13 COVERS: A Salute to AQUALAD, the Sea King’s Underrated Sidekick

Aqualad returns to the DC Universe this week!

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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.

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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!)

Nick Cardy

Nick Cardy

Nick Cardy

Nick Cardy

George Perez

George Perez

Jim Aparo

Jim Aparo

Bruno Premiani. Have to include this ...

Bruno Premiani. Have to include this …

Bill Sienkiewicz

Bill Sienkiewicz

Nick Cardy

Nick Cardy

Dave Bullock

Dave Bullock

Art Thibert

Art Thibert

Tom Grummett

Tom Grummett

Art Baltazar

Art Baltazar

Nick Cardy/Sheldon Moldoff

Nick Cardy/Sheldon Moldoff

And a little tip of the fin to Jackson Hyde. Gary Frank cover.

And a little tip of the trident to Jackson Hyde. Gary Frank cover.

Author: Dan Greenfield

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2 Comments

  1. 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!

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