Lemuel Dorcasis a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.He is notable for playing a part in the origins ofNamorvillainsTiger Shark,Orka,andPiranha.
| Doctor Lemuel Dorcas | |
|---|---|
 Lemuel Dorcas'starfish-like form as seen inThunderbolts#171. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Sub-Mariner#5 (September 1968) |
| Created by | Roy Thomas(writer) John Buscema(artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Lemuel Dorcas |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Partnerships | Attuma Byrrah Warlord Krang Tiger Shark |
| Abilities |
|
Publication history
editDr. Lemuel Dorcas first appeared inSub-Mariner#5-6 (September-October 1968), and was created byRoy ThomasandJohn Buscema.
The character subsequently appeared inSub-Mariner#15 (July 1969), #23-24 (March-April 1970), #33 (January 1971),Marvel Team-Up#14 (October 1973), andSuper-Villain Team-Up#1-3 (August-December 1975). The character made a posthumous appearance inMarvel Tales#249 (May 1991), and his body was later dumped into the ocean inNamor#42 (September 1993).
Doctor Dorcas received an entry in theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#17.
Fictional character biography
editDr. Lemuel Dorcas was a marine biologist, genetic engineer, inventor, and would-be conqueror. Dorcas was responsible for transforming injured Olympic swimmer Todd Arliss into the superhumanTiger Sharkby blending his DNA with the DNA samples ofNamorand atiger shark.Dorcas planned to use Tiger Shark as a pawn in his schemes of world conquest.[1]
Dorcas formed an alliance with theAtlanteanWarlord Krang.Krang provided his followerOrkaas a test subject and Dorcas endowed Orka with the powers of akiller whale.Warlord Krang and Dorcas used Orka and a fleet of killer whales to attackAtlantis,but were thwarted by Namor and interference by Tiger Shark.[2]
Dorcas and Warlord Krang later formed a secret alliance withByrrahin a plot to keep Namor from being crowned prince of Atlantis and allow Byrrah to take the crown. Namor captured Dorcas and Warlord Krang, who revealed Byrrah's involvement in the plot, thus ruining his bid for power.[3]
Dorcas was also responsible for the creation ofPiranhawhen a normal piranha was exposed to the remaining radiation from Dorcas' previous experiment.[4]
Attuma,Dorcas, and Tiger Shark capturedHydro-Baseand took Namor prisoner there.[5]Namor regained his freedom with the help of theHydro-Menand attacked the conspirators, throwing Tiger Shark into one of Attuma's war machines. As Dorcas was able to fire a lethal blast from his hand weapon at Namor, the machine toppled on top of Dorcas and crushed him to death.[6]
Namor andStingraypushed the Octo-Mek and Dorcas's corpse into the ocean. The Octo-Mek later developed slight sentience and became a robot based on Dorcas.[7]
Lemuel Dorcas turns up alive, having survived due to thestarfish-related experiments he had conducted upon himself and kept his survival secret. Upon setting up a base in Tetiaroa Atoll, Doctor Dorcas mutated several creatures to serve him and kept them under his control with neuroleeches. He also hired the handsome Kei to bring him women. Lemuel Dorcas then developed an obsession forSongbirdwhere he kidnapped her and repaired her vocal cords as he intends to make Songbird his slave. However, Songbird was able to escape from Doctor Dorcas's clutches, as with the surgery restoring her persuasive powers as well, she turned Doctor Dorcas's henchmen against him.[8]
Powers and abilities
editLemuel Dorcas did not have powers at first, but he does possess scientific knowledge. He employed many devices ranging from the Morphotron to laser guns andnuclear bombs.[9]
Upon resurfacing following his apparent death, Dorcas mutated himself with starfish tissue, which allows him to breathe underwater or regrow lost limbs.[8]
Other versions
editA version of Dorcas appears in theUltimate Marvelreality. This version is an Atlantean who serves as an advisor to Namora. During the "Ultimatum"storyline, theThing,Invisible Woman,andDr. Arthur Molekevicfight Doctor Dorcas alongsideNamoraandTiger Sharkin Atlantis and defeat him.[10]
References
edit- ^Sub-Mariner#5. Marvel Comics.
- ^Sub-Mariner#23. Marvel Comics.
- ^Sub-Mariner#33. Marvel Comics.
- ^Sub-Mariner#71 (May 1974). Marvel Comics.
- ^Super-Villain Team Up#1. Marvel Comics.
- ^Super-Villain Team Up#3. Marvel Comics.
- ^Namor#42. Marvel Comics.
- ^abThunderbolts#171 (May 2012). Marvel Comics.
- ^The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition(vol. 2) #17 (August 1987). Marvel Comics.
- ^Ultimate Fantastic Four#60. Marvel Comics.