Aquaman is one of the most popular superheroes in the DC Comics universe. He is the ruler of Atlantis, the underwater kingdom that is home to a race of powerful and advanced beings. He has superhuman strength, speed, durability, and the ability to communicate with and command all marine life. He also wields a powerful trident that can manipulate water and energy.
But is Aquaman related to Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea? This is a question that many fans have wondered about, especially after the release of the 2018 movie Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa. In this article, we will explore the possible connections between Aquaman and Poseidon, based on mythology, comics, and movies.
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Aquaman and Poseidon in Mythology
Poseidon is one of the twelve Olympian gods in Greek mythology. He is the son of Cronus and Rhea, and the brother of Zeus, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. He is also the husband of Amphitrite, the goddess of the sea, and the father of many children, including Triton, Polyphemus, Theseus, Orion, and Pegasus.
Poseidon is the lord of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses. He is often depicted as a bearded man with a trident, riding a chariot pulled by horses or dolphins. He is known for his temperamental and vengeful nature, often causing disasters and conflicts with his power over the natural forces.
Aquaman is not based on Poseidon directly, but he does share some similarities with him. Both are rulers of the sea, wielders of tridents, and have a connection to marine life. However, Aquaman’s origin story is different from Poseidon’s. According to some versions of his comic book history, Aquaman is the son of Tom Curry, a human lighthouse keeper, and Atlanna, an Atlantean princess who fled her kingdom to escape an arranged marriage. Aquaman inherits his abilities from his mother’s side of the family, and later discovers his true heritage as the heir of Atlantis.
Aquaman and Poseidon in Comics
In the DC Comics universe, Poseidon exists as a separate entity from Aquaman. He is one of the gods of Olympus, who have interacted with various superheroes over time. For example, Wonder Woman is the daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. Superman has also encountered Zeus and other gods on several occasions.
Poseidon has had a few encounters with Aquaman as well. In one story from 1965, Poseidon falls in love with Mera, Aquaman’s wife and queen of Atlantis. He kidnaps her and takes her to his realm in ancient Greece. Aquaman follows him with the help of Zeus and challenges him to a contest for Mera’s hand. Aquaman wins the contest by retrieving a golden apple from under the sea, but Poseidon refuses to give up Mera and flees to Aquaman’s time. Aquaman and his sidekick Aqualad pursue him and manage to rescue Mera from a monstrous creature created by her.
In another story from 2001, Poseidon appears as an ally of Aquaman against Triton, his rebellious son who wants to overthrow him and take over Atlantis. Poseidon helps Aquaman defeat Triton and his army of sea monsters by lending him his trident and granting him temporary godhood.
Aquaman and Poseidon in Movies
In the 2018 movie Aquaman, directed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Amber Heard as Mera, Poseidon does not appear as a character. However, he is mentioned as one of the ancient gods who created Atlantis and gave its people their powers. He also left behind his trident as a symbol of his authority and a weapon of immense power.
The movie follows Aquaman’s journey to claim his rightful place as the king of Atlantis and stop his half-brother Orm from waging war against the surface world. Along the way, he faces many dangers and enemies, such as Black Manta, King Nereus, and Karathen. He also learns more about his heritage and destiny as the bridge between two worlds.
The movie draws on many elements from Greek mythology to create its own version of Atlantis. For example,
- The city is divided into seven kingdoms that represent different aspects of marine life: The Brine (crustaceans), The Fishermen (fish), The Trench (monsters), The Xebel (warriors), The Deserters (desert dwellers), The Missing (unknown), and The Atlanteans (the main civilization).
- The trident of Poseidon is the key to unlocking the hidden kingdom of The Deserters, where Aquaman finds the tomb of King Atlan, the first and greatest king of Atlantis. The trident can only be wielded by the true heir of Atlantis, who must prove his worth by facing the Karathen, a gigantic sea creature that guards the trident.
- The movie also references other mythological figures, such as the Kraken, a legendary sea monster that appears as an ally of Aquaman, and the Sirens, who lure sailors to their doom with their enchanting voices.
Conclusion
Is Aquaman related to Poseidon? The answer is no, not directly. Aquaman and Poseidon are separate characters in the DC Comics universe, who have different origins and histories. However, they do share some similarities and connections, such as being rulers of the sea, wielders of tridents, and having a link to marine life. They have also interacted with each other in some comic book stories, sometimes as enemies and sometimes as allies.
The 2018 movie Aquaman does not feature Poseidon as a character, but it does mention him as one of the ancient gods who created Atlantis and gave its people their powers. It also uses many elements from Greek mythology to create its own version of Atlantis and its culture.
Aquaman is a fascinating superhero who has a rich and complex background that spans both mythology and comics. He is more than just a man who can talk to fish. He is the king of Atlantis, the protector of the oceans, and the bridge between two worlds.
