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Aquagirl (Tula)
Tula Marius as depicted in The New 52
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAquaman vol. 1 #33 (May 1967)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoTula Marius
SpeciesAtlantean
Place of originAtlantis
Team affiliations
Supporting character of
Abilities
  • Atlantean physiology: able to breath underwater, superhuman strength and durability, withstand the extreme pressures of the ocean, swim at enhanced speeds.
  • Black ops specialist; proficiency in armed and unarmed combat, politics, espionage, and military tactics.
  • Some versions possess limited telepathic and magical powers.

Aquagirl (also Aqua-Girl) is the alias used by several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, typically depicted as supporting characters of Aquaman originating from the realm of Atlantis. The first two incarnations of the character, Lisa Morel (1959) and Selena (1963), were introduced as one-offs.

Tula, the third version of Aquagirl, debuted in Aquaman vol. 1 #33 (May–June 1967), representing the definitive version of the character. Initially depicted as an ally of Aquaman and the romantic interest of his sidekick Aqualad (Garth), Tula also served as a member of the Teen Titans. However, her storyline took a tragic turn during the events of the Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985, resulting in her untimely demise. Following the continuity reboot of the New 52 in 2011, the character was reintroduced as Tula Marius. In this iteration, Tula is portrayed as the half-sister of Aquaman's half-brother, Ocean Master. While she does not actively adopt the Aquagirl codename, the character assumed significant roles within Atlantis such as a high-ranking commander of a covert black-ops faction, a regent for Aquaman's administration, and as an honor guard during Mera's reign as Queen.[1]

Another iteration of Aquagirl, Lorena Marquez, was introduced in Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004). Lorena is a teenage girl who acquires Atlantean-like abilities after being exposed to a serum derived from Aquaman's DNA by an ethically questionable scientist. As part of a catastrophic event orchestrated by the scientist, a portion of San Diego sinks into the ocean following a triggered earthquake. Some of the affected population survives and develops sub-aquatic abilities. Aquaman and Lorena, together, contribute to the reestablishment of the community, which becomes known as "Sub Diego." Lorena subsequently assumes the role of Aquagirl, working alongside Aquaman as a costumed heroine. She exhibits notable detective skills alongside her aquatic powers. In her continued superhero journey, Lorena later joins the Teen Titans.

Several incarnations of Aquagirl have appeared in media, including the Tula incarnation in the animated series Young Justice and 2013 animated film Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, although she is not identified as her codename in either. Original incarnations of the character also appear, such as Mareena, the future daughter of Aquaman and Mera featured in the Batman Beyond series in 2000.

Publication history

Aquagirl (Tula, left) in her first appearance on the cover of Aquaman vol. 1 #33 (May 1967). Art by Nick Cardy.

The Tula version of the character was introduced in Aquaman vol. 1 #33 (May–June 1967), created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy.[2][3]

Fictional character history

Tula / Tula Marius

After losing her parents soon after her birth, she had been found and adopted by one of the royal families of Atlantis. Given the title Princess of Poseidonis, Tula is schooled in Atlantean traditions, and never leaves the royal palace until she meets Aqualad at age fifteen.[4]

Tula would sometimes helps Aqualad with missions during his time with the original Teen Titans, using the name Aquagirl.[5] When Aquaman leaves his throne to search for his then-missing wife Mera, Narkran takes over Atlantis as a dictator. His reign falls only when Tula leads a rebellion against him. Tula and Garth resume their romance when he returns to Atlantis and they later appear in the 1980s revival series New Teen Titans to aid the Titans in bringing down the H.I.V.E. During the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series (1985–1986), Aquagirl is killed by the villain Chemo when she drowns in water that he has poisoned.

In the 1996–1997 miniseries Tempest, a woman claiming to be Tula enters Garth's life. In truth, it is a doppelgänger created by the villainous Slizzath as part of an elaborate plan to siphon Garth's mystical energies for his own dark purposes. Garth sees through the ruse, is able to defeat Slizzath and finally gain a sense of closure about Tula's death. It is also at this time that Garth adopts a new identity as "Tempest".

