The Most Shocking Death in Comics!

Superman lost all of his people to the destruction of Krypton, Batman lost his parents to a gunman, but there is more of a tragic death. It is connected to Aquaman whom of course has an upcoming film. Of course this death most likely won’t happen in the movie, but this may not be known to most comics readers. Let’s go back a bit, Aquaman was created by artist Paul Norris and writer Mort Weisinger who only recently was given credit. Weisinger is known as an editor for DC Comics and also co-created Green Arrow. This was in More Fun Comics #73 (1941). An earlier aquatic hero, Namor the Sub-Mariner, was created by Bill Everett in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly (1939). Aquaman’s origin has changed over the years. 

In the Silver Age, he was given a classic origin in Adventure Comics #260 (1959) where he is the son of lighthouse keeper, Tom Curry, and Atlantean refugee Atlanna. Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon are the creative team for that comic book. Aquaman eventually got his own title, and was joined in Aquaman #11 (1963) by Mera. She was created by Jack Miller and Nick Cardy. Mera was from the Xebel dimension and had what is now identified as “hydrokinesis” controlling water and forming it into “hard water” weapons. Mera and Aquaman wed in Aquaman #18 (1964) by Jack Miller and Nick Cardy. I’m not certain if Aquaman is the first Justice League character to be married, but I recall that Superman and Batman were having adventures while Aquaman was building a family.   

The surprise was the birth of Arthur Curry, Jr. nicknamed Aquababy in Aquaman #23 (1965). The birth is difficult so Aquaman and his ally, Aqualad, find a rainbow anemone and save his child and wife. Aqualad, known as Garth, first appeared in Adventure Comics #269 (1960) by Bernstein and Fradon. Aquababy is born and unleashes his power which threatens Atlantis. He exhausts his power and then only has his mother’s hydrokinesis power. Now comes the sad part with Adventure Comics #452 (1977). The comic book was by David Michelinie and Jim Aparo. It features the menace of Black Manta introduced in Aquaman #35 (1967) by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy. It is ten years when Black Manta finally removes his helmet and reveals that he is African-American. He has kidnapped Aquababy and placed him in a globe of air that suffocates him since Arthur Curry, Jr. breathes underwater. Black Manta forces Aquaman and Aqualad to fight so he will spare the child. 

Aquaman fights to the death which shocks Aqualad forever. He is freed and shatters the globe with his trident. It is too late! Arthur Curry, Jr. has died. Yes, it is fictional, but I keep thinking why a villain would go to such lengths against an innocent. Aquaman attempts to chase after Black Manta, but Aqualad refuses to join him shocked at the betrayal. Aquaman of course does not capture his eternal nemesis and eventually Mera divorces him over this tragic event. This was all changed with the New52 with Aquaman and Mera starting their relationship. We saw in Justice League (2017) that Mera (Amber Heard) and Aquaman (Jason Mamoa) meet for the first time. It is possible that this tragic event never happens with the Aquaman films. We will see where it all goes when Aquaman swims to theaters on December 21st.   

#Aquaman, #PaulNorris, #MortWeisinger, #Aquababy