Garth (comics)
Garth | |
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Notable aliases | Aqualad, Tempest, Marine Marvel, Garth of Atlantis, Son of the Seven Seas |
Abilities |
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Garth is a
In the DC Universe, the character starts out originally as the teen sidekick and protégé to his guardian, the superhero known as Aquaman, originally possessing similar abilities. Unlike his guardian and mentor, the character is a fully-blooded Atlantean and originates from a tribe in Atlantis known as the Idyllist, a peaceful tribe mostly consisting of pacifists. As Garth was born with purple eyes, an anomaly signifying an evil lineage, he was cast out despite his royal status. He survives and eventually meets Aquaman, who takes him in as an adopted son and protégé. After acting as a member of the Teen Titans, Garth eventually abandons the Aqualad role and adopts the Tempest alias, having bolstered his newfound magical abilities with training. He would act as one of Aquaman's most trusted allies. He also fulfilled numerous roles in Atlantis, including being an ambassador, prince, and once succeeded his mentor as ruler of Atlantis.
In more recent continuities, the character possesses the additional ability to see the history of Atlantis, which is viewed as dark magic and gives him purple eyes as a side effect. Raised by his mother and later Aquaman, Garth's magical abilities were fostered through a prestigious guild in Atlantis that instructs magic, though he eventually left after a mystic accident. Garth would then act as both a soldier in Atlantis and a superhero on the surface, notably as a member of the Teen Titans and Titans, while remaining an ally of Aquaman. He would eventually meet his successor, Jackson Hyde. Garth granted him the Aqualad moniker.
Garth has made several appearances as both Aqualad and Tempest in various media. As Aqualad, he appeared in the Teen Titans animated series, and the Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series. He made his live adaptation debut in the second season of the DC Universe series Titans, played by Drew Van Acker.[1] Garth also appeared as Tempest in the Young Justice animated series.
Publication history
Aqualad first appeared in 1960 in Adventure Comics #269 and was created by Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon. In 1996, Aqualad appeared in his own four-issue limited series under a new alias: Tempest. In the 2009–2010 miniseries, Blackest Night, Tempest is murdered in battle.
Fictional character biography
Origin
Aqualad was initially known as Aquaman's teenage partner, and like many other such "kid sidekicks" popular in the Silver Age, his powers originally varied very little from his mentor. Aqualad was a founding member of the Teen Titans.
His origin is similar to that of his
Before Garth's birth, his parents, King Thar and Queen Berra, became the reigning monarchs of Shayeris, the capital of The Hidden Valley of colonies. Thar had inherited the throne and access to ancient magical energies that his brother Zath, a powerful magician in his own right, believed to be rightfully his. Zath practiced dark sorcery and necromancy and was eventually banished from the Hidden Valley. Transformed into a half-human state, Zath renamed himself Slizzath and returned to Shayeris twenty years later with an army of undead. He planned to invade the Hidden Valley and transform it into a necropolis he would rule.
King Thar knew of this and assembled an armory of robots and weapons to stop his demented brother. The Idyllist radicals killed him and banished his pregnant wife Berra back to Atlantis. Before Thar was killed, he cast a magical spell that trapped Slizzath in an other-dimensional prison. Unfortunately, this spell was linked to a magical ritual which would give his offspring access to incredible mystical powers and accessing that ritual would enable Slizzath to escape. So word was sent out that all babies born with purple eyes, the Idyllist mark of power, should be banished and killed, lest they try to perform the access ritual and accidentally free Slizzath. The Idyllists also claimed that Thar had gone insane to hide their complex, fearful plan.
In Poseidonis, one of the domed cities of Atlantis, Queen Berra gave birth to her baby boy, Garth, who was born with purple eyes. The Atlanteans claimed Garth had been born genetically inferior and sentenced him to death on a seabed leagues away from Atlantis. It has been speculated that with the assistance of Aquaman's father, the Atlantean sorcerer
Prince, Sidekick, and Titan
Eventually, the orphaned Prince Garth was saved by Aquaman at the age of what seemed to be 12, and became his sidekick, Aqualad. As Aqualad, Garth was given to expressions such as "Great Guppies!", "Suffering Sardines," "Leapin' Lionfish!", and "Suffering Snails!" Together Garth and Aquaman shared many adventures.
