The Justice League animated series and Geoff Johns’ comic book run at the start of the New 52 reboot helped with this, but needless to say that Aquaman finally appearing in live action has done wonders with not only simply introducing the character too folks unfamiliar with DC Comics in general, but also making it clear that when properly written, he’s a component, badass superhero.
In the last few decades, Aquaman has started earning more respect and has been distanced from his ridiculed reputation from the Super Friends days.
Now the Aquaman movie will prop the proverbial door open to the rest of his mythos, including Mera graduating from a minor player to one of the main leads.