Cal Durham
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Cal Durham is an fictional character in the DC Comics universe, and a supporting character from the Aquaman family of books. He first appeared in Adventure Comics #452 (July 1977), written by David Micheline and drawn by Jim Aparo.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
[edit] Henchman
The villain known as Black Manta and Aquaman battled repeatedly for several years. During one of these confrontations, it was revealed that he was actually an African-American man who used the pretense that his objective was for Black people to be dominant in the oceans below, after having been oppressed for so long in the lands above. Most of Black Manta's henchmen were also black. Manta's activist claims, as stated by Manta himself, was not his true goal. His preoccupation was with the destruction on Aquaman. In a fit of deranged anger, Black Manta killed Aquaman's young son Arthur. This act not only forced Aquaman into a long depression, but it also made him become obsessed with bringing Manta to justice. [1]
Aquaman goes in search of Black Manta, fighting his way through Manta's undersea henchmen. Meanwhile Black Manta is dealing with the potential rebellion of his lieutenant, Cal Durham, who believes that Manta has let thoughts of vengeance cloud his focus, and has put aside his pledge to make an underwater refuge for his people.
Manta forcefully squelches Durham's doubts just before they both go to confront a recently captured Aquaman. When Manta attempts to have Aquaman killed, Durham rebels but is knocked unconscious by a henchman. Durham is ejected out to sea in a torpedo tube, apparently to drown to death. Meanwhile Manta has Aquaman strapped to a missile.
Luckily, Durham's gill implants finally kick in, and he is able to shoot off Aquaman's restraints allowing him to escape Manta's deathtrap.
Later, Durham discovers that while he can easily breathe and speak underwater, his lungs cannot accept air. Aquaman now faces the hard task of telling Mera that her son is dead (Aquaman #57 August (1977)).[2]
[edit] Hero
While visiting New Venice, Aquaman is accosted by a little girl who asks him to come and see her cousin, Cal Durham. Cal tells Aquaman that he was released from prison a week ago and was staying with relatives in New Venice. Durham had apparently discovered that Black Manta was active again nearby. Both men are captured while attempting to uncover Manta's plans, and he informs them that he has built a new underwater army, with which he intends to invade Atlantis. His only apparent motivation for this plan is hatred of Aquaman. Adventure Comics #477, November (1980), by J. M. DeMatteis and Dick Giordano.[3]
Continuing the story from issue #477, Black Manta launches a brace of tactical nuclear missiles at New Venice, and he and his army attack Atlantis. Aquaman and Durham escape from their prison, and Aquaman has some dolphins use coordinated sound waves to knockout the missiles' guidance systems. Black Manta’s troops are halted by Aquaman and Vulko, who offer them a chance to become Atlantean citizens. The ragtag army lays down its arms. Mera shows up and places Black Manta in a hardwater shell, having been brought to the scene by Cal Durham.
Cal explains to Aquaman that Black Manta was in still in prison when he was released. Their captive Manta is revealed to be an android abruptly, and promptly explodes (Adventure Comics #478 by J. M. DeMatteis and Dick Giordano (December 1980)).[4]
[edit] Powers
- Like Marvel Comics' unique homo mermanii, Cal Durham's body is adapted to existence at extreme undersea depths. He has the enhanced physical strength and density required to survive extremes of pressure.
- Cal Durham's eyes are capable of using the dim light available on the ocean floor.
- Due to Black Manta's extensive gene modification surgery, his gills can separate oxygen from water allowing him to breathe. Unlike a normal human, his lungs are incapable of processing undiffused oxygen.
[edit] Future
In November 2006, upcoming writer Tad Williams stated that he would be using the Cal Durham in his run on Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis. [5]
[edit] Bibliography
- Adventure Comics #452, 477, 478, 517, 519
- Aquaman (1st series) #57
