Is Arthur Curry(original Aquaman) officially dead?

[Always Hungry]

If so, was there an offical burial for him and if so what issue? And why does no one mourn for him if he's gone?

[HeckBoy]

He's dead? I thought he got mutated and became the "Dweller of the Deep" or something. I'm obviously not up on my Aquaman. :o

[carabas]

The Dweller of the Deep got deepsixed though. On the other hand, this must be the most easily reversible superhero death since Wonder Woman died and became the godess uf truth for a while.

[DonC]

And why does no one mourn for him if he's gone?


Well, you see, he's Aquaman. Batman is the world's greatest detective. Superman can change the course of mighty rivers. Wonder Woman is a goddess. The Flash is the fastest man alive.

Aquaman talked to fish. I'm sure there's a halibut out there who misses him, but that's about all.

[Super Buddies Forever]

He's technically dead, but, uh, part of his soul is in the new Aquaman. Or something. So he's only half dead, and the new guy can (maybe) be considered the old guy minus his memories. I think?

[COMIC GEEK]

Im waiting for superboy prime to do another punch or something.

cause man ,this current aquaman sucks

[Sean Walsh]

The JLA showed up in the issue where the original Arthur/Dweller died (or the issue after), so I guess that was his memorial.

Didn't know that a part of his soul was in this new Aquaman; it'd explain why the few times he's been seen outside of and since the cancellation of his series he's treated like THE Aquaman....

[echopryme]

From Wiki...


In the final issue of Sword of Atlantis (#57), Aquaman is visited by the Lady of the Lake who explains his origins. The original Aquaman had given a sample of his water hand to his father (Dr. Phillip Curry) in order to resurrect his dead son, Arthur (current Aquaman), whom he had named after Orin. When Orin attempted to resurrect Sub Diego, part of his soul attached itself to the dead body of Arthur Joseph Curry (Current Aquaman), while Orin's physical form mutated into the Dweller.


The current Aquaman actually has potential to be a good character, but they've got to get him out of "Lord Of the Rings" mode.

[Sizzle]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I liked the norse-looking Aquamna with the long hair and the beard. Hook or no hook.

[Jack]

Meltzer had Orin show up at the end of his JLA run, talking with J'Onn about the League. He made references to the origin of the JLA, so it wasn't the SOA Aquaman but the original. Of course he didn't, you know, give any explanations for this or anything like that.

So it's already been established, to an unknown degree of certainty, that Aquaman has come back to life.

Green Arrow/Black Canary also had a reference to "Arthur" searching for the people who shot Connor. Given that they'd be unlikely to refer to the SOA Aquaman as Arthur, that could be seen as evidence that Orin has just quietly been shuffled back into the role.

[The Ray]

Well, you see, he's Aquaman. Batman is the world's greatest detective. Superman can change the course of mighty rivers. Wonder Woman is a goddess. The Flash is the fastest man alive.

Aquaman talked to fish. I'm sure there's a halibut out there who misses him, but that's about all.

It's been a while since the " Aquaman is lame " jokes were fashionable. You can stop now.

[Netley]

Are you guys talking about the Peter David Aquaman with the harpoon hand/beard, or the old school clean cut orange suit version (or are they the same character and I just don't know)?

Haven't followed the character since Erik Larsen's run years ago (if anyone remembers that - right after PAD I think), so I'm sure everything I know about the character has been retconned by now (or just chills on one of the random 52 Earths or something).

That PAD Aquaman was a good Aquaman, whatever one that was (pretty sure it was Arthur, or, AN Arthur at least). Time and Tide, the mini that started off that run, was the first Aquaman title I'd ever read, and I remember being so enthralled watching the coming of age of the character!

[carabas]

Are you guys talking about the Peter David Aquaman with the harpoon hand/beard, or the old school clean cut orange suit version (or are they the same character and I just don't know)?They are one and the same.

[icctrombone]

It's been a while since the " Aquaman is lame " jokes were fashionable. You can stop now.


Come on , give it up for the Halibut joke.:D

[lonewolf23k]

The Dweller of the Deep got deepsixed though. On the other hand, this must be the most easily reversible superhero death since Wonder Woman died and became the godess uf truth for a while.

