Aqualad returns to the DC Universe this week!
Trevor McCarthy
The bold and daring marine marvel hasn’t always gotten the respect of say, Robin, Kid Flash or Wonder Girl, but the fourth of the original Teen Titans is a cornerstone of the DC Universe in his own small way.
I mean, here’s a guy who at various times has been called “Minnow,” “Tadpole” and “Gillhead” — by his friends.
My favorite Aqualad is the Filmation version, where he’s pretty darn capable. Man, I love those cartoons.
Today’s Aqualad — I mean, Garth, because they’re calling him by his civilian name, at least for now — bears little resemblance to the one from the DC of the past. I’m cool with that but I do have a real fondness for the original — though you can keep that Tempest nonsense. (I did dig Jackson Hyde, by the way. I think there was a lot of potential there.)
Anyway, a veritable barrier reef of artists have worked on Tadpole and here’s selection of some of their coolest covers.
(Usual caveat applies: This is a subjective list of covers that I particularly dig. You may have others to add. Feel free to do so in the comments or in the social media thread where you found this!)
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Nick Cardy
Nick Cardy
George Perez
Jim Aparo
Bruno Premiani. Have to include this …
Bill Sienkiewicz
Nick Cardy
Dave Bullock
Art Thibert
Tom Grummett
Art Baltazar
Nick Cardy/Sheldon Moldoff
And a little tip of the trident to Jackson Hyde. Gary Frank cover.
August 31, 2015
A brilliant display of key covers featuring my favorite hero of all time–thank you very much! Truth to tell, I’ve been boycotting DC Comics since they murdered Garth in his personification as Tempest, greatest of the sea mages (during that Black Lantern idiocy), so it feels good to have waited them out. You see, I knew that the DCU couldn’t survive without him. Even during the Jackson Hyde era and the version seen in “Teen Titans/TT Go,” I noticed that my ancient TempestsPurpleReign.com site was still getting lots of hits, which indicated to me that new readers were enchanted by Aqualad as a hero (no matter what he looks like). At his core, Garth was the personification of innocence, valor, loyalty and bravery, so it’s great to see that those ‘old fashion’ values still resonate with today’s audience. Welcome back, baby–Fan No. 1 missed you!
August 31, 2015
That’s awesome. Really awesome.