Aquaman 2: Unmasking the Mysterious Karshon

Aquaman 2 is set to release in theaters on December 20th of this year, bringing with it a mix of familiar and new faces for fans of Jason Momoa's half-human, half-Atlantean king. Alongside the return of well-known characters like Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Black Manta and Patrick Wilson's Ocean Master, DC has surprised audiences by introducing the relatively unknown seafaring villain Karshon to the roster. While only the most dedicated DC readers may be familiar with Karshon, his most significant adventures occurred in the early sixties. With his inclusion in the troubled sequel, it raises the question of who exactly Karshon is and what his presence implies for the movie.

Who is Karshon in DC Comics?

Karshon, unlike King Shark, had humble origins as a regular tiger shark until an atomic blast near a research station in California transformed him into a mutated monster with superhuman abilities. This rapid evolution propelled him far beyond human capabilities, resembling the Humaninals in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Despite possessing advanced cognitive abilities and extraordinary physical powers, The Shark remained driven by its primal instincts. Its insatiable bloodlust compelled it to relentlessly pursue and consume prey above all else. In an attempt to seamlessly blend into the human world and seek out new victims, The Shark harnessed its abilities to assume a more human-like form. However, ordinary humans failed to provide the exhilarating challenge that the creature craved.

With the assistance of Ocean Master and Black Manta, The Shark orchestrated a plan to frame Aquaman for the theft of Atlantean technology, which was then sold to a nefarious corporation on the surface world. As a result, Aquaman was overthrown, giving The Shark, disguised as Karshon, the opportunity to briefly reign as the new ruler of Atlantis. However, his defeat was inevitable and imminent.

In contemporary comics, the character known as The Shark has abandoned the moniker "Karshon" as it was intended to be temporary. This creates uncertainty regarding the specific iteration of "Karshon" that will feature in the upcoming DC film. Will it be the mutagenic shark or the Atlantean official?

What are Karshon's Powers and Abilities?

The Shark and King Shark diverge significantly in terms of their abilities. While King Shark is primarily characterized as a formidable tank with razor-sharp teeth, Karshon presents Aquaman with a far more diverse and adaptable adversary.

The mutated Shark gained the extraordinary power to manipulate matter, granting it the ability to transfigure objects, move people and things through telekinesis, and even control the weather in its surroundings. Its god-like ability allowed it to effortlessly kill a man with just a glance. Additionally, the Shark is capable of altering its appearance, demonstrated by its choice to take on a humanoid form, and it can unleash deadly beams of psionic energy from its forehead.

In the early stages of its evolution, the creature used its psionic abilities to consume the minds of unsuspecting humans, absorbing their intelligence in the process. It was through this mind-feeding ability that the Shark learned to speak and mimic ordinary humanoids such as Atlanteans and surface dwellers. Adding to its impressive array of psionic powers, the Shark possesses a fear sense. It can sense and feed off the fear of its enemies, utilizing the emotion to either grow to immense sizes or shrink to infinitesimal proportions.

Who is Playing Karshon in Aquaman 2?

Indya Moore, known for her roles in Pose and Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, has been cast as Karshon. Moore has showcased her talent as a versatile actress, capable of delivering powerful and emotional performances. The character of Karshon, a relatively lesser-known but dynamic villain, provides Moore with an opportunity to leave a lasting impression, regardless of the film's outcome.

While there are no specific details available regarding Moore's portrayal, the possibilities are intriguing. It remains uncertain whether Karshon and The Shark will be one entity throughout the entire film or if Moore will portray an ordinary Atlantean gradually influenced by a mutated shark on a psionic level.

Fans will find out what director James Wan has in store for Karshon and Aquaman when Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters on December 20th.