Vito Delsante

Normally, when I do these Divert Your Attentions, I get the inspiration from earlier in the week. Something happens, or someone says something, and I say, “I love that!” and realize I can write a thousand words on the subject and see if there’s some kind of collective admiration for that very topic.

This week, that didn’t happen. If it did, pffft, long gone now.

So I was in the midst of figuring out what today’s post would be and I just looked up at my computer and saw this:

I have a borderline idiotic love for Aquaman. He’s not my favorite character, by any means. That distinction goes to Dick Grayson and any of his noms de guerre. Or Ted Grant, the ever-loving Wildcat. Blue Beetle, Starman, the Question, Hawkman, even Doctor Fate all come before Aquaman, not to mention any of the characters I’ve created myself(ie, with super talented folks).

And yet, I feel bad for the character. He gets an incredibly bad rap. No one really likes Aquaman.

So, I went about collecting Aquaman, trying to find the great in the good. And what I found was a goofy character with an awesome costume, unreasonable powers, and a devoted following. Waid made him cool in JLA Year One. David made him edgy in his run on the series. Grant made him regal in his JLA. And Ross did him “justice” in his maxi-series. These are four of the top writers in the field, and each one found something about him that made him cool. Why couldn’t everyone else see this?

One of the hardest parts of creator owned comics, specifically, the creation part of it, is the process of making folks care about a character they’ve never heard of before. Think about Aquaman. Everyone has heard of him, and yet, no one cares about him. How hard of a process is this? Truly, if you aren’t in love with Aquaman, who has been on tv shows, cartoons, and DVD’s, how will I get you to love my characters?

The answer is simple. By embracing it. Hence my over-the-top acceptance of Arthur Curry, Orin of Atlantis.

So, I invite you to join us, the few, the proud, the Aquaman fans.

First off, visit the Aquaman Shrine, one of the most comprehensive Aquaman sites on the web. If you don’t like ‘im after this, give up. ‘Cause it’s gonna get goofier.

Adam P. Knave, editor of Popgun, took this ridiculous picture of me for his blog:

Aquaman Dance Party?

Aquaman, as referenced by Dave Chappelle:

Late Late Show host, Craig Ferguson, gets in on the act:

So does Jimmy Kimmel:

Aquaman PWNS in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK6ls__DY9I

Finally, my friends at iFanboy (specifically, Conor) tell us what is wrong with Aquaman (wow, why didn’t I watch this first?) and tell us why he’s cool:

See? He ain’t all that bad!

Do me a favor and order FCHS Volume 1. You’ll love it! So, really, you’ll be doing yourself the favor!