The Tragedy of Aquababy
Comic books can be action packed and full of adventure, but can also deal with heartbreaking tragedy. Aquaman and Mera protect Atlantis but also suffer the very real tragedy of the loss of a child.
Aquaman is a superhuman character able to accomplish amazing feats. He has fought alongside Wonder Woman and Superman and has saved the planet. He is the King of Atlantis and a hero of the Justice League. His trident is one of the most powerful weapons in the DC universe. Yet he could do nothing to stop the tragedy suffered by his son, Aquababy.
During Aquaman’s comic book adventures in the 1970s, he was married to Mera with a son, Arthur Jnr aka Aquababy. He was assisted in his adventures by a number of sidekicks, including Topo the octopus (who also babysat Aquababy) and Aqualad.
When Topo becomes aware that Aqualad is in danger, he attempts to alert Aquaman, but Aquaman is busy helping the injured Mera. Unable to get Aquaman’s attention, Topo takes Aquaman’s son and leads him to Aqualad. Unfortunately, Topo is also taking Aquababy straight to Black Manta.
Topo, Aquababy and Aquaman are captured. Threatening Aquababy and Topo, Black Manta makes Aquaman and Aqualad fight to the death. But Aquaman has other plans. Using his telepathic connection to Topo, Aquaman instructs the octopus in how to lower the force shield allowing Aquaman to attack Black Manta.
During the battle and while Aquaman recuses a group of innocent bystanders, Aquababy suffers fatal injuries. Aquaman instructs Topo to return Aquababy to Mera while he goes in search of Black Manta. Aquaman is driven by a desire to wreak his revenge on Black Manta and promises his justice will be brutal.
At the Altantian palace, Vulko does not have much hope for Aquababy’s survival. In an attempt to save her son, Mera travels to another dimension where the technology exists that could save Aquababy.
Arriving in the dimension from which she originated, Mera faces a tyrant who has taken the throne in her absence. He attempts to stand up to Mera, but driven by a desire to save her son, she defeats the tyrant. Mera then travels into the abyss where all the technology was thrown. She faces an ancient race of elemental demons and finds the device she needs.
When Mera returns to Aquababy, she is too late.
Mera’s story is one of desperation. She is willing to travel into a different dimension and face dangerous opponents for the chance of saving her son. Aquaman’s story is one of vengeance. He pursues Black Manta with the objective of killing him. When faced with the opportunity, Aquaman cannot carry out his retribution. He returns to Mera who blames him for the death of Aquababy.
The death of Aquababy is tragic, and not just because he loses his life at such a young age. Mera and Aquaman attempt to save Aquababy but neither are successful. In doing so, they miss out on the one fundamental responsibility of a parent, being there for your child in good and bad.
Mera and Aquaman are two parents who have become so overwhelmed by their duties and powers they forget that being successful isn’t always an option, but there is no excuse for not being there for your child.
We can learn an important lesson from the heartbreaking fate of Aquababy. The world can be a terrible place and it doesn’t matter if we have superpowers, tragedies happen. Our children suffer and sometimes the only thing we can do is be with them.
The story of Aquababy (and a good deal more) can be found in the graphic novel Aquaman: The Death of a Prince (this is a paid affiliate link and as an Amazon Associate I will earn a small income from qualifying purchases, but won’t cost you any more).