Jason Momoa’s Aquaman defined the look and tone of the hero for an entire generation. Across two hit live-action Aquaman films and several Snyderverse appearances, Momoa helped elevate the once underrated hero back onto the superhero A-List. And even though the Momoa-Aquaman era has come to an end, its influence is clearly still alive with the reveal of DC’s newest Aquaman design.
After giving the DC Extended Universe its only film to surpass $1 billion, Momoa’s impact quickly made its way onto the comics. Aquaman soon received tattoos mirroring Momoa’s in mainstream continuity, while titles like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Special #1 (2023) and Ram V’s Aquaman: Andromeda (2022) leaned even further into the actor’s rugged aesthetic.
However, the launch of DC’s All In era severed this Momoa-inspired connection in the comics, returning the King of the Sea to a more classic look. Now, with a new era beginning at DC, it appears the latest Aquaman design is once again paying tribute to Momoa’s influence.
Jason Momoa’s Aquaman Design Returns to DC
Comic Pages Come from Jeremy Adams Emperor Aquaman #15 (2026) – Art by Jeremy Adams
DC Comics is entering the second chapter of its All In initiative, dubbed DC Next Level. The initiative arrives alongside a wave of new titles and fresh jumping-on points for ongoing series. Among the books set to receive a creative overhaul is Jeremy Adams’ ongoing Aquaman, which will begin a new phase starting with issue #15 under the title Emperor Aquaman.
Adams’ run initially marked a major visual shift for Arthur Curry, bringing back the hero’s clean-shaven, Golden Age-inspired look. This was a sharp departure from the rugged, Momoa-inspired redesigns that had dominated the character for years. However, DC’s preview for Adams and artist John Timms’ upcoming March 11 release of Emperor Aquaman #15 reveals yet another redesign, and this one feels like a true return to the Momoa era.
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Following the events of DC’s latest crisis event, DC K.O., Arthur finds himself lost within The Blue, where his identity is split into two forms. One manifests as a young boy, while the other is an older, wiser version that embodies his future self. It is this elder incarnation that unveils the newest Aquaman design.
The elder Aquaman sports wild blond hair, a beard, and a sleeveless version of his classic suit that proudly displays the tattoos introduced during the Jason Momoa era. The design acts as a striking homage to the iconic redesign that reshaped Aquaman in both film and comics during the late 2010s and early 2020s.
While the full direction of the story remains unclear, the fact that these younger and older Arthurs represent fragmented aspects of the hero’s identity suggests they are only temporary. It is likely that these past and future versions will ultimately reunite, restoring Arthur into his present-day form.
As a result, Aquaman will likely return to the clean-cut modern take on his classic Golden Age design that Adams introduced at the start of his run. Still, fans will no doubt enjoy seeing the Momoa-inspired Aquaman return to the comics, even if only temporarily.
Emperor Aquaman #15 from DC Comics is available March 11, 2026!
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