Orka (character)

This article is about the Marvel Comics villain Orka. For the DC Comics villain Orca, see Orca (DC Comics).
Orka
Orka's debut appearance in Sub-Mariner #23 (March 1970). Art by Marie Severin.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearancePrince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 (March 1970)[1]
Created byRoy Thomas (writer)
Marie Severin (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoOrka
SpeciesHomo mermanus
Team affiliationsHeroes for Hire
Deep Six
Brand Corporation
Defenders of the Deep
PartnershipsWarlord Krang
Virago
Notable aliasesKiller Whale
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, size and durability
Superhuman swimming speed
Ability to breathe both on land and in water
Able to communicate with and summon killer whales via high-pitched whistles
Orca-based empowerment
Formerly:
Land adaptation via belt

Orka is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Roy Thomas and Marie Severin, and has a killer whale theme. Orka primarily appears as a villain fighting the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, She-Hulk, and the Defenders, and also appears as a member of Heroes for Hire.

Publication history

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Orka first appears in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 (March 1970) and was created by Roy Thomas and Marie Severin.[2]

Fictional character biography

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Orka is an Atlantean soldier who serves Krang and aids him in an attempt to usurp the Atlantean throne from Namor. When this attempt fails, Orka goes into exile and is given orca-based abilities by scientist Lemuel Dorcas.[3] However, he battles Dorcas' other creation Tiger Shark, causing an undersea avalanche that buries them for several months.[4]

Orka eventually escapes and allies with the other-dimensional Virago, and after battling Namor twice is defeated.[5] The Brand Corporation (a subsidiary of Roxxon Energy Corporation) summon Orka with the aid of the Serpent Crown and augment his abilities. Orka is sent on a mission that brings him into conflict with superhero team the Avengers, with Thor knocking him unconscious.[6]

When the Atlantean barbarian Attuma takes over Atlantis, Orka is pardoned from his exile and joins the Imperial Army. Part of an invasion force that attacks the surface world, Orka battles the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, but is defeated by heroine She-Hulk and the Black Panther and imprisoned.[7]

Orka escapes imprisonment[8] and joins marine team Deep Six (also consisting of Attuma, Nagala, Piranha, Sea Urchin and Tiger Shark). The group attack the United States and battles the Avengers and the People's Protectorate and are eventually defeated.[9]

Orka features in several other Marvel titles such as Fantastic Four,[10] She-Hulk[11] and the Defenders.[12] After the events of the Civil War,[13] Orka features in the title Heroes for Hire and joins the team before being killed by a Doombot.[14][15][16]

During the "Dark Reign" storyline, Orka appears in Erebus gambling to be resurrected. He is later seen on Pluto's jury during Zeus' trial.[17]

Orka turns up alive and is imprisoned in the Cellar by soldiers working for Regent's company Empire Unlimited.[18]

Orka later appears as a member of Namor's Defenders of the Deep.[19][20]

Powers and abilities

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Orka possesses superhuman physical abilities, and wields a belt that allows him to remain on land indefinitely. He can communicate with and summon orcas through high-pitched whistles, and gains further strength in their presence.

In other media

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Orka appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "King Breaker", voiced by Roger Craig Smith.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. p. 254. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.[1]
  2. ^ Grant, John (1998). Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters (2nd ed.). Hyperion. p. 254. ISBN 978-0786863365.
  3. ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 (Mar. 1970). Marvel Comics.
  4. ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #24 (Apr. 1970). Marvel Comics.
  5. ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #66 - 67 (Oct. - Nov. 1973). Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Avengers #149 (July 1976). Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Avengers Annual #18 (Dec. 1989). Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ Avengers: Death Trap - The Vault (1991). Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Avengers #319 - 324 (July - Oct. 1990). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Fantastic Four #336 (Jan. 1990)
  11. ^ She-Hulk vol. 2, #12 (Nov. 2006). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Defenders vol. 2, #7 (Sep. 2001) & 11 (Jan. 2002). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Civil War #1 - 7 (July 2006 - Jan. 2007). Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Heroes for Hire #4 (Jan. 2007). Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Daughters of the Dragon #3 (Mar. 2006). Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Heroes for Hire vol. 2 #8 (May 2007). Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Incredible Hercules #129. Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #13. Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ Avengers Vol. 8 #9. Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ Avengers Vol. 8 #11. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ "Commander Orka Voice - Avengers Assemble (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 26, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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