OK, Ok we all need change and nothing livens up a TV Cartoon like change; but Aquaman?? In the Superfriends, Aquaman was key to the story. He was one of the original team of eight (to include Marvin’s dog.) When I talk to average Americans about the Superfriends or even comic books, many remember Aquaman. Now, here comes the Justice League on Cartoon Network. What have they done?!
However, I am not upset that he wasn’t included in the newJustice League main team. I understand that his impact on the comic book world has weekend over the years. I also understand that having Aquaman hanging around does kind of limit the Superfriend to fighting aquatic creaters. There are also so many other characters in the DC Universe to feature.  So I understand this.
But, what is up with the hand getting chopped off in Season one of Justice League? And the Triton in Season two? Why is he so grouchy? Where did these changes come from? I guess they are rooted in the comic book, but these changes completely destroy the legacy of Aquaman of the Superfriends. According to the Superfriends Chronology, the Superfriends ran (in different formats) from 1973 until 1986. That is a thirteen year history that was changed unexpectedly by the new Justice League Cartoons. Why do these writers feel that they must mess with these story lines and characters to make it better? Was the first one not good enough? He was recognizable and had become an icon of the Original Superfriends.Â
What is amazing to me, is that these new writters sometimes think they are better than the people who created the iconic characters in the first place.Â
Fortress Keeper says
The Aquaman portrayed in the JLU cartoon is essentially the ’90s iteration of the character, who was molded by writer Peter David because readers felt (incorrectly) that Aquaman was a wimp.
He was returned to his classic state (albiet with a hand made out of water) a few years back, but that version didn’t prove to be all that popular.
Now we have a second Aquaman with a sword-and-sorcery bent. It’s a lot better than it sounds, though …