Aquaman

PHASE 1 What if Disney owned DC and made Aquaman (2008)

Arthur Curry, the reluctant King of Atlantis, lives in self-imposed exile on the surface, having abandoned both the ocean throne and the endless conflict between Atlantis and the human world. Haunted by the destruction left in the wake of his past battles, Arthur is trying to distance himself from both his royal duties and the growing militarization of the seas. When an Atlantean incident exposes his survival, the surface world’s authorities begin hunting him. General Sam Lane, a powerful and relentless military leader, views Aquaman as a strategic threat. Determined to either control or neutralize him, Lane launches a global operation to capture Arthur, seeing Atlantean power as something humanity cannot afford to leave unchecked. Arthur is forced back on the run, moving from coast to coast, suppressing his abilities to avoid detection. Arthur secretly reconnects with Mera, an Atlantean warrior and royal emissary who believes he cannot escape his responsibility as king. She urges him to return to Atlantis and reclaim his throne, but Arthur resists, convinced that his presence only escalates the war between land and sea. Their reunion is complicated by constant pursuit and Arthur’s growing frustration with both worlds. To capture Aquaman, General Lane allies with Orm, Arthur’s half-brother and a rival claimant to the Atlantean throne. Publicly, Orm presents himself as a bridge between Atlantis and the surface, promising the military access to Atlantean strength in exchange for legitimacy. Privately, Orm seeks absolute power. He enhances his own abilities through forbidden Atlantean warfare technology, becoming a brutal and unstable force. As Orm’s ambitions spiral, he betrays the military, launching an open assault that threatens coastal cities. Arthur realizes that running from his destiny has only allowed worse forces to rise. Accepting that he cannot escape who he is, Arthur returns to Atlantis and embraces his identity as Aquaman. The conflict culminates in a massive battle between Aquaman and Orm, tearing through the streets and harbors of a major coastal city. Arthur ultimately defeats his brother, preventing a full-scale war between Atlantis and the surface, but at great cost. Orm is captured, and Atlantis retreats into secrecy once more. In the aftermath, General Lane is confronted by Superman, making it clear that he will not tolerate the harassment, persecution, or exploitation of metahumans, warning that fear and aggression toward those who protect the world will only lead to greater conflict.

Story added by dippy2 on October 23, 2022