Orin (New Earth)/Quotes

It's been a long time, my friend.

--Orin (New Earth)

Aquababy's growing up -- and like any kid, he loves rough stuff! You don't want him to be a sissy -- do you?

--Orin (New Earth)

Kneel, then, Arthur Joseph Curry of Avalon Cay. Kneel as an ordinary man. But rise with a new purpose, a new mission. Rise... as AQUAMAN!

--Orin (New Earth)

Do I look like a cartoon character?

--Orin (New Earth)

There's an ancient wisdom I should have heeded long ago, if only I had recognized its truth applies as much to me as to all men. True happiness is found along a middle road. There lies the balance and the harmony -- with reason and emotion not at war, but hand in hand.

--Orin (New Earth)

You are trespassing in my city... in my domain. There will be penalties for this.

--Orin (New Earth)

Wow. She hit him so hard his ancestors felt it.

--Orin (New Earth)

The only "plague" I see, Captain, is that of the intolerance you have for those that are different from yourself.

--Orin (New Earth)

You wanted my life, Orm, and you had it. Maybe if you knew anything about being a ruler, you still would.

--Orin (New Earth)

I don't care who you are. You will show me respect.

--Orin (New Earth)

I swear I'll beat you within an inch of your life.

--Orin (New Earth)

That's right, Garth, you can stop them from helping me. You can kill them all, can't you? Maybe you can even kill me to serve your slavish loyalty to tradition -- the same traditions that exiled me in the first place. I guess we'll find out. Because I'm taking Mera with me -- unless you kill me -- if you can.

--Orin (New Earth)

I'm caretaker of the creatures in these waters -- and you're going to pay for that, you bastard!

--Orin (New Earth)

I'm sick of you, Manta. I'm sick of knowing that you're alive. As long as I've known you, you've killed innocent people. Women and children -- my child. You're not an activist, you're a depraved sociopath. Sick animals are destroyed, and I'm having a difficult time understanding exactly what makes you any different.

--Orin (New Earth)

Bruce listen, next time, just ask me to pick up some beer and videos on my way over, okay?

--Orin (New Earth)

Yes. Your king. Your king who would rather be buried in the mud next to his human father than his own people. Your king, who was hunted as a child because of his ties to the surface world. Your king, who returned when you begged him to help rebuild Atlantis. And who, after giving his blood to do it -- was hunted again. Now it's your king's turn to hunt.

--Orin (New Earth)

*Sploosh* Everyone hear that? I think the tide has turned in the Sea King's favor...

--Orin (New Earth)

This is the glory of the Justice League----that a man with only water powers flies through the air to a fire!

--Orin (New Earth)

We are who we are. Nothing can change that. Not a hook for a hand. Not long hair or a beard. Not being a teenager or an adult. None of that stuff matters because in the final analysis I am still king of Atlantis — and my will be DONE!

--Orin (New Earth)

My thoughts are your thoughts... my will is your will. Submit.

--Orin (New Earth)

Meet my friend -- a very rare species of lung-fish that can not only mimic human speech -- but repeat word for word what it has heard, much like a trained parrot!

--Orin (New Earth)

Don't they make you feel like God? With their blind faith. Their unconditional love. Their implicit trust? And when they look up into your eyes, you actually start to believe there's absolutely nothing you can't do o protect them. If only...

--Orin (New Earth)

Everything we do is designed to make life better for all, regardless of where we live, where we were born, or how we breathe.

--Orin (New Earth)

I'll have my finny friends finish this creature off!

--Orin (New Earth)

Are you trying again to prove to yourself that we're equals? Can't you get it through your head that we're not... we never will be...and that's no reflection on you?

--Orin (New Earth)

Flimsy manacles like these to hold me? Where am I, that you don't know of my strength?

--Orin (New Earth)

Great waves! Neptune has turned Aqualad into a--a sea beast, and has ordered him to destroy me!

--Orin (New Earth)

During what's come to be called the Earth/Mars War, many of your nations' leaders asked us where the League's most powerful members were-- Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern -- All were absent from the League at the moment of our greatest crisis. Because of their absence-- because we were a team halved in our power-- we failed to fulfill our-- duty-- to the world, and to ourselves. Too long, we've chosen to deny the reality-- that the League, as presently constituted, is a chimera and a fraud. The world deserves something more than a part-time organization of uncommitted dilletantes. Accordingly, ladies and gentlemen of the Assembly, I suggest you charter a new Justice League. The old League is finished-- and hereby disbanded.

