I've been dying to read good Aquaman stories for most of my life. My affection for the character stems almost entirely from "Super Friends". I never read an Aquaman comic growing up.

Recently I checked out the limited series from the 80s by Giffin and Swan, which was pretty okay. A bit confusing, though. It didn't feel like a story that any reader could jump on and really get into Aquaman.

       Maybe this is another Save the Character situation, but there has to be a better line between this preferred version of Arthur Curry and the barbarian stuff from PAD and so on.

Every time I see Aquaman in recent times, there's the desire to Namor him, but he just comes off as a prick instead of a prideful leige.

I think part of the problem is giving Aquaman a reason to kick ass. I grok he is a King, but there's something to be said for Arthur being less tied to Atlantis. I'm afraid I haven't read the PAD version or many versions, but I know that since PAD there's been an utter lack of stability and popularity for the character.

I don't think Aquaman requires anything but grand adventures; however, I'm of the opinion that remaining underwater with the story-telling is not the way to go. I think Aquaman has to be considered a land hero who has significantly enhanced abilities due to his body's design for crushing underwater depths, darkness, and cold. Aquaman should be quite powerful on land; also, he should be more brutish on land, since it isn't his natural environment.

Aquaman has to be forced onto land, for some reason...I'm thinking he's indebted somehow or is protecting an important barrier between land and sea, a series of islands perhaps. I know it sounds strange for a sea character to spend a lot of time Not in the Sea, but most of us alive in the real world don't spend our days and nights in environments "natural" to us, nor are we where we're best, or most comfortable.

Forcing Aquaman out of the sea, but using water almost like his "reward" for his chosen duty to all mankind above and below the waves, would add a dimension to Arthur that would be more workmanlike and less "royal". Wouldn't it?

I think it's cool having heroes solve problems with their wits instead of their fists when the situation calls for it. When dealing with friends or strangers that are passive that's the right way to do it. There should always have fights in super hero comics sure, but there always should be a good reason behind it.

Also, I think it's fair to say most people think of Namor as kind of  "princessy". Depending on writers of course. I thought his portrayal in Busieks and Larsens Defenders was hilarious. :>