2026 will kickstart Aquaman’s greatest era, as he gains a major power upgrade and a bold new direction. The recent DC KO has given Aquaman an impressive new ability, but one that seems to come with a great cost. With this new power comes a new mission, as seen in Aquaman #15.
DC released its March solicitations, including a first look at Aquaman #15, written by Jeremy Adams and drawn by John Timms. Spinning out of the events of DC KO, Aquaman is at a crossroads. Now in command of Omega energy, Aquaman must reevaluate his life and career. DC’s solicitation reads:
Jump into a fresh start for the king of Atlantis…and beyond! After the events of DC K.O., Aquaman finds himself on a journey of self-discovery where he must launch a brand-new mission imbued by Omega Energy—the very essence of conquest. To reach across the stars with the power of the blue, our king must first defeat the Crimson Queen and free his friends and family from her evil clutches. What is Arthur’s ominous connection to the Omega that threatened to tear apart the very fabric of reality in the K.O. tournament? Find out in this jumping-on point that answers the question: What does it mean to rule with absolute power?
The book will also be rebranded as Emperor Aquaman.
Aquaman Is a Classic Hero, But One Who Has Problems With His Image
Aquaman Has Undergone Several Shifts in Direction In Order to Make Him Cool
Aquaman is one of DC’s oldest characters, tracing his roots back to the Golden Age of Comics. He was a founding member of the Justice League, and is the king of Atlantis on top of being a hero. Aquaman can command the creatures of the sea and is super strong.
Yet he is a hero who has struggled with his public image. Thanks to the Superfriends cartoon of the 1970s, Aquaman has been perceived as a joke character whose powers are of little use to the Justice League. However, starting in the 1990s, thanks to creators such as Peter David, this began to change.
Thanks to the Superfriends cartoon of the 1970s, Aquaman has been perceived as a joke character whose powers are of little use to the Justice League.
Aquaman has undergone several shifts in direction and tone in his career. Peter David shifted the character in a darker, more proactive direction, while later creators, such as Will Pfeiffer, stressed Aquaman’s heroic tendencies. There was even a sword and sorcery take on Aquaman, titled Sword of Atlantis, in the mid-2000s.
WIll Absolute Power Corrupt Aquaman?
Today, Aquaman is a family man, having married his longtime sweetheart Mera and fathered a daughter with her, named Adrianna. He has come a long way from being viewed as unnecessary, and it is safe to say this viewpoint has long since been discarded. This is thanks to not only the live action films, but also the work of many creators.
Now, Aquaman is headed in a new direction, one promising to be his boldest yet. Many creators have explored Aquaman’s role as a head of state, but none have taken it in such an extreme direction, raising serious questions about morality and the nature of power in the process. Hopefully, Aquaman will not become corrupted.
Yet with the ominous sounding Omega Power at his fingertips, Aquaman’s new direction may take him to some dark places. Aquaman’s power set has gradually expanded since his introduction over 80 years ago, but this new power may be his strongest yet, but it may cost him his soul along the way.
Emperor Aquaman #15 is on sale March 11 from DC Comics!
