Changes: Arthur Joseph Curry (New Earth)

Arthur Joseph Curry is the second Aquaman, a human with the ability to breathe underwater. Successor to Orin following his disappearance after Infinite Crisis, his predecessor later resumes the mantle following Blackest Night.

History

Origins

The son of marine biologist Philip Curry and his wife Elaine Curry, he was born prematurely on Avalon Cay during a storm; his mother died during childbirth. To save him, his father used an experimental procedure developed by Anton Geist that gave him gills. Arthur grew up with very little contact to the outside world, living inside a tank and gaining most of his knowledge from television. His home is destroyed during a massive storm while they were preparing to transport him to a larger tank in Miami, Florida.^[1]

Sword of Atlantis

In an effort to raise Sub Diego, the original Aquaman gives his body and mind to the Sea Gods and becomes vessel for a dark terrible power. Now an amnesiac monster calling himself Dweller in the Depths, he telepathically contacts Arthur Joseph Curry believing him to be the real Aquaman. Mistakenly remembering his own life story as prophecy, the Dweller encourages Arthur Joseph Curry to become the new Aquaman; they travel the sea together alongside King Shark, whom he also believes to be crucial to his destiny.^[1] Returning to his home, he finds it ravaged and bullet-ridden. Not knowing where his father was taken, his only destination is a great-uncle's lighthouse in Maine. Mera, attempting to help her people survive and recuperate in the wake of Atlantis' destruction, thanks him for freeing her people from Aurati raiders; the Dweller is unable to face her. Arthur is forced to duel her warrior Atsiul over a manner of honor, winning his first real fight.^[2] Following his near robbery at the hands of a merwoman named Tejaia, he discovers the Windward Home; this massive think-tank run by Jimmy Lockhart, Else Magnusson and the Sea Devils is also home to Atlantean dignitary Vulko's ghost.^[3]

Later Arthur finds the humanoid squid Topo, a naive youth attracted by superheroics, seeking to become a sidekick, and Tempest, now amnesiac, unable to breathe water and implanted with a post-hypnotic suggestion warning of an upcoming battle. The battle soon occurs, and the Dweller/Orin is apparently killed. The Justice League is called in to evaluate Orin's situation, but are unable to determine if he is truly dead, or if he can somehow resurrect himself due to his new magical nature.

Eventually, Aquaman was visited by the Lady of the Lake who explained his origins. The original Aquaman had given a sample of his water hand to Dr Curry in order to resurrect his dead son, Arthur, whom he had named after Orin. When Orin attempted to resurrect Sub Diego, part of his soul attached itself to the dead body of Arthur Joseph Curry, while Orin's physical form mutated into the Dweller. Blaming himself for Orin's death, Aquaman vows to never be called "Arthur" again, refraining from using the "stolen" name, asking only to be called Joseph in the future.

Arthur was considered as a candidate for the new Outsiders by Batman. After seeing him in action with Metamorpho, however, Batman decides against his induction.

In their quest to rid the Earth of all forms of kryptonite, Superman and Batman found a massive lump on the sea floor. The two of them were met with hostility by Aquaman and King Shark. A brief fight ensues, but eventually Joseph allows them to take what they came for. Before doing so, he points out that not everyone may want Superman to find all of Earth's kryptonite, and that he would have to be at least part human to know that.

Retirement

Curry was recently shown that he felt that he was not appreciated in his own right as the New King of Atlantis as many mere-citizens stated him to only be Orin reincarnated and not his own person, nor by others as Aquaman. Curry was shown to have abandoned both roles, leaving the familar costume of Aquaman and the ruling trident on Orin's throne when Tempest, formerly known as Aqualad, visited Curry.^[4].

Curry's current whereabouts are presently unknown.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Artificial Biological Adaptation: He is artificially biologically adapted to the deep ocean environment, giving them the ability to breathe underwater, enhanced sight, hearing and strength. He can withstand extremes of temperature and pressure that allow him to plunge into the ocean depths and resurface without harm. His metabolism must also be extremely efficient, given that he does not seem to suffer the effects of nitrogen narcosis, the bends or other deep sea ailments common to normal humans, under normal conditions. Any instance that might require that he surface in less than 10 seconds would still cause the nitrogen bubbles to form in his bloodstream.
- Amphibious Nature: Aquaman, can breathe both water and air, but must return to the aquatic environment at various intervals; this length can be prolonged by the humidity in the atmosphere.
- Enhanced Hearing
- Enhanced Sense of Smell
- Enhanced Vision
- Superhuman Durability
- Superhuman Stamina
- Superhuman Speed
- Superhuman Strength
Marine Empathy: He now speaks and understands the languages of the sentient sea peoples unaided, and has a limited ability to communicate with non-sentient sea life. He cannot speak directly to them as his predecessor could, but can send and receive emotional impressions and desires, such as communicating a need for help. He is working to expand the latter ability, and in one instance has been able to "see" through the eyes of nearby fish.

