2013-11-30
Explanation
The Joke
A woman is about to be intimate with Aquaman and asks, "Wait, Aquaman. Do you have a condom?" Aquaman cheerfully replies, "Oh that's not necessary. I'm coated in a protective layer of mucus." The woman looks disgusted. The caption beneath reads: "It turns out women aren't impressed by all superpowers."
The Humor
The joke plays on Aquaman's status as a frequently mocked superhero whose aquatic powers are seen as less impressive or cool compared to other heroes. The comic takes this a step further by imagining the biological realities of being an aquatic humanoid: many fish and amphibians are indeed coated in a protective mucus layer. While this might be a perfectly functional biological adaptation, it is deeply unappealing in a romantic context. The woman's horrified expression sells the gag. The caption drives the point home -- not all superpowers are attractive, and Aquaman's fish-related biology is a particular romantic liability. This is part of a long tradition in comedy of mocking Aquaman as the least desirable superhero.
References
Aquaman is a DC Comics superhero who can breathe underwater, communicate with sea life, and possesses superhuman strength. He has been a frequent target of jokes in popular culture for having powers considered less useful or cool than those of heroes like Superman or Batman. Many fish species are coated in a mucus layer that protects them from parasites and infections.