Aquagirl is brought back to life by Brother Blood—along with Hawk and Dove, Phantasm, and Kole—to fight against the Titans. After being freed by Beast Boy and Raven, Kid Eternity is able to lay the deceased Titans back to rest. Tula has a statue in the "Hall of Fallen Titans" at Titans Tower, alongside the original Hawk and Dove, Kole and others. A year later, Tula is channeled by Kid Eternity when the Titans face Blood again. She angrily beats the villain, claiming to be enraged about being resurrected as his puppet. She later is then returned to the afterlife after her time limit in Eternity's body is reached.

Blackest Night

In the Blackest Night miniseries (2009–2010), Tula, Aquaman and Dolphin appear as a group of reanimated Black Lanterns who attack Tempest and Mera. Tula and Dolphin argue over Tempest, at the same time mocking him for not saving them. Sensing Garth's hope that she could fight what had been done to her, Tula tore out his heart, killing him and bringing about his reanimation as a Black Lantern.[6] Tula later appears to battle the Titans. However, her body is soon destroyed by a burst of white light emanating from Dawn Granger.[7]

The New 52

In September 2011, DC Comics relaunched of all of its monthly titles with its New 52 initiative, rebooting the DC Universe continuity. Unlike her previous depiction, the revamped Tula shares the surname "Marius" with Ocean Master (Orm Marius), who is revealed to be her half brother as the two character share the same father (Orvax Marius). Few details have been revealed of her early life, and her career as a member of an elite special faction in the Atlantean army (The Drift) is described as being short.[1] Some reference books also state her to be both mentored by Aquaman and using the Aquagirl alias, although the character's codename has not been referenced in any story.[8]

Aquaman: The Others

In the Aquaman: The Others storyline, Tula briefly appears as a shadowy female Atlantean reporting to the current King of Atlantis, Orm Marius, about attacks made to Garth due to his purple eyes Idyllist trait. Ocean Master orders Tula to return Garth back to his mother unharmed.[9]

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

In the Justice League: Throne of Atlantis crossover, shortly after an attack seemingly made by the United States, Orm launches an invasion of the surface world and wages war. Tula's Drift unit is sent to the United States and she later battles Cyborg during the invasion. Eventually, Tula alongside others learn the true architect of the invasion was done by Vulko, Aquaman re-asserts himself as King of Atlantis, and Orm (christened Ocean Master by the media) is arrested. She would inquire Orm's fate with Aquaman, revealing to him that the two are half-siblings sharing the same father and having some concern for it.[9]

Lorena Marquez

Aquagirl (Lorena Marquez)
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoLorena Marquez
SpeciesMetahuman
Place of originSan Diego
Team affiliations
Supporting character of
Abilities
  • Atlantean-like physiology: able to breath underwater, superhuman strength and durability, withstand the extreme pressures of the ocean, swim at enhanced speeds.
  • Skilled hand-to-hand combat and keen detective skills

In Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004), teenager Lorena Marquez is visiting the San Diego Zoo when an earthquake shakes San Diego and causes it to sink deep into the sea, killing thousands—including Lorena's entire family. She discovers that she has developed the ability to breathe underwater like an Atlantean, and joins Aquaman in locating other survivors of the quake. Amoral scientist Anton Geist has experimented on the citizens of San Diego by tainting their water supply with a serum derived from Aquaman's DNA, and then triggering an earthquake to submerge the city and its inhabitants with the goal of turning them into ocean-dwellers. Lorena and Aquaman have no choice but to begin rebuilding underwater the city as "Sub Diego". When Ocean Master switches lives with Aquaman in a time-related plot, Lorena assumes the identity of Aquagirl, adopting an aquatic costume. After Aquaman exposes Ocean Master's scheme, Lorena keeps her Aquagirl costume and identity, and the two carry on protecting Sub Diego.[10] Lorena later solves a string of homicides in Sub Diego, discovering that they were committed by former police officer Chandra Abbot.

