Aquaman can be described as bold and calm headed. As King of the Earth's oceans, he behaves in a very regal and formal manner, especially in his own home.[5] However, he seems to have his soft spots, and he allows disagreement with his command to some degree, if it carries wisdom.[6]
Aquaman seems to respect the abilities of his protégé Aqualad, and even the abilities of his teammates. However, he can at times behave patronizing towards them, though not in an intentionally rude manner. Like many of his Justice League colleagues, Aquaman takes the view that the younger generation is not ready to join the League just yet.[4] After the Team defeated Blockbuster, he changed his mind.[6]
Physical appearance
Aquaman resembles a tall, muscular Caucasian male with short blond hair, a blond beard, and aqua blue eyes. As Aquaman, he wears an orange scale-mail tunic and dark green leggings. At his waist is a gold belt that is clasped with a stylized letter "A", which has a built-in communicator. He also wears golden gauntlets on his wrists, and dark green greaves.[5]
History
Early life
Orin started his career as Aquaman in 2001.[7]In February[8]2003,[9] Aquaman worked together with six other heroes[10] to defeat an Appellaxian invasion, and eventually drove them off the planet.[11]The seven assembled heroes then formed the Justice League,[8] with them as the founding members.[4]
During a battle against Ocean-Master, Aquaman was aided by two students named Garth and Kaldur'ahm. He was so impressed he offered both the opportunity to become his protégé. Garth turned down the offer but Kaldur'ahm accepted and became Aqualad.[5]
They traveled together to the Hall of Justice in Washington, D.C.. After Speedy stormed out, Aquaman insisted that the three remaining sidekicks would eventually be allowed to accompany the League on missions when they were ready. He then joined the League to fight the sorcerer Wotan.[4]
Aquaman was present with the rest of the League following the destruction of Cadmus's ground-level facility. He tried to make Aqualad and the other sidekicks stand down, but was rebuffed.[12]
On their way to Atlantis, Aquaman told Aqualad that he did not hold his apprentice's disobedience against him, and was interested in the idea of a team.[6]
Aquaman welcomed his apprentice back to Atlantis after an absence of two months, and invited him over to dinner. At the banquet, Orin revealed that Queen Mera was expecting a child. He was not able to finish the banquet, as Superman alerted him to an emergency in Tokyo Bay.[5]
During the king's absence, Black Manta and his troops attacked the city. Aquaman thanked his friends and family for guarding the city as best they could, and protecting the queen.[5]
When Orin returned home from another mission with the League, he was pleased to see Aqualad and Orm had defeated Ocean-Master, and foiled the murder of Mera.[14]
Aquaman fought alongside his protégé on a flying air fortress that blanketed part of the United States with snow. He led the charge against one of the fortress's cannons, giving Aqualad the cover needed to strike it with his water-bearer constructs.[18]
Aquaman was present at a League meeting to discuss the induction of new members. He opposed Red Arrow's inclusion, citing his disrespectful behavior. Aquaman also questioned Captain Marvel's suitability after it was revealed that he was really a 10-year-old boy.[19]
Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Flash pursued Red Arrow after the young archer escaped the Watchtower. In the end, Red Arrow escaped via a drainage pipe.[21]
With Green Arrow and Flash, the mind-controlled Aquaman fought their younger protégés. Although the mentors were far stronger, they were hampered by Klarion's control over them and did not fight with their full abilities. The three Leaguers were defeated when Aqualad opened the airlock. They were sucked towards the exit, and knocked unconscious when they slammed against the closing door.[21]
Aquaman traveled to Santa Prisca to investigate high levels of toxic metals in the soil and water.[22] He stumbled upon a digging expedition by the Light near Atabey's Shrine, but before he could alert anyone, he was captured by Bane. Lex Luthor and Black Manta imprisoned him in a special stasis field in the docks. They removed his buckle to use as a lure.
Aqualad and his allies, who were on the island to investigate LexCorp, defeated Black Manta and freed Aquaman. Manta tried a last ditch effort, and lamented what had happened to Kaldur'ahm. He also revealed Aquaman had kept secrets from his protégé. Aquaman quickly changed the subject.
Luthor had escaped on a series of hovercrafts. While the Team made their way across them, Aquaman swam around them, slowing them down. Aqualad returned his king's buckle, but indicated they needed to talk.[23]
Back at the Cave, Aqualad reiterated his need for truth. Aquaman held it off at first, but finally conceded. He only revealed that Calvin Durham wasn't his true father, which was enough for Kaldur to conclude that Black Manta was his father. He ran away angry, while Aquaman tried to reason with him.[23]
Aquaman did not witness the betrayal of his protégé, and only learned from Nightwing that Aqualad joined his father, Black Manta. He could not bring himself to believe it, and blamed himself for withholding the information of his true parentage.[11] He did not know Aqualad was under deep cover within Black Manta's organization.[24]
Aquaman joined the members of the League and the Team in neutralizing Krolotean bases around the world. After Gamma Squad saved the hostages from the Kroloteans' main base, Aquaman arrived on the scene with the rest of the Justice League members and the Team.[25]
After the League learned of the location of the last Krolotean stronghold, they set up a plan of attack. Aquaman and Lagoon Boy were assigned to Beta Squad. They infiltrated Malina Island from the sea, prying open an underwater door and spying in the docks with a periscope. Kaldur'ahm discovered them, and shot his helmet laser at them, but they evaded it. They leaped out of the water to stop the Manta troopers that had started to fire on them.
