Aquagirl

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Aquagirl
Tula Marius as depicted in The New 52
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAquaman vol. 1 #33 (May 1967)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoTula Marius
Lorena Marquez
SpeciesAtlantean
Place of originAtlantis
Team affiliationsAquaman Family
Teen Titans
PartnershipsAqualad (various)
Supporting character of
AbilitiesAll versions of Aquagirl are able to breathe underwater, have superhuman strength and durability, can withstand the extreme pressures of the ocean, and can swim at enhanced speeds.

Aquagirl (also Aqua-Girl) is the codename used by several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first two versions of the character, debuting in 1959 and then 1963, were introduced as one-off characters and later versions were introduced as supporting characters of Aquaman and the female counterpart of Aqualad.

Tula is the third and definitive version of the character, created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy and first debuted in Aquaman vol. 1 #33 (May–June 1967). A orphaned adopted into one of the royal families of Atlantis, she eventually becomes a romantic interest of the first Aqualad, a notable ally of Aquaman, and served as a member of the Teen Titans until her death during Crisis on Infinite Earths. The fourth incarnation, Lorena Marquez, was introduced in Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004). A teenage girl of Latina descent, she acquires Atlantean-like powers after being exposed to a serum derived from Aquaman's DNA and eventually assumes the role of Aquagirl, working alongside Aquaman with her exceptionally keen detective abilities and later joins the Teen Titans.

Following the continuity reboot of The New 52 in 2011, the third version was reintroduced as Tula Marius, the half-brother of Ocean Master who assumes various high-ranking roles in the Atlantean government, having served as a commander of a covert black-ops faction, a regent for Aquaman's administration, and as an honor guard during Mera's reign as queen. While known as Aquagirl, the character herself doesn't use the codename.[1]

Several incarnations of Aquagirl have appeared in media, including the Tula incarnation in the animated series Young Justice and 2013 animated film Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, although she is not identified as her codename in either. Original incarnations of the character also appear, such as Mareena, the future daughter of Aquaman and Mera, who appears in the DC Animated Universe.

Publication history

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The Tula version of the character was introduced in Aquaman vol. 1 #33 (May–June 1967), created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy.[2][3]

Fictional character history

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Tula Marius

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Aquagirl (Tula, left) in her first appearance on the cover of Aquaman vol. 1 #33 (May 1967). Art by Nick Cardy.

After losing her parents soon after her birth, Tula was found and adopted by one of the royal families of Atlantis. Given the title Princess of Poseidonis, Tula is schooled in Atlantean traditions and never leaves the royal palace until she meets Aqualad (Garth) at age fifteen. Tula sometimes helps Aqualad with missions during his time with the original Teen Titans, using the name Aquagirl. During Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), Aquagirl is killed by the villain Chemo when she drowns in water that he has poisoned.[4]

In the 1996–1997 miniseries Tempest, a woman claiming to be Tula enters Garth's life. In truth, it is a doppelgänger created by the villainous Slizzath as part of a plan to siphon Garth's mystical energy for his purposes. Garth sees through the ruse, is able to defeat Slizzath and finally gain a sense of closure about Tula's death. It is also at this time that Garth adopts a new identity as "Tempest".Aquagirl is brought back to life by Brother Blood—along with Hawk and Dove, Phantasm, and Kole—to fight against the Titans. After being freed by Beast Boy and Raven, Kid Eternity is able to lay the deceased Titans back to rest.[5]

In the Blackest Night miniseries (2009–2010), Tula, Aquaman and Dolphin appear as a group of reanimated Black Lanterns who attack Tempest and Mera. Tula tears out Tempest's heart, killing him and bringing about his reanimation as a Black Lantern.[6] Tula later appears to battle the Titans. However, her body is soon destroyed by a burst of white light emanating from Dawn Granger.[7]

In September 2011, DC Comics relaunched of all of its monthly titles with its New 52 initiative, rebooting the DC Universe continuity. Tula is reimagined as the half-sister of Ocean Master (Orm Marius) via her father, Orvax Marius.[8] Additionally, Tula is a former member of the Drift, an elite special faction in the Atlantean army.[9]

Lorena Marquez

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Lorena Marqueza as Aquagirl.

In Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004), teenager Lorena Marquez is visiting the San Diego Zoo when an earthquake shakes San Diego and causes it to sink deep into the sea, killing thousands—including Lorena's entire family. She discovers that she has developed the ability to breathe underwater like an Atlantean, and joins Aquaman in locating other survivors of the quake. Amoral scientist Anton Geist has experimented on the citizens of San Diego by tainting their water supply with a serum derived from Aquaman's DNA, and then triggering an earthquake to submerge the city and its inhabitants with the goal of turning them into ocean-dwellers. Lorena and Aquaman have no choice but to begin rebuilding underwater the city as "Sub Diego". When Ocean Master switches lives with Aquaman in a time-related plot, Lorena assumes the identity of Aquagirl, adopting an aquatic costume. After Aquaman exposes Ocean Master's scheme, Lorena keeps her Aquagirl costume and identity, and the two carry on protecting Sub Diego.[10] Lorena later solves a string of homicides in Sub Diego, discovering that they were committed by former police officer Chandra Abbot.

In Teen Titans #34 (2006), Lorena is shown at Titans Tower arguing with Holly Granger during a flashback. Lorena is also a member of the Teen Titans during the events of 52. She assists Steel in launching an attack on LexCorp when Natasha Irons is captured by Lex Luthor.[11] She later resurfaces as supporting character of the new Aquaman, Arthur Joseph Curry, in Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis. Apparently, as one of the last Sub Diegoans able to breathe water, she is left in the seas, mourning Koryak's death in the rubble of Poseidonis. She then joins Curry, Cal Durham, Tempest, and Topo in their voyage to Sub Diego. Aquagirl appears up in Terror Titans, where she is kidnapped by the Terror Titans. While her teammate Molecule is killed by Persuader, Lorena is forced to fight in the Dark Side Club at the behest of the Apokoliptian gods. Aquagirl and the others are eventually freed by Miss Martian, and Lorena joins the survivors in a trek to Titans Tower to recover.

While resting in the tower, Lorena meets and befriends Static, telling him that she enjoyed her past experience as a member of the Teen Titans. After realizing that she has nowhere to go and no family, Lorena accepts Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)'s offer to rejoin the team, taking up permanent residence in Titans Tower.[12]

Aquagirl does not appear following The New 52 relaunch.

Powers and abilities

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Tula possess the typical abilities of an Atlantean; able to breathe underwater, possessed a level of superhuman strength, durability, and senses that enabled her to withstand the intense pressures of the ocean. She also possessed telepathic powers and was skilled in hand-to-hand combatant. Post-Flashpoint, she is considered a adept warrior skilled with Atlantean weaponry.[1] A special forces commander, her skills includes espionage, military tactics, and is a proficient trainer.[13] Her proficiency and leadership has allowed her to also act as a regent.[14][15]

Other versions

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  • Lisa Morel is introduced in Adventure Comics #266 (November 1959) as one of several violet-eyed Atlantean children born unable to adapt to the watery world. They had been sent to the surface in waterproof lifeboats so they might survive among land-dwellers, and Lisa was adopted by scientist Hugo Morel and his wife. With Aquaman in danger, Lisa's water-breathing and telepathic powers awaken; she makes herself a costume identical to Aquaman's, takes on the name "Aquagirl" and fights alongside him. However, her new-found powers are short-lived, and she loses them permanently. This is the first and last appearance of the character.[16][17]
  • Selena is a young Poseidonis teenager who temporarily teams up with Aquaman under the name "Aqua-Girl" in World's Finest Comics #133 (May 1963) to make her former boyfriend jealous. She succeeds, making Aqualad jealous of her temporary status as Aquaman's sidekick as well. This is the first and last appearance of the character.[18][19]

Alternate versions

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  • In Kingdom Come, Aquagirl is Tula II, the estranged teenage daughter of Garth (formerly Aqualad, now Aquaman).[20] She is named Tula after her father's late girlfriend and is part of a team consisting of the other original Titans' children who end up taking Batman's side in the story's key conflict. In her appearances, Tula demonstrates shapeshifting abilities, changing parts of her body to resemble those of sea creatures. She is last seen battling Donna Troy during the climactic battle at the superhuman Gulag and is possibly killed by the nuclear explosion that ends the conflict.
  • In "Titans Tomorrow", an alternate timeline story featured in Teen Titans vol. 3 #17–19 (2005) by writer Geoff Johns and artist Mike McKone, Lorena is Aquawoman, a member of a future, alternate version of the Titans. She has developed telepathic powers which she had used to kill (or paralyze) former Titan member Garth.