"One Year Later"

Main article: One Year Later

In Teen Titans vol. 3 #34 (May 2006), Lorena is shown at Titans Tower arguing with Holly Granger during a flashback. Lorena is also a member of the Teen Titans during the events of 52. She assists Steel in launching an attack on LexCorp when Natasha Irons is captured by Lex Luthor.[11] She later resurfaces as supporting character of the new Aquaman, Arthur Joseph Curry, in Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis. Apparently, as one of the last Sub Diegoans able to breathe water, she is left in the seas, mourning Koryak's death in the rubble of Poseidonis. She then joins Curry, Cal Durham, Tempest, and the new Topo in their voyage to Sub Diego. Aquagirl appears up in Terror Titans #1 and is kidnapped (along with a group of other teen superheroes) by the Terror Titans. While her teammate Molecule is slain by the new Persuader, Lorena is taken alive, to be mindwiped and forced to fight in the Dark Side Club at the behest of the Apokoliptan Gods on Earth. She is defeated twice, once by Rose Wilson after being stabbed, and again by a brainwashed Terra, who crushes Lorena with a pair of boulders. Aquagirl and the others are eventually freed by Miss Martian, and Lorena joins the survivors in a trek to Titans Tower in order to recover.

Rejoining the Titans

While resting in the tower, Lorena meets and befriends Static, telling him that she enjoyed her past experience as a member of the Teen Titans. After realizing that she has nowhere to go and no family, Lorena accepts Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)'s offer to rejoin the team, taking up permanent residence in Titans Tower.[12]

Remaining close friends with Static, Lorena also begins flirting in Spanish with her teammate Blue Beetle, despite him already dating teen superheroine and Titan reserve member, Traci 13.[13] She also quickly gains an enemy in Bombshell, finding her to be rude. Despite her apparent concern for both Static and Blue Beetle, Aquagirl begins flirting with Superboy after she witnesses a fight between him and Wonder Girl.[14]

During a mission to rescue Raven from an extradimensional being called Wyld, Aquagirl and Bombshell are swallowed by massive sea monster mutated from Wyld's energy.[15] After Static destroys Wyld, Aquagirl and Bombshell are left missing at sea with their fates uncertain.[16] In the following issue, it is mentioned that both Bombshell and Aquagirl had been rescued by their teammates, but were sidelined from the Titans due to Wonder Girl no longer wishing to endanger "inexperienced" teen heroes by allowing them membership.[17]

Brightest Day and The New 52

In the Brightest Day crossover (2010–2011), Lorena is approached by Mera who had come searching for help against her sister and her Death Squad.[18] She and Mera subsequently reappear when Siren and her army attack Miami, Florida as the opening salvo of an invasion. During the battle, Lorena rescues the new Aqualad (Jackson Hyde) by kicking Black Manta in the face just as he is about to stab the youth to death. After Mera and Aqualad successfully trap the invaders inside the Bermuda Triangle, Lorena tells Aqualad not to "get any ideas" as the two teens watch Aquaman and Mera passionately kiss.[19]

In July–August 2011, Lorena is one of the former Titans that came to aid them in their battle between Superboy-Prime and his assembly of villains.[20][21][22]

In September 2011, DC Comics relaunched of all of its monthly titles with its New 52 initiative, rebooting the DC Universe continuity. Though an updated version of Tula was reestablished, Lorena has not appeared in new storylines.[23]

Powers and abilities

Tula's skill and abilities

In her original iteration, Tula possess the typical abilities of an Atlantean; able to breathe underwater, possessed a level of superhuman strength, durability, and senses that enabled her to withstand the intense pressures of the ocean. She also possessed telepathic powers and was skilled in hand-to-hand combatant.

