Merahas long been celebrated as one of the most badass women in the DC Universe, and with the Atlantean queen commanding attention in live-action hits like theAquamanfilms and theJustice LeagueSnyder Cut, her popularity has only continued to soar. But even the most devoted fans, confident they know her inside and out, may find themselves stunned by her boldest redesign to date—a complete reimagining of the character, both inside and out.
…it means one could technically say Aquaman is married to Black Manta…
Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’sDC vs. Vampires: World War#6 is set to release in full on June 15, 2025. Until then, fans can dive into a thrilling five-page preview that not only pushesthe Mister Miracle arcforward but also brings back one of the series’ standout characters—Mera.
As many fans will recall, it’s been nearly three years sincethe Queen of Atlantis last appeared in theDC vs. Vampires saga, where she battled Aquaman in a commandeered Black Manta suit.This striking redesign returns to the narrative, serving as a reminder that this isn’t the Mera fans are used to it.
Black Manta Mera Officially Returns to theDC vs. VampiresUniverse After 3 Years
Comic Panel Comes FromDC vs. Vampires: World War V#6 (2025)
In the opening pages ofDC vs. Vampires: World War#6, the vampiric yet still sane Mister Miracle and his vampire infant daughter are captured by Aquaman and his Atlantean goons. Despite being ordered to return Scott Free and his daughter to the Vampire Queen, Barbara Gordon, Aquaman makes it clear he has no intention of following through. As the Atlanteans drag Mister Miracle and his daughter toward the icy waters to drown them, Wonder Twin Jayna intervenes. Using her animal shapeshifting abilities and her late brother’s water-controlling powers, she launches a rescue attempt. However,the standoff between Aquaman and Jayna is quickly broken when Arthur calls for reinforcements—his wife.
With a smug,“You remember my darling wife who can control water, don’t you?”Arthur summons Mera, who appears clad in the Black Manta suit she commandeered earlier in the series after defeating the villain. Mera immediately attacks Jayna, seemingly wiping her out in moments. While her appropriation of Black Manta’s mantle was confirmed inDC vs. Vampires#9,seeing the Atlantean queen decked out in her husband’s arch-nemesis’s gear is still a surreal sight.It’s a particularly wild twist, as it means one could technically say Aquaman is married to Black Manta—a statement that, despite sounding like fanfiction, is entirely true.
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Aquaman vs. Mera: DC Officially Reveals the Stronger Atlantean
Comic Panel Comes FromDC vs. Vampires #9 (2022)
Mera’s return is undoubtedly welcome, but it carries a bittersweet sense of loss. The last time we saw her, she was fighting on the side of good. Now, standing beside her husband, two tragic truths have been confirmed. First, Mera lost her battle against Arthur inDC vs. Vampires#9, where she was fighting to protect Supergirl. Second, the Atlantean queen is now a vampire, as there’s no other explanation for why she would align herself with Arthur. This grim twist also confirms that, between the two,Aquamanproved to be the superior combatant—assuming, of course, he didn’t have help from his goons in defeating her.
Aquaman’s Brutal New Redesign Makes His ’90s Harpoon Hand Look Tame
Aquaman’s new redesign just went full Deathstroke in DC’s latest Elseworlds release, making his 90s harpoon hand look tame by comparison.
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6is available May 28, 2025, from DC Comics!
Aquaman
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.
