New Image Showcases Aquaman's Big Post-Jason Momoa Redesign

Published Jul 19, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT Nicolas Ayala is a Senior Writer for the Comics team at ScreenRant, with over five years of experience writing about Superhero media, action movies, and TV shows. DC reveals Aquaman's new redesign, which blends the Atlantean king's classic look with Jason Momoa's now-iconic rugged overhaul. Every element of Aquaman's appearance reflects his role as the ocean's foremost champion. Arthur Curry's blond hair immediately distinguishes him from many of DC's darker-haired heroes and serves as a lingering reminder of his initial exclusion in Atlantis due to its perceived representation of the Curse of Kordax, though this point is rarely acknowledged in modern stories. Aquaman's orange scale armor is also unmistakable, and it balances the king's ceremonial grandeur with practical combat gear that creates a striking contrast against the blues and greens of the sea. Jason Momoa's charismatic DCEU performance replaced all outdated misconceptions surrounding Aquaman's colorful appearance, with a version of Arthur Curry whose wild long hair, beard, Polynesian-inspired tattoos, and rebellious personality gave the franchise its most popular protagonist. Momoa's passionate take on Aquaman made James Wan's 2018 movie the highest-grossing DC movie of all time, surpassing every Batman and Superman film to date. Before Momoa moved on to Lobo in the DCU, his visible enthusiasm for the role helped audiences fall in love with a massively underrated hero. DC Comics' main version of Arthur Curry has reverted to his classic short-haired look as the Blue-empowered "Emperor Aquaman" after sporting Jason Momoa-like long hair and beard at the beginning of Rebirth. However, DC presents a new redesign that blends two eras of the character. DC's New Aquaman Is A Young Version Of The Atlantean King Dark Knights Of Steel II #3; Written By Tom Taylor; Art By Otto Schmidt Dark Knights of Steel reinvents over a dozen major DC characters in its medieval fantasy setting. Superman becomes the heir to the House of El alongside his sister Zala Jor-El and his adoptive brother Bruce Wayne, with Harley Quinn as the court jester and Amanda Waller as the rogue general who becomes this universe's main antagonist. As Dark Knights of Steel II begins, Aquaman makes his debut right after Wonder Woman marries Zala, defeating the Kraken that interrupts the wedding and joining the Els as Zala suddenly falls ill. This Aquaman sports a long-haired but clean-shaven look, with bandages and armor plates covering his shirtless body. DC's Aquaman redesign for Dark Knights of Steel II pays homage to Arthur Curry's classic look with his armored skirt's orange-scaled pteruges, as well as a tribute to his 1990s redesign with a singular shoulder plate and his shirtless torso. It also combines his classic clean-shaven style with his 1990s and late 2010s long hair. While Aquaman's origins and story may be more familiar than the rest of Dark Knights of Steel's characters, his physical appearance is noticeably different from his Earth-0 counterpart's. Giving Aquaman Long Hair Is One Of The Best Redesign Decisions In DC History Aquaman's Long Hair Is Now A Staple Of The Atlantean Hero Aquaman's transition from the classic clean-cut appearance to his modern long-haired design is one of the most effective visual reinventions in DC Comics history. For several decades, Aquaman's short blond hair complemented the polished image of a traditional Silver Age superhero and emphasized his status as a noble monarch. As Arthur Curry transformed into a more complex ruler and battlefield commander, as the longer hair gave artists a way to communicate his personal growth. Aquaman's flowing hair evokes the untamed nature of the ocean and distinguishes him from more restrained heroes like Superman and the Green Lanterns. Ever since Aquaman first grew his hair, his rugged redesign has become so closely associated with his character that it now feels like an essential part of his visual identity, appearing consistently across comics, animation, and the DC Extended Universe. Bare-chested or clad in Atlantean armor, often sporting a beard and sometimes bearing scars, Aquaman's weathered appearance suggests the image of a warrior who has survived brutal conflicts that not even the rest of the Justice League could fathom. While his clean look is timeless and DC hasn't abandoned it in prime continuity, Aquaman's long hair and more rebellious style is now his most famous design. Which Aquaman look is your favorite? Dark Knights Of Steel II #3 is available September 16 from DC Comics Aquaman, DC Comics’ King of Atlantis, is Arthur Curry—a half-human, half-Atlantean hero. Wielding a magical trident, he commands the oceans, communicates with sea life, and is an iconic member of the Justice League.