In other media

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Mareena as she appears in Batman Beyond (left) and Justice League Unlimited (right).
  • An original, futuristic incarnation of Aquagirl named Mareena appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe, voiced by Jodi Benson.[21] This version is a member of a future Justice League and daughter of Aquaman and Mera who possesses hydrokinesis. Introduced in the Batman Beyond episode "The Call", Mareena later makes a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Epilogue".[21]
  • Tula appears in Young Justice, voiced by Cree Summer.[22] This version is Kaldur'ahm's childhood friend who entered a relationship with his best friend Garth after the former left Atlantis to become Aquaman's sidekick and was trained by Mera in aquamancy. In between the first and second seasons, as depicted in Young Justice: Legacy (see below), Tula joined the team, but died while on a mission.
  • Aquagirl will appear in Super Powers.[23]
  • The Young Justice incarnation of Tula / Aquagirl appears in Young Justice: Legacy, voiced again by Cree Summer.[22] She serves as the Team's mission coordinator before being killed in battle with Tiamat.

References

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  1. ^ a b Manning, Matthew K.; Wiacek, Stephen; Scott, Melanie; Jones, Nick; Walker, Landry Q.; Cowsill, Alan (July 20, 2021). The DC Comics Encyclopedia (New ed.). New York, New York. ISBN 978-0-7440-2056-4. OCLC 1253363543.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ "Aqualad's Deep-Six Chick!" Aquaman #33 (May–June 1967). The Grand Comics Database. Retrieved on December 4, 2008.
  3. ^ McAvennie, Michael (2010). "1960s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 123. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Aqualad found romance under the sea when scripter Bob Haney and artist Nick Cardy introduced him to fellow young Atlantean Tula, also known as Aquagirl.
  4. ^ Crisis on Infinite Earths #9 (December 1985)
  5. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #30 (January 2006)
  6. ^ Blackest Night #2 (August 2009)
  7. ^ Blackest Night: Titans #3 (October 2009)
  8. ^ Johns, Geoff (2013). Aquaman. Volume 2, The Others. Ivan Reis, Joe Prado. New York. ISBN 978-1-4012-4016-5. OCLC 846910683.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Wiacek, Stephen; Scott, Melanie; Jones, Nick; Walker, Landry Q.; Cowsill, Alan (July 20, 2021). The DC Comics Encyclopedia (New ed.). New York, New York. ISBN 978-0-7440-2056-4. OCLC 1253363543.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ Aquaman (vol. 6) #16 (May 2004)
  11. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #17–19 (December 2004 – February 2005)
  12. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #69 (May 2009)
  13. ^ Parker, Jeff (2014). Aquaman. Volume 5, Sea of storms. Charles Soule, Paul Pelletier, Sean P. Parsons. New York. ISBN 978-1-4012-5039-3. OCLC 883749205.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. ^ Abnett, Dan (2017). Aquaman. Vol. 1, The drowning. Scot Eaton, Oscar Jiménez, Mark Morales, Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy, Wayne Faucher. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-6782-7. OCLC 957554649.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  15. ^ Steve Orlando; Marv Wolfman; Tom Taylor; Cecil Castellucci; Andrea Shea; Dave Wielgosz (2021). Aquaman. Deep dives. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-77951-124-9. OCLC 1202772096.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ^ Robert Bernstein (w), Ramona Fradon (a). "Aquaman Meets Aquagirl!" Adventure Comics, vol. 1, no. 266 (November 1959). DC Comics.
  17. ^ "Aquaman Meets Aquagirl!". Adventure Comics. 1 (266). November 1959. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Grand Comics Database.
  18. ^ Jack Miller (w), Ramona Fradon (a). "Aquaman's New Partner, Aquagirl" World's Finest Comics, no. 133 (May 1963). DC Comics.
  19. ^ "Aquaman's New Partner, Aquagirl". World's Finest Comics (133). May 1963. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Grand Comics Database.
  20. ^ "Kingdom Universe Titans". Titans Tower. Archived from the original on January 29, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Aquagirl / Marina Voices (Aquaman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 12, 2024. 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.
  22. ^ a b c "Aquagirl / Tula Voices (Aquaman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 12, 2024. 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.
  23. ^ Flook, Ray (February 24, 2025). "DC Studios Offers "Starfire," "Green Lantern," "Super Powers" Details". Bleeding Cool.
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