Kaldur'ahm

{{Infobox comics character

|image = AqualadYJustice.jpg

|imagesize =

|converted = y

|caption = Aqualad as he appears in Young Justice

|character_name = Aquaman

|real_name = Kaldur'ahm

|publisher = DC Comics

|first_series = Young Justice

|first_episode = Independence Day (November 26, 2010)

|first_comic = Brightest Day #4 (August 2010)

|creators = Brandon Vietti
Greg Weisman
Phil Bourassa

|species = Atlantean/Human hybrid

|homeworld = Atlantis

|alliances = Young Justice
Justice League
The Light

|partners =Wyynde

|supports =

|aliases = Kaldur
Aqualad
Aquaman II

|powers =

Atlantean physiology grants him superhuman strength, adaptation to underwater environments, enhanced senses, and can swim at superhuman speed levels.
Proficiency in magic; allows for mystical hydrokinesis, hydrokinetic constructs, bio-electric energy blasts, and other magical abilities.
Natural-born leader and planner
Master strategist
Master of deception and duplicity

|cat = super

|subcat = DC Comics

|hero = y

|villain =

|sortkey = Aqualad (Jackson Hyde)

}}

Kaldur'ahm, or Kaldur for short, is the superhero codenamed Aqualad and Aquaman in media published by DC Entertainment. The character was created by Brandon Vietti, Greg Weisman and Phil Bourassa for the television series Young Justice, and voiced by Khary Payton.{{cite web |last=Toner |first=Allison |date=October 11, 2010 |title=NY Comic-Con 2010: Young Justice Preview |url=http://poptimal.com/2010/10/ny-comic-con-2010-young-justice-preview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019233842/http://poptimal.com/2010/10/ny-comic-con-2010-young-justice-preview |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |access-date=October 14, 2010 |work=Poptimal}}{{cite web |title=Aqualad / Kaldur'ahm Voices (Aquaman) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Aquaman/Aqualad-Kaldurahm/ |access-date=December 1, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. His name is a reference to the character Cal Durham (the character's foster father), formerly a henchman of the supervillain Black Manta (the character's biological father) who was sent to infiltrate Atlantis, but defected to the Atlanteans. While originally developed for television, DC quickly adapted the character to its mainstream comic books, with Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis re-interpreting the character.{{Cite press release |title=Opening the Vault - A Live-action Blue Beetle? |date=June 15, 2010 |publisher=DC Comics |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2010/06/15/opening-the-vault-%25e2%2580%2593-a-live-action-blue-beetle |access-date=April 2, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722005240/http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/06/15/opening-the-vault-%E2%80%93-a-live-action-blue-beetle/ |archive-date=July 22, 2010}} For television, creators were able to tell a story where Aqualad had known and worked with Aquaman for many years, while the comic book version had to be introduced to Aquaman and readers at the same time, meaning aspects of his backstory had to be changed.

Debuting under the name Jackson Hyde in Brightest Day #4 (August 2010), months ahead of his television debut, the character's history and background differ from the animated counterpart. In the comics, Jackson (birth name Kaldur'ahm) was originally born to an unnamed Xebellian woman and Black Manta in the Kingdom of Xebel, the young infant was granted powers due to extraordinary circumstances. As an infant, he is saved by a younger Mera, who leaves him on the surface and arranges for him to be adopted. When forces from the extradimensional realm target him and his adoptive family, Aquaman protects him and his family. When he learns his true origins, he decides to help Aquaman. Eventually, he adopts the Aqualad name and becomes a sidekick of Aquaman and a member of the Teen Titans.

In 2016, years after The New 52 and during DC Rebirth, Jackson is the son of Black Manta and Lucia, a Xebellian elite and former member of Xebel's honor guard who was once seduced by Black Manta with promises of a life outside Xebel. The character would begin working as a member of Teen Titans, adopting the Aqualad alias (per a request from Tempest) similar to his prior comic version.{{Cite book |last=Percy |first=Benjamin |title=Teen Titans. Vol. 2, The rise of Aqualad |date=2018 |others=Khoi Pham, Pop Mhan, Jim Charalampidis, Corey Breen |isbn=978-1-4012-7504-4 |location=Burbank, CA |oclc=987325969}} Later, the character sought mentorship in Aquaman and began working alongside him and Mera while being supported by his mother. In Aquaman: The Becoming, the character would first use the Aquaman codename concurrently with Arthur Curry, the two are depicted as partners.