Abilities

Swordsmanship

Paraphernalia

Weapons

Sword

Notes

Arthur Joseph Curry is the grand-nephew of Orin's adoptive father Tom Curry, but it is hinted that his powers also stem from Orin's DNA. His father mentions that Anton Geist was involved in the procedure to save his life as a child, the same man responsible for the Sub Diego incident.^[1]
Arthur's origin as an altered human, not an Atlantean, is similar to the Golden Age Aquaman of Earth-Two.
At one point, when Cyborg helps Arthur Joseph Curry on an adventure, Vic suggests he come visit the Teen Titans. Cyborg had been mentoring the team as the roster filled with younger recruits, but Vic himself was already around 24 years old, and Arthur was only 22. So Arthur's joining the Teen Titans seems like it could have been a possibility. In addition, Aquagirl was concurring with Vic that the TT is a good group.^[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{DC Database:Character Template
-| Theme                   = Aquaman
+| Theme                   =
 | Image                   = Aquaman Arthur Joseph Curry 0001.jpg
 | RealName                = [[Arthur Curry|Arthur Joseph Curry]]
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 | Identity                = Secret
 | Alignment               = Good
-| Affiliation             = [[Outsiders]]
+| Affiliation             =
-| Relatives               = [[Philip Curry (New Earth)|Philip Curry]] (father), [[Elaine Curry (New Earth)|Elaine Curry]] (mother), [[Thomas Curry (New Earth)|Tom Curry]] (great uncle)
+| Relatives               = [[Philip Curry (New Earth)|Philip Curry]] (father), [[Elaine Curry (New Earth)|Elaine Curry]] (mother, deceased), [[Thomas Curry (New Earth)|Tom Curry]] (great uncle)
 | Universe                = New Earth
 | BaseOfOperations        =
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 | Height                  =
 | Weight                  =
-| Eyes                    =
+| Eyes                    = Blue
 | Hair                    = Blond
 | UnusualFeatures         =
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 | Education               =
-| Origin                  = [[Scientific experimentation]]
+| Origin                  =
 | PlaceOfBirth            = [[Avalon Cay]]
 | Creators                = Kurt Busiek; Jackson Guice
 | First                   = Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #40
+| Last                    = Final Crisis #7
 | Quotation               =
@@ Line 33: / Line 34: @@
 | QuoteSource             =
-| HistoryText             =
+| Overview                =
-'''[[Arthur Curry|Arthur Joseph Curry]]''' is the second '''[[Aquaman]]''', a human with the ability to breathe underwater. Successor to '''[[Aquaman (Arthur Curry)|Orin]]''', his predecessor later resumes the mantle following ''[[Blackest Night]]''.
+'''[[Arthur Curry|Arthur Joseph Curry]]''' is the second '''[[Aquaman]]''', a human with the ability to breathe underwater. Successor to '''[[Orin (New Earth)|Orin]]''' following his disappearance after ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', his predecessor later resumes the mantle following ''[[Blackest Night]]''.
+| HistoryText             =
 ===Origins===
+The son of marine biologist [[Philip Curry (New Earth)|Philip Curry]] and his wife [[Elaine Curry (New Earth)|Elaine Curry]], he was born prematurely on [[Avalon Cay]] during a storm; his mother died during childbirth. To save him, his father used an experimental procedure developed by [[Anton Geist (New Earth)|Anton Geist]] that gave him gills. Arthur grew up with very little contact to the outside world, living inside a tank and gaining most of his knowledge from television. His home is destroyed during a massive storm while they were preparing to transport him to a larger tank in [[Miami]], [[Florida]].<ref name="ASOA40">{{c|Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #40}}</ref>
-While awaiting transport to [[Miami]], [[Florida]], a young man named '''Arthur Joseph Curry''' was washed out into the sea when a storm ruptured the tank he was in. This Arthur Curry was the son of marine biologist Dr. [[Philip Curry]]. Arthur's mother, [[Elaine Curry]], died in childbirth, and Dr. Curry was forced to use a mutagenic serum on his son when he was born three months premature. Arthur lived his whole life in the main tank of his father's research facility at [[Avalon Cay]]; with the exception of a few brief visits to the ocean &mdash; his only window to the outside world being television.
 ===Sword of Atlantis===