Seeking to be of help to other teens in trouble, Garth became one of the founding members of the Teen Titans. Still shunned by many Poseidonians despite his heroics on their behalf, Aqualad was sent away to be schooled in Scotland, at a school on the shores of Loch Ness, as seen in the Teen Titans series. Soon, life for Garth became increasingly difficult, both at home and away. Mera was kidnapped,[7] forcing the Aqua-duo to go in search of her, during which time Garth's left arm was nearly severed by an attacker. While he mended in the hospital, a plot against the Crown developed and Aqualad was forced to escape, finding that he was being deliberately overmedicated to keep him from thwarting the usurpers.
While on a quest to assist Aquaman, Garth was kidnapped and forced to fight a giant sea beast to the death, surviving just long enough for Aquaman to defeat the monster. Little did Garth know that, before long, he would be forced to defend himself in a life or death struggle against his mentor over the survival of the infant Arthur Jr. (also known as "Aquababy").[8] Betrayed and abandoned by Aquaman, Garth stayed in the Hidden Valley to search for links to his identity,[9] eventually finding out he was the lost prince of the Idyllists, though it would be several more years before he learned the truth about his father's murder and his mother's complicity in his exile at the hands of the Poseidonians.[10]
Also as a teenager, Garth met and fell in love with
As a result of his grief and repeated telepathic abuse by
Garth nearly joined the list of casualties during "Titans Hunt," an all-out attempt to wipe out the former teen sidekicks and their allies. While trying to free the ascending
After the boy nearly died twice, the Titans called for Aquaman, who took Garth to the Idyllists in the hopes that they could heal him. While at the edge of death, Garth saw Tula and begged to join her in the Great Beyond, but was instead revived by Tusky the walrus. Angered that Arthur had yet again abandoned him and, worse, with people he thought hated him, he fought with his mentor but eventually they parted as friends.
Tempest
Some time later, Garth encountered a band of shark-like merpeople who attacked the hero with a kind of "mystic water". Garth vanished and reappeared in another dimension, where Atlan awaited to train him. Atlan taught Garth to use powers the young Idyllist did not know he possessed, including elemental powers which allowed him to heat and cool water and create whirlpools, as well as fiery purple blasts of energy from his eyes. Toward the end of his training, Garth was scarred in a ritual, leaving two pronounced scars over his right eye which healed into "tattoos" once he had conquered his inner turmoil. Atlan told Garth that the final part of his training was to complete the ritual that would grant him full access to his ancestral magical power, and thus Garth had to return to Shayeris, in the Hidden Valley.
Garth returned to our dimension at nearly the same time he left, although he was approximately three years older upon his return. When Garth, alongside Atlan, returned to Shayeris, he found the city overtaken by undead creatures. Completely unaware of his own history or his uncle's powers of necromancy, Garth was ill-prepared for the sudden return of Aquagirl, risen from the grave. Together with Letifos (one of the shark warriors), Atlan, and Aquagirl, Garth descended into Shayeris. Just the sheer proximity to the ancient pool of ancestral magic allowed Garth to tap into the power, and charged with the purple energy, he recreated his costume out of the Idyllist red and black flag and renamed himself Tempest.
Tempest then found his father's sanctum and performed the magical ritual which would give him his power. The false Aquagirl, a magical conduit for Slizzath, attacked Tempest and channeled that power into Slizzath, releasing the monster from his other-dimensional prison. Using his stolen power, Slizzath captured Tempest and Atlan, raised an enormous undead army, and finally transformed the Hidden Valley into the necropolis of which he had long dreamed.
Tempest eventually broke free of his prison and found the remaining Idyllists, hiding in Thar's old armory. There, Tempest was reunited with his mother and the truth—that the fearful Idyllists were so terrified of the release of Slizzath, they lied about Thar's sanity and saw to it that Garth was banished as an infant. Disgusted, Garth took control of the armory and a small number of Idyllist warriors and attacked Slizzath. Tempest destroyed the Aquagirl zombie that had seduced him and, using his full range of powers, sent his uncle back into the other-dimensional prison void, sealing the portal forever.
