Cannabaceae

Orca
Orca as depicted in Nightwing (vol. 4) #12 (March 2017). Art by Marcus To (penciller/inker) and Chris Sotomayor (colorist).
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceBatman #579 (July 2000)
Created byLarry Hama (writer)
Scott McDaniel (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoGrace Balin
Dean Toye
SpeciesMetahuman
Team affiliationsRogues Gallery
United States Military
Aquamarines
Abilities(Both):
  • Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, reflexes, and swimming
  • Enhanced olfactory sense
  • Sharp fangs and claws

(Balin):

  • Marine biology
  • Gene therapy

(Toye):

  • Transformation
  • Military mastery

Orca is the name of two fictional anti-hero characters who appear in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly known as one of the adversaries to the superhero Batman.

Publication history

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The Grace Balin incarnation of Orca first appeared in Batman #579 (July 2000) and was created by Larry Hama and Scott McDaniel.[1]

The Dean Toye incarnation of Orca first appeared in Aquaman (vol. 8) #12 (February 2017), and was created by Dan Abnett and Philippe Briones.

Fictional character biography

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Grace Balin

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Grace Balin was a marine biologist who was paralyzed in an accident and experimented with orca tissue to regain her mobility, transforming into a monstrous orca hybrid. After battling Batman, she is forced into an underwater cave and begins to revert to normal, forcing Batman to give her a serum to permanently transform her into Orca and prevent her from drowning.[2][3] In the One Year Later event, she is discovered to have died under unspecified circumstances.[4]

In "DC Rebirth", Orca appears alive as a member of the Whale's Enders and an enemy of Nightwing.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Dean Toye

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"DC Rebirth" introduced a separate Orca, Dean Toye, a sergeant who transformed himself into an orca hybrid to combat the forces of Atlantis.[12]

Powers and abilities

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Both Orcas possess immense physical attributes, an enhanced sense of smell, and the ability to operate underwater.[13][14][15] However, they must periodically rehydrate themselves to avoid drying out.

In other media

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References

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  1. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 281. ISBN 9780345501066.
  2. ^ Batman #579. DC Comics.
  3. ^ Joker: Last Laugh #2. DC Comics.
  4. ^ Detective Comics #819. DC Comics.
  5. ^ All-Star Batman #2. DC Comics.
  6. ^ Nightwing (vol. 4) #11. DC Comics.
  7. ^ Nightwing (vol. 4) #12. DC Comics.
  8. ^ Nightwing (vol. 4) #32. DC Comics.
  9. ^ The Joker (vol. 2) #2. DC Comics.
  10. ^ The Joker (vol. 2) #3. DC Comics.
  11. ^ The Joker (vol. 2) #4. DC Comics.
  12. ^ Aquaman (vol. 8) #14. DC Comics.
  13. ^ Batman Vol. 1 #581 (September 2000)
  14. ^ Batman Vol. 1 #579 (July 2000)
  15. ^ Aquaman Vol. 8 #12 (February 2017)
  16. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Injustice 2 #1. DC Comics.
  18. ^ Injustice 2 #42. DC Comics.

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