In 1967, to go with existing episodes of The New Adventures of Superman, Filmation created 36 Aquaman cartoon episodes based on the DC Comics character. It was originally part of The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure. It was later repackaged as its own series in 1969.
Notable for the first time the King of the Seven Seas was seen in animated form, the show followed the adventures of Aquaman, his sidekick Aqualad, and occasional assistance from their friend, Mera. They protected the seven seas from super-villains, extraterrestrial invaders, warlords, wizards, and would be conquerors. All with the help of marine friends Storm (Aquaman’s powerful and loyal sea-horse), Imp (Aqualad’s sea pony), and Tusky the walrus. The series is also notable for having Black Manta's first animated appearance, coinciding with his first appearance in the comic series. Both Aquaman and Black Manta went on to appear in Super Friends.
SpongeBob SquarePants' "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy" characters are an affectionate parody of this show.
This cartoon contains examples of:
- Action Pet: Storm, Tusky, and Imp acted as extra muscle and wild cards for the Aquaman family.
- Adapted Out: Aquababy, Aquaman's son, was never adapted into the show.
- Alien Invasion: A very common problem on the show was aliens invading, including the Fiery Invaders, the Saturnians, and the Sea Raiders.
- Battle Couple: Aquaman and Mera often fight evil together alongside Aqualad.
- Several villains were created for the show, including Vassa, Queen of the Mermen, Captain Cuda, and the Brain.
- Cool Horse: Aquaman, Aqualad, and Mera rode giant seahorses named Storm and Imp (Mera’s horse was never named).
- Making a Splash: Filmation treated Aquaman far better than Hanna-Barbera later did. Aquaman displayed his natural super strength and speed. Filmation gave him Mera’s hard water abilities (the power to create/throw hard balls and shields of water at foes). And we got to see him personally kick some ass. From giving Cap’n Barracuda, The Claw, and the Reptile Men a thorough shellacking to taking out a giant ice dragon. And if you’re an invading force, trust and believe Aquaman had no qualms ordering an army of Bull Whales, giant octopi, sharks, electric eels to wreck you.
- Space Episode: One episode had NASA commission Aquaman to investigate recently discovered water planet. Unfortunately, the Aqua Team was inadvertently caught between the inhabitants (the Quatix and the Bimphars) who were warring over each other. Fortunately Aquaman (and the planet’s most dominant inhabitant, the Kryll) “convinced” the two factions to negotiate a peace.
- Villain Team-Up: Torpedo Man, the Claw, and Magneto teamed up against the Aquaman family, and one episode had Black Manta, the Brain, and Vassa team up as well.
