Originally posted by -Pr-
They both fall under the "metahuman" banner, iirc. Water-control isn't a power every Atlantean has (last I checked anyway), nor is Aquaman's insane level of strength and durability (not to mention water-telepathy/normal telepathy).Unless something has changed that I missed, it's just the powers they got from being different, though his can be explained partially by his mixed heritage I suppose, if you want to be technical about it.
Mera is from a different dimension and many of the people from there can waterbend. Black Manta met another woman from Mera's dimension and had sexy time making the new Aqualad. Due to his mother's heritage, he can manipulate the water. Regular Atlanteans don't generally have that ability.