In more recent continuities, Tula retains most of her original abilities typically seen of an Atlantean as her previous iterations (breathing underwater, superhuman strength, swimming at extreme speeds, enhanced senses and reflexes) though portrayed at a greater degree and unlike Atlantean, is trained to be able to survive outside the surface for extended periods of time similarly to a human. She is also considered a adept Atlantean warrior, skilled with many weaponry possessed by Atlantis[1] and has considerable skill as a special forces commander, her skills including espionage, military tactics, and military training.[24] Tula is also proficient in politics, having enough experience and leadership qualities to act as a regent of Atlantis under Aquaman's administration.[25] Due to her status as regent, Tula possessed special governmental privileges during and even after her tenure.[26]

Other versions

Lisa Morel

Lisa Morel is introduced in Adventure Comics #266 (November 1959) as one of several violet-eyed Atlantean children born unable to adapt to the watery world. They had been sent to the surface in waterproof lifeboats so they might survive among land-dwellers, and Lisa was adopted by the scientist Dr. Hugo Morel and his wife. With Aquaman in danger, Lisa's water-breathing and telepathic powers awaken; she makes herself a costume identical to Aquaman's, takes on the name "Aquagirl" and fights alongside him. However, her new-found powers are short-lived, and she loses them permanently. This is the first and last appearance of the character.[27][28]

Selena

Selena is a young Poseidonis teenager who temporarily teams up with Aquaman under the name "Aqua-Girl" in World's Finest Comics #133 (May 1963) to make her former boyfriend jealous. She succeeds, making Aqualad jealous of her temporary status as Aquaman's sidekick as well. This is the first and last appearance of the character.[29][30]

Alternate versions

In the 1996 limited series Kingdom Come, Aquagirl is Tula II, the estranged teenage daughter of Garth (formerly Aqualad, now Aquaman).[31] She is named Tula after her father's late girlfriend and is part of a team consisting of the other original Titans' children who end up taking Batman's side in the story's key conflict. In her appearances, Tula seemingly demonstrates a partial shapeshifting ability, changing parts of her body to resemble those of sea creatures. She is last seen battling Donna Troy during the climactic battle at the superhuman Gulag and is possibly killed by the nuclear explosion that ends the conflict.

This Tula's mother is possibly Deep Blue, described in annotations for the series as "Mizuko Perkins", daughter of Tsunami and Neptune Perkins. In standard DC Comics continuity, Deep Blue is Aquaman's half-sister Debbie, the daughter of Tsunami and Atlan, raised by Tsunami and Neptune Perkins.

In "Titans Tomorrow", an alternate timeline story featured in Teen Titans vol. 3 #17–19 (2005) by writer Geoff Johns and artist Mike McKone, Lorena is Aquawoman, a member of a future, alternate version of the Titans. She has developed telepathic powers which she had used to kill (or paralyze) former Titan member Garth.

In other media

Television

Mareena as she appears in Batman Beyond (left) and Justice League Unlimited (right).
Tula as she appears in Young Justice.
  • A futuristic incarnation of Aquagirl appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe, voiced by Jodi Benson. This version, Mareena, is a member of a future Justice League and daughter of Aquaman and Mera who possesses hydrokinesis. She first appears in the Batman Beyond two-part episode "The Call" (November 2000), and later has a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Epilogue" (July 2005).
  • In the second season of Entourage, Mandy Moore portrays Aquagirl as part of an in-universe Aquaman film.
  • Tula appears in Young Justice, voiced by Cree Summer. This version is Kaldur'ahm's childhood friend who entered a relationship with his best friend Garth after the former left Atlantis to become Aquaman's sidekick and was trained by Mera in aquamancy. In between seasons one and two, as depicted in Young Justice: Legacy (see below), Tula joined the team, but died while on a mission.

Film

An alternate timeline version of Tula appears in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox as a member of Aquaman's army who is eventually killed in battle against Wonder Woman's Amazons.

Video games

The Young Justice incarnation of Tula / Aquagirl appears in Young Justice: Legacy, voiced again by Cree Summer. She serves as the Team's mission coordinator, providing information on the Light's attempts to steal pieces of an ancient statue and keeping them safe. After Klarion the Witch Boy tricks her into giving him the pieces and kidnaps her to revive Tiamat, the Team free her and defeat Klarion before a weakened Tula eventually defeats and re-imprisons Tiamat, though she is killed by falling debris.

