Kaldur'ahm

Kaldur'ahm, also known as Jackson Hyde, is a superhero appearing in both media published by DC Entertainment and American comic books published by DC Comics. While the character was created by Brandon Vietti, Greg Weisman and Phil Bourassa for the television series Young Justice, and voiced by Khary Payton, the comic book version debuted earlier in Brightest Day #4 (July 2010). Though intended as incarnations of the same character with similarities—such as sharing the codenames Aqualad and Aquaman, and being the biological son of Black Manta—their histories and backgrounds diverge significantly.

The animated version's name is derived from Cal Durham, a henchman and right-hand assistant of Black Manta in the comics. Within the television series, Kaldur'ahm is the son of villain Black Manta and Atlantean Sha'lain'a, raised by the latter alongside his adoptive father Cal Durham, who settled in Atlantis after abandoning an infiltration mission and genetically altering himself with Atlantean traits. Known for his mature and responsible demeanor from a young age, he became Aquaman's protégé after Aquaman and Garth rescued him during a battle with Ocean Master.

Over time, as a member of the Team, he rises as a skilled and measured leader before eventually adopting the Aquaman codename in season three.

Quick Facts

Character name

Aquaman

Real name

Jackson Hyde; Kaldur'ahm

Publisher

DC Comics

First series

Young Justice

First episode

Independence Day (November 26, 2010)

First comic

Brightest Day #4 (August 2010)

Creators

Brandon Vietti
Greg Weisman
Phil Bourassa

Species

Atlantean/human hybrid (animation); Xebellian/human hybrid (comics)

Lore & Background

Kaldur'ahm is the protégé of Aquaman and a founding member of the Team. Between the first and second seasons, he learns that Black Manta is his biological father—a revelation that reshapes his identity. The episode "Downtime" reveals that Aquaman recruited Kaldur after he and Garth rescued him during a battle with Ocean Master. Garth was also offered the role of Aquaman's sidekick but chose to remain in Atlantis to continue his sorcery studies. In season two, Invasion, Kaldur goes undercover within the Light to uncover their secret partner. During a tense confrontation at a summit between the Light and the Reach, he reveals himself and exposes the Light's betrayal. In season three, Young Justice: Outsiders, Kaldur becomes the new Aquaman after Orin retires. The series also reveals that Kaldur is in a relationship with an Atlantean man named Wyynde, adding depth to his personal life.

Reader's Guide

He appears from Season 1 onward. His origin is shown in the episode "Downtime": Aquaman recruited Kaldur'ahm after he and Garth rescued him during a battle with Ocean Master. Garth was also offered to become Aquaman's sidekick, but remained in Atlantis to continue his studies in sorcery. In between the first and second seasons, Kaldur learns that he is the son of Black Manta.

In the second season, Invasion, Kaldur works undercover within the Light to uncover who the Light's partner is. During a summit between the Light and the Reach, Kaldur is exposed as a double agent, but manages to reveal the Light's betrayal of the Reach. In the third season, Young Justice: Outsiders, Kaldur becomes Aquaman after Orin retires. As the new Aquaman, Kaldur'ahm becomes the leader of the Justice League.

Kaldur is also revealed to be in a relationship with an Atlantean man named Wyynde. His powers include superhuman strength, durability, enhanced senses, underwater breathing, fast swimming, poison resistance, magical abilities (electricity generation, water bending and shaping, hard-water constructs, spell-casting), and he is an expert combatant, tactician, and leader.