DC Unleashes Iconic Hero's Ultimate Form, Stronger Than The Gods
One A-list DC hero culminates eighty-five years of evolution by transforming into a literal god and becoming one of the universe's most powerful characters. While the Justice League is home to dozens of heroes who possess an endless variety of skills and superpowers, only a handful of heroes possess enough power to render the rest redundant when it comes to sheer strength. If it comes down to nothing but power, Superman, Martian Manhunter, Shazam, and Captain Atom could defeat most supervillains theatening the Earth.
However, few battles hinge exclusively on strength. This is why key figures like Batman and Mister Terrific are so essential to the Justice League, and why assets such as Wonder Woman's mythical knowledge, the Green Lanterns' energy constructs, and Metamorpho's extensive array of available materials are so helpful. Every hero who joins the Justice League or the Justice Society contributes a unique assortment of abilities and knowledge that can turn the tide in their colleagues' favor.
While not as popular as Batman and Superman, Aquaman can be just as cunning as the Dark Knight and as powerful as the Man of Steel. And after so many years taking a step back while DC's Trinity takes care of the universe's biggest threats, Arthur Curry finally decides to tap into his full potential.
Aquaman Is Literally A God Now
Emperor Aquaman #20; Written By Jeremy Adams; Art By John Timms & Rex Lokus
Having claimed full control of the Blue, Arthur Curry defies Poseidon himself in Emperor Aquaman #20, where the King of the Seven Seas doesn't hesitate to use his full power to beat the Olympian god into submission. While Poseidon's divine nature raises the difficulty, Aquaman doesn't struggle while showing the god all his skills and weapons. Aquaman attacks Poseidon with Thalassa the Trilance Saber, commands sea life on an unprecedented scale, creates a storm that threatens to create seismic ruptures, and sends Poseidon across the universe towards a planet made of nothing but water.
As if that weren't enough, Aquaman demonstrates his new ability to manipulate water on a molecular level. In the past, Mera had stood out above every other Atlantean due to her incredibly versatile hydrokinetic powers, and Poseidon himself displays his unique connection to water during his battle with Aquaman. However, Aquaman is now capable of turning water into steam and ice, and shooting it "as a torrent of razors and ice" on a planetary scale. As the Avatar of the Blue, there's little Emperor Aquaman can't do.
Aquaman's God Upgrade Has Been Decades In The Making
Aquaman Should Have Become One Of DC's Strongest Heroes A Long Time Ago
Aquaman's new status as one of DC's most powerful heroes is the culmination of a development that has been waiting for decades. Arthur Curry has long possessed an extraordinary combination of physical strength, durability, speed, combat skill, and endurance, with his connection to Atlantis giving him influence over an entire kingdom in addition to his abilities as a superhero. His telepathic connection to marine life, mastery of the seas, and access to ancient Atlantean weapons have made him far more formidable than the jokes about his ability to talk to fish may suggest.
Arthur Curry's personality also makes him an ideal member of DC's front line, as he's stubbornly courageous and willing to confront enemies far beyond his own weight class when his people or the planet face destruction. The problem has often been Aquaman's place within the larger DC hierarchy. Superman and Wonder Woman naturally receive many of the battles against godlike or planet-threatening enemies, while Aquaman can sometimes become the hero who handles the ocean while the rest of the Justice League deals with the "real" threat. Fortunately, the godlike Emperor Aquaman's new role as Avatar of the Blue will be hard to ignore.
Should Aquaman retain his Blue powers permanently?
Emperor Aquaman #20 is now available from DC Comics