WHO’S FOR A CURRY?

The changing face – and secret origin – of Aquaman

1941

the original Aquaman is the son of an undersea explorer who discovered the submerged remains of Atlantis. His father teaches him to live beneath the waves using ancient Atlantean knowledge.

1959

Aquaman’s origin is retooled for the Silver Age. now he’s Arthur Curry, son of a human lighthouse keeper and Atlanna, an outcast Atlantean. it’s his genetic heritage that gives him superhuman abilities.

1989

After canon-purging crossover

Crisis On Infinite Earths, Aquaman’s rebooted. now he’s a pure Atlantean, the offspring of Queen Atlanna and the wizard Atlan. His birth name is Orin.

1993

it’s the ’90s so peak time for a grimdark makeover: brutal, brooding, bearded. losing his left hand to a shoal of piranha Orin replaces it with a harpoon. edgy enough for ya?

2006

Here’s a whole new Aquaman with a sword ‘n’ sorcery spin. this version’s fully human – his powers come from mutagenic serum his oceano biologist father used to save his life as a baby.

2011

DC’s new 52 sees Aquaman abdicating the Atlantean throne. He also has to deal with a public that views him as a second-rate hero. yes, it’s all a bit meta…