Family
After a tearful goodbye to Aquagirl, Tempest returned to Atlantis where he became the city's official ambassador to the UN. His relationship with Aquaman became more tumultuous, and Garth later learned that Aquaman had another son from a dalliance with an Inuit woman. This son, Koryak, grew to resent Tempest and the two became bitter rivals for some time. More friction arose between Tempest and Aquaman when Aquaman's lover,
Tempest and Dolphin were soon married, with the young maid pregnant of a young son, named
The weight of new familial responsibilities initially strained the relationship between Dolphin and Tempest, and she demanded that he choose between his duties as a hero and his duties as a father and husband. Reluctantly, Tempest complied and quit the Titans. Another weight on his matrimonial life came when a new sorcerer elite took over the government of
When finally Prime Minister Hagen fell from his chief role and Aquaman returned to Atlantis, Tempest returned to his home and seemingly reconciled with his wife and son, but only briefly. While Tempest was trying to channel the magic of all the Atlantis Sorcerers for the purpose of prying secrets from the duplicitous fallen prime ministers mind (to undo a spell he'd cast that turned
"One Year Later"
As part of the "
As Manta attempts to murder Arthur and Cal Durham, Garth destroys the Mantamen's ion cannon and thwarts Manta's plans. Deeply depressed about his physical condition and fearing the fates of Dolphin and Cerdian, Garth is introduced to a sorceress named Leah who leads him to a spacecraft she'd used to transport herself from a mystical city where the young mage might find the answer to his troubles. In issue 56, he boards the ship and leaves in search of his family.
Final Crisis
In Final Crisis #5, Tempest is aiding Hawkgirl and Green Lantern against the siege on Checkmate's castle. He apparently gained his powers back and his old appearance.
He later returns to Atlantis to aid his friend, Letifos, into rebuilding the aquatic city. He eventually decides to have a private celebration for Dolphin and Cerdian, claiming that even if they may have survived the Spectre's attack, they were surely buried in the rubble of Atlantis with the other fugitives from the shattered town. His version is confirmed by Slizzath, his necromantic uncle and enemy, that, foretelling the
Inspired by Dick Grayson, who speaks to him as the new Batman, and by Letifos, who shows him the empty throne of Atlantis with Aquaman's original costume, which had been left there by Arthur Joseph in a pilgrimage, Tempest decides to crown himself new king of Atlantis, waiting for Mera to return and guide the survivors.[11]
Blackest Night
In Blackest Night #2, Garth visits Aquaman's grave with Mera to relocate his remains to Atlantis, but they are interrupted by Aquaman, Tula, and Dolphin; now reanimated as
In the aftermath of the battle at Coast City, Garth and Holly are given memorial statues in
The New 52 and beyond
Following the 2011 "
Garth has since made his appearance known
The Titans Hunt (2015–2016) series later establishes Garth was a part of the Teen Titans several years ago, along with Robin, Speedy, Wonder Girl and others, but like his teammates had his memories of their time together erased for his own safety. After the events of DC Rebirth, Garth is once again part of an older Titans team which includes Nightwing, Arsenal, Donna Troy, Lilith Clay, and the newly returned Wally West. Wally's return helps the group recover their full memories, establishing that they have all been friends since forming the Teen Titans as children.
The World's Finest: Teen Titans (2023-) series revealed that Gart is sexually fluid, and dealing with this as a teenager led to problems in his romantic relationship with Donna Troy.[22][23]
Characterization
Family lineage
A reoccurring theme in Garth's character is his biological familial connections and its impact on his life, similarly to Aquaman's character.
- Garn Daanuth - An ancient Atlantean demigod and evil sorcerer affiliated with the Lords of Chaos and a significant figure in Atlantean history prior to its sinking. He (along with Arion) is alluded by Thar to have started a reoccurring theme in Atlantis where brothers are pitted against one another for rulership. It is alleged by Garth himself during his time in the Teen Titans that he is likely descended from Garn Daanuth, giving credence to his outcast status from his purple eyes, a sign of black magic in which Garn specialized in. He also believed that his name itself coincidentally was a corruption of the evil sorcerer's name (Garn Daanuth).[24]
- Thar - Garth's biological father. Inheriting the power to access magical energy through their bloodline, Thar was made king of the Idyllist despite being younger than his brother, Slizzath. Considered a common theme in Atlantean history for brothers to fight once another, Thar would banish his brother although he would return with an undead army. Thar would seal away his brother although the same ancestral magics inherited by members of the bloodline was linked to his extradimensional prison, making any heirs Thar may conceive risk freeing his brother, thus he inadvertently led to Garth being exiled as a baby due to inheriting the Idyllist royal bloodline's mark, purple eyes. Due to this, Garth was characterized later in his life to admonish his father for his decision.[24]
- Berra - Garth's biological mother; formerly the Queen of the Idyllist, she was banished soon after becoming pregnant with Thar's son in tandem to his instruction for any point he may conceive an heir. Shortly after he was born and witnessed his purple eyes, Berra abandoned her infant son. In his later life, Garth would be characterized to think poorly of his biological mother for abandoning him.[24] Berra is indirectly mentioned in the New 52 reboot, her history changed to having raised her son. Her connections to the Idyllist remains unknown.