Fictional character biography

=''Young Justice''=

Aqualad is the protégé of Aquaman and a founding member of the Team. In between the first and second seasons, he learns that he is the son of Black Manta.{{cite web |date=October 11, 2010 |title=NYCC 2010: Young Justice Animated |url=http://www.titanstower.com/monitor/?p=2315/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515004857/http://www.titanstower.com/monitor/?p=2315%2F |archive-date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |publisher=Titanstower.com}} The episode "Downtime" reveals that Aquaman recruited Kaldur'ahm after he and Garth rescued him during a battle with Ocean Master. Garth was also offered to become Aquaman's sidekick, but remained in Atlantis to continue his studies in sorcery.

In the second season, Invasion, Kaldur works undercover within the Light to uncover who the Light's partner is. He is exposed, but reveals the Light's betrayal of the Reach via a hologram.

In the third and fourth seasons, Outsiders and Phantoms, Kaldur becomes Aquaman after Orin retires. He also becomes the leader of the Justice League and enters a relationship with Wyynde.{{Cite magazine |author=Holub |first=Christian |date=February 10, 2022 |title='Young Justice' showrunners tease the climactic second half of 'Phantoms' |url=https://ew.com/tv/young-justice-showrunners-tease-second-half-phantoms/ |access-date=February 28, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Tim |date=August 8, 2019 |title=Young Justice: Aquaman's Boyfriend, Wyynde, Explained |url=https://www.cbr.com/young-justice-wyynde-aquaman-boyfriend-explained/ |access-date=December 1, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}

=Comic books=

{{Infobox comics character |image=Jackson_Hyde,_Aquaman_The_Becoming_1_Textless.jpg|imagesize=|converted=y|caption=Jackson Hyde as Aquaman
art by David Talaski|character_name=Aquaman|real_name=Jackson Hyde (current)
Kaldur'ahm (previous continuity birth name)|publisher=DC Comics|first_episode=|first_comic=Brightest Day #4 (August 2010)|creators=Brandon Vietti
Greg Weisman
Phil Bourassa|species=Xebellian/Human hybrid|homeworld=Xebel|alliances=Young Justice
Teen Titans
Justice League
Justice League Queer|partners=|supports=Aquaman|aliases=Aqualad|powers=*Xebellian hybrid physiology allows for superhuman strength, durability, enhanced senses, and ability to breathe underwater. Also inherited is the natural of hydrokinesis (create hard water constructs) and electrokinesis.

Skilled hand-to-hand combatant and knowledge in various weaponry.|cat=super|subcat=DC Comics|hero=y|villain=|sortkey=Aquaman (Jackson Hyde)}}

A different version of the character debuted in Brightest Day #4 (August 2010), shortly before the premiere of Young Justice.{{cite web |date=June 11, 2010 |title=BRIGHTEST DAY EXCLUSIVE: WHO IS THE NEW AQUALAD? |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2010/06/11/brightest-day-exclusive-who-is-the-new-aqualad |access-date=December 26, 2010 |publisher=DC Comics}}{{cite web |last=Parkin |first=John |date=June 11, 2010 |title=New Aqualad to debut in Brightest Day, Young Justice cartoon |url=https://www.cbr.com/new-aqualad-to-debut-in-brightest-day-young-justice-cartoon/ |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=CBR}} Although similar to his animated counterpart, the comic book incarnation of the character features key differences from the animated version, originating from the kingdom of Xebel rather than Atlantis and lacking magical abilities.

== Pre-Flashpoint ==

=== Earlier life ===

A teenager from Silver City, New Mexico, Jackson Hyde was taught by his parents to fear water since he was young; they do not want him near it because his true parents would be able to locate him and his Atlantean abilities would awaken. Jackson has kept this secret hidden for years, lying to his girlfriend about being afraid of drowning, being unable to swim and being in the dark about the mysterious tattoos he has had since birth. Aquaman is later contacted by the Life Entity, which tells him to locate Jackson before a second unidentified group, which is speculated to be Siren and her Death Squad.Brightest Day #7 (October 2010)Brightest Day #9 (September 2010)

