Justice Leaguers to receive a compelling ‘science-based’ explanation for his powers, particularly his super strength. Previously, Arthur Curry's incredible strength was merely attributed to his Atlantean heritage. While this new development is undeniably cool, the more I scrutinized the explanation, the more flaws I uncovered. So, where do you stand in this debate: Is DC's scientific rationale airtight, or is it as porous as a sea sponge?

To clarify, the explanation regarding Aquaman’s super strength is revealed indirectly through Aqualad. Aqualad, also known as Garth, is famously recognized as Aquaman’s Atlantean sidekick and a member of the original Teen Titans lineup.

In Mark Waid and Emanuela Lupacchino’s World's Finest: Teen Titans #3, fans discover that Aqualad’s super strength is a byproduct of the high-pressure environment of living underwater. Since Aquaman is part Atlantean and shares similar abilities and a similar physiology as Aqualad, the explanation Garth proposes for the origins of his own super strength can also be applied to Arthur’s.

Ocean-Bottom Pressure Creates Aquaman's Super Muscles

Aqualad Reveals Why Atlanteans Are Abnormally Strong

The explanation for Aqualad’s—and by association Aquaman’s—superstrength is presented in World’s Finest: Teen Titans #3, where the Titans, excluding Robin, attend a fan convention held in their honor. However, the lively atmosphere soon takes a turn for the worse when the excitement of the fans spirals out of control, resulting in a mob that crosses boundaries, such as attempting to remove the Titans’ masks. Kid Flash quickly finds himself overwhelmed, but Aqualad comes to his rescue. Wally remarks on how he had forgotten just how strong Garth is, to which Aqualad replies, “Ocean-bottom pressure makes for muscles.”

Aqualad’s response provides a succinct yet science-based explanation, suggesting that the underwater pressure he endures nearly daily contributes to his superstrength. This explanation holds some validity, considering that deep-sea creatures, which inhabit the ocean floor, are among the most durable and adaptable on the planet, surviving in an environment that would be inhospitable to most Earth creatures, particularly surface-dwellers. This unique environment leads to physiological differences, including variations in muscle structure, which align with the logic DC employs to explain Atlantean superstrength. However, from my perspective, this explanation still has its flaws.

DC's Science Behind Atlantean Muscles Doesn't Actually Make Sense–But Aquaman May Be the Exception to the Rule

Deep-Sea Creatures’ Adaptability to High Pressure Doesn’t Mean They Are Necessarily ‘Stronger’

As previously mentioned, the high-pressure environment would likely result in variations in muscle structure for Atlanteans. This could lead to proteins responsible for muscle contraction and energy production operating more efficiently. However, this efficiency would probably be limited to high-pressure conditions, as those muscles have specifically adapted to that environment. Therefore, it is unlikely that these differences in muscle structure and operational efficiency would translate well above water. In fact, from a scientific perspective, Aqualad should be weaker on the surface since his muscle proteins would likely need to adapt to maintain optimal performance in a new environment.

When applying this logic specifically to Aquaman, however, the end result may still provide a solid explanation for his superstrength. Arthur's unique physiological makeup combines human and Atlantean traits, allowing his muscles to adapt to both environments. As a result, the limitations that might affect a true deep-sea dweller, like Garth, may not apply to him. This science-based explanation carries more weight when considered in the context of Arthur Curry's hybrid nature. However, since Atlanteans are fictional, this scientific rationale can never be 100% accurate. Ultimately, a bit of comic book logic must be embraced to fully appreciate the nuances of Aquaman’s abilities.

Does DC’s Explanation for Aquaman’s Superstrength Make Sense to You?

I’m Calling on All Science-Lovers to Weigh In On This Aquaman Power Debate

I don’t claim to have absolute authority on the inner workings of the biology of sea creatures or Atlanteans. Therefore, I invite my fellow science enthusiasts, who may have more expertise on this topic, to weigh in on the discussion and provide their insights on whether this is a plausible science-based explanation for Aquaman’s powers, even if a bit of comic book logic needs to be added to make it work. If enough people share their thoughts in the comments below, it will be interesting to see which side garners more : Does DC’s explanation for Aquaman’s powers hold up under scrutiny, or does it have enough holes to rival a coral reef?

World's Finest: Teen Titans #3 is available now from DC Comics!