Let's face it Aquaman should be a member.

**Johnny Depp** · 07-27-2002, 04:05 PM

I know I'm new here but one commonality I've gleaned from these boards is the controversy of Aquaman not on as a full time JL member. Here are a few reasons this series Aqualacks:

1. People seem to be angry about it, feel Hawkgirl is lame, forced, and offers nothing original whatsoever. She seems to be heavily based on the X cartoons Wolverine. Plagerism anyone?

2. The majority of the knowledgable posters seem to feel it lacks the "big seven" aura without him. I'm inclined to agree.

3. The "Enemy Below" was by far the most impacting/epic of the episodes, leaving the fans wanting much more of the contemporary Aquaman. His personality and powers need to be explored more than two episodes a season.

4. If your argument is the story needs to be water based then it proves my point more, because I noticed in the seventeen aired episodes at least half had many scenes involving the ocean(ie Legends,Fury,Paradise Lost, and of course Enemy Below). Even War World had a underwater tank battle with Supes where Arthur would've kicked tushi.

5. Aquagirl(The Call's JLU)) seemed to be good enough for this creative team but Aquaman's not??? I'm not buying it! Why include her and not him.

6. Everyone knows the sexual tension/kindred spirit between he and Diana always makes for a great subplot. Of course Mera might object.

7. And the always obvious fact Aquaman rules roughly 80% of the earth should be more than enough evidence to have him officially join.

Although the creative seem to be myopic in there roster decisions, I would love a shake up of the current seven. If I have to see Hawkgirl just screaming and bashing things with her embellished mace another season I'm gonna need Aqualithium.

**Johnny Depp** · 07-27-2002, 04:39 PM

Oooops I almost forgot, if Aquagirl was deemed worthy of membership in THE CALL's JLU then why the heck isn't Aquaman for JL. It's the same creative team. I find that fact mind numbing.

**Martianman606** · 07-27-2002, 05:10 PM

I couldn't have said it or agreed more Johnny Depp. I'm with everything you stand for except the whole Aquaman and Diana situation. I don't think that there going to throw that in there - you know, for Mera's sake.

**Harvey Dent** · 07-27-2002, 05:14 PM

I think part of the problem stems from the fact that Aquaman has already been established as a monarch, with responsibilities to his people. The creative team felt it would be wrong to have him globetrotting/galaxy-hopping with the League every week. In the comics, when the JLA was first established, he had no kingdom. He had no home. He had no family. The JLA became his family, and he remained a part of the team even when he became King of the Seven Seas.

Although, I still believe Arthur should be a member of the JL. Some people say that he's a king and he shouldn't be hanging out with the League. However, they seem to forget that Arthur does not have to be in every single story. Superman hasn't been in each story, and neither has Batman.

**Johnny Depp** · 07-27-2002, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Martianman606
I couldn't agree more Johnny Depp. Well said. The only thing that I have a little problem w/ is the whole Aquaman and Diana thing. I don't think that they would put that in there- you know, for Mera's sake.

Thanks Martian/J'onn, ooops I forgot about the established Mera! Guess we know why I'm not married!

**Johnny Depp** · 07-27-2002, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by Harvey Dent
I think part of the problem stems from the fact that Aquaman has already been established as a monarch, with responsibilities to his people. The creative team felt it would be wrong to have him globetrotting/galaxy-hopping with the League every week. In the comics, when the JLA was first established, he had no kingdom. He had no home. He had no family. The JLA became his family, and he remained a part of the team even when he became King of the Seven Seas.

Although, I still believe Arthur should be a member of the JL. Some people say that he's a king and he shouldn't be hanging out with the League. However, they seem to forget that Arthur does not have to be in every single story. Superman hasn't been in each story, and neither has Batman.

I agree with alot of that Harv, but I think they should sever his Atlantean ties for a while thus opening a portal to join. He has no one else to turn to sort of thing.

**Storm** · 07-27-2002, 05:45 PM

I like the seven the way it is. Instead of kicking Hawkgirl out make Aquaman a reserve member or once you have more guest apperances let the league take different shifts on a few episodes, like for example: One episode will have The Flash, Superman, Aquaman, and Black Canary (if she ever makes an apperance) another will have Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and J'onn. Besides I think Timm and Co wanted to expand new JL fans to a couple of different heroes, mostly everybody knows who Aquaman is (from his own show, Superfriends, and Superman:TAS), even my eight year old cousin knew who was Aquaman before JL premired. People who only watched cartoons based on DC Comics don't know who is Hawkgirl, Martain Manhunter, or even John Sterwart. Not everybody is going to want Aquaman one the team my brother dislikes Aquaman cause he think he was stupid and useless powers that can't help the Justice League in a emergency battle, but for me I would like to see him on th team but don't replace a JL member for him just make him a RESERVE member.

**Johnny Depp** · 07-27-2002, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by storm1288
I like the seven the way it is. Instead of kicking Hawkgirl out make Aquaman a reserve member or once you have more guest apperances let the league take different shifts on a few episodes, like for example: One episode will have The Flash, Superman, Aquaman, and Black Canary (if she ever makes an apperance) another will have Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and J'onn. Besides I think Timm and Co wanted to expand new JL fans to a couple of different heroes, mostly everybody knows who Aquaman is (from his own show, Superfriends, and Superman:TAS), even my eight year old cousin knew who was Aquaman before JL premired. People who only watched cartoons based on DC Comics don't know who is Hawkgirl, Martian Manhunter, or even John Stewart. Not everybody is going to want Aquaman one the team my brother dislikes Aquaman cause he think he was stupid and useless powers that can't help the Justice League in a emergency battle, but for me I would like to see him on th team but don't replace a JL member for him just make him a RESERVE member.

