Warning: contains spoilers for Aquaman: The Becoming #5!

Jackson Hyde, also known as Aqualad, has just proven he’s ready to become the new Aquaman. In Aquaman: The Becoming #5, Aqualad must step up to save not only Atlantis and Xebel, but the entire world—showing the rest of the DC Universe that he is worthy to take over for Arthur Curry. The penultimate issue of the series, it is on sale now in print and digital.

There have been two different Aqualads in the DC Universe and Jackson Hyde is the second to bear the name. The son of Black Manta, one of Aquaman’s greatest foes, Jackson has rejected his father’s evil ways, becoming a member of Young Justice and the Teen Titans. As part of last year’s celebration of Aquaman’s 80th anniversary, DC launched several new miniseries starring the Sea King and his allies. Aquaman: The Becoming, has followed Aqualad’s adventures as he has been reunited with his presumed-dead mother and found himself embroiled in intrigue in Xebel. Long known as the enemy of Atlantis, Xebel is preparing for peace with their former adversary. This peace initiative is being led by Mera, Aquaman’s wife, and she is set on making her way to the city for a conference—but a dark conspiracy threatens not only Mera but all she and others have worked to achieve. The issue is written by Brandon Thomas, illustrated by Paul Pelletier and Diego Olortegui, inked by Norm Rapmund and Wade Von Grawbadger, colored by Adriano Lucas, and lettered by Andworld Design.

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As the issue opens, Lucia, Aqualad’s mother, tells Meeka, leader of the Xebel Resistance, that Aqualad will one day be Aquaman. Meanwhile, Aqualad, having a crisis of faith, talks to those closest to him including his lover Ha’wea, all of whom assure him he is a good person. Later, Meeka once again confronts Lucia, leading to a fight leaving Lucia unconscious. Aqualad returns to find his mother laying on the floor. When she comes to, she informs her son that the Xebel resistance is planning to sabotage the peace conference tomorrow, He takes off to warn Mera, but Deliah cautions him that they cannot stop what has begun. Aqualad will not hear it, boldly declaring that “Aquaman can.” He then creates a trident out of the water, and takes off, ready to save the two nations.

The DC Universe features several sidekicks who would later take over for their mentor. Nightwing has filled in for Batman on more than one occasion, and Wally West would later become the Flash himself. Now, Jackson Hyde is poised to take over for Aquaman. In last year’s Future State event, readers saw that, in the not too distant future, Aqualad has assumed the mantle; Arthur bequeathed the title to Aqualad, as well as entrusting him to watch over and train his daughter. All of this indicates Aquaman has a great deal of confidence in Aqualad, and his actions in this issue show that Aquaman’s faith was not misplaced in the least. Aquaman has a reputation as a peacemaker, and Aqualad, in his attempt to save the peace conference, will fulfill that role as well.

Aqualad is heading for a glorious destiny: he will one day be Aquaman, and in Aquaman: The Becoming #5, he rises up and takes the name, proving himself more than ready.

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Shaun Corley
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Shaun Corley is a pop culture enthusiast living in the Pacific Northwest. After stints in both customer service and academia, he’s turned his attention to writing about comic books–his lifelong passion. He is a graduate of Radford University, with a degree in English. When not reading comics, he enjoys spending time with his fiance and their dog.

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