- Slizzath - Garth's biological uncle. Although he was the elder royal prince, Slizzarth was denied his inheritance due to having practiced necromancy and black magic. In retaliation, he attempted to take the throne by force using his advanced magical abilities. Thar would succeed in sealing him away, although the spell cast was incomplete and his imprisonment was linked to a ritual spell for those of the Idyllist royal line to inherit the full extent of the ancestral latent magical abilities. Slizzath would be released decades later when Garth performed the ritual spell, initially unaware. He is eventually defeated by his nephew.[24]
Powers and abilities
As an Atlantean, he possess their shared attributes of powers granted by their physiology: he is able to breathe underwater indefinitely, possesses superhuman physical abilities that allows him to freely move underwater and withstand the pressures of the deep ocean. He can survive at depths of up to 3,400 feet below surface level. His body contains fluids that adjust to give him buoyancy at varying depths. His body also produces gases that push out against the ocean pressures as heavily as they push in, preventing him from being crushed at great depths. His body is also highly impervious to physical injury. His bloodstream is filled with an amino acid that keeps his body from freezing in the ocean depths, although his own temperature is naturally quite high, allowing his muscles the heat they need to swim at such high speeds. Tempest can swim at speeds of 73.86 knots (or 85 mph). Tempest has excellent close range vision and he can see particularly well in low light. His sense of hearing is particularly acute, although, because the rate sound travels on dry land is different than beneath the water, his hearing is directly linked to his vision. He also has a powerful sense of smell. Tempest is amphibious and is able to breathe under water by extracting oxygen from the water through tiny pores in his skin.[24]
As the alleged descendant of the evil ancient Atlantean demigod
In addition to his super-powers, Garth is considered a skilled warrior adept with various weaponry and hand-to-hand combat. He is also considered intelligent and a competent ambassador.[26][27] At a young age, Garth exceeded in academic subjects, and impressed his teacher, becoming the popular kid in class.[28] Garth also possesses a vast amount of wealth due to his royal connections, once having served as the Titan's chief financer.[29] As an ambassador, he also enjoys a level of diplomatic immunity.
Weaknesses
As with all other Atlanteans, Garth dehydrates at a faster rate than humans. Originally, the character was expressed to be able to survive for one hour[24] although later versions of this character lacked a specified time limit before the character could dehydrate while on dry air. Despite having enhanced senses is also partially color blind, almost unable to distinguish between black, green, and blue.[24]
Other versions
- On Earth-15, a world where sidekicks have taken on their mentors' identities, an older version of Garth has been shown to have taken up the mantle of Aquaman. He is subsequently killed by Superman-Prime.[30]
- In the Debbie Perkins (aka Deep Blue), and they have a daughter, Tula (Aquagirl).
- In the alternate timeline of the 2011 "Philippus before he can tell Aquaman that Artemis was collaborating with Orm.[31]
- In the STAR Labs. Unlike the others, he was raised in captivity, due to his fish-like appearance and only known as Tempest. He was brought along by the others when they ran away, as he does not speak, and only has basic understandings of situations. He was given the ability of hydrokinesis, and can breathe underwater. However, he can only survive on land for short periods without special equipment.[32]
In other media
Television
- Garth as Aqualad appears in The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, voiced by Jerry Dexter.
- Garth as Aqualad appears in Teen Titans, voiced by Wil Wheaton.[33] This version possesses hydrokinesis and is assisted by series-original character Tramm. Following his first appearance in the episode "Deep Six", where he becomes an honorary member of the Teen Titans, Garth becomes a founding member of Titans East later in the series.
- Garth as Aqualad appears in the Robot Chicken episode "They Took My Thumbs", voiced by Clare Grant.
