Orka (comics)

This article is about the Marvel Comics villain Orka. For the DC Comics villain Orca, see Orca (comics).

Orka
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #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 Brand Corporation
Partnerships	Krang Virago
Notable aliases	Killer Whale
Abilities	Superhuman strength, durability and swimming speed Can communicate with and summon killer whales

Orka is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 (March 1970) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and Marie Severin.

Publication history

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] The character skirmishes with fellow creation Tiger Shark, and the pair cause an undersea avalanche that buries them for several months.^[2]

Orka eventually freed himself and allies with the other-dimensional Virago, and after battling Namor twice is defeated.^[3] The Brand Corporation (a subsidiary of Roxxon Energy Corporation) summon Orka with the aid of the Serpent Crown, and in exchange for his aid is augmented: the character's size is increased to 20 feet (6.1 m) tall and his natural abilities are increased, eliminating the need for the psionic belt. Orka is sent on a mission that brings him into conflict with superhero team the Avengers, with Thunder God Thor knocking him unconscious.^[4]

When warlord Attuma takes over the city of Atlantis, Orka is pardoned 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.^[5] Orka escapes imprisonment^[6] 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.^[7]

Orka features in several other Marvel titles such as Fantastic Four^[8] She-Hulk^[9] and the Defenders.^[10] After the events of the Civil War,^[11] Orka features in the title Heroes for Hire and joins the team (also falling in love with fellow member Misty Knight)^[12]. He also strikes up a friendship with the Heroes for Hire's invulnerable administrative assistant.^{[volume & issue needed]} Orka is killed in combat by a Doombot (a robotic copy of villain Doctor Doom) reprogrammed by the villains the Headmen.^[13]

Powers and abilities

The character is an exceptionally strong Atlantean, who courtesy of Doctor Dorcas' enhancements Orka has superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, and agility. Orka originally wore a belt which by psionic means provided the added power of a killer whale to the character'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 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 reduced intelligence. Orka can communicate with and summon killer whales through high-pitched whistles. He can also swim at superhuman speeds.

References

1. ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 (Mar. 1970)
2. ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #24 (Apr. 1970)
3. ^ Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #66 - 67 (Oct. - Nov. 1973)
4. ^ Avengers #149 (July 1976)
5. ^ Avengers Annual #18 (Dec. 1989)
6. ^ Avengers: Death Trap - The Vault (1991)
7. ^ Avengers #319 - 324 (July - Oct. 1990)
8. ^ Fantastic Four #336 (Jan. 1990)
9. ^ She-Hulk vol. 2, #12 (Nov. 2006)
10. ^ Defenders vol. 2, #7 (Sep. 2001) & 11 (Jan. 2002)
11. ^ Civil War #1 - 7 (July 2006 - Jan. 2007)
12. ^ Heroes for Hire #4 (Jan. 2007)
13. ^ Heroes for Hire vol. 2 #8 (May 2007)

External links

• The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe's profile on Orka
• The Grand Comics Database entry for the comic containing Orka's debut
• http://marvel.com/universe/Orka