Aquaman to the Rescue?

When I was at Lerner Newspapers, I wrote a column on the most maligned superhero ever, Aquaman. I decried the fact that Aquaman had gone in and out of press, while other superheroes stayed relevant and even expanded their presence onto the big screen. As another insult, Aquaman writers gave him a harpoon for a hand in an effort to jazz up the character.
Recently, on the Howard Stern radio show, while staffer Steve Brandano gave a report on San Diego Comic Con, Stern mocked Aquaman saying that none of the attendees would want to be Aquaman if they could be any superhero. Then Stern stated that Aquaman was useless and couldn't do anything to help the water problem caused by the oil spill.
I was surprised to hear that from Stern, a noted superhero and comics fan. I would think the usually-creative Stern could see the potential in this for Aquaman. Stern fell victim to the same narrow-minded thinking which has caused the Aquaman character to stagnate while others flourish.
The BP oil spill could actually make a great story (and storyline) for Aquaman. It could show Aquaman actually solving world problems instead of just "telecommunicating with fish" as Stern mocked. Aquaman could be shown using his powers differently (perhaps even with a new twist).
I realize Stern's joking was just a throwaway addition to the Comic Con report, but still he dropped the ball on this one, the same way Aquaman's writers have dropped the ball. Am I the only one who sees the potential in Aquaman? Am I going to have to write the next chapter in the life of Aquaman?

Aquaman Spotted in Michigan

As my friends know all too well, I am a huge fan of Aquaman, the most maligned Superhero ever. I have also written about it here before.
The Motor City Comic Con is full of people dressing as various characters. I am always on the lookout for any Aquman (Aquamen?).
Luckily for me, the first person I saw at the 2010 MCCC was Aquaman. I immediately took advantage of the photo opportunity to digitally capture the moment with my favorite Superhero.
Please note, this is old-school Aquaman, the way it should be. I have spoken against the newer version of the man of water.

Aquaman and me in Novi, MI-May 2010.

Aquaman is THE Man!

I just learned that May 2 was Free Comic Book Day. It is always the first Saturday of May. On that day, participating comic book shops around the world give free comic books to people for just coming into the stores. I don't know if you get to pick out specific comic books, but I know which one I would pick.
Anyone who knows me, knows all too well that my favorite Superhero is Aquaman. I am not sure when my fandom began, but it has been this way as long as I can remember.
I often refer to him as the most maligned Superhero ever. In fact, Maxim magazine once listed Aquaman at #2 on the list of most useless Superheroes (behind Robin). This was an insult, but not really important enough to really incur my wrath.
In mid 2003, when I heard that the producers of Aquaman were changing Aquaman by giving him a harpoon in place of one hand, I wasn't happy. It's one thing for a silly magazine to insult Aquaman with so little respect for his abilities. It is entirely another for his own makers to have so little faith in the depths of Aquaman that they needed to 'spice up' the story by giving him a harpoon hand.
I might have mentioned this a couple times (or maybe a dozen) around the office and particularly to Laurie. Her response (to all of my rants) was for me to write a column.
Laurie had a keen sense for what her readers would like. Fortunately, I rewarded her faith by producing a column (with a lot of help from her) which resulted in a handful of calls/emails from readers.
I am really grateful that Laurie allowed (and encouraged) me to write. I am also pleased that she liked my writing, since I was a fan of her writing before I really even knew her.

My Aquaman guest column from the Lerner Times-October 9, 2003.