Warning! Spoilers for Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #2TheJustice League’s expanded roster opens the door for many forgotten heroes to get some long-awaited recognition, and one underrated icon is strong enough to have earnedBatman’s attention. Mera, the Queen of Atlantis and wife of Aquaman, has pulled off an impressive feat that reveals why Batman respects her so much as a fighter.
InBatman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns#2 by Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, Michele Bandini, Marcelo Maiolo, and Pat Brosseau, the Justice League go missing after an encounter with monsters serving the Silent Knight. During their battle, Mera feigns weakness and acts as if she’s been defeated. Superman tries to help her, but Batman stops him with three words:“Let her finish.”
Unlike Superman,Batman can tell that Mera is more than capable of handling herself in a fight, and he’s proven right shortly after. Mera’s hydrokinetic powers cement her as one of theJustice League’s strongest fighters, and other heroes should follow Batman’s example and pay her some respect.
Batman Recognizes Mera as a Major Justice League Powerhouse
Mera’s Powers Are No Joke, And Even Batman Knows It
The goal of Mera’s strategy is to trick the Draug into believing she’s been afflicted with the Knight’s Mark, which weakens herJustice Leagueallies. However, unbeknownst to the Draug, her surrender is merely an act to gain the upper hand over them.Once her opponents have let their guards down, Mera strikes using her hydrokinesis, slamming two of their heads together and making quick work of them.As she attacks, she declares,“I am a monarch of Atlantis. I sleep at ocean depths that would crush you!“Mera’s empowered words solidify her as a force to be reckoned with, and Batman knows it.
The Justice League’s New Leader Replaces Batman as DC’s Top Dog
An underrated hero has taken on a major role in the Justice League’s new lineup, and he’s filling a position even Batman and Superman fail to.
Batman’s position as one of thegreatest detectives in DC loremakes him an excellent judge of character, as he has the ability to read people with ease. He can see right through Mera’s facade when even Superman can’t, after all. This moment isn’t the first time he’s shown his respect for Mera, either; inJustice League#24 by Dan Abnett and Ian Churchill,Batman invites Mera into the Justice League’s ranks for the first time after he witnesses her in action. Batman sees thisoverlooked hero’s potential, and it’s about time the rest of the Justice League did the same.
Mera Deserves Respect as One of the Justice League’s Strongest Members
Mera’s Royal Status and Power Feats Make Her a Hero to Watch Out For
Long before her Justice League initiation, Mera was originally trained as an assassin and given the sole purpose of killing theking of Atlantis. Then, her plans were derailed when she fell for Aquaman, and she’s since given up the assassination plot in favor of pursuing a romance with him. Her status quo later undergoes a critical shift in theMera: Queen of Atlantisminiseries by Dan Abnett and Lan Medina. After defeating Aquaman’s half-brother in combat,Mera becomes the Queen of Atlantis, and to this day she rules over the legendary kingdom of Atlantis by Aquaman’s side.
Mera made her first canonical appearance in 1963’sAquaman#11 by Jack Miller and Nick Cardy.
Mera’s royal status isn’t the only quality of hers that warrants more widespread praise. Her powers surpass even Aquaman’s, as well as plenty of her fellow Justice League members. Like most Atlanteans, Mera possesses the ability to breathe underwater, in addition tosuperhuman strength and durability.What sets Mera apart from other Atlanteans is her hydrokinesis, which allows her to manipulate water into any shape at will.Using this power, she can createGreen Lantern-like constructsmade of water, or she can attack directly by forming weapons. Mera’s latest feat in this issue demonstrates just how devastating her hydrokinesis can be.
Aquaman’s Upcoming Era Can Give Mera a Much-Needed Spotlight
Mera Will Star Alongside Aquaman in an All-New Series from DC Comics
Despite the immense power at Mera’s disposal, she hasn’t been given enough of a focus in recent memory. Luckily, her time to shine may at last be drawing near asAquaman gears up for a brand-new seriesin DC’s All In era. Mera appears in a preview forAquaman#1, drawn by series artist John Timms, as well as an eye-catching variant cover by Tula Lotay. Clearly,the Queen of Atlantis will be featured as a prominent presence in Aquaman’s upcoming series, which means Mera will be granted ample opportunities to show the DC Universe what she’s made of.
Aquaman#1 by Jeremy Adams and John Timms will hit shelves on January 8th, 2025 from DC Comics!
Mera deserves to be regarded as more than half of aJustice League romance, and this next chapter of her husband’s story is the perfect chance for her to ascend to stardom. Aquaman’s return to glory has been a long time coming, and if he can win back fans' interest after years of being sidelined, then so can Mera. Now that she’s shown what she’s capable of as a member of theJustice League, Mera is ready to make a splash alongside Aquaman in his new series, andBatmanwon’t be the only hero who admires her once she does.
Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns#2is available now from DC Comics.
