In Aquaman/Green Arrow – Deep Target #4, the Atlantean king disclosed a heartbreaking truth behind the abilities passed down to him.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Aquaman/Green Arrow: Deep Target #4 now on sale from DC Comics.
In the annals of DC history, Arthur Curry/Aquaman has endured an emotional journey. A lot stems back to when he didn’t know of his birthright, eventually becoming torn between the surface and life he knew as the son of Tom Curry, and the throne of Atlantis left to him by Queen Atlanna. Couched between his half-brother, Orm, becoming Ocean Master to kill him and claim the kingdom, Arthur mentally broke a couple times.
However, a few things healed him: serving his people and all the realms underwater, helping the surface and seas become closer, and also, understanding the power that was bequeathed to him — because with this royal lineage came a chance to effect true change in the world. Interestingly, in Aquaman/Green Arrow – Deep Target #4, Arthur revealed a heartbreaking truth behind these abilities and what they meant in his lifelong mission.
This story from Brandon Thomas, Ronan Cliquet, Ulises Arreola, and Josh Reed focused on both heroes swapping lives after the evil General Anderton and Scorpio messed with the timeline to produce their version of paradise. Luckily, the Justice League members remembered their past and tried to stop the fiends. However, they had to flee from the moon base as they were outnumbered.
In the rocket ship, they had a heartfelt discussion as they spoke of what living life in each other’s shoes meant. Ollie, as much as he liked having Aquaman’s powers, indicated they made the job too easy. He liked relying on gadgets and his training from Nanda Parbat, because it connected him more to humanity. He gleaned more fulfilment from being an ordinary man fighting extraordinary villains to save the world.
Arthur, however, confessed he loved his powers but not because they made him a powerful god. The reason was more endearing and connected to Atlanna’s sacrifices when she hid him away to protect him. When Arthur eventually took the throne, he thought she was dead, ergo why he and a bitter Orm fought so much. They took out a lot of rage on each other, blaming one another for her absence, suggesting the story’s set before Arthur found out she was alive in the mainstream DCU.
That said, there was sentimentality behind these abilities to talk to sea creatures and control water, because it made up for lost time. They embodied the heritage, traditions, culture and lessons his mom never got to teach him. He learned these things from Vulko and such, so by embracing these powers, being the best king he could be and also, saving the world with the League, he was being a good son and making her proud.
Ultimately, it’s why when they tried to rejig the timeline, Arthur stuck with the false Flashpoint-like reality. In this world, Atlanna raised him and Orm to share the throne, giving the guys the family they always craved. Thus, it’s now up to Ollie to convince Arthur to break this fake utopia by all means necessary, because the queen wouldn’t want him sacrificing others’ happiness to make his own.
About The Author
For all the latest Comics News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