+In an effort to raise [[Sub Diego]], the original [[Orin (New Earth)|Aquaman]] gives his body and mind to the [[Gods of Olympus|Sea Gods]] and becomes vessel for a dark terrible power. Now an amnesiac monster calling himself ''Dweller in the Depths'', he telepathically contacts Arthur Joseph Curry believing him to be the real Aquaman. Mistakenly remembering his own life story as prophecy, the Dweller encourages Arthur Joseph Curry to become the new [[Aquaman]]; they travel the sea together alongside [[Nanaue (New Earth)|King Shark]], whom he also believes to be crucial to his destiny.<ref name="ASOA40"/> Returning to his home, he finds it ravaged and bullet-ridden. Not knowing where his father was taken, his only destination is a great-uncle's [[Curry Lighthouse|lighthouse]] in [[Maine]]. [[Mera (New Earth)|Mera]], attempting to help her people survive and recuperate in the wake of [[Atlantis]]' destruction, thanks him for freeing her people from [[Aurati|Aurati raiders]]; the Dweller is unable to face her. Arthur is forced to duel her warrior [[Atsiul (New Earth)|Atsiul]] over a manner of honor, winning his first real fight.<ref>{{c|Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #41}}</ref> Following his near robbery at the hands of a merwoman named [[Tejaia (New Earth)|Tejaia]], he discovers the [[Windward Home]]; this massive think-tank run by [[James Lockhart (New Earth)|Jimmy Lockhart]], [[Elsa Magnusson (New Earth)|Else Magnusson]] and the [[Sea Devils]] is also home to Atlantean dignitary [[Nuidis Vulko (New Earth)|Vulko]]'s ghost.<ref>{{c|Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #42}}</ref>
-Shortly after his arrival in the sea, Arthur was mentally contacted by the mysterious "[[Orin (New Earth)|Dweller of the Depths]]," a deformed humanoid with tentacles where his hair and beard should be, who told Arthur to help [[King Shark]] fend off a gang of marauders. After doing so, the pair together went to meet the Dweller, who gave Arthur an [[Orin (New Earth)|Aquaman]]-like costume and believed Arthur to be the original Aquaman. This enraged King Shark, who still bore scars from a previous battle with Aquaman during the battle with [[Alexander Luthor, Jr. (Earth-Three)|Alexander Luthor]] and [[Kal-El (Earth-Prime)|Superboy-Prime]].
+Later Arthur finds the humanoid squid [[Topo II (New Earth)|Topo]], a naive youth attracted by superheroics, seeking to become a sidekick, and [[Garth (New Earth)|Tempest]], now amnesiac, unable to breathe water and implanted with a post-hypnotic suggestion warning of an upcoming battle. The battle soon occurs, and the Dweller/Orin is apparently killed. The Justice League is called in to evaluate Orin's situation, but are unable to determine if he is truly dead, or if he can somehow resurrect himself due to his new magical nature.
-The Dweller, still confusing Arthur for Aquaman and calling him his "charge," told Arthur and King Shark of a prophecy regarding Arthur's future, a prophecy which seemed to be a distorted version of the original Aquaman's history. Arthur told the Dweller that he was crazy, but King Shark pointed out the resemblance between the prophecy and the previous Aquaman's history, and that Aquaman disappeared some time ago. The Dweller replied that the original Aquaman was ''"transformed into one akin to a great and terrible enemy of your people and become the vessel of power strange, ancient and terrible."''
-After Arthur and King Shark left, the Dweller updated his diary, recording that the events about which he told Arthur must be true, feeling as if he experienced them himself. He writes with his own hand, which is made of hard-water as was Orin's. When Arthur later met [[Mera]], the Dweller found himself unable to go with him. Later, due to a fight with the Ocean Master, the Dweller realized that he was actually Orin.
-Later Arthur finds a humanoid squid named Topo, a naive youth attracted by superheroics, seeking to become a sidekick, and [[Garth (New Earth)|Tempest]], now amnesiac, unable to breathe water and implanted with a post-hypnotic suggestion warning of an upcoming battle. The battle soon occurs, and the Dweller/Orin is apparently killed. The Justice League is called in to evaluate Orin's situation, but are unable to determine if he is truly dead, or if he can somehow resurrect himself due to his new magical nature.
 Eventually, Aquaman was visited by the Lady of the Lake who explained his origins. The original Aquaman had given a sample of his water hand to Dr Curry in order to resurrect his dead son, Arthur, whom he had named after Orin. When Orin attempted to resurrect Sub Diego, part of his soul attached itself to the dead body of Arthur Joseph Curry, while Orin's physical form mutated into the Dweller. Blaming himself for Orin's death, Aquaman vows to never be called "Arthur" again, refraining from using the "stolen" name, asking only to be called Joseph in the future.
@@ Line 60: / Line 58: @@
 | Powers                  =