Agreed. Simplest resurrection solution: Someone finds Arthur in a deep, dark cavern where he's been kept in a magical coma all this time; the Dweller of the Deep? Oh, turns out he was some sort of parasitic shapeshifter who tried to steal Arthur's form and memories, but a magical backfire, probably caused by Arthur's fractured soul, caused him to get stuck halfway.

[Alex Smith]

It's been a while since the " Aquaman is lame " jokes were fashionable. You can stop now.

Oh no, sir. They will never, ever go out of style ;)

As for him being dead though, that's a bit of a bummer. He'll be brought back though, they always are.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Given that they've already established that the new Aquaman is pretty much the old Aquaman, but younger, and the old Aquaman just died, it makes a lot of sense to just have the new Aquaman gain the memories of the old Aquaman and move on...

Which is probably what DC is already doing...

[echopryme]

Given that they've already established that the new Aquaman is pretty much the old Aquaman, but younger, and the old Aquaman just died, it makes a lot of sense to just have the new Aquaman gain the memories of the old Aquaman and move on...

Which is probably what DC is already doing...

My thoughts exactly. The only problem is that he calls himself Joseph, because he blames himself for the death of Orin/Arthur now...

But I'm betting Green Arrow doesn't have that info yet.

[Hatut Zeraze]

I just got done rereading all of my Aquaman comics, which include most of the Peter David series, and every issue of the subsequent series (yes, I've been sick at home with nothing to do). Reading them altogether like that, it kills me how many changes Aquaman and Atlantis had to go through in the last 10-15 years.

Even sadder, the 39 issues of the Aquaman series that recently ended were all quite good prior to the Busiek renovation, except for about half of the Veitch run. It was a shame that a character that was being written so well had lost the faith of his editors, who OK'd the OYL renovation that, even though written well at times, seemed obviously doomed to failure.

[Netley]

I just got done rereading all of my Aquaman comics, which include most of the Peter David series, and every issue of the subsequent series (yes, I've been sick at home with nothing to do). Reading them altogether like that, it kills me how many changes Aquaman and Atlantis had to go through in the last 10-15 years.

Dude my favorite PAD issues are where he sinks deeper into the ocean than he's ever gone before. Then he stumbles upon the huge corpse of the oldest life form on the planet - like an octopus-looking thing I think...it's been a while since I've read that wow...anyway, the creature's dead but i think it's consciousness had survived somehow, like because it was so ancient (?).

I don't know, I can't remember exactly (hey, you just read it, you tell me haha!) It had nothing to do with Dolphin or his kingdom or anything, just this literal drop off the face of the planet. I just remember really liking that one, some really cool concepts (that I am probably totally mis-remembering haha!)

That run is in a box in the garage...blast!

[Sean Walsh]

I just got done rereading all of my Aquaman comics, which include most of the Peter David series, and every issue of the subsequent series (yes, I've been sick at home with nothing to do). Reading them altogether like that, it kills me how many changes Aquaman and Atlantis had to go through in the last 10-15 years.

Even sadder, the 39 issues of the Aquaman series that recently ended were all quite good prior to the Busiek renovation, except for about half of the Veitch run. It was a shame that a character that was being written so well had lost the faith of his editors, who OK'd the OYL renovation that, even though written well at times, seemed obviously doomed to failure.

I think the problem with Aquaman is two-pronged...

a) the character is prone to bad stories -- Vietch, Tad Williams (from what I've heard), Erik Larsen's stuff back after PAD left -- or average stories (Jurgens did ok stuff but the book was ended on his watch).

b) the good story ideas start off FANTASTIC - the first arc is always the best - but then peter out pretty quick and lead to more drastic changes.

Sub Diego started off great, but fizzled out a while before the Infinite Crisis stuff and death of Atlantis forced the change. Busiek's first arc was also quite good, as the shock of the Crisis-enduced changed created some interesting ideas; but by the time he left it was pretty average at best.

PAD's run was probably the best at maintaining high quality for a longer time. I think toward the end it started going downhill (and then he left pretty abruptedly, never knew why) but there's a good 25-30 issues there which was very VERY good stuff. Haven't read it all in a long while but I hope it's stood the test of time...