Aquaman quickly sought out his main foe, but Kaldur'ahm shot him in the shoulder. While he recovered, Lagoon Boy took down Krolotean Mechs. Aquaman recovered, but found himself surrounded by Mechs. Delta Squad destroyed them for him.
Lagoon Boy, in his inflated form, stormed at Kaldur'ahm, giving Aquaman the opportunity to attack him from the flank. Manta's helmet was thrown clear, and Aquaman was shocked to see his former protégé under the mask. Orin and Nightwing tried to reason with Aqualad, but Lagoon Boy saw only enmity and Kaldur'ahm rejected reconciliation. Kaldur escaped, but did notify them of a bomb that was set to go off. Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl swooped in to carry the two Atlanteans back to the Bio-Ship. They managed to outrun the blast.
After the explosion, Aquaman hauled the injured Superman from the water. While the rest discussed what had happened, he could only stare out of the window, lost in thought.[11]
Captain Atom and Nightwing were discussing the threat of the Reach, and thought it best to make their presence known to the public. Aquaman revealed to them the Reach had already gone public themselves.[27]
Aquaman was present for a briefing from Captain Atom on an object approaching Earth. As it passed Rhea, it became clear the object was massive, far dwarfing the moon.[28]
Aquaman and Nightwing stood by as Captain Atom hailed the Warworld to negotiate. After the Warworld's assault began and Atom left to join the defense, Nightwing confirmed to Aquaman that the Team had boarded the alien vessel undetected.[28]
The Watchtower May 26, post-07:35EDT
After Mongul unleashed a saturation missile attack, Aquaman relayed the Watchtower's projections on the effectiveness of Earth's military' defenses.[28]
Aquaman congratulated Aqualad when Nightwing returned command of the Team back to him. He knelt down by Black Canary when she dropped out of a boom tube with Black Lightning and Captain Marvel. Aquaman looked out as the Warworld was being activated and headed into space.[30]
When magnetic field disruptors planted by the Reach threatened the Earth, Aquaman joined 39 other heroes of Earth in a briefing in Metropolis. The heroes would use a computer virus provided by Lex Luthor to safely disable the disruptors. The heroes were paired off with another into twenty squads: one member would run interference against weapons guarding the disruptors, allowing the other to get close enough to plant the virus.[31]
Aquaman was assigned to Eta Squad, and worked alongside Tempest.[32] Within thirty minutes, all squads had succeeded in their mission.[31]
When the Team was summoned to the mission room for a face-to-face meeting with members of the League, Aquaman was among the leaguers present. Batman informed them that they would now operate side-by-side with the Justice League from the Watchtower. Not because Mount Justice was destroyed, but because they earned the right to do so. The League then left the Team to its own devices.[31]
2016-2018
Aquaman retired from his heroic duties to focus on his royal responsibilities as King of Atlantis. He passed on the mantle to his former protégé, Aqualad who also took his place as a member of the Justice League.
Atlantean attributes: Atlanteans, although Human, have through scientific and sorcerous means[33] developed several abilities which allow them to live comfortably under the sea:
Underwater breathing: All Atlanteans are capable of surviving the aquatic atmosphere under the sea. Some accomplish this without the presence of visible gills.[5][33]
Temperature resilience: Resistant to low temperatures[17] and the effects of freezing,[4] although notably hindered by high temperatures.[34]
Superhuman strength:He is far stronger than most other Atlanteans.[36]
Telepathy: Aquaman possesses a form of telepathy that affects marine mammals.[37]
Multilingualism: He can speak both English and Atlantean.[5]
Relationships
Mera
Main article: Mera
Aquaman is married to Mera, making her Queen of Atlantis. They seem to be an extremely loving couple, who share a bond of mutual respect for the other and their duties. While Aquaman works as a hero on the surface world, Mera runs the Conservatory of Sorcery in Atlantis, and is one of their head instructors. During the year 2010, the two were expecting their first child.[5]
Aqualad was Aquaman's protégé. Although they worked together, Aqualad respected Aquaman as his King and as his mentor. However, Aqualad was not afraid to speak his mind when he felt strongly,[12] and in return Aquaman respected Aqualad's right to free expression.[6] However, Aqualad broke off his ties when he went under cover.[24] Aquaman did not know, and though he himself was partly to blame, because he knew, but chose not to tell his protégé of, his father.[11]
Following the revelation of Aqualad's successful undercover mission, Aquaman warmly welcomed his protégé back, and congratulated him when Nightwing returned leadership of the Team to him.[30]
Prince Orm is Aquaman's brother. It appears they get along well;[5] Aquaman does not seem to know about his brother's double life as his nemesis Ocean-Master.[33]
This is Aquaman's seventh animated appearance. He first appeared in his solo series in the 60s, Aquaman. Later, he became a founding member of the Super Friends. He also appeared in the DCAU (Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited), Justice League: The New Frontier, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Early promotional images for Young Justice showed Aquaman with longer hair rather than the shortly cropped style he currently sports.[38]