DC Pride, the extra-sized anthology showcasing LGBTQIA+ talent and creators, was released this week from DC Comics, and the special now has its first spin-off. Courtesy of an exclusive from THR, DC Comics announced Aquaman: The Becoming, a 6-issue limited series starring Jackson Hyde, better known as Aqualad. The series will be written by Future State: Aquaman scribe Brandon Thomas with interior art by Diego Olortegui, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Adriano Lucas, and covers by David Talaski.
Last year, Jackson was the star character of You Brought Me the Ocean, an original LGBTQ+ graphic novel for young adult readers from Lambda Award-winning writer Alex Sanchez (Rainbow Boys) and bestselling illustrator Julie Maroh,
Created for the Young Justice animated series, new Aqualad Kaldur-ahm was eventually incorporated in the DC Comics continuity with the civilian identity Jackson Hyde. After an absence during the New 52 DC Comics relaunch, Jackson returned in the comics the DC Universe: Rebirth one-shot, where readers learned that Aqualad is gay.
Young Justice show creators Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti had always intended for Aqualad character to be queer. So when YJ was eventually brought back years after its cancellation, they were finally able to properly depict Aqualad (now having assumed the Aquaman mantle) as queer when he kissed his fellow Atlantean Wynnde.
Aquaman: The Becoming #1 (of 6) is scheduled for release this September. Stay tuned for more details.
