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
Orka first appears in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 (March 1970) and was created by Roy Thomas and Marie Severin.
Fictional character biography Orka is originally an Atlantean soldier in the army of Warlord Krang who aids the renegade Krang when he attempts to usurp the Atlantean throne from Namor. When this attempt fails, Orka goes into exile from Atlantis with Krang. Orka is then chosen to be the test subject of Lemuel 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 an orca and aids Krang once more against Namor.Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 (March 1970) Orka skirmishes with Tiger Shark, causing an undersea avalanche that buries them for several months.Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #24 (April 1970)
Orka eventually escapes and allies with the other-dimensional Virago, and after battling Namor twice is defeated.Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #66 - 67 (October - November 1973). Marvel Comics. The Brand Corporation (a subsidiary of Roxxon Energy Corporation) summon Orka with the aid of the Serpent Crown and augment his abilities, allowing him to use his powers without his belt. Orka is sent on a mission that brings him into conflict with superhero team the Avengers, with Thor knocking him unconscious.The Avengers #149 (July 1976)
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.Avengers Annual #18 (December 1989)
Orka escapes imprisonmentAvengers: Death Trap - The Vault (1991) 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.The Avengers #319 - 324 (July - October 1990)
Orka features in several other Marvel titles such as Fantastic Four,Fantastic Four #336 (January 1990) She-Hulk,She-Hulk (vol. 2) #12 (November 2006) and The Defenders.Defenders (vol. 2) #7 (September 2001) After the events of "Civil War", Orka features in the title Heroes for Hire and joins the team (also falling in love with fellow member Misty Knight).Heroes for Hire (vol. 2) #4 (January 2007) Orka is killed in combat by a Doombot reprogrammed by the Headmen.Heroes for Hire (vol. 2) #8 (May 2007)
During the "Dark Reign" storyline, Orka is seen in Erebus gambling for his resurrection. He is later seen on Pluto's jury (alongside Abomination, Armless Tiger Man, Artume, Baron Heinrich Zemo, Commander Kraken, Iron Monger, Jack O'Lantern, Kyknos, Nessus, Scourge of the Underworld, and Veranke) at the trial of Zeus.The Incredible Hercules #129 (July 2009)
Orka turns up alive and is imprisoned in the Cellar by soldiers working for Regent's company Empire Unlimited.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 4) #13 (August 2016)
Orka later appears as a member of Namor's Defenders of the Deep.The Avengers (vol. 8) #9 (December 2018)
Powers and abilities Orka 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 an orca to his already considerable strength. The belt also allowed Orka to survive for indefinite periods on land, although he still loses 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 size, resilience and endurance, but at the cost of reduced intelligence. Orka can communicate with and summon orcas through high-pitched whistles; so long as there are orcas in his vicinity, Orka's physical abilities increase several time over. He can also swim at superhuman speeds. In other media Orka appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "King Breaker", voiced by Roger Craig Smith. 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.
References
External links
The Grand Comics Database entry for the comic containing Orka's debut