# Why is Aquaman no longer a first-rate hero? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884 "2005-07-24T02:26:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/21 "2005-07-24T17:09:00Z")
> [@hey alright](#): > > It sounds like the people working on the Aquaman comic books have a severe inferiority complex brought on by their character being incredibly gay. Aquaman is gay? Wow, I had no idea! I knew he was married and I think he had at least one kid, so the news that he’s homosexual is really amazing! I mean, that _is_ what you meant, right? That Aquaman is non-heterosexual? Because I’m sure you wouldn’t come to these boards and spew pig-ignorance like using the word “gay” to mean “stupid,” right? ---
**Author:** ![hey\_alright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90ced4/32.png) [@hey\_alright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hey_alright)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/22 "2005-07-24T18:05:00Z")
See? I said Aquaman fans were touchy. And I’d think Aquaman should have a paternity test on that kid who claims to be his son, so to found out who the real father is, because no doubt Aquaman is still a virgin. Aquaman doesn’t know how babies are made, he just assumes they’re delivered by a clown fish. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/23 "2005-07-24T18:22:43Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Aquaman is gay? Wow, I had no idea! I knew he was married and I think he had at least one kid, so the news that he’s homosexual is really amazing! > > I mean, that _is_ what you meant, right? That Aquaman is non-heterosexual? Because I’m sure you wouldn’t come to these boards and spew pig-ignorance like using the word “gay” to mean “stupid,” right? FTR, he has two children (by two different women). One of whom was killed in infancy, the other one he didn’t know until the kid was a teenager, and he’s now estranged from him. Aquman’s always been a dark book. Of course, Aquaman’s sexuality (and he sure as hell gets more tail than Batman or Superman ever did, that’s for sure, in fact, outside of Green Arrow, I’m having trouble thinking of another DC male that’s scored as often) is wholly unrelated to his popularity, and it would be extremely foolish to suggest otherwise. I agree that Aquaman works better as a modern fantasy character, slightly separated from his peers in the DCU. The current book, where Aquaman is the protector of a sunken San Diego, makes a pretty good attempt to bridge the gap, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![hey\_alright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90ced4/32.png) [@hey\_alright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hey_alright)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/24 "2005-07-24T18:26:45Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > he reminded readers of Aquaman’s postion as sovereign military leader of the oceans and its armed forces The hell he is. The Dalai Lama can call himself the ruler of Tibet but that doesn’t make it so with the Chinese in control. Aquman doesn’t rule the ocean. No fish are going to take Aquaman’s rule seriously. Seanbaby says it best: “And are fish really worth talking to?..I’m going to say what we already know: we’re not going to learn shit from animals. …what would anyone learn from fish? “Sunken toy castle is adventure! Big fish equal danger!” Fish don’t know anything. It was probably a damn fish that talked Aquaman into getting that belt buckle. Unless he’s been shopping with truck drivers.” Besides, the US Navy coule easily kick Aquman’s ass if he tried to hold our supply of shrimp hostage or something. As could any other navy, all the way down to the the navies of any landlocked nation. **Menocchio** if by more tail you mean cod fish tail, then you’re correct. The idea of Aquman being anything other that a loser who beds flounders are lies made up by the Aquaman fan community to make themselves feel better. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/25 "2005-07-24T18:32:11Z")
No, see, the proper response upon having one’s fuckwittedness pointed out to one is to apologize for it. Not to continue behaving like a fuckwit. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/26 "2005-07-24T20:30:56Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > No, see, the proper response upon having one’s fuckwittedness pointed out to one is to apologize for it. Not to continue behaving like a fuckwit. I’d’ve thought the proper response to a post that one perceived as containing hateful language was to report it instead of insulting the guy; an action only acceptable inside the Pit, which this isn’t. Silly me. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/27 "2005-07-24T20:49:26Z")
It is a well known fact that most Aquaman related thread turn to debates on hate speech in the first 25 posts… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/28 "2005-07-24T21:12:26Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > I’d’ve thought the proper response to a post that one perceived as containing hateful language was to report it instead of insulting the guy; an action only acceptable inside the Pit, which this isn’t. > > Silly me. Thank you for your input, Junior Mod. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/29 "2005-07-24T21:14:49Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Thank you for your input, Junior Mod. Well, I wouldn’t normally bother to state the obvious, but you seem in critical need of it today. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/30 "2005-07-24T21:40:31Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > It is a well known fact that most Aquaman related thread turn to debates on hate speech in the first 25 posts… :smack: This is the first Aquaman thread I can remember reading, but it would appear you’re correct. Perhaps better than “Why is Aquaman no longer a first-rate hero?” the thread should be "What is it about Aquaman that engenders so much emotion among fans? I don’t care that much about Aquaman one way or the other. I was never a big DC reader. But man, this thread got snippy pretty quick. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/31 "2005-07-24T21:42:16Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Aquaman is well known because he was featured on the _Superfriends_ cartoon. If the producers of that series had decided to buy the rights to Flash or Green Lantern instead, they might have made it to the big leagues. Errr, weren’t GL and Flash on the Superfriends? Aren’t they in the big leagues now? I’m now sure about GL, but Flash is pretty recognizable in popular culture. Heck, he just made a cameo in a shoe commerical. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/32 "2005-07-24T21:47:57Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Errr, weren’t GL and Flash on the Superfriends? Aren’t they in the big leagues now? I’m now sure about GL, but Flash is pretty recognizable in popular culture. Heck, he just made a cameo in a shoe commerical. Flash certainly was. I remember one episode of him and Supes racing to a destination, with a shot of Supes flying and a little red dot (representing the Flash) zipping over the ocean. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/33 "2005-07-24T21:58:37Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I don’t care that much about Aquaman one way or the other. I was never a big DC reader. But man, this thread got snippy pretty quick. Some folks are probably just pissed at the notion of debunking the “Aquaman is a loser” meme because it’d mean an end of one of their favorite homophobic jokes. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/34 "2005-07-24T21:59:35Z")
In the depth charts of DC Superhero recognition factor, here’s how I’d rank them: 1. Superman (universal) 2. Batman (universal) 3. Robin (universal) 4. Wonder Woman (near universal, if not completly) 5. Flash (Moderately well-known) 6. Plastic Man (the drop is substantial here) 7. Aquaman (who apparently is well known in SanFran… :rolleyes: ) 8. Capt. Marvel (if you take into account “Shazam” as a correct answer) 9. Green Lantern (mentioned in a Seinfeld episode, but one of the characters had never heard of him.) 10. Wonder Twins (“Wonder Twin powers, ACTIVATE!”) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/35 "2005-07-24T22:05:47Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Errr, weren’t GL and Flash on the Superfriends? Aren’t they in the big leagues now? I’m now sure about GL, but Flash is pretty recognizable in popular culture. Heck, he just made a cameo in a shoe commerical. According to [this site](http://www.seanbaby.com/super.htm), Green Lantern was a member. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/36 "2005-07-24T22:08:41Z")
And now that I think about it, I recall at least one episode where Green Arrow appeared (all of the SuperFriends had been shrunken down by a villian) and another where Plasticman appeared (an inventor had created a machine to free everyone from the dull work of everyday life a mouse had gotten into the machine and fouled it up, so Plas had to reach into the machine and get him out). ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/37 "2005-07-24T22:12:45Z")
Green Lantern was as lamified by Superfriends as everyone else. There’s one episode where they need to get into the Fortress of Solitude, so GL uses his ring to make a bridge for…someone else…I can’t remember who…to carry the key across, rather than picking it up himself. (Green Lantern was well known enough to make it unto a 1960s pop song (Sunshine Superman), BTW.) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/38 "2005-07-24T22:28:28Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Errr, weren’t GL and Flash on the Superfriends? They (well, Barry Allen and Hal Jordan) showed up for the occasional cameo. One factor to consider about Aquaman is that the character has been around a long time and essentially unchanged. His first appearance was in _More Fun Comics_ #73 (1941) and his name a fairly accurate descriptor of his schtick, which isn’t quite true of Green Lantern (ask someone who’d never heard of the character to guess what his powers might be, based on the name alone). The decision to write Aquaman into _The Superfriends_ was no doubt influenced by his familiarity as a TV cartoon character from his own series a few years before. His role in the related comic-book series was minor to the point of irrelevant, unless the story was contrived to involve underwater adventure. I was actually rather pleased by his turn as a regal, rather cold-hearted outsider on the _Justice League_ cartoons (though still put off by the recurrent lameness of Superman, who should’ve been able to clobber the Atlantis navy single-handed - but then if every story ran like this, it’d be an eight-minute show). It worked very well. I never thought of the character as lame or “gay”, but he was in a lot of rather lame stories until somebody realized that he’s _Aqua_man, dammit, and works best in his own environment. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/39 "2005-07-24T22:29:28Z")
I’ve seen Green Lantern’s incantation, “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight…” show up on Jeopardy, which makes me thinks he’s relatively well known. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884/40 "2005-07-24T22:36:36Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > There’s one episode where they need to get into the Fortress of Solitude, so GL uses his ring to make a bridge for…someone else…I can’t remember who…to carry the key across, rather than picking it up himself. That was an episode of _The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians_ in 1985. This show, along with _Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show_ in 1984, acted as a better-quality follow-up to the _Superfriends_ toons of the seventies. Darkseid (and Kalibak and Desaad) became recurring villains and Green Lantern, Firestorm and Cyborg were added to the roster, while the Wondertwins were thankfully dropped. The episode you describe is _The Death of Superman_.He got betterWhen the surviving heroes try to enter the Fortress of Solitude, GL provides the bridge and Cyborg and Wonder Woman haul the key. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-aquaman-no-longer-a-first-rate-hero/313884.md?page=3)