[mgs]

it bothers me that a consistently good Aquaman comic has not been able to come to fruition in the past few years. I think he's a great character with great potential, but it seems like no one wants to write a good book about him for the long run.

he's got a lot going...do they go with the environmental issues, his 'kingship' and the underwater empire, what to do about hook hand, should be be doing normal superhero things even though most severe threats don't occur underwater...somone's got to pick a prominent direction for his comic and just go with it. Personally, I think he suffers from his association with the world's superheroes. I'd like to see him in another continuity, like a Vertigo title or something. Just give him his own world to play around in.

[Netley]

I'd like to see him in another continuity, like a Vertigo title or something.

It turns out he's really a puddle of water who only thought he was a man!

[mgs]

It turns out he's really a puddle of water who only thought he was a man!

:D lol!
tencharacters

[HaroldAllnut]

It turns out he's really a puddle of water who only thought he was a man!

Yep. Dave Gibbons pencilled that run.

[Rokkit]

I thought PAD's run was pretty entertaining; it was the first time I actually 'got' Aquaman enough to stay with a series.

[Blueferret]

It's been a while since the " Aquaman is lame " jokes were fashionable. You can stop now.


Oh, I disagree my friend, I disagree:


http://www.seanbaby.com/superfriends/aquaman.htm

[Shellhead]

Aquaman has been suffering for so many years...

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j182/swiftian/052707/giantrabbit2.jpg

[JackBurton01]

I love that picture lol

[40footwolf]

As far as I know, he's just a coot. Dead in spirit, but not physically.

[Netley]

Aquaman has been suffering for so many years...

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j182/swiftian/052707/giantrabbit2.jpg

Ahahhahahahaha!!!!!!! (Is that because his uniform is carrot-colored?)

Hhahahahahaha!!

(Good friggin panel!!!)

[Limelantern]

Why exactly did DC decide to kill off Aquaman and replace him so suddenly?

[Bloody Thumb]

As the Dweller, his Water hand started taking over his whole body, and he eventually just turned to water and floated away on the waves. The Easiest way to bring him back? The Water hand heals. it was attempting to Heal him from being the Dweller in the first place, and is rebuilding his body. So once his "soul" is healed, the "hand" puts him back together again and he returns. Have him go back to what ever is left of Atlantis and Start over again. We can have King Aquaman stories using the real Arthur, and use Joseph as his emissary telling those types of stories. It would work great. the world is ready for two Aquamen.



Plus.... Can we fix Tempest? He's powerless, can't breath underwater, and has turned into an Albino? Really? Do we need that? Can't we give him his powers back and reunite him with Dolphin and his kid.

Is this all to much to ask?

[TROUBLEZ]

Why exactly did DC decide to kill off Aquaman and replace him so suddenly?

It doesn't make too much sense. I mean, the new Aquaman still looks pretty much the same, and is still in the ocean. If a aquatic superhero didn't sell before, what difference will changing his name/identity do?

[Nate Grey]

Aquaman has been suffering for so many years...

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j182/swiftian/052707/giantrabbit2.jpg

On the one had I want context BADLY...on the other, its not necessary as the pic is cool in its own right. :biggrin:

[Nate Grey]

Okay, I've been trying to wrap my brain around who Aquaman 2 is. Badly worded wiki page aside (which seems to be repeated verbatim on a lot of other Aquaman pages), I think I get it now.

Seems one of three things can happen now:
1) Aquaman 2 gets the REST of Aquaman's soul
2) Original Aquaman get the portion of his soul from Aquaman 2 back
3) Aquaman 2 simply gets Original Aquaman's memories but otherwise remains his own character.

3 seems the obvious way to go, but what about the rest of Aquaman's soul? Has it gone to that great fishtank in the sky, or will that be left open ended for future stories?

[Pixie_Solanas]

Aquaman could work again...

If he turned into SEAGUY!!!!

[Pixie_Solanas]

Aquaman has been suffering for so many years...

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j182/swiftian/052707/giantrabbit2.jpg

In all fairness, that may be one of the greatest single panels I have ever seen.

