The Quick Rise and Inevitable Fall of Blaqualad

?You may recall that the recently announced Young Justice cartoon starred Aqualad, but not an Aqualad anyone knew. He has been affectionately (and hopefully not racistly) dubbed Blaqualad because, well, that should be obvious. Anyways, DC had plans for this Aqualad beyond just the Young Justice cartoon; he’s being introduced in Brightest Day #10 and… well, I’ll let Geoff Johns tell you his deal:

When we first meet Aqualad in BRIGHTEST DAY he’s Jackson Hyde. An
average student, with an on-and-off girlfriend, that’s pretty bored in
New Mexico.

Since he was young, he’s been taught by his parents to fear
water…they don’t want him near it because his true parents would be able
to locate him. Not to mention certain changes happen to Jackson when he
gets in the water.

Jackson has kept this secret hidden for years, lying to his
girlfriend about being afraid of drowning, being unable to swim and being in the dark about the
mysterious tattoos he’s had since birth. He’s done his best to avoid it.
But soon something’s going to force him out into the open and dive into
the water.

Obviously, this all ties into the larger Aquaman and Mera story
within BRIGHTEST DAY, but Jackson’s adventures will also be seen in the
YOUNG JUSTICE animated series this fall along with more DC characters
than you could imagine.

I really believe in the story behind Jackson and, like Blue Beetle, I
hope you give him a chance to grab your heart and imagination as he
arrives on the scene in comics and cartoons.

“So we can kill him off in three years to make room for the old, white Aqualad,” (Via Robot 6)