Nuidis Vulko

Nuidis Vulko is a fictional DC Comics character and one of the most recurring members of the Aquaman supporting cast. He was created by Bob Haney and Sal Trapani in The Brave and the Bold #73 in 1967. His look was redesigned by Nick Cardy for Aquaman #35.

Fictional character biography

Vulko is the chief scientific adviser of Atlantis and is probably its most notorious political and academic figure (he has been involved in most of the political changes and revolution the city has gone through since he first appeared). He has been called Doctor, professor, commander and he even became king of Atlantis in the Earth-2 continuity. He knew Aquaman's mother and was an advisor to King Trevis. He was present at Aquaman's birth, and argued against leaving Aquaman to die, claiming the curse of Kordax was a silly superstition.

Chronologically, he later befriends Aquaman when both were held in an Atlantean prison. After Aquaman frees himself and gains his throne, he makes Vulko his regent.^[1]

In his first comic book appearance, he assists Aquaman and the Atom in repelling microscopic invaders from a 'single drop of water'. They are led by 'Galg The Destroyer'.^[2] Soon after he supervises the transition of Atlantis citizens from water to air breathers; this is needed to escape an enemy attack.^[3] For a time, he is the King of Atlantis.^[4] He is present when Aquagirl is confirmed dead.^[5] Vulko is the one to affix a harpoon to Aquaman's missing hand; it had been eaten by pirhannas.^[6]

Vulko became disenchanted with Aquaman's rule; he is one of many to leave for another underground city, led by one of Aquaman's sons Koryak. There, these citizens are brainwashed and forced to fight in a war against yet another city.^[7]

As with all Alanteans, he is sucked back in time.^[8] This leads to the events of the 'Obsidian Age'. Atlantis had been stranded thousands of years in the past. The recovery of it the continent to its proper location and time involves sinking it yet again. It took the Justice League only a few months to rescue the missing underwater dwellers but for them it was fifteen years in slavery to their masters, led by the evil Gamemnae.^[9][10] For said sinking, Aquaman is put on trial. Vulko is one of many who sentence him to die on 'Traitor's Rock'. Despite losing his empathy with sea life, Aquaman survives this.^[11]

Vulko discovers a cabal of Atlanetean magic users, empowered by the 'Obsidian Age' incident have turned traitor and are mistreating innocent prisoners. Vulko resolves to help fight against them.^[12]

In the current continuity, he was killed during the attack by the Spectre; this attack destroys Atlantis and kills most of the citizens. The Spectre, not in his right mind, had been convinced the source of all evil was magic and had been going after Atlantean sorcerers.^[13] Vulko's body is later found, along with the body of Koryak.^[14] His ghost appeared in the most recent (and recently cancelled) series. His ghostly self has moved into the location called 'Windward Home'.

Appearances in other media

• Vulko appeared in the Aquaman Filmation animated series.
• Vulko appears in the Young Justice episode "Downtime". He is an Atlantean doctor of science, who examines a strange creature entombed in ice.

References

1. ^ The DC Comics Encyclopedia. Dorling Kindersley Limited. 2004. p. 18. ISBN 0-7566-0592-x. 
2. ^ "Brave and the Bold" #73 (August–September 1967)
3. ^ Aquaman Vol 1 #35 (October, 1967)
4. ^ Justice League of America #142 (1977)
5. ^ Crisis on Infinite Earth #9 - 10 (Dec. 1985 - Jan. 1986)
6. ^ "AQUAMAN" VOL. 5 #3 (November 1994)
7. ^ "Aquaman" (Vol.3) #23
8. ^ "JLA: OUR WORLDS AT WAR" #1 (September 2001)
9. ^ "JLA" #66-75 (Jul 2002-Jan 2003)
10. ^ http://www.amazon.com/JLA-Obsidian-Age-Book-One/dp/1563899914
11. ^ "Aquaman" Vol 6 #1 February 2003
12. ^ "AQUAMAN SECRET FILES" May 2003)
13. ^ "Infinite Crisis" #3 (2005)
14. ^ "AQUAMAN" VOL. 6 #38 (March 2006)