[Lupek]

If so, was there an offical burial for him and if so what issue? And why does no one mourn for him if he's gone?

If it happened, I missed it.

I dropped the Aquaman book five or six issues into the OYL change up. So perhaps it was dealt with in the series and I missed it.

But I do remember that in the Auctioneer arc in Action Comics, Superman met the new Aquaman. And he really didn't seem too concerned about Arthur/Orin. I am paraphrasing but Superman says something like "I'd heard there was a new Aquaman. I'm interested to know more about you and what happened to your predecessor".

It was really the only thing about KDB's super book run that I didn't like.

[HaroldAllnut]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I liked the norse-looking Aquamna with the long hair and the beard. Hook or no hook.

I'd actually like to see him come back with the orange shirt, but having kept the beard and long hair. If he came back totally clean cut, it'd be like the past few years never happened.

*cough*HALJORDAN*cough*

Aquaman talked to fish. I'm sure there's a halibut out there who misses him, but that's about all.It's been a while since the " Aquaman is lame " jokes were fashionable. You can stop now.

I'm backing The Ray up on this one. It's played out, guys.

Can we fix Tempest? He's powerless, can't breath underwater, and has turned into an Albino? Really? Do we need that? Can't we give him his powers back and reunite him with Dolphin and his kid.
Is this all to much to ask?

Perhaps they should do an Batman R.I.P.-esque deal where Tempest is repowered and becomes the new Aquaman; it'd effectively establish the fact that Arthur is dead, eliminating confusion, as well as saving Tempest from his time spent in WTF-happened-to-this-guy limbo.

[Raker616]

For all the grief I have given DC for replacing their heroes this is amazingly lame even for them when will they ever learn their lesson.

[NeoStar9X]

If so, was there an offical burial for him and if so what issue? And why does no one mourn for him if he's gone?

Maybe no one in the DCU knows he's actually dead?

[Sean Walsh]

Maybe no one in the DCU knows he's actually dead?

The JLA showed up right after he (as the Dweller) died. Batman, Superman, WW and a couple others I believe.

[Nate Grey]

Sorry, I'm an Aquaman fan but that halibut joke was funny.

I explained to a friend today (who happens to work at a comic store on weekends) who the new Aquaman really is. When I was done, he said, "Congratulations, you somehow made me like Aquaman even less." Mileage may vary, but...that got a chuckle out of me as well.

I'm not sure what to do with Aquaman at this point. I'm on the fence as to whether this was a good idea or not. No baggage (backstory + old supporting characters) I guess could be a good thing, depending on how you write it. Not a fan of his lowered power levels, though.

[Pixie_Solanas]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I liked the norse-looking Aquamna with the long hair and the beard. Hook or no hook.

Oh god, no. That bearded guy was terrible. How inappropriate is a long scraggly beard and hairstyle for patrolling the deepy murk?

Just another misguided DC attempt to "update" their core characters (re: Azrael's stupid uniform, Superman's ridiculous electric blue iceskater costume)

[taozen]

Aquaman can be a baaaaaad man when written well. Marv Wolman wrote him well. In an issue of Deathstoke the Terminator, you found out that Aquaman had enhance sight and hearing. he could seen in the dark (since he can see in the deep ocean a dark building was no problem) and hear Deathstroke's heartbeat. Wolfman even gave Aquaman faster reflexes than Slade( that i did not know since Slade as approximately 10x the reflexes of a normal human). We know that he is far stronger. Slade had to blind him and collapse a building on Aquaman in order to escape. Slade avoided going hand to hand with him. My point is that Aquaman has a large list of abilities most writers do not use.

The problem is that Aquaman is a King of an underwater city and that makes him difficult to write. He is not a straight hero. So many writer go the fantasy route when writing him and not everyone likes that angle of storytelling.

[Guru_Pitka]

I'm hoping Geoff Johns steps in to revitalize Aquaman.

I'd trust whatever direction he chose to take. he could probably even make kid Aquaman work - Didio keeps asking fans what version of Aquaman fans prefer...and kid Aquaman isn't even close to being a contender.