Origin

A group of pacifists called "the Idylists" lived in self-exile from Atlantis in the Hidden Valley for over 4000 years.

They lived without violence; Peace and serenity were their way of life. The ruler from Shayeris (the Idylist capital city) was King Thar. The King had inherited much of his ancestor's mythic power, and practiced sorcery alongside his brother, Slizzath.

Slizzath thought the power should be his and resented his brother taking it from him. Because of his use and knowledge of black arts by practicing necromancy his birtright was neglected and he was banished from the Hidden Valley.

He returns 20 years later with an army of undead soldiers.

Because of his brother's attack Thar assembled an armory of weapons. However The peace-loving people of "the Idylists" revolted, killing their king.

The Idylists feared the monarchy was tainted by foul violence, so banished his now-pregnant wife, Berra, who found her way to Atlantis and gave birth to a son named Garth.

Before Thar died, he traped Slizzath in an other-dimensional prison. Slizzath casted spells as a means of escape. One of them was Garth's birthright ritual.

Upon giving birth to Garth, Berra gazed upon his purple eyes - the Idylist mark of power. At that moment, her son's destiny became clear: His son would one day free Slizzath. Without any option left, Berra left her son to die.

Aquaman

Garth survived in the ocean depths on his own. When he grew into boyhood, met Atlantis's protector, Aquaman. Thanks to Aquaman, Garth was cured of his fear to fish and became Aqualad, Aquaman's young sidekick.

Teen Titans

Some years later, Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad joined forces to stop the villain called Mr. Twister.

The teen sidekicks joined forces again when Robin,Kid Flash, Aqualad, Wonder Girl and Speedy, fought against their mentors, who had been possessed by Antithesis. The five heroes decided to become a team.

To aid Aquaman in a quest for Mera, Aqualad took a long absence from the Titans.

Speedy replaced Aqualad in the team.

When Garth returned to the teen titans he felt useless to the team, in part due to his time limitation away from water. Garth resigned from the team just before the titans eventually disbanded.

Tempest

Atlan (Aquaman's father), a mage who existed in another dimension told Garth his destiny was to become a powerful mage as well.

Atlan trained Garth in his dimension and taught him how to greatly augment his powers. Garth studied with Atlan for a couple of years (couple of months in Aquaman's world). Garth returned with new powers, like the ability to control the temperature of water and fire mystical power blasts from his eyes.

Garth adopted the new identity as Tempest.

Father and husband

Garth began a secret relationship with Dolphin.

I would be. Eventually, Aquaman learned of their relationship and gave them his blessing.

Garth proposed marriage to Dolphin after finding out that she was pregnant.

Garth and Dolphin were married in a traditional Atlantean ceremony.

Dolphin has since given birth to a son. The kid's name was Cerdian

Tempest Dissapearence and return

When Atlantis was attacked by the Spectre, Tempest and several Atlantean mystics unsuccessfully tried to combat him.

In Atlantis ruins, the Tempests costume was found alone. This left his fate in question.

Tempest later returned without powers. The fate of his wife and son are still unknown.

Animated Version

Aqualad in teen titans animated series

Aqualad appeared in the animated series of the teen titans

In the series he demostrates that he has the ability to control the water at free will

He later appears as a member of "Titans East" with Speedy, Bumblebee and Mas y Menos

Episodes in which he appears:

Deep Six

Winner takes all

Calling all Titans

Titans Together

What people think of him

Nick Cardy:

Series artist Nick Candy admits that he was not above playing a few favorites as he designed the book. "I had drawn the Aquaman book for a while" he chuckles, ‘so I had a soft spot in my heart for Aqualad and I would always give him a boost by placing him as one of the strangest elements on the page. And I've always liked drawing pretty girls, so I paid special attention to Wonder Girl."

Nick Cardy, on the introduction of Tula: "I think it stemmed from the idea that the Aquaman character had Mera, while Aqualad was sort of left out. So George and Bob wrote in a young girl character, Tula. Like with Mera, I designed Tula's outfit and overall look. She was Aqualad's companion, being of the same age, they could relate to one another, or oppose the elders. We played up the fact that she was this wild, "hip" 1960s modern girl and Aqualad was more reserved and introverted."

George Pérez:

"Speedy and Aqualad? Nicest guest stars. I like Speedy/Aqualad because of the limitation of his powers. He's nice - nice visual - but now that Robin's wearing his Nightwing costume, he's the only one that's showing his bare legs. Again, a nice little sexiness about him. I always like that kinky hair, and I deliberately gave him a more Italian looking face- Actually, I based it on a girl's face. I dated a girl, she had very strong features, and I matched them, made them a little more masculine and made Aqualad out of her."

Devin Grayson:

"Garth, as the new financier of the team, has more of a voice in this incarnation than he's used to having... and I think he kind of likes the feeling. Especially when things start getting complicated in his personal life back in Atlantis. I could have told you more last week, before Erik Larsen quit Aquaman - now, to some extent, I'm just as clueless as you are about what his future holds in store for him. But hopefully we'll find out soon!"

"Tempest [aka. Garth] is a man with something to prove. He's another one of the members who'd just as soon do his own thing, but he's gaining a sense of confidence, although he may be the quietest one on the team. He becomes the Titans' treasurer. That's a new position for hire, and he'll find he has more of a voice than he ever had before."

Jay Faerber:

"I think Tempest always gets a bad rep as the weak Titan or the wallflower. But I really like Garth and think he's always fun to write and read. I like, how thanks to Phil Jimenez, Garth has gone from being one of the weakest Titans to one of the most powerful. His mystical powers can open up some great stories."

"Garth isn't quite the wallflower he used to be. Maybe it's his increased duties in Atlantis, maybe it's his increased powers, or maybe it's his new role as father and husband. Whatever it is, he's coming out of his shell a little more these days. He's considered by everyone to be the man you can count on when the chips are down -- Garth would sooner die than let any of the Titans be harmed, and he enjoys his role as the Titans' powerhouse, because it lets him protect his friends. While he's always had a long friendship with Dick and Donna, he's probably closest to Argent, of all people. Since he sometimes felt like an outsider back in the early Teen Titans days, he could recognize that Argent was having similar feelings in this version of the Titans -- especially after Damage left. So he made it a point to be there for her, and he's come to genuinely like her, in a kid sister kind of way. Roy gets under his skin more than any other Titan, but he loves him like a brother. He thinks Jesse needs to slow down and loosen up. "