=== ''Brightest Day'' ===

During Brightest Day, Jackson's Xebellian abilities activate and he learns that Black Manta is his biological father.{{cite web |date=August 30, 2010 |title=Green Arrow vs. Martian Manhunter? |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2010/08/30/green-arrow-vs-martian-manhunter |access-date=April 2, 2022 |publisher=DC Comics}} After witnessing Jackson in the rain, his adoptive father takes him to a cottage by the sea. He tells him that Mera had given Jackson to him, asking that he keep him away from his parents, and he was given an Atlantean chest to be opened when the truth is discovered. Before the chest can be opened, Black Manta, along with Siren and her Death Squad, attacks. Jackson defends his adoptive father, but cannot stop Black Manta from shooting a trident-shaped dart at him. Jackson's adoptive father would have died if not for Aquaman's intervention, who blocks and crushes the dart.Brightest Day #10 (September 2010)

Aquaman gets Jackson and his foster father to safety where everything is explained to them. The chest is opened, which activates a map.Brightest Day #11 (October 2010) Using the map, the two discover a sealed chest that only Jackson can open. Once the chest is opened, Jackson is shown a recording from Mera, who explains that his father and mother had been kidnapped and tortured by the people of Xebel while exploring the Bermuda Triangle, where the gateway to the colony is located. Xebel's king had ordered that the child, the first "outsider" born there in centuries, be experimented on to serve as a key that would finally free them from their exile. Fearing for the child's safety, Mera had stolen the infant and brought him to the surface world, where she subsequently gave him to the foster family that ended up raising him. She also reveals his true name; Kaldur'ahm. Once the recording is over, Jackson discovers several items which Mera had left for him, notably a soldier's uniform from Xebel and a pair of "Water Bearers", metallic constructs that help him control his water-manipulation abilities.Brightest Day #16 (December 2010)

Aquaman and Jackson end up in Miami, Florida, which Black Manta and are invading. Jackson successfully uses his waterbearers to create blades, which he uses to fight off the attacking troops, and even briefly holds his own in a duel with Siren.Brightest Day #19 (February 2011) After Black Manta severs Aquaman's right hand, Jackson attacks his father and berates him for siding with the people who killed his own wife, only for Black Manta to throw Jackson to the ground and coldly states that both he and his mother mean nothing to him. As Black Manta is about to impale his son with one of his blades, Mera arrives with Aquagirl, who saves Jackson by kicking his father in the face. After using his bio-electrical abilities to cauterize Aquaman's wound, Jackson and Mera seal Black Manta, Siren, and the rest of the invaders in the Bermuda Triangle. As the heroes celebrate, Jackson is shown to have a crush on Aquagirl.Brightest Day #20 (February 2011) Afterwards, Mera tells Aquaman that Jackson wants to continue his training. Aquaman informs her that he has already contacted the Titans.Brightest Day #24 (April 2011)

=== ''Teen Titans: Team Building'' ===

After Damian Wayne joins the Teen Titans, a vision of Jackson arriving at Titans Tower and confronting Superboy, Wonder Girl, Beast Boy, and Kid Flash is shown as part of a collage of future events that will affect the team.Teen Titans (vol. 3) #88 (October 2010){{Cite book |last=Krul |first=J. T. |title=Teen Titans: team building |date=2011 |publisher=DC Comics |others=Fabian Nicieza, Nicola Scott, Doug Hazlewood |isbn=978-1-4012-3256-6 |location=New York |oclc=709682505}}

== Rebirth ==

It is mentioned that he displays a near-superhuman talent for swimming.DC Rebirth #1 Aqualad joined the Teen Titans after the team encountered him while exploring the San Francisco Bay for a mission.

Powers and abilities

= ''Young Justice'' version =

Kaldur'ahm is granted various powers through his Atlantean-based hybrid physiology, possessing superhuman strength, durability, enhanced senses, capability to breathe underwater and swim at fast speeds, and one mentioned to have resistance towards poisons. In addition to his natural abilities, he trained in the mystic arts in the Conservatory of Sorcery, gaining eel-like tattoos. With his magical abilities, he can generate electricity, bend and shape water at will, create hard-water constructs, and utilize spell-casting.

In addition to his powers, Kaldur is an expert combatant and is considered a capable tactician and leader, having led both the Team and later became the chairman of the Justice League. He is also duplicitious, having managed to position himself within the clandestine organization, the Light, as a double agent and was able to create and perform complex manipulations and plans to maintain his position.