Nice Avatar STORM! Not a bad idea, but the fact Aquaman rules roughly 80% of the earth should be enough to have him officially join.

Your avatar reminds of a great two parter idea would be have Nightwing fill in for Bruce.

**Storm** · 07-27-2002, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by Johnny Depp
Nice Avatar STORM! Not a bad idea, but the fact Aquaman rules roughly 80% of the earth should be enough to have him officially join.

Your avatar reminds of a great two parter idea would be have Nightwing fill in for Bruce.

Thanks Johnny, Flash maded it for me.

**Martianman606** · 07-27-2002, 08:36 PM

No, no, no. None of that "reserve member" crap for Aquaman - he should be a permanent member. Jeez! He's been a member for so long. Why all of a sudden is he not? I do like the 7 as it is, but I don't think it would hurt to stick Aquaman in there as well.

**slackermonkey** · 07-27-2002, 09:37 PM

Originally posted by Johnny Depp
1. People seem to be angry about it, feel Hawkgirl is lame, forced, and offers nothing original whatsoever. She seems to be heavily based on the X cartoons Wolverine. Plagerism anyone?

Hawkgirl actually first appeared in the early 1940s (1941?) and Wolverine in 1974, so it's pretty much impossible for her to be a ripoff of a character who appeared 30 years later.

At any rate, I don't want Aquaman in the JL. It goes against his character. He's a monarch, a husband, and a father; any of those alone are huge tasks for anyone, so I can't see him also finding time to dedicate himself to the League. Not to mention he doesn't exactly care what happens to the 'surface dwellers' as long as it doesn't involve his kingdom in some way, so he most likely wouldn't get along with his teammates very well (esp. GL). But I have no problem with him being a recurring guest star.

**BeastBoyWonder** · 07-27-2002, 10:19 PM

I agree. The JL doesn't suit Aquaman's personality.

**Karkull** · 07-27-2002, 10:28 PM

His presence is missed in Justice League, but I kind of get the sense that he's the unofficial eighth member. He's certainly getting a lot of appearances for a guest star (one in the first season, one in the second).

**JusticeLeagueLegion** · 07-27-2002, 10:41 PM

I think he should be a full time member eventually...maybe someday...we can only hope.

**Storm** · 07-27-2002, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by Martianman606
No, no, no. None of that "reserve member" crap for Aquaman - he should be a permanent member. Jeez! He's been a member for so long. Why all of a sudden is he not? I do like the 7 as it is, but I don't think it would hurt to stick Aquaman in there as well.

He's been in the League in the comics and in the old Superfreinds t.v. series, I think it's nice to have a change once in a while maybe when Justice league have their fourth or fifth season then yes they could expand their team but for now I like the seven the way it is. I think it would be a little strange if the stuck Aquaman in there, it would be like "Oh the just put Aquaman in the team so they could please fans" and that's the last thing I want to happen. That's just my opinion.

**Simpler Simon** · 07-27-2002, 11:12 PM

i think the way its goin, we'll get one or two aquaman arcs a season, with other hero cameos later on. then, like Timm's original plan for STAS, the series finale involves every hero getting membership, and it becomes a rotating membership kinda thing.

**Johnny Depp** · 07-28-2002, 12:01 AM

Originally posted by El Goober

Hawkgirl actually first appeared in the early 1940s (1941?) and Wolverine in 1974, so it's pretty much impossible for her to be a ripoff of a character who appeared 30 years later.

At any rate, I don't want Aquaman in the JL. It goes against his character. He's a monarch, a husband, and a father; any of those alone are huge tasks for anyone, so I can't see him also finding time to dedicate himself to the League. Not to mention he doesn't exactly care what happens to the 'surface dwellers' as long as it doesn't involve his kingdom in some way, so he most likely wouldn't get along with his teammates very well (esp. GL). But I have no problem with him being a recurring guest star.

Goobs, c'mon, of course I realize Hawkgirl was created first timeline wise, but not her JL personality. Her personality is a direct facsimile of Wolverine's(Timm virtually admitted to it). Hawkgirl's comic incarnation is vaguely similar to her animated counterpart. When did she ever act like that in the comics? She was always much more rational and stoic.

Aquaman's monarch side can easily be danced around if they wanted to. The man dominates 80% of the world he needs JL representation in terms of making things right for Atlantis. Technically their world is his world. Translation, stop the Injustice Gang on land or the oceans are next.

Why is anyone's concern for earthlings(J'onn,Superman,Diana,Hawkgirl)greater than Aquaman's? The motivation for J'onn,Superman,Diana,Hawkgirl is just as indistinct as Arthur's. Hell maybe even less, they're not even from the planet earth.

**slackermonkey** · 07-28-2002, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by Johnny Depp

Goobs, c'mon, of course I realize Hawkgirl was created first timeline wise, but not her JL personality. Her personality is a direct facsimile of Wolverine's(Timm virtually admitted to it). Hawkgirl's comic incarnation is vaguely similar to her animated counterpart. When did she ever act like that in the comics? She was always much more rational and stoic.

Ohh, gotcha. My apologies.

**Chris Wood** · 07-28-2002, 08:39 PM

If Aquaman joins up again Zan can't be far behind.

**stwasm** · 07-29-2002, 08:59 AM

You make great points, but I must respectfully disagree with you. It's been established that Aquaman doesn't even like "surface-dwellers," let alone want to get involved in their affairs. He's more concerned about his waterways. I think this would be a real conflict and contradict what's already been shown in "A Fish Story" and "The Enemy Below."