Orkais a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.The character was created byRoy ThomasandMarie Severin,and has akiller whaletheme. Orka primarily appears as a villain fighting theAvengers,theFantastic Four,She-Hulk,and theDefenders,and also appears as a member ofHeroes for Hire.

Orka
Orka's debut appearance inSub-Mariner#23 (March 1970). Art byMarie Severin.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearancePrince Namor, theSub-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

Publication history

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Orka first appears inPrince Namor, the Sub-Mariner#23 (March 1970) and was created byRoy ThomasandMarie Severin.[2]

Fictional character biography

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Orka is an Atlantean soldier who servesKrangand aids him in an attempt to usurp the Atlantean throne fromNamor.When this attempt fails, Orka goes into exile and is givenorca-based abilities by scientistLemuel Dorcas.[3]However, he battles Dorcas' other creationTiger 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 ofRoxxon Energy Corporation) summon Orka with the aid of theSerpent Crownand augment his abilities. Orka is sent on a mission that brings him into conflict with superhero team theAvengers,withThorknocking him unconscious.[6]

When the AtlanteanbarbarianAttumatakes 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 theFantastic Four,but is defeated by heroineShe-Hulkand theBlack Pantherand imprisoned.[7]

Orka escapes imprisonment[8]and joins marine teamDeep Six(also consisting of Attuma, Nagala,Piranha,Sea Urchinand Tiger Shark). The group attack theUnited Statesand battles the Avengers and thePeople's Protectorateand are eventually defeated.[9]

Orka features in several other Marvel titles such asFantastic Four,[10]She-Hulk[11]and theDefenders.[12]After the events of theCivil War,[13]Orka features in the titleHeroes for Hireand joins the team before being killed by aDoombot.[14][15][16]

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

Orka turns up alive and is imprisoned in the Cellar by soldiers working forRegent'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 theAvengers Assembleepisode "King Breaker", voiced byRoger Craig Smith.[21]

References

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  1. ^Rovin, Jeff(1987).The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains.New York: Facts on File. p. 254.ISBN0-8160-1356-X.[1]
  2. ^Grant, John (1998).Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters(2nd ed.). Hyperion. p. 254.ISBN978-0786863365.
  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-Hulkvol. 2, #12 (Nov. 2006). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^Defendersvol. 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 Hirevol. 2 #8 (May 2007). Marvel Comics.
  17. ^Incredible Hercules#129. Marvel Comics.
  18. ^Amazing Spider-ManVol. 4 #13. Marvel Comics.
  19. ^AvengersVol. 8 #9. Marvel Comics.
  20. ^AvengersVol. 8 #11. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^"Commander Orka Voice -Avengers Assemble(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedAugust 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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