For decades, Aquaman was the punchline of superhero jokes—until readers and creators alike began to realize that Arthur Curry is anything but a lightweight. As king of Atlantis, he bridges the gap between the surface world and the ocean’s depths. As a hero, he commands ancient magic, immense strength, and a will that refuses to bow to even the most godlike of enemies. Whether he’s leading armies beneath the waves or standing tall among the Justice League, Aquaman consistently proves that heroism isn’t about popularity—it’s about sacrifice, conviction, and heart. Here are the Top 10 Best Aquaman Moments That Prove He’s a True Hero—and why it’s time we all gave the King of Atlantis the respect he deserves.
#10: Leading the Atlantean Army in “Throne of Atlantis”
In Throne of Atlantis, a conflict breaks out between the surface world and Atlantis when a missile strike—accidentally launched from the surface—hits the ocean kingdom. Tensions boil over, and war erupts. But Arthur Curry, caught between two worlds, does the impossible: he stops a war by leading Atlantis while protecting the very world they’re invading.
This arc, penned by Geoff Johns, is one of Aquaman’s defining moments of diplomacy, strength, and leadership. Instead of immediately siding with his fellow Atlanteans, Arthur takes the harder path. He confronts Ocean Master, his own brother, in a brutal underwater battle—and defeats him not just with strength, but with strategy and compassion.
The visuals are stunning—Aquaman riding sea beasts into battle, clashing with the Justice League, and standing between two nations on the brink of annihilation. But the core of this moment is Arthur’s integrity. He chooses peace over pride, and unity over bloodshed. It’s the moment that redefined Aquaman not just as a hero of the sea, but as a king who deserves his crown.
#9: Taking Down the Trench King Single-Handedly
In the early issues of the New 52 Aquaman reboot, Arthur faces a horrifying new threat: the Trench, a species of monstrous sea creatures from the darkest ocean depths. When they rise to feed on the surface world, Aquaman doesn’t hesitate. He dives headfirst into their territory—alone.
What follows is a brutal, claustrophobic fight in total darkness. Armed with only his trident, Arthur battles hundreds of the ravenous creatures and ultimately confronts the Trench King, their massive, grotesque leader. Despite being overwhelmed, bitten, and battered, Aquaman never falters. He saves the kidnapped villagers, collapses the Trench hive, and emerges victorious.
This arc proved a crucial point: Aquaman is terrifyingly powerful. His ability to withstand pressure miles beneath the ocean, communicate telepathically with sea life, and hold his own against ancient monsters makes him one of DC’s most formidable heroes. But more than that, it highlights his bravery. He didn’t wait for backup. He knew the risk—and he went anyway. That’s a hero.
#8: Sacrificing His Hand to Save Innocents
One of the most defining—and brutal—moments in Aquaman’s history comes when he willingly sacrifices his own hand to save a child. During a storyline in the ’90s, Arthur is chained and tortured by the villain Charybdis, who plunges his hand into a pool full of ravenous piranhas. Rather than give up or scream for mercy, Aquaman makes a horrific choice: he pushes his hand in deeper to break the chains and save the innocent life at stake.
This isn’t just a gore moment—it’s a transformation. From this point forward, Aquaman becomes a darker, fiercer version of himself. He dons a harpoon hand (later upgraded to a mystical water hand) and reclaims his place in the world as a no-nonsense protector of the ocean and its people.
This act of self-mutilation isn’t glorified—it’s gut-wrenching. But it perfectly embodies Aquaman’s sense of duty. He would rather lose a limb than let someone suffer. It’s a chilling and unforgettable moment that finally got readers to see him as more than a second-string Justice Leaguer. This was the moment he became dangerous—and undeniably heroic.
#7: Going Toe-to-Toe with Superman
You know you’re legit when you don’t flinch going up against Superman. In Justice League Vol. 2 #16, tensions rise during the “Throne of Atlantis” arc, and Aquaman and Superman find themselves on opposite sides. When words fail, fists fly—and Arthur holds his own.
This isn’t just a gimmicky hero vs. hero fight. Aquaman uses tactics, terrain, and his brutal close-combat skills to keep the Man of Steel off balance. At one point, he even shoves Superman into the ocean and uses his mastery of the sea to gain the upper hand.
While he doesn’t win, the fact that he competes—and with dignity—shows how dangerous and disciplined he is. Superman even acknowledges Arthur’s strength and strategic mind afterward, reminding readers that Aquaman isn’t to be underestimated.
This moment silenced critics who still thought of Arthur as “the fish guy.” He’s a powerhouse, a tactician, and someone who won’t back down—even from gods.
#6: Reclaiming His Throne in The King Beneath the Sea
In Dan Abnett’s Aquaman: Rebirth run, Arthur finds himself ousted from the Atlantean throne, branded a traitor by his own people, and hunted like a criminal. Instead of waging a bloody war for revenge, Arthur goes underground—literally—fighting back from the shadows as a mythic figure dubbed “The Aquaman.”
What makes this arc so powerful is Arthur’s unyielding dedication to justice over ego. He doesn’t want the throne for power; he wants it to protect both Atlantis and the surface world. He infiltrates his own kingdom, exposes corruption, and takes down a brutal usurper with sheer will and grit. With nothing but his trident and tattered armor, he wins back his people’s trust—not by demanding loyalty, but by earning it again.
