Look, no one's disputing the awesomeness of Aquawoman. That's fifty kinds of awesome right there. BUT. Arthur, people. The only reason you think he's a joke is because of frickin' SUPERFRIENDS. The truth is, if you piss Aquaman off, he will fuck your shit up.
Would that I had the scans from the Alex Ross/Paul Dini story to prove that Aquaman will ride up on a fucking whale, carrying a huge goddamn spear and surrounded by all the ocean's denizens he could summon, all for the express purpose of kicking some evil surface-dweller ass. But let me assure you, if you really piss him off by, say, clubbing some baby seals, he won't stop there. Oh no.
He will throw a fucking polar bear at you. Possibly the polar bear from LOST, if he's really cheesed off. So show Aquaman some damn respect.