A History of Aquaman in Animation
A Hero Beneath the Sea, The King of Atlantis Rules the Air Waves Too
Aquaman has enjoyed a long and successful animated television career. Much of the character's appeal in animation comes from the fact that it is easier to appear a hero underwater as a cartoon than it is in live action. Actors portraying the character live are limited by how long they can hold their breath for each shot and the simple but critical fact that speaking underwater is impossible. No such limitations hinder the King of the Seas in his animated form.
The Superman/Aquaman Hour
The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure featured Aquaman, Aqualad, Mera (Aquaman's wife) up against various undersea menaces. The Aquaman and Superman adventures would be supplemented with stories revolving around the Justice League, the Teen Titans and other heroes. Thirty-six segments were produced for the hour long show which ran from 1967-1968.
The Aquaman portions of the show were reused in the series, Aquaman, which was a half hour show that also re-aired the adventures of the Justice League and other heroes that had been created for the original Superman/Aquaman show. Marvin Miller provided the character's voice.
Super Friends
Aquaman is one of five core characters that were at the center of every incarnation of the Super Friends from its debut in 1973 to its final bow in 1986. The King of Atlantis angle was played down and Aquaman served as the main aquatic arm of the team in many adventures.
For the show's first two seasons, Aquaman was voiced by Norman Alden, who also voiced the one and only appearance of the Green Arrow character. Aquaman's connections to the character of the Emerald Archer are many, including two actors who have portrayed both characters and a co-creator in Mort Weisinger.
Bill Callaway voiced the character from the third season until the series demise.
Superman - The Animated Series
Voiced this time by Miguel Ferrer, Aquaman appeared in the Superman - The Animated Series episode, A Fish Story. In the episode, Aquaman acts as King of Atlantis to try and stop Lex Luthor's construction project from destroying his kingdom. Unlike previous incarnations, in this instance Aquaman is less a hero and more a ruler, showing his willingness to lead an army to the surface to save his subjects from the predations of the surface dwellers.
While only appearing in the single episode, the portrayal of Aquaman as the defender of Atlantis rather than simply a superhero has coloured all of his subsequent animated appearances.
Justice League
In the Justice League animated series, Aquaman reappears. For the first time, he is not wearing the traditional gold top, green leggings that are so identified with the character. Instead, he wears a modified version of the Atlantean military garb. Taking its cue from the comics, where Aquaman had recently been reinvented as a sort of submarine Conan the Barbarian, Justice League took the King of Atlantis further down the road laid out for the character in his Superman - The Animated Series appearance.
Aquaman takes center stage in a couple of Justice League episodes and then returns to fight along side the team in Justice League Unlimited. Scott Rummell provides the character's voice in each instance.
The Brave and the Bold
Most recently, Aquaman has appeared with Batman in the series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Again he fights more for his kingdom than simply to be a hero. This incarnation, which is voiced by John DiMaggio, is more good humoured than the version familiar to Justice League fans. His gregarious personality gives the stoic Batman pause, but they manage to work together effectively.
Next: Live Action
Aquaman Screen Capture
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