- Garth as Aqualad appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Sidekicks Assemble!", voiced by Zack Shada as a teenager and by Zachary Gordon as a child.[33] This version is resentful of the praise that Aquaman receives.
- Garth appears in Young Justice, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal.[34] This version is Kaldur'ahm's best friend who was offered to join Aquaman as his pupil, but declined to become a student of the Atlantean Conservatory of Sorcery. Additionally, Garth joined the Team in between seasons one and two, but left following Tula's death. As of season three, Young Justice: Outsiders, Garth has become an ambassador for Atlantis at the United Nations.
- Garth as Aqualad appears in Teen Titans Go! (2013), voiced again by Wil Wheaton.[33]
- Garth as Aqualad appears in Titans, portrayed by Drew Van Acker.[35] This version is a founding member of the original iteration of the Titans who possesses hydrokinesis and is attracted to Donna Troy, with whom he has a one-night stand before she returns to Themyscira without telling him. Furious, he confronts her at the airport, where they profess their love for each other. Garth later sacrifices himself to save Troy's Amazon handler Jillian from Deathstroke.
- Garth as Aqualad appears in DC Super Hero Girls, voiced by Jessica McKenna.[33] This version is a student at Metropolis High School and member of the "Invincibros" with a boyish voice and appearance and whose last name is "Bernstein".
Film
- The Teen Titans incarnation of Garth / Aqualad makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo.
- The Flashpoint incarnation of Garth makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox as a member of Aquaman's army.
- Garth as Aqualad makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.
- Garth as Tempest makes a cameo appearance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One.
Video games
- Garth as Tempest appears as an unlockable character in Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis.
- Garth as Aqualad appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[36]
- The Young Justice incarnation of Garth as Tempest appears as a playable character in Young Justice: Legacy, voiced again by Yuri Lowenthal.[34]
- Garth appears as an unlockable character in DC Legends.
Miscellaneous
- Parodies of Aquaman and Aqualad named Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy appear in SpongeBob SquarePants.
- The Teen Titans incarnation of Garth / Aqualad appears in Teen Titans Go! (2004).[37] Additionally, a villainous, alternate universe version of Aqualad, Tempest, appears in issue #48 as a member of the Teen Tyrants.
References
- ^ "Drew Van Acker Joins Titans Season 2 as Aqualad". SuperHeroHype. 2019-06-14. Archived from the original on 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
- ^ Adventure Comics 282 (1961)
- ^ Aquaman #18 (1964)
- ^ The DC Comics Encyclopedia (2004)
- ^ Adventure Comics #269 (1959)
- ^ Adventure Comics #270 (1960)
- ^ Aquaman #40 (July–August 1968).
- ^ Adventure Comics #452 (July–August 1977).
- ^ Adventure Comics #453–455 (Sept. 1977-Jan. 1978).
- ^ Tempest: Prophets And Kings (Nov. 1996–Feb. 1997).
- ^ Titans #15 (2009)
- ^ Blackest Night #2 (August 2009)
- ^ Blackest Night: Titans #2 (September 2009)
- ^ Blackest Night: Titans #3 (October 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #51 (February 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #23 (March 2010)
- ^ Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 (2011). DC Comics
- ^ Aquaman (vol. 5) #14 (2012). DC Comics
- ^ Aquaman (vol. 5) #41
- ^ Aquaman (vol. 5) #42
- ^ "Aquaman" (vol.5) #50
- ^ World's Finest: Teen Titans (vol. 1) #4
- ^ "WORLD'S FINEST: TEEN TITANS #4 on DC.com". Archived from the original on 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ OCLC 1039188132.)
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - OCLC 1089398386. Archived from the original on 2022-05-02. Retrieved 2022-04-20.)
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - OCLC 1253363543.)
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link - )
- ^ Adventure Comics 278 (November 1960)
- ^ Grayson, Devin (1999). Titans (Vol. 1) #1. DC Comics.
- ^ Countdown to Final Crisis #24. DC Comics.
- ^ Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1 (June 2011). DC Comics.
- ^ Teen Titans: Earth One Vol. 1
- ^ a b c d "Aqualad / Garth Voices (Aquaman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ a b "Tempest / Garth Voices (Aquaman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
- TV Insider. Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ "Teen Titans Go! #10 - Finding Nero (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
External links
- Tempest (Garth) at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Garth on DC Database, a DC Comics wiki