Mera (character)

Queen Mera
Textless variant cover of Mera: Queen of Atlantis #1 (April 2018).
Art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAquaman #11 (September 1963)
Created byJack Miller
Nick Cardy
In-story information
Species
  • Xebellian (current)
  • Alien (originally)
Place of origin
  • Dimension Aqua (Pre-Crisis)
  • Xebel (current)
Team affiliationsJustice League
Justice League United
Red Lantern Corps
The Others
Aquaman Family
PartnershipsAquaman
Notable aliasesAquawoman
Dead Water
Princess of Xebel
Queen of Atlantis
Abilities
  • Xebellian physiology grants her abilities including breathing underwater, superhuman strength, superhuman durability, enhanced senses, able to swim at extreme speed.
  • Expert hand-to-hand combatant and martial artist specializing in Atlantean-related combat disciplines. Proficiency in politics.
  • Hydrokinesis

Mera (/ˈmɪərə/) is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jack Miller and Nick Cardy, the character first appeared in Aquaman #11 (September 1963).[1]

Originally portrayed as a supporting character to her husband, the superhero Aquaman, possessing the formidable hydrokinetic power to create and control water, modern writers have given greater emphasis to her superhuman physical strength. Mera has been depicted as a member of DC Comics' flagship superhero team, the Justice League. Queen Mera's earlier storylines have also portrayed her mental breakdown, as she was faced with crippling loss. The stories explored her attempts at coping with lasting anger and rage. More recent storylines have explored her approach to rulership in comparison to her husband.

The character has been adapted substantially in various media, she was played by Elena Satine on Smallville and most notably featured in the DC Extended Universe where Amber Heard portrayed Mera in Justice League and its director's cut,[2][3] reprised the role in Aquaman and returned in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.[4] The character has also been adapted in the animated Young Justice television series.

  1. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^ "Amber Heard". Comic Book Resources. March 17, 2016. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  3. ^ "Heard". Nerdist. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  4. ^ Begley, Chris (May 18, 2017). "First look at Amber Heard's new Mera costume for 'Aquaman'". Batman News. Retrieved May 19, 2017.