Aquababy

Creation

Aquababy was created by Nick Cardy and Bob Haney. Aquababy’s first appearance id Aquaman #23.

Major Story Arcs

Early Adventures

Arthur Curry Jr. was the son of Arthur Curry (Aquaman) and Queen Mera. He was an Atlantean–alien hybrid. He had the ability to create life out of water.

He found his way into the immortal Tamerkhan‘s submarine and was aged to a teenager with chemicals. Tamerkhan’s daughter Liat decided to make him her mate and they were engaged to be married and took over Atlantis. The now Aquaboy was being hypnotised by Tamerkhan. Mera seduced the Mongol and took his amulet so he could no longer control Aquaboy so Tamerkhan rushed the marriage but by the time they got there the chemicals had warn off and Aquaboy regressed back into Aquababy, swallowing Tamerkhan’s ring and ending the Mongol sorcerer and his daughter’s immortality.

His uncle was the Ocean Master, the half brother of Arthur Curry. He saved Ocean Master on a number of occasions and so Ocean Master felt fond of the child despite his hatred for Aquaman.

Death

Aquababy was murdered by Black Manta, an event that changed the Aquaman storyline. Black Manta kidnapped Aquababy and put him inside a sphere, slowly filling it with air, as Aquababy was unable to breathe outside of water. Black Manta had Aquaman fight Aqualad in exchange for Aquababy’s life. Aquaman and Aqualad fought, an event that would change their relationship. After the fight Aquaman discovered that Aquababy was dead. He went after Black Manta but he could not bring himself kill him. Later, Aquaman and Mera divorced.

Aquaman buried Aquababy at Mercy Reef – the place where Aquaman had been left as a child to die. Black Manta would later destroy Mercy Reef. Black Manta is infamous for the murder of Aquababy, and he has expressed regret about it. Other supervillains look down at him for doing it, but still it makes him one of the most feared. His death is described by many as the start of darkness in the DCU.

Blackest Night

Aquababy was brought back as part of the Black Lantern Corps. Aquaman uses him to threaten Mera, now a Red Lantern, but he fails and Aquababy is burned by Mera.

Other Media

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Aquababy appears in the episode “Aquaman’s Outrageous Adventure!”, where he and his parents, Aquaman and Mera, go on vacation. The family vacation is frequently interrupted, however, because Aquaman is constantly leaving to help other heroes fight villains.