= Comic book version =

Due to his hybridized Xebellian physiology, Jackson is capable of living and breathing underwater, possessing superhuman strength, superhuman durability, and enhanced senses (allowing him to see in the dark). Due to his Xebellian heritage, he is also capable of generating electricity in a manner similar to an electric eel as well as manipulating and shaping water at will similar to characters like Mera and Siren, his powers being telepathic in nature (unlike his Young Justice counterpart, in which are magical).{{Cite book |last=Scott |first=Melanie |title=DC ultimate character guide |date=2019 |isbn=978-1-4654-7975-4 |edition=New |location=New York |oclc=1089398386}} Sometime after adopting the Aquaman name, the character's hydrokinetic prowess is depicted as being at a higher level, being proficient enough to manipulate blood within an individual.Aquamen #2 (May 2022)

In addition to his powers, the character is also a skilled combatant, having received training from Robin (Damian Wayne) and Aquaman (Arthur Curry).{{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Brandon |title=Aquaman: the becoming |date=2022 |others=Diego Olortegui, Scott Koblish, Daniel Sampere, Wade Von Grawbadger, Norm Rapmund, Adriano Lucas |isbn=978-1-77951-645-9 |location=Burbank, CA |oclc=1293665669}}

Other versions

A version of Aqualad appears as a part of the Ubernet Teen Titans/Justice League in the pages of Red Robin.Red Robin #19 (March 2011)
Jackson Hyde appears as Aqualad in the prequel comic to Injustice 2, where he agrees to represent the oceans and joins Batman's efforts to rebuild the world after Superman's rule. However, he is later revealed to be allied with Ra's al Ghul and assassinates the president after Blue Beetle accidentally destroys several endangered species in Ra's' reserve.Injustice 2 #10 (2016)
DC Comics released the original graphic novel You Brought Me the Ocean on June 16, 2020.{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2019 |title=YOU BROUGHT ME THE OCEAN |url=https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/you-brought-me-the-ocean |access-date=June 19, 2020 |website=DC Comics}} Written by Alex Sánchez and drawn by Jul Maroh, the story focuses on Jake Hyde's teenage years in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico and learning to cope with his father's drowning while also struggling with his sexuality, future college plans, and burgeoning superpowers. Kirkus Reviews praised You Brought Me the Ocean as "a worthy, diverse addition to the DC Universe".{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alex-sanchez/you-brought-me-the-ocean/|title=YOU BROUGHT ME THE OCEAN |website=Kirkusreviews.com}} The graphic novel was nominated for the 32nd GLAAD Media Awards (2021) for Outstanding Comic Book. On April 8, 2022, it was announced that You Brought Me the Ocean will be adapted as a live-action series released on HBO Max.{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=April 8, 2022 |title=DC's Aqualad Getting His Own HBO Max Series Courtesy of Charlize Theron |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/aqualad-live-action-series-jackson-hyde-charlize-theron |website=IGN}} Charlize Theron, A.J. Dix, Beth Kono, and Andrew Haas of Denver & Delilah Films are executive producers for the series.{{Cite news |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=April 8, 2022 |title=HBO Max to Develop Aqualad Origin Story 'You Brought Me the Ocean', Charlize Theron to Produce |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/hbo-max-aqualad-you-brought-me-the-ocean-charlize-theron-1235228645/ |access-date=April 9, 2022 |work=Variety |language=en-US}}

In other media

=Television=

Aqualad appears in the Teen Titans Go! episode "Let's Get Serious", voiced again by Khary Payton.
Aqualad appears in the Mad segment "Teen Titanic".

=Film=

An alternate universe variant of Kaldur'ahm makes a cameo appearance in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox as a member of Aquaman's army before being killed in battle with the Amazons.

=Video games=

Aqualad appears as a playable character in Young Justice: Legacy, voiced again by Khary Payton.
Aqualad appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains.
Aqualad appears in DC Universe Online.
Aqualad appears in DC Legends.

References

External links

[http://worldofblackheroes.com/2010/06/12/aqualad-jackson-hyde/ World of Black Heroes: Aqualad Biography]
[http://www.comicvine.com/aqualad/29-71494/ Comicvine: Aqualad]
{{DCdatabase|Jackson Hyde}}

Category:Animated characters introduced in 2010

Category:Aquatic superheroes

Category:African-American superheroes

Category:Characters created by Geoff Johns

Category:Comics characters introduced in 2010

Category:DC Comics Atlanteans

Category:DC Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds

Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability

Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman senses

Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman strength

Category:DC Comics characters who use magic

Category:DC Comics child superheroes