While Superman, Batman, and The Flash have a Rogue's Gallery a mile long, the list of Aquaman villains that people know about is very short. It's basically just Black Manta, and that's because everyone recognizes that giant bug-eyed helmet from the Challenge of the Superfriends cartoon. So with the Aquaman movie starring Jason Momoa coming up there was never any doubt who he'd be facing, but it's nice to have confirmation.
The Wrap makes it official that Black Manta will be Aquaman's foe in the James Wan-directed film. He's basically like Aquaman's version of Lex Luthor, and is a constant thorn in the hero's side. While he doesn't have any specific powers he has gained great strength from that suit he wears, which also allows him to swim the ocean depths just like Aquaman. It took about 30 years for DC to finally give him an origin, and it was pretty crappy, so crappy they kept revising it. The most hilarious motive they ever attributed to Black Manta was that he wanted to make it so that black people would rule the seas as payback for years of oppression on land.
I would give my left arm for this to be the plot of Wan's film. Oh please oh please oh please! Will Beall and Geoff Johns get on it!
At one point Black Manta found himself locked up in Belle Reve prison, where he was asked repeatedly to join the Suicide Squad. He refused each time, however, something nobody does to Amanda Waller. You may recall a rumor suggesting Common would play the character in Suicide Squad, well that's where it sprang from.
So no surprises here, really, but let's take note that Aquaman is clearly going to be a huge part of the DCU. Not only will Aquaman be part of the Justice League lineup, we can expect an appearance by his wife Mera played by Amber Heard, and enemy Nuidis Vulko played by Willem Dafoe. Aquaman dives into theaters on July 27th 2018.
