After so many years of Aquaman being the laughingstock of the DC Universe, fans were excited when Jason Momoa finally made his first appearance as the character in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Though his appearance in this film was brief, it was impactful, and it kick-started a new wave of Aquaman movies that is still ongoing now.
As Aquaman thrives in the DCEU and in popular culture, fans are excited to reflect on how much the character has changed since his introduction to the franchise. Aquaman has changed in countless ways since his cameo in Batman v. Superman; Arthur Curry has already come so far, but he really has so far still left to go.
10 His Heritage Has Been Explored In More Depth
When Aquaman was first introduced, very little was known about him or how he came to be. The later films reveal that he was born to Thomas Curry, a lighthouse keeper, and Queen Atlanna, the Ruler of Atlantis.
Atlanna remained with Thomas in Maine for a time during Arthur’s childhood before she was taken back to Atlantis, where she was forced to marry King Orvax. Thomas was left to raise Arthur alone on stories of his mother and the hope that Atlanna would one day return at the end of the dock for her family.
9 Audiences Saw He Has Always Had His Abilities — And Has Been Trained In Them
Aquaman’s powers are not something he gained later in life, like the Flash, nor are they something he fought to gain, like Batman. Aquaman inherits his powers from birth as a result of his lineage. His mother, being an Atlantean, gives him unique genetics that make him superhuman — half-human, half-Atlantean.
From an early age, a young Arthur could communicate with marine life and breathe underwater. He was also trained by Vulko from childhood into young adulthood in preparation for, eventually, taking the throne as King of Atlantis — his rightful place, as Queen Atlanna’s oldest child.
8 Bruce Wayne Confronts Him — And It Doesn’t End Well
The reason that Aquaman makes a cameo at all in Batman v. Superman is because Bruce Wayne gets footage that proves he exists in the first place. After this, Bruce Wayne hauls himself out to Iceland on the rumor that there is a man who comes in from the ocean there off of the King tide.
It is there that Bruce and Arthur meet for the first time in a confrontation that has them both revealing that they are more than aware of each other’s identities. Though Arthur seems prickly at first, he is clearly already helping people and has only become more and more of a hero.
7 He Was Prompted To Take Responsibility By Vulko
Before Vulko came along and prompted Arthur to actually take responsibility and pursue his birthright, Arthur was more than happy just being a superhero for the oceans. Eventually, Vulko realized that Arthur was not only squandering his abilities, but that he was actually needed by the Atlanteans.
It was Vulko who confronted Arthur and Vulko who made Arthur realize what he needed to do. Not only was it Vulko who helped Arthur realize he needed to take the throne, but Vulko was also the one who prompted Arthur to defend the Atlantean Mother Box, as well as to help the Justice League after it was taken.
6 Aquaman Came To Defend The Fledgling Justice League Even When They Didn’t Expect Him
Aquaman, initially, has no interest in joining the Justice League. Joss Whedon’s version of Justice League was clumsy with a lot of character decisions, and so the movie saw Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Cyborg operating alone at one point beneath Gotham Harbor.
Just when all seemed lost, however, Aquaman showed up and stopped the team from drowning. Nobody was expecting him to come, proving he has only grown and gotten braver and determined over time. He even sticks around afterward, surprisingly enough, and chooses to join the team.
5 He Became A Defender Of The Entire Earth, Not Just The Oceans
In joining the Justice League and helping to fight Steppenwolf, to stop him from taking over the Earth, Aquaman graduated from Ruler of the Seven Seas to Protector of Earth. The Justice League is a global defense team, whose job it is to protect the Earth from threats, no matter from where or from who.
Aquaman is capable of fighting aliens from outer space and monsters at the bottom of the ocean, proving he is only getting stronger and more skilled with time, as well. At the same time, he gains more power and influence.
4 Arthur Became Something Of A Vigilante For The Seas
After Steppenwolf was stopped and Earth was saved, there didn’t seem to be much else for the Justice League to do except fight present threats and be ready if another threat from space showed up.
Aquaman returned to the seas this time and became sort of a vigilante superhero, stopping pirates and other plunderers from taking lives in his ocean. Over time, Arthur adapts to using his abilities and understands who he wants to be in this world, though it takes time for him to accept his royal heritage.
3 Aquaman Chose To Return To Atlantis And Revisit His Heritage
Towards the beginning of the DCEU, Arthur has seemingly no interest in Atlantis, his mother, or anything about that part of his life. He is willing to use his abilities, but not to discuss or revisit the family that gave him those skills.
As the franchise continues, however, Aquaman slowly grows and eventually chooses to return to Atlantis. It is only after Mera comes to him and asks for his help — multiple times, and then eventually saves him and his father — that Arthur actually chooses to return, but chooses to return he does.
2 Arthur Became Worthy Of The Trident Of King Atlan
Not only does Arthur become willing to return to Atlantis and embrace his heritage there, he becomes worthy of far more. Nobody has been able to claim the Trident of King Atlan for a long, long time, but Arthur is able to communicate with Karathen, the leviathan monster standing sentinel over the trident.
He convinces the creature that he is, in fact, worthy of the Trident, and he is permitted to take it. He dons a new suit, wields the Trident, and takes his rightful place as the Ruler of the Seven Seas in doing so.
1 Aquaman Becomes The One True King Of Atlantis And Embraces His Kingdom
In gaining the Trident of King Atlan, Aquaman also gains some other things that are even greater: the return of his mother, and the trust of his people. Queen Atlanna had not died, as it had been believed, but survived, and returned to her home. In addition, Arthur destroys Orm’s trident, and Atlanna convinces Orm to surrender.
In doing so, Orm gives up the title of King, and Arthur takes over. Though it took him a long road to get there, Arthur gradually becomes Aquaman and the King of Atlantis, and both are titles he embraces wholly.
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