10 Amazing Comic Book Redesigns That Didn't Last

4. Harpoon-Handed Aquaman

Aquaman Hook Hand
DC Comics

It's fair to say that most non-comics readers didn't care about Aquaman until last year's film released with Jason Mamoa in the title role, but to say that the character wasn't 'cool' beforehand would be to erase one of the best redesigns in DC history - the one seen during Peter David's Aquaman comic from the nineties.

King Arthur Curry lost his hand and proceeded to do what any upstanding underwater king would do in that situation, and replaced it with harpoon. Curry would retain his prosthetic for a good decade after, eventually wielding it on the small screen with the Justice League on the DC Animated Universe cartoon. The Atlantean would ditch his trademark gold and green outfit for that outing, and - when combined with the hook - it was something to behold.

Justice League Aquaman
Warner Bros.

The ensuing years would see DC once again adopt silver age Aquaman as the standard, but with Mamoa's likeness now influencing aspects of the character in the comics, one can only hope the harpoon makes a comeback.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.