Orca (DC Comics)

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

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

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

Grace Balin

Grace Balin is a marine biologist who is paralyzed in an accident and experiments with orca tissue to regain her mobility, gaining the ability to transform into a monstrous orca hybrid. While 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. In the One Year Later event, Orca dies under unspecified circumstances.

In "DC Rebirth", Orca appears alive as a member of the Whale's Enders and an enemy of Nightwing.

Dean Toye

"DC Rebirth" introduces a separate Orca, Dean Toye, a sergeant who transforms himself into an orca hybrid to combat the forces of Atlantis.

Powers and abilities

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

In other media

• The Grace Balin incarnation of Orca appears in The Lego Batman Movie, voiced by Laura Kightlinger.
• The Grace Balin incarnation of Orca appears in Lego Dimensions via The Lego Batman Movie DLC pack.
• The Grace Balin incarnation of Orca appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
• The Grace Balin incarnation of Orca appears in the Injustice 2 prequel comic. This version is a member of Ra's al Ghul's Suicide Squad and lover of squad-mate Killer Croc, who she later has a child with and leaves the Squad to live a normal life.