: The Becoming #1-6, By Writer Brandon Thomas, Artist Diego Olortegui, Inker Wade Van Grawbadger, Colorist Adriano Lucas, And Letterer Andworld Design
Aqualad II and Black Manta's familial relationship is pretty bad, but luckily Jackson Hyde had Aquaman on his side. Joining up with his father's greatest enemy, Hyde used his hydrokinesis, electrokinesis, and superhuman abilities to battle the greatest enemies the surface and the deeps had seen.
Aquaman: The Becoming was Jackson's first shot at the big time, starring in the story that would see him become Aquaman. An Aqualad had never become Aquaman before, so The Becoming is a huge deal. Hyde is a fan favorite character courtesy of Young Justice. Having two Aquamen around is better than one, and The Becoming kicked that off.
6 Ocean Master's First Appearance
Aquaman (Vol. 1) #29, By Writer Bob Haney, Artist/Inker Nick Cardy
Ocean Master is Aquaman's evil brother, and his first actual archenemy. Before this, none of Aquaman's villains were as important or as imposing as Ocean Master. As Arthur's half-brother, Orm is jealous of his royal sibling and has attacked Atlantis countless times in his attempts to usurp Aquaman's place as monarch.
Ocean Master is Aquaman's evil foil, a villain who has the same powers and skills, but inverted morality. Ocean Master's appearance finally gave Aquaman a great villain – something which the character definitely needed at the time – and added a lot to the Aquaman mythos over the years. Ocean Master's presence has allowed Aquaman stories to reach Shakespearean levels of intrigue, drama, and tension.
5 Black Manta's First Appearance
Aquaman (Vol. 1) #35, By Writer Bob Haney And Artist/Inker Nick Cardy
Black Manta and Aquaman's rivalry would see each of them steal the others' child, just in very different ways. Manta was the second major Aquaman villain introduced and is often regarded by fans as Aquaman's main foe. Much like Ocean Master, he has his own reasons for hating Aquaman – and vice versa – making their rivalry just as iconic as the one between Arthur and Orm.
Manta would go on to kill Arthur Jr., join the Legion Of Doom/Secret Society of Supervillains/Injustice League, and basically make Aquaman's life impossible. His battles with the King of Atlantis are violent affairs full of blood. Black Manta and Aquaman genuinely hate each other, a hatred born in Aquaman (Vol. 1) #35.
4 Aquaman And Mera's Wedding
Aquaman (Vol. 1) #18, By Writer Jack Miller And Artist/Inker Nick Cardy
The marriage between Aquaman and Mera holds a special place in DC lore. Aquaman (Vol. 1) #18 gave readers the first actual superhero wedding on-page. Arthur and Mera weren't comics' first married couple, but they still hold an important place in DC history. Their relationship became an essential part of Aquaman history, and has only become more important as time went by.
Aquaman became so entwined with Mera, that DC's way of bringing him back to basics was making the two get married again. Aquaman has been through a lot over the last few years, and it's impossible to picture any of it without Mera. She's an integral part of his stories, and their first wedding set the stage for that.
3 The Death Of Arthur Junior
Adventure Comics (Vol. 1) #452, By Writer David Michelinie, Artist Jim Aparo, Colorist Jimmy Serpe, And Letters By Aparo
Aquaman and Mera progressed as a married couple and eventually had a baby, Arthur Jr. This was a joyous event, but it would lead to a pretty dark place. Young Arthur Jr. got caught up in his father's world and paid the price. Black Manta killed the infant, an especially dark direction for a Bronze Age comic that changed Aquaman forever.
This moment more or less solidified Black Manta as Aquaman's greatest foe. He reached the next level in a brutal event that would have wide-ranging repercussions for Aquaman, Mera, and all of Atlantis. Arthur Jr.'s death is a pivotal moment that still influences Aquaman to this day.
2 Aquaman Loses His Left Hand
Aquaman (Vol. 5) #2, By Writer Peter David, Artist Martin Egeland, Inker Brad Vancata, Colorist Tom McCraw, And Letterer Dan Nakrosis
The '90s were a weird time for DC Comics. Breaking their icons became the norm, and even Aquaman couldn't escape from this. Aquaman (Vol. 5) #2, a part of writer Peter David's character redefining run on Aquaman, pits Charybdis and Aquaman into a brutal battle, one made all the bloodier when Charybdis sticks Aquaman's hand into piranha infested waters.
The loss of Aquaman's left hand was a huge status quo change for the character. Arthur got a hook hand and had an all new attitude to go with it. Peter David's run on Aquaman saw him act as an underwater warrior king, battling gods and the threats of the deep. The run gave the character a short renaissance in the '90s, which is just another feather in David's cap.
1 Geoff Johns Relaunches Aquaman For The New 52
Aquaman (Vol. 7) #1, By Writer Geoff Johns, Artist Ivan Reis, Inker Joe Prado, Colorist Rod Reis, And Letterer Nick J. Napolitano
Geoff Johns was '00s DC's golden boy, but that didn't last forever. By the time the New 52 reboot rolled around, Johns' powers were seemingly waning, with Green Lantern starting to underwhelm and Justice League more flash than substance. However, he also relaunched Aquaman (Vol. 7) during this time period to critical acclaim.
It all began with the first issue. Johns sets up a classic status quo for the king of Atlantis and then throws an entirely new threat at him. Johns was the shot in the arm Aquaman needed, showing readers he was more than just the guy who talked to fish. Aquaman (Vol. 7) #1 is a brilliant first issue and led to the best run Johns penned in the '10s. It remains a triumph and changed the way most fans think about Aquaman.