It’s a perfect example of Aquaman’s resilience. He doesn’t see the throne as entitlement—it’s a responsibility. And even when exiled, hunted, and forgotten, Arthur never gives up on the ideals that define him. His return isn’t triumphant because of spectacle—it’s triumphant because it’s righteous. He reclaims his title not because he wants to rule—but because his people need him to.
#5: Saving the Justice League from the Graveyard of Gods
In Justice League: Drowned Earth, the League is overwhelmed by ancient sea gods who flood the Earth and drown the skies in an alien ocean. The heroes are scattered, Atlantis is destroyed, and the world hangs in the balance. Amid the chaos, Aquaman makes the ultimate play—not just to save Earth, but to stop these cosmic tyrants once and for all.
Trapped in the Graveyard of Gods, Aquaman communes with long-forgotten deities and taps into a deeper, more primal connection to the sea. He reclaims control over ancient oceans and sacrifices himself to destroy the Death Kraken, a monstrous entity threatening all life.
Arthur dies saving the world, not in a blaze of glory, but in an act of selfless, ocean-deep heroism. His sacrifice is epic in scale but rooted in character—he’s willing to give everything to ensure no one else suffers. And when he eventually returns, it’s not as a king or warrior—but as a guardian, reborn with an even deeper bond to the ocean itself.
This arc captures everything Aquaman represents: myth, power, sacrifice, and hope beneath the waves. It’s Arthur at his most godlike—and most human.
#4: Forming an Alliance Between Atlantis and the Surface World
Diplomacy doesn’t always make headlines in comics, but when Aquaman builds the first lasting political alliance between Atlantis and the surface, it’s nothing short of heroic. In Geoff Johns’ Aquaman run and continuing into Rebirth, Arthur devotes much of his time not to punching villains, but to forging trust between two civilizations that have always feared and misunderstood one another.
This effort requires patience, compromise, and strength—not of the body, but of character. Arthur attends UN summits, negotiates treaties, and repeatedly puts himself in harm’s way to show the surface world that Atlantis can be a force for peace.
What makes this so compelling is how rare it is for superheroes to use their influence to enact systemic change. Aquaman isn’t just saving cities—he’s changing the world. And he does it not with a clenched fist, but with open arms. It’s heroic in a way that’s quieter, but no less powerful. It’s a reminder that true leadership is about building bridges—and Arthur, the bridge between land and sea, does it better than anyone.
#3: Defeating Black Manta Without Giving in to Hate
Few rivalries in comics are as intense as Aquaman vs. Black Manta. After all, Manta murdered Arthur’s infant son—one of the darkest moments in DC history. Yet, despite the deep pain, Aquaman repeatedly chooses not to kill him.
In Geoff Johns’ run and later arcs, Aquaman defeats Black Manta multiple times, even when Manta is at his most ruthless. But Arthur never crosses the line. Even when Manta pushes him to the brink—taunting him, threatening innocents, trying to drag him into the abyss—Arthur chooses mercy. He understands that vengeance won’t bring peace, and that killing Manta would only dishonor the legacy he’s trying to uphold.
This restraint is what truly defines Arthur’s heroism. He could end Manta with a thought. Instead, he rises above revenge. He shows that being a hero isn’t just about strength—it’s about mastering the darkness within yourself.
That decision is harder than any underwater battle or monster fight. And yet, Aquaman makes it time and again. Because he’s not just a king—he’s a man trying to do better. And that makes him legendary.
#2: Protecting Amnesty Bay from a God-Level Threat
Amnesty Bay is Aquaman’s home above the waves—a sleepy coastal town where he can feel human. In Kelly Sue DeConnick’s Aquaman run, when ancient gods threaten the land with apocalyptic fury, Arthur doesn’t call in the League. He doesn’t retreat to Atlantis. He stays and fights to protect his people—fishermen, lighthouse keepers, kids on bikes.
What makes this moment beautiful is its scale. The enemy is cosmic, yet Aquaman fights in front yards, docks, and beaches, treating every citizen like royalty. He summons sea monsters not for destruction, but defense. He builds walls of water, tames chaos, and shows that being a hero isn’t about where you rule—it’s about who you stand up for.
Even when wounded, even when the gods mock his mortality, Arthur doesn’t yield. Because to him, the fate of a small town is every bit as important as the fate of the Earth. That grounded humanity, set against godlike power, is why Arthur Curry is one of the most underrated—but essential—DC heroes.
#1: Refusing to Abandon Either World
The defining theme of Aquaman’s life is duality. Half-human, half-Atlantean. King of one world, protector of another. And time and again, he’s asked to choose—Atlantis or the surface. But he never does. He refuses to abandon either.
In every major storyline—from Throne of Atlantis to The Drowning—Arthur stands at the crossroads of war and peace. Politicians, generals, and even friends demand that he pick a side. But Arthur is the side. He insists on being both, even when it costs him power, love, or loyalty.
That decision—to be whole in a divided world—is the truest act of heroism. Because it means living with constant conflict. It means defending two realms that often want nothing to do with each other. It means standing alone when both sides see you as a traitor.
But Arthur does it anyway. Because he’s not just a king. He’s Aquaman—the bridge between two worlds, the champion of the sea and land, the hero who doesn’t pick sides. He saves them.
Aquaman is no joke. These ten moments prove that Arthur Curry is one of DC’s most powerful, principled, and profoundly human heroes. Whether he’s sacrificing his body, making peace between empires, or defying cosmic threats to protect a single soul, Aquaman shows us that real heroism is about more than raw strength—it’s about heart, duty, and never giving up on the world, or yourself. He doesn’t just rule the sea—he earns the right to lead, every single day.