References

  1. ^ a b c Manning, Matthew K.; Wiacek, Stephen; Scott, Melanie; Jones, Nick; Walker, Landry Q.; Cowsill, Alan (July 20, 2021). The DC Comics Encyclopedia (New ed.). New York, New York. ISBN 978-0-7440-2056-4. OCLC 1253363543.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ "Aqualad's Deep-Six Chick!" Aquaman #33 (May–June 1967). The Grand Comics Database. Retrieved on December 4, 2008.
  3. ^ McAvennie, Michael (2010). "1960s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 123. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Aqualad found romance under the sea when scripter Bob Haney and artist Nick Cardy introduced him to fellow young Atlantean Tula, also known as Aquagirl.
  4. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008), "Anthro", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 17, ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1
  5. ^ "Some Call It Noise." Teen Titans #30 (November–December 1970). The Grand Comics Database. Retrieved on March 14, 2009.
  6. ^ Blackest Night #2 (August 2009)
  7. ^ Blackest Night: Titans #3 (October 2009)
  8. ^ Wiacek, Stephen (2021). The DC Book. Grant Morrison, Dorling Kindersley Limited (First American ed.). New York, NY. ISBN 978-0-7440-3980-1. OCLC 1285929768.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ^ a b Johns, Geoff (2013). Aquaman. Volume 2, The Others. Ivan Reis, Joe Prado. New York. ISBN 978-1-4012-4016-5. OCLC 846910683.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004)
  11. ^ Teen Titans vol. 3 #17–19 (December 2004 – February 2005)
  12. ^ Teen Titans vol. 3 #69 (May 2009)
  13. ^ Teen Titans vol. 3 #72–74 (August–October 2009)
  14. ^ Teen Titans vol.3 #83 (July 2010)
  15. ^ Teen Titans vol. 3 #85
  16. ^ Teen Titans vol. 3 #87
  17. ^ Teen Titans vol. 3 #88
  18. ^ Brightest Day #18 (January 2011)
  19. ^ Brightest Day #20 (February 2011)
  20. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #98 (July 2011). DC Comics.
  21. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #99 (August 2011)
  22. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #100 (August 2011). DC Comics.
  23. ^ Donohoo, Timothy (April 21, 2022). "The Lorena Marquez Aquagirl is Aquaman's Best Sidekick: So Where Is She?". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  24. ^ Parker, Jeff (2014). Aquaman. Volume 5, Sea of storms. Charles Soule, Paul Pelletier, Sean P. Parsons. New York. ISBN 978-1-4012-5039-3. OCLC 883749205.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  25. ^ Abnett, Dan (2017). Aquaman. Vol. 1, The drowning. Scot Eaton, Oscar Jiménez, Mark Morales, Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy, Wayne Faucher. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-6782-7. OCLC 957554649.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  26. ^ Steve Orlando; Marv Wolfman; Tom Taylor; Cecil Castellucci; Andrea Shea; Dave Wielgosz (2021). Aquaman. Deep dives. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-77951-124-9. OCLC 1202772096.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  27. ^ Robert Bernstein (w), Ramona Fradon (a). "Aquaman Meets Aquagirl!" Adventure Comics, vol. 1, no. 266 (November 1959). DC Comics.
  28. ^ "Aquaman Meets Aquagirl!". Adventure Comics. 1 (266). November 1959. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Grand Comics Database.
  29. ^ Jack Miller (w), Ramona Fradon (a). "Aquaman's New Partner, Aquagirl" World's Finest Comics, no. 133 (May 1963). DC Comics.
  30. ^ "Aquaman's New Partner, Aquagirl". World's Finest Comics (133). May 1963. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Grand Comics Database.
  31. ^ "Kingdom Universe Titans". Titans Tower. Archived from the original on January 29, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
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