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The Best Aquaman Comics to Read, explore the Seven Seas with Arthur Curry

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Created by writer Mort Weisinger and artist Paul Norris, Aquaman debuted in More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941), where he co-starred with Doctor Fate, The Spectre, Johnny Quick, and Green Arrow (who made his first appearance in the same issue as Aquaman). In his first story, Arthur was saving refugees whose ship was torpedoed by a Nazi submarine.

A few years later, he left the pages of More Fun Comics in favor of Adventures Comics, but it was during the 1950s and 1960s that the character took a more important role. New elements to his backstory were introduced, as well as new supporting characters. And he was a founding member of the Justice League!

Still, despite growing popularity in the 1960s thanks to his animated series, and having his own title, Aquaman fails to grab readers the same way the other major DC superheroes did. Launched in 1962, his first solo series was canceled in 1971, before being revived in 1977 for a short time. After that, it would take 8 years for the character to have his own title again, yet again for a brief time.

Aquaman will have to wait for the nineties and Peter David to be redefined for a new generation, but the title will lose in popularity after the writer’s departure and poor Arthur Curry was again without a title.

Aquaman was not considered a bona fide superhero for a long time, and was perceived as a lesser one, even a joke — everybody who watched Entourage will never forget that Aquaman storyline in seasons 2 and 3!

But all of that changed with Geoff Johns, who confronted the public perception and rehabilitated the character. It was the beginning of a new era for Arthur Curry, one that launched the character towards good to great storylines. And of course, the cherry on the cake for his fans was the DC movie, where Jason Momoa plays the famous King of Atlantis, making him as mainstream as he has ever been.

Arthur Curry well deserved some love, and Comic Book Treasury has put together a recommended Reading list to discover the best Aquaman stories.

Where to Start with Aquaman? A Recommending Reading List of the Best Aquaman Stories

1. Aquaman, by Geoff Johns

Following the history-changing events of Flashpoint, a new era was launched with New 52 for DC heroes. Geoff Johns took on writing duties for Aquaman, making his run a great starter point for new readers and also one that will define the character for years to come.

Arthur Curry has recently decided to abdicate the Atlantean throne and has returned to Amnesty Bay with Mera. He then has to deal with the public’s perception (seeing him as a lesser superhero) and a new menacing threat under the sea. He is also once again a founding member of the Justice League and teamed up with another group, named The Others.

As this is Geoff Johns, there are a lot of actions and some violence, but he offers nice quieter character moments and a place for every player to shine with great work from Ivan Reis and Paul Pelletier.

Also collected in trade paperbacks

2. Aquaman, by Jeff Parker

Jeff Parker succeeded Geoff Johns on Aquaman. He takes his distance from the bigger concepts that define his predecessor’s run in favor of a more character-based storytelling in which Arthur acts more as a seafaring adventurer king.

This is also the run where Queen Atlanna, Arthur’s mother, returns and takes part to create a tale of acceptance and growth.

3. Aquaman, by Dan Abnett

Five years after New 52, DC relaunched again with Rebirth. Dan Abnett, who had taken over the title for the last three issues of The New 52, stayed on the title, making it new reader-friendly and quite compelling. Abnett’s run also shines a light on Mera, as the character had her first solo limited series during that time.

Abnett’s run is fairly political, exploring Arthur’s role as a politician, a king, and later a legend-turned-folk hero. He analyzes the difficult act to maintain an equilibrium between being a ruler and a hero. And The ocean is magnificent, thanks to Stjepan Sejic’s art (beginning at vol. 4).

4. Aquaman, by Peter David

Peter David was the main writer on Aquaman during the nineties, a period that can be sometimes described as harpoon-handed Aquaman. But that name doesn’t do justice to the epic saga that builds new mythos and redefines the character.

Peter David first start on Aquaman was with Atlantis Chronicles, a miniseries detailing the history of the Atlantean Royal Family, then with Time and Tide, another miniseries retelling of the Aquaman origin story. When the character had his own series again, Peter David began his run by giving Aquaman a new look and a storyline that would cost him his hand. This event will make the character more unhinged and put the Warrior King in front of dangerous threats, from alien invasion to declaring war on Japan.

Aquaman The Atlantis Chronicles - Best Aquaman Comics to read

5. Aquaman: Sub-Diego, by Will Pfeifer and Patrick Gleason

When Wil Pfeifer – with art from Patrick Gleason – took for a short time writing duties on Aquaman, he did what no one has ever done before him: he sank a city! San Diego has collapsed into the ocean, and soon enough, Arthur Curry learns that the survivors can’t breathe air anymore. They must stay below the surface and rebuild their city as ‘Sub-Diego’ in a world that’s completely alien to them.

Let’s say sinking a city is a way to leave your marks on a title, and in a way, that’s what happens here thanks to beautiful scenes underwater and a mix between a high concept with traditional superhero elements. This arc also introduces the second Aquagirl.

6. Aquaman: Death of a Prince, by Steve Skeates, Paul Levitz, and David Michelinie

Running in Adventure Comics and Aquaman (Vol.1), Death of Prince is the saga that established Black Manta as the definitive Big Bad underwater.

Writers Steve Skeates, Paul Levitz, and David Michelinie with artwork by Jim Aparo just destroy Arthur’s life, because happiness can’t last in comic books. The story features the murder of Aquaman’s infant son by Black Manta, revelations about Aqualad and more. Since then, Arthur Curry is marked by tragedy.

7. JLA, by Grant Morrison

As said above, Aquaman is one of the founding members of the Justice League of America, and to read him as his best in a team, JLA by Grant Morrison is the gold standard.

In 1996, Grant Morrison joined forces with artist Howard Porter to relaunch the Justice League of America as JLA. It’s maybe the most mainstream title Morrison has put out there, as it tends towards more standard superhero action, finding a balance between, action, fun, and meaningful drama.

In this sort of ‘back to the basics approach for the JLA, Morrison used the most famous seven members: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash (Wally West), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), the Martian Manhunter, and, of course, Aquaman. And more importantly, he gets the character, giving us a badass Aquaman.

Also collected in Deluxe Edition

Want to read more Aquaman stories? Go check out our Complete Aquaman reading order to explore the Seven Seas with the King of Atlantis

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What are your favorite Aquaman stories? Tell us in the comments!

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