Created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris Arthur Curry, Aquaman was first seen in 1941 in More Fun Comics issue #73. Like any character who’s been adventuring his way through the comics for 8 decades or so, the aquatic superhero has gone through a lot of changes, both character-wise and story-wise.
The half-human/half-Atlantean superhero has superhuman strength, can communicate with marine life, and can breathe underwater. He’s part of Atlantean royalty and is a founding member of the Justice League. He’s been mocked in the past by fans who see him as one of the weaker JL members, but the attitude towards Aquaman has undergone a sea change since his portrayal in the live-action film by Jason Momoa. Changes to the character have meant changes to the costume; here are the best of them, ranked.
10 His Post-Crisis Blue Wave Camouflage Suit Was A Striking Change
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Aquaman watched Atlantean cities disappear due to the antimatter wave in his classic orange and green suit. When the new Aquaman Vol. 2 came out in 1986, he was sporting a full-body leotard in waves of blue.
Designed by artist Craig Hamilton, the idea was to give him some kind of camouflage underwater. The drastic change didn’t go over well with all DC Comics fans, and like much of '80s fashion, it hasn’t aged well, but it was a boldly modernizing step at the time.
9 Aquaman Brave & The Bold Echoed The Classic Silver Age Look
Batman: The Brave and the Bold ran from 2008 until 2011. In the comics, Aquaman had long blond hair, and his suit was green on the bottom, with a golden orange armored chest and black armor at the shoulder.
The animated series simplified the look and took out the battle-hardened grittiness Arthur Curry displayed in the comics. His streamlined classic scaled orange top, with matching green pants and gauntlets was a nod to his Silver Age costume in a family-friendly show.
8 Aquaman Black Lantern Takes His Image In An Unsettling Direction
Aquaman became part of a Green Lantern crossover series called Blackest Night. In Blackest Night, a 2009/2010 crossover series, a mysterious Aquaman is killed and mutated (through a lengthy storyline).
Other superheroes who’d recently died in the comics, such as Superman, come back as the evil, undead Black Lantern Corps. It was clearly a side trip for the King of Atlantis, but one that produced a memorable costume change. From his green/orange costume, Aquaman went dark and scary, with an unsettling glow in his eyes.
7 Aquaman Game Versions: 'Injustice 2', 'Injustice: Gods Among Us'
DC fans love both the stories and the look of the NetherRealm’s Injustice games. Along with gameplay, they offer interesting redesigns of Aquaman’s classic look. Injustice: Gods Among Us tones down the green bottoms to gray, with an overlay of ceremonial-looking armor to create a regal warrior’s costume.
With his tattooed chest and arms, Aquaman in Injustice 2 clearly takes its cue from Jason Momoa's look from the movie. While he’s shirtless, players can upgrade the costume in various ways by unlocking Atlantean trinkets.
6 Aquaman Future’s End Was A Vengeful Half-Robot
The Future’s End miniseries ran for 11 months in 2014/2015, and after a bit of time travel, sets the story five years into the future of The New 52. It involves Batman Beyond (Terry McGinnis), Brainiac, and, of course, a looming apocalypse.
Aquaman led Atlantis to war against Earth 2, and there is a lot of trouble with his own people. Once the story jumps 35 years ahead, Arthur Curry is more than half machine, and out for revenge on the world.
5 Aquaman Became Grittier In His '90s Redesign
The '90s redesign of Aquaman by Peter David made him older, grittier and gave him a few key details. His left hand’s been eaten by piranhas, and he’s got a metal hook in its place. He’s older, with longer hair, and the traditional green's been reduced to detail on his leggings, with a metal armor that leaves most of his chest bare.
This design went on to influence the animated series of that era, and many DC fans feel it foreshadowed Jason Momoa's take on the iconic character.
4 Aquaman’s Rebirth 2016 Design Went Back To The Classic Look
DC's Rebirth in 2016 took Aquaman back to his classic orange and green suit. Aquaman's part in the series was a one-shot. Gone is his long hair, and the green gauntlets are back.
It's a fitting reset of his costume to go along with the reset of everyone's story and is more of a refinement on his New 52 look than a complete redesign. It took the best elements from the cartoons and turned them into a grown-up Arthur Curry.
3 The Dark Aquaman Costume Of Justice League Sets A New Tone
Jason Momoa's elaborate and striking costume in the Justice League movie sets a new standard for the venerable character. A very dark green and scaled all over, with a black trident, it has both ceremonial and tactical elements and looks like the costume of an unequivocal action hero.
If badmouthing Aquaman can ever be put to rest among DC's fandom, it will be because of this version of the King of Atlantis, with Jason Momoa’s filling it out to a T.
2 Jason Momoa Beefed Up Aquaman's Iconic Design In 'Aquaman'
Kym Barrett’s design for Jason Momoa’s costume in Aquaman was widely praised by both fans and movie buffs. The suit includes hammered golden metal elements, and an intricate pattern of scaling, along with restoring the comic book green gauntlets.
Barrett says she was inspired by the jewel-like colors and tones of the undersea world and the reflective fish scales. The look had to take Arthur from a civilian who became a hero only reluctantly to a credible King of Atlantis with a regal and ceremonial feel.
1 The New 52 Has Become The Gold Standard For Aquaman’s Look
One of the biggest surprises for fans when they first set eyes on Aquaman in the New 52 universe was his costume –it had been refined, rather than completely redesigned, and was based on the Golden Age design.
The tunic portion has a high neckline, similar to the New 52 Superman and other superhero designs. There are decorative elements like the belt, but the suit looks to be tactical for the most part –even the fins on his gloves look like they'd be useful for swimming faster.