-* '''Artificial Biological Adaptation''': He is artificially biologically adapted to the deep ocean environment, giving them the ability to breathe underwater, enhanced sight, hearing and strength. He can withstand extremes of temperature and pressure that allow him to plunge into the ocean depths and resurface without harm. His metabolism must also be extremely efficient, given that he does not seem to suffer the effects of nitrogen narcosis, the bends or other deep sea ailments common to normal humans, under normal conditions. Any instance that might require that he surface in less than 10 seconds would still cause the nitrogen bubbles to form in his bloodstream.
+* {{Unique Physiology|Artificial Biological Adaptation}}: He is artificially biologically adapted to the deep ocean environment, giving them the ability to breathe underwater, enhanced sight, hearing and strength. He can withstand extremes of temperature and pressure that allow him to plunge into the ocean depths and resurface without harm. His metabolism must also be extremely efficient, given that he does not seem to suffer the effects of nitrogen narcosis, the bends or other deep sea ailments common to normal humans, under normal conditions. Any instance that might require that he surface in less than 10 seconds would still cause the nitrogen bubbles to form in his bloodstream.
-:* '''''[[Amphibious Nature]]''''': Aquaman, can breathe both water and air, but must return to the aquatic environment at various intervals; this length can be prolonged by the humidity in the atmosphere.
+** {{Amphibian|Amphibious Nature}}: Aquaman, can breathe both water and air, but must return to the aquatic environment at various intervals; this length can be prolonged by the humidity in the atmosphere.
+** {{Enhanced Hearing}}
-:* '''''[[Enhanced Sight]]''''': His ability to see in the murky depths of the ocean allows him exceptional night vision while on land.
+** {{Enhanced Sense of Smell}}
-:* '''''[[Enhanced Hearing]]''''': several times more acute than human capacity.
+** {{Enhanced Vision}}
-:* '''''[[Enhanced Smell]]''''': several times more acute than human capacity.
-:* '''''[[Superhuman Strength]]'''''
+** {{Superhuman Durability}}
-:* '''''[[Superhuman Speed]]'''''
+** {{Superhuman Endurance}}
-:* '''''[[Superhuman Endurance]]'''''
+** {{Superhuman Speed}}
-:* '''''[[Superhuman Durability]]'''''
+** {{Superhuman Strength}}
-* '''Marine Empathy''': He now speaks and understands the languages of the sentient sea peoples unaided, and has a limited ability to communicate with non-sentient sea life. He cannot speak directly to them as his predecessor could, but can send and receive emotional impressions and desires, such as communicating a need for help. He is working to expand the latter ability, and in one instance has been able to "see" through the eyes of nearby fish.
+* {{Animal Empathy|Marine Empathy}}: He now speaks and understands the languages of the sentient sea peoples unaided, and has a limited ability to communicate with non-sentient sea life. He cannot speak directly to them as his predecessor could, but can send and receive emotional impressions and desires, such as communicating a need for help. He is working to expand the latter ability, and in one instance has been able to "see" through the eyes of nearby fish.
 | Abilities               =
+* {{Swordsmanship}}
 | Strength                =
 | Weaknesses              =
@@ Line 78: / Line 77: @@
 | Transportation          =
 | Weapons                 =
+* '''Sword'''
 | Notes                   =
+* Arthur Joseph Curry is the grand-nephew of [[Orin (New Earth)|Orin]]'s adoptive father [[Thomas Curry (New Earth)|Tom Curry]], but it is hinted that his powers also stem from Orin's DNA. His father mentions that [[Anton Geist (New Earth)|Anton Geist]] was involved in the procedure to save his life as a child, the same man responsible for the [[Sub Diego]] incident.<ref name="ASOA40"/>
+* Arthur's origin as an altered human, not an Atlantean, is similar to the [[Golden Age]] [[Aquaman (Earth-Two)|Aquaman]] of [[Earth-Two]].
+* At one point, when [[Victor Stone (New Earth)|Cyborg]] helps Arthur Joseph Curry on an adventure, Vic suggests he come visit the [[Teen Titans (New Earth)|Teen Titans]]. Cyborg had been mentoring the team as the roster filled with younger recruits, but Vic himself was already around 24 years old, and Arthur was only 22. So Arthur's joining the Teen Titans seems like it could have been a possibility. In addition, [[Lorena Marquez (New Earth)|Aquagirl]] was concurring with Vic that the TT is a good group.<ref>{{c|Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis Vol 1 55}}</ref>
 | Trivia                  =
 | Recommended             =
@@ Line 90: / Line 93: @@
 [[Category:Accident of Science]]
 [[Category:Aquaman]]
-[[Category:Water Sense]]
 [[Category:Scientific Experimentation]]
-[[Category:Superhuman Strength]]
+[[Category:2006 Character Debuts]]
-[[Category:Superhuman Durability]]
-[[Category:Super-Speed]]

Changes: Arthur Joseph Curry (New Earth)

Revision as of 14:13, 26 June 2019

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