Social media is a great way to get people talking about a project you’re working on. Last week, we saw a perfect example of this when Zack Snyder released a photo of Jason Momoa as Aquaman as he’s likely to appear in the upcoming Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice feature film.
I have to say that it’s great to see the King of the Seas get an upgrade. I’m looking forward to the film for several reasons, but now seeing Aquaman has been added to my high expectations. To my recollection, this will be the first time this hero will be seen in a live-action movie!
It’s rare to see Arthur Curry get this much attention, including a lot of discussion here at MajorSpoilers.com! I hope it’s a sign of things to come!
WHO IS AQUAMAN?
As I’ve read reaction across the Internet, I’ve noticed how few people really even have an idea of just who Aquaman is. For those who have come in late, here’s a description from DCComics.com:
“Make all the sushi jokes, YouTube spoofs, and SNL sketches you want, Aquaman’s been an icon for over seventy years. The King of the Seven Seas. Reluctant ruler of Atlantis. A man who holds his own against heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman. He’s so recognizable that when officials speak about the perils of sea pollution, they’ll whip out Aquaman references to sound hip.
“Cast out from Atlantis as a baby, Arthur Curry grew up on land, thinking himself a normal human. But when he matured, Atlantis returned, claiming him as their rightful king. Caught between a surface world constantly ravaging the sea and Atlanteans looking to lash out in revolt, he’s committed to protecting the entire globe.
“Aquaman is the king of all things aqua. He can breathe underwater, swim at tremendous speeds, and telepathically communicate with sea life. Being able to withstand ocean depths, he gets bonus points on land with his superhuman strength, enhanced senses, and nearly impenetrable skin. And although his courage and decisive nature have proven him a true heir to Atlantis’s throne, the continual conflict between land and sea makes him a citizen of both—and at home in neither.”
WHO IS JASON MOMOA?
Here’s how IMDB.com describes this actor: “Jason Momoa was born Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August first, 1979. He is the son of Coni (Lemke), a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter. His father is of Hawaiian descent and his mother has German, Irish, and North American ancestry. Jason was raised in Norwalk, Iowa by his mother.
“After high school, he moved to Hawaii where he landed a lead role out of thousands of hopefuls in the T.V. series Baywatch (1989) (known as “Baywatch Hawaii” in its tenth season). When the show ended, he spent the next couple of years traveling around the world. In 2001, he moved to Los Angeles where he continued to pursue an acting career.
“In 2004, after the short-lived T.V. series North Shore (2004), he was cast as the popular character “Ronon Dex” in the T.V. series Stargate: Atlantis (2004), which achieved a cult-like following. In 2010, he appeared in the Emmy-nominated H.B.O. series Game of Thrones (2011) playing the Dothraki King, Khal Drogo. To illustrate to the producers he was Khal Drogo, he performed the Haka, a traditional war dance of the Maori of New Zealand. The audition was with the same casting director who was casting the titular role in the reboot of Conan the Barbarian (2011).
“Four weeks after he was cast as the popular Robert E. Howard character, he began shooting in Bulgaria. His approach, like the film-makers, was to pull from the eight decades of comics and stories as well as the Frank Frazetta images rather than the hugely popular 1982 movie. Jason has a production company, “Pride of Gypsies,” in which he is expanding his career from actor to filmmaker. Jason lives with actress Lisa Bonet, with whom he has two children: Lola and Nakoa-Wolf.”
MY HISTORY WITH AQUAMAN
As long as I’ve been reading comics, I’ve been following Aquaman. I remember the various stories illustrated by Nick Cardy and Jim Aparo, all engaging my imagination.
I loved watching the Filmation series with the King of the Sea in it, complete with Aqualad and Tusky the walrus. He also was part of the occasional Justice League segments on the show when his powers were needed.
After that, I didn’t read much about Aquaman until he became leader of Justice League Detroit, which did strike me as odd. What was he doing there, of all places? Then he lost his hand, which was replaced by a hook, during Peter David’s time with the character. I never warmed up to that, honestly.
I saw him in the Super Friends animated series, then in Smallville during its 10-year run. He was terrific in Superman: The Animated Series and the two cartoon incarnations of Justice League. He was the biggest and most boisterous during Batman: The Brave and the Bold when he told outlandish stories, but was still fun to see.
I noticed how much people ragged on Arthur Curry during an episode of The Big Bang Theory when Raj had to dress up as him. The guy complained bitterly about how poor a character the Sea King was during the entire half-hour.
Things improved for Aquaman when Geoff Johns started writing his comic during the debut of The New 52. Johns even had fun with the character’s reputation in that premier issue. Since Johns left the title, Jeff Parker has done a wonderful job with him.
A DARKER TAKE FOR THE FILM
It’s pretty obvious to me that Zach Snyder is going to harken back to the Bruce Timm/Paul Dini Justice League animated shows when it comes to the character.
He was more regal, but also more brutal as a person. During one two-parter, Aquaman followed Peter David’s lead by cutting off his own hand to save his son. I still remember how that affected me when I first saw it, my jaw dropping open. And I knew that had happened in the comics, too!
Given the darker takes on Batman and Superman that Snyder (along with the Nolan brothers) has taken in their films, I’m anxious to see what the Sea King will be like. That illustration whets my anticipation for the upcoming movie. I like it when DC’s heroes get an upgrade that makes them more realistic. I know folks online who completely disagree with that, but it’s what I like to see.
I think this will have a great, wider appeal to audiences as well. And given DC’s return to the number two spot on the comics selling charts, I think the company could use more movie people checking out the comics. We’ll see.
Oh, and Mr. Snyder? Keep up the teasings! They work just fine grabbing our attention!
