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Orca (DC Comics)

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