Orka (comics)
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| Orka | |
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| Publication information | |
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| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner vol. 1, #23 (March 1970) |
| Created by | Roy Thomas (writer) Marie Severin (artist) |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Orka |
| Species | Homo mermanus |
| Place of origin | Atlantis |
| Team affiliations | Heroes For Hire, Deep Six, former minion of Warlord Krang, former ally of Virago, former agent of the Brand Corporation |
| Notable aliases | Killer Whale |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength, durability and swimming speed Can communicate with and summon killer whales |
Orka is a fictional character and supervillain turned anti-hero that appears in the Marvel Universe.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Orka was originally an Atlantean soldier in the army of Warlord Krang, and aids the renegade Krang when he attempts to usurp the Atlantean throne from Namor the Sub-Mariner. When this attempt fails, Orka goes into exile from Atlantis with Krang. Orka is then chosen to be the test subject of Dr. Dorcas, the marine scientist who created Tiger Shark, one of Namor's arch foes. Courtesy of a belt with a psionic amplifier, Orka is given the power of a killer whale, and aids Krang once more against Namor.[1] Namor, however, defeats Orka as Orka battles Tiger Shark; Orka and Tigers Shark both fall down and undersea crevice and are buried in an undersea avalanche. [2] Orka freed himself from the crevice, and allied himself with the other-dimensional Virago. He battled Namor and caused him to flee, but Namor returns and defeated Orka again. [3] Orka is later summoned from the sea by the Serpent Crown. Orka accepts the offer of the Brand Corporation (a subsidiary of Roxxon Oil) which increases his size to 20 feet tall and augments Orka's natural abilities, removing the need for his belt. Orka is then sent on a mission that brings him into conflict with the Avengers Thor and Moondragon, but Orka is defeated by Thor. [4]
Some time later, after Attuma had taken over Atlantis, Attuma pardoned Orka of his exile and Orka became a henchman to Attuma and a member of the Warlord Attuma's Imperial Army. Orka was employed by Attuma as part of an invasion force upon the surface world. Orka battled the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, and was defeated by She-Hulk and the Black Panther.[5]
Years later, Orka escapes imprisonment [6] and joins Deep Six, a team that also consists of Attuma, Nagala, Piranha, Sea Urchin and Tiger Shark. The group attack the United States and battles the Avengers and the People's Protectorate. Orka is overpowered by the Vision, then battles Perun and Box and is overpowered; Deep Six are defeated by the Avengers. [7]
Orka has also been in conflict with other superheroes such as the Fantastic Four, [8] She-Hulk [9] and the Defenders. [10] Orka then joins the team Heroes For Hire, but is killed soon after in combat by a Doombot (a robotic copy of villain Doctor Doom) reprogrammed by the villains the Headmen. [11]
[edit] Powers and abilities
Orka is a physical freak amongst Atlanteans, being 24 feet tall and the strongest of his race, rivalling Namor in power. Orka has superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, and agility. Orka originally wore a belt provided by Dr. Dorcas that which by psionic means provided the added power of a killer whale to Orka's already considerable strength. The belt also allowed Orka to exist for indefinite periods on land although he was not at full strength due to dehydration. Using surgical and electrochemical enhancements, the Brand Corporation later augmented Orka's natural abilities, which allowed him to retain his strength without the use of the belt. The experimentation also increased Orka's endurance, but at the cost of his intelligence, which was reduced. Orka can also communicate with and summon killer whales through high-pitched whistles and can also swim at superhuman speeds.
Orka has also shown the ability to add the strength of any whales in his vicinity to enhance his own. [12]
Orka has the ability to survive on either land or in water for indefinite periods. Like all members of Homo Mermanus, Orka is subject to dehydration on land, and extended periods out of water will diminish his physical abilities. However, because of his artificial enhancements, Orka is able to remain on land for much greater periods of time than other members of his race.
Orka has received Atlantean army basic training.
[edit] References
- ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner vol. 1, #23
- ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner vol. 1, #24
- ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner vol. 1, #66 - 67
- ^ Avengers vol. 1, #149
- ^ Avengers Annual #18
- ^ Avengers: Death Trap - The Vault (1991)
- ^ Avengers vol. 1, #319 - 324
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 1, #336
- ^ She-Hulk vol. 2, #12
- ^ Defenders vol. 2, #7 + 11
- ^ Heroes For Hire v2. #8
- ^ Defenders vol. 2, #11
