A new team-up is coming in Aqualad, Jackson Hyde, has been having a solo adventure and his next big story is just around the corner. Aqualad will team up with original Aquaman Arthur Curry as Jackson continues his journey to take up his mentor's mantle and become a true Aquaman in his own right.
Jackson Hyde has been taking center stage as of late. He was revealed to be the future Aquaman in DC's Future State event and has been starring in Aquaman: The Becoming. He was also featured in DC Pride #1 back in June as well as a story in DC's Aquaman 80th Anniversary special that focused on his relationship with his father, longtime Aquaman enemy Black Manta. Now, Jackson will be starring in a newly announced series.
The announcement from ongoing Aquaman-centered series, which will spin out of the conclusions of two current limited series. Aquaman: The Becoming and Black Manta will both enter a new chapter for their finales, leading into Aquamen. This series will have the creative team of Chuck Brown, Brandon Thomas, Sami Basri, and Adriano Lucas. The cover is illustrated by Travis Moore. There will be card stock variant covers by Kael Ngu and Nick Robles, a 1:25 ratio variant by Jim Lee and Alex Sinclair. There will also be a Black History Month variant by Alexis Franklin.
The Aquaman variants by Lee and Sinclair, Robles, and Ngu have been revealed and are pictured above following a single page preview of the series. The preview page shows Arthur and Jackson fighting a sea monster before Arthur confronts Ocean Master. The synopsis for the series is as follows:
When a suicide bomber in Middle America is revealed as an Atlantean sleeper agent seemingly gone rogue, the Aquamen - Arthur Curry and Jackson Hyde - are on the case. But it soon becomes clear that the tragedy was not just a single bad actor, but the beginnings of a much larger and more dangerous chain reaction...and the heart of an explosive Atlantean conspiracy! If Arthur's not careful, the secrets he's keeping - from Mera, Tula, Tempest, Atlantis, the surface, and even Jackson - could cause a rift from which the Aquamen might never recover!
Jackson Hyde and Black Manta have a tense relationship, but both have important roles to play for Atlantis. Black Manta #6 - the final issue of the series - will release February 8, two weeks ahead of the debut of Aquamen. Aquaman: The Becoming will similarly conclude with a sixth issue the week after, on February 15. This will all lead up to Aquamen #1, which could challenge the relationship Jackson has with Arthur as he steps into his new role - teaming up with his mentor as an equal instead of a sidekick.
Jackson has had a lengthy journey, but it seems to just be beginning. He still has quite a way to go before potentially reaching the point where Future State placed him. Aqualad is only now becoming a full-fledged hero worthy of protecting Atlantis - and the world. This is a position he will definitely be earning considering the threats he has ahead - particularly since Arthur seems likely to be taking notes from past DC mentors by keeping dangerous secrets from everyone. Fans can see Jackson Hyde's Aquaman in action when Aquamen releases in February 2022.
Source: DC Comics