--Orin (New Earth)

We all have losses in our lives. We all have things demanding our time. The question is -- what priority are we willing to give the League? Maybe we all need to reevaluate our commitment.

--Orin (New Earth)

There's no time to waste! I must summon the Justice League to an emergency meeting! It may well take our combined powers to battle the awesome menace of Starro and its starfish-deputies!

--Orin (New Earth)

Topo--your fans are waiting for you... Let's get started!

--Orin (New Earth)

Easy, sweetheart... who's the guardian of Atlantis? You're looking at him... the guy you married -- me!

--Orin (New Earth)

Remember -- I'm still the King of the Seven Seas! And if I wish I can command all the creatures of the sea to attack you -- at once!

--Orin (New Earth)

The water is the only place I can completely relax.

--Orin (New Earth)

Hard to believe... some kings manage whole harems.

--Orin (New Earth)

As Aquaboy, I often found it difficult to convince people of my existence!

--Orin (New Earth)

Begone, ye young scoundrels, before I change my mind! And don't come out to sea again till ye become full-fledged sailors!

--Orin (New Earth)

Now, suddenly, I see all the things I could have done to fix the problems between us, to really make us father and son. Everything seems possible -- now that nothing is possible.

--Orin (New Earth)

GAMEMNAE, HIGH TRAITORESS OF ATLANTIS, AND ALL WHO DARE FOLLOW HER BLASPHEMOUS RULE! ARTHUR, TRUE KING OF ATLANTIS, CALLS YOU FORTH – FOR JUDGMENT!

--Orin (New Earth)

Out of the way! How dare you interfere with the new king of the land beasts!

--Orin (New Earth)

Why, Aqualad! Nothing on land or sea could ever separate us!

--Orin (New Earth)

That's right, Manta, tell us all about costs -- and payments! Like the payment you owe me for my son's life!

--Orin (New Earth)

Unless I want to be transferred to the "Burial at Sea" roster -- I'd better get my fins in gear!

--Orin (New Earth)

This is incredible! An invading force has captured the entire city!

--Orin (New Earth)

It takes more than strategy and sacrifice to win a war... it takes passion!

--Orin (New Earth)

The seas were my mother and father. So no matter where I go in them, I'm at home. I am -- Aquaman

--Orin (New Earth)

I want you to know. I want you to know how it feels. And then... I want you to tell me.

--Orin (New Earth)

I've been a ruler before, Lorena. It's not a job I enjoy... but it's a job I'll take.

--Orin (New Earth)

You think your new powers and name and costume impress me? Me?!

--Orin (New Earth)

Do not assume I'm governed by some code against killing... or fear of legal consequences. No one will ever find your body.

--Orin (New Earth)

I'm buried under people's expectations of me. People see in me only what they need -- only what they want to see. It's up to me who I really am.

--Orin (New Earth)

Nice morning. You just gotta look at 'em like you've never seen it before.

--Orin (New Earth)

This is my war.

--Orin (New Earth)

I was going to ask you why you hate me so much, Manta... but I'm just going to kill you.

--Orin (New Earth)

Easy, sweetheart... who's the guardian of Atlantis? You're looking at him... the guy you married -- me!

--Orin (New Earth)

I've fought aliens, super-villains and would-be Gods. Why can't I defeat this guy?

--Orin (New Earth)

...And this is the Shaggy Man! I wasn't in on that one-- But the rest of the gang told me all about it! They battled him down in... Waitaminnit! Something's very wrong here--! --We never had a statue of the Shaggy Man!

--Orin (New Earth)

It's ghastly-- Incomprehensible--! But they look like grotesque composites of Flash, Hawkman and... and something!?

--Orin (New Earth)

Well, Ray, sometimes powers like ours are too specialized for the job at hand-- And sometimes, they're the only powers that can help! It evens out!

--Orin (New Earth)

Yes--and while I don't know exactly what's felled him--I'm putting the blame on you Teen Titans for his condition!

--Orin (New Earth)

Orm, you're a mad fool! All your life you've lusted after a crown of your own -- but you can't even make a decent life for yourself!

--Orin (New Earth)

I've faced Millenium Giants, Destroyers of Worlds and Insane Megalomaniacs. Never thought I'd have Stage Fright.

--Orin (New Earth)

I didn't want this, Noble. We are much alike, the two of us -- both fiercely loyal to our people. But the reflection I see has a flaw -- too stubborn or stupid to act in a reasonable manner. I thought we might have a chance to clear up this misunderstanding. But you wouldn't listen to reason. Now -- swear your allegiance to me and call off your troops! This is over!

--Orin (New Earth)

To save your beloved Gotham City, Batman! I may have sacrificed almost 200 lives to save millions!

--Orin (New Earth)

If you sail the seven seas!
In gondola or catamaran!
And you find yourself in trouble!
Please call on Aquaman!

--Orin (New Earth)

Who were you expecting -- Jacques Cousteau?

--Orin (New Earth)

I'm going to give him a piece of my mind -- and maybe my fist!

--Orin (New Earth)

I couldn't turn my back on the world -- I was a super-hero long before I was a King.

--Orin (New Earth)

Give it up, Starro! Because without your power -- you're about as much of a threat -- as a patch of day-old seaweed!

--Orin (New Earth)

Sorry, fellas, but that girl is my wife -- and I have this strange aversion to letting her be dragged off by a bunch of orange-skinned weirdos!

--Orin (New Earth)

I'll kill you for this, Shark... today, tomorrow or ten years from now -- but I'll kill you!

--Orin (New Earth)

I know there are certain benighted souls who think I'm some kind of third-rate hero, Scavenger -- but I'd think that you of all people -- would know better! But since you seem a bit confused -- let me make this perfectly clear... I was in the world-saving game when people like Firestorm and Black Lightning were still in diapers... I've worked hard to earn the respect and trust of every living creature beneath the waves -- and I take my job very seriously... so get this through your head, punk... I'm Aquaman, King of the Seven Seas... and I'm the BEST!

--Orin (New Earth)

Symbols are very important. Superman has his "S", Batman has his bats, Lantern has his ring, on and on. I need a symbol, too. So the sea creatures know I'm of the surface, and the surface men know that the sea can turn their weapons against them.

--Orin (New Earth)

I'm Aquaboy! I was born of a human sea-captain father-- and an amphibious mother, exiled from the lost underwater continent of Atlantis! I can live in both elements-- air and water! But out of water-- less than an hour! That's why I fought you-- In your well-meaning but misguided attempt to save me from "drowning"!

--Orin (New Earth)

Hey! Punk! Impressed yet?!

--Orin (New Earth)

I enjoy diplomatic immunity.

--Orin (New Earth)

I want you to feel the choking fear.

--Orin (New Earth)

I don't have time to think about myself. Everything I do is a reaction to what happens around me. Maybe it's time I started taking control.

--Orin (New Earth)

It's my worst nightmare. Water with an attitude.

--Orin (New Earth)

My chest explodes with a jumble of contradictory impulses, one on top of the other. Fear. Love. Pity. Sorrow... all trumped, in the end, by hatred.

--Orin (New Earth)

Enough! You're accomplishing nothing with all this talk! People are dying down there, and you're wasting time debating parliamentary procedure! You talk about wanting to govern... why not lead by example?

--Orin (New Earth)

You and so many like you... you hear "Aquaman" and you think... "oh, the fish man. Easy pickin's. The super-hero fall guy." Well, you all go on thinking that... while I stack your bodies in a pile twenty leagues deep.

--Orin (New Earth)

Perhaps you've forgotten why they call me the King of the Sea?

--Orin (New Earth)

Return to Atlantis. Let my people know what you have seen. Tell them I do not turn a blind eye to the darkness that has descended upon them.

--Orin (New Earth)

I swore an oath to uphold everything Atlantis stands for! I owe it to the people to vanquish the usurpers and restore my rule! I am Orin of Atlantis! Those sorcerer scum will squirm like the spineless jellyfish they are before the power of this!

--Orin (New Earth)

You can't live your whole life as a clenched fist.

--Orin (New Earth)

Let me explain an important fact about fists.

--Orin (New Earth)

The shock wears off and then you feel everything. After awhile, it's not so raw. It never goes completely away, but... maybe it shouldn't.

--Orin (New Earth)

I make no claim to wisdom. I'm just a little downstream of where you are. But I can tell you it gets better. Some days are worse. But can you experience a day like this and not want more?

--Orin (New Earth)

You think you can plunder and kill and escape me that easily!? Think again!

--Orin (New Earth)

I want you to do me a favor. I want you to give them a message. You tell them to stay away from Sub Diego... it's under my protection.

--Orin (New Earth)

Does this mean that--that I must spend the rest of my life in a fish tank, on the planet Pluto? No--I must do something to free myself...

--Orin (New Earth)

J'onzz showed them that they'd sold their hearts to a madman and a coward. The Marshal betrayed their faith in him... But J'onn J'onzz forced them to face reality... And that's something a nation can never forgive...

--Orin (New Earth)