Lemuel Dorcas is a fictional character appearing in

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical literature originating in the United States, commonly between 24 and 64 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publ ...

s published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

. He is notable for playing a part in the origins of Namor villains Tiger Shark, Orka, and Piranha.

Publication history

Lemuel Dorcas first appeared in ''Sub-Mariner'' #5-6 (September-October 1968), and was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema. The character subsequently appeared in ''Sub-Mariner'' #15 (July 1969), #23-24 (March-April 1970), #33 (January 1971), ''Marvel Team-Up'' #14 (October 1973), and ''Super-Villain Team-Up'' #1-3 (August-December 1975), where he was killed. Decades later, Dorcas resurfaced in '' Thunderbolts'', where he is revealed to have survived. Doctor Dorcas received an entry in the '' Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition'' #17.

Fictional character biography

Lemuel Dorcas is a marine biologist, genetic engineer, inventor, and would-be conqueror. Dorcas was responsible for transforming injured Olympic swimmer Todd Arliss into the superhuman Tiger Shark by blending his DNA with the DNA samples of Namor and a tiger shark. He also forms alliances with the Atlantean villains

Krang Krang (also spelled Kraang) is a supervillain appearing in ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''-related media, most frequently in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series), 1987 animated series and its associated merchandise, such as the ''Te ...

and Byrrah. In '' Super-Villain Team-Up'', Dorcas is killed in battle with Namor. Years later, Dorcas is revealed to have survived due to giving himself regenerative abilities derived from

starfish Starfish or sea stars are Star polygon, star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class (biology), class Asteroidea (). Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to brittle star, ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to ...

.'' Thunderbolts'' #171 (May 2012)

Powers and abilities

Lemuel Dorcas did not have powers at first, but he does possess scientific knowledge. He employed many devices ranging from the Morphotron to laser guns and nuclear bombs. Upon resurfacing following his apparent death, Dorcas mutated himself with starfish tissue, which allows him to breathe underwater and regrow lost limbs.

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Lemuel Dorcas from Earth-1610 appears in '' Ultimate Fantastic Four'' #60. This version is an Atlantean who serves as an advisor to Namora.''Ultimate Fantastic Four'' #60 (April 2009)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dorcas, Lemuel Characters created by John Buscema Characters created by Roy Thomas Comics characters introduced in 1968 Fictional biologists Marvel Comics characters with accelerated healing Marvel Comics hybrids Marvel Comics male supervillains Marvel Comics mutates Marvel Comics scientists