Ocean Master
Textless cover of Aquaman #14 (January 2013).
Art by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Rod Reis.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAquaman #29 (September 1966)
Created byBob Haney
Nick Cardy
In-story information
Alter egoOrm Marius (current)
Orm Curry Marius (Pre-Crisis)
Species
Place of originAtlantis (current)
Alaska (Post-Crisis)
Team affiliationsAnti-Justice League
Injustice Gang
Legion of Doom
PartnershipsBlack Manta
Notable aliasesOrm the First
Prince Orm
King Orm
King of the Seven Seas
King of Dagon
Abilities(Current continuity):
  • Superhuman strength, speed and durability
  • Aquatic adaptation
  • Weather and electricity manipulation via mystical trident
  • Hydrokinesis via magical royal crown

(Previous continuities):

  • Sorcery via mystical trident grants illusion casting and energy projection

Ocean Master (Orm Marius) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy, and debuted in Aquaman #29 (September 1966).[1] He is the half-brother and an adversary of the superhero Aquaman.

The character has had numerous origin stories throughout his comic book history, having been depicted as a human seafaring pirate in his original appearances during the Silver Age; an Inuit of homo magi descent following Crisis on Infinite Earths; and a pure-blooded, xenophobic Atlantean of royalty who seeks to punish humanity for causing marine pollution since the New 52 continuity reboot.[2][3][1] Despite these varying depictions, Orm is consistently portrayed as a jealous and vindictive man who plots to usurp the throne of Atlantis from his half-brother.

Ocean Master has been adapted from the comics into various forms of media. The character appeared in the DC Extended Universe films Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023), portrayed by Patrick Wilson. Richard Green, Wallace Langham, Dana Snyder and Sam Witwer have provided the character's voice in animation.

Publication history

Ocean Master first appeared in Aquaman #29 (September 1966), created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy during the Silver Age of Comics Books. A seemingly one-off story, the issue would establish the brotherly relationship between the characters. Originally in the story, the character was first established as a human pirate similar to Black Manta whose relation to Aquaman was shared through.[1]

The character would later make a major reappearance in the first second Aquaman series written by Neil Ponzer in 1987 following the reboot of the DC Universe through Crisis on Infinite Earths, changing the nature of the character's powers and tying to a new history and world established by the previous Arion, Lord of Atlantis title. The limited series also established his original origin in line with the Silver Age's version as being the wayward and ignored son of Tom Curry and loner Mary O'Sullivan. Later in 