Spoilers ahead for "Rebellion," appearing in the Aquaman 80th Anniversary Special!
Commanding the respect of other countries is a difficult task, but Aquaman has shown he is more than up to it. In the story “Rebellion,” appearing in the Aquaman 80thAnniversary Special, readers learn that Atlantis has conquered a surface-world nation—all as a show of strength.
Since his first appearance in More Fun Comics #73 80 years ago, Aquaman has been one of DC’s premier characters. A founding member of the Justice League, Aquaman is also the king of Atlantis. His duties as royalty have at times conflicted with his superhero career as he must balance the needs of his Atlantean subjects with those of the surface world. He must not only fight Black Manta and Ocean Master, but other nations as well. One such nation was Cerdia; in 2000’s Aquaman #64, the nation attacked Atlantis, leading to a devastating war. The issue was written by Dan Jurgens and penciled by Steve Epting, and now, 21 years later, the duo joins with colorist Jeromy Cox and letterer Rob Leigh to bring readers the follow-up, titled “Rebellion.”
An assassination attempt has been made on Aquaman's life, and Cerdian insurgents are believed to be responsible. Aquaman and his security forces make way to Cerdia, which Atlantis had annexed after the war. Arriving at the island, he confronts Bartella, the leader of the rebels. Bartella informs Aquaman that the rebels are gone, and the people of Cerdia, tired of fighting, are now ready for peace. Bartella then tells Aquaman some of his own security forces were behind the assassination attempt. Aquaman investigates and learns Bartella was speaking the truth. The story concludes with Aquaman meeting with Cerdia’s heads of state to form a true alliance between the two factions.
Aquaman and Atlantis attacked Cerdia only in retaliation, but quickly saw a way to send a message to the rest of the world and annexed the country. This display of power cemented Atlantis as a world power, one that other countries would think twice about before attacking. The Atlantean occupation of Cerdia also taught Aquaman the importance of mercy. He could have simply ordered the armies of Atlantis to attack Cerdia without a second thought—and his security advisors wanted him to do just that. Yet he did not, and listened to Bartella instead, which averted another war between the two nations. The weight of it all was eating at Aquaman, leading him to seek a stronger alliance between Atlantis and Cerdia.
As a king, Aquaman knows how to command the respect of the surface world, but more than that, he's proven that he knows how to be a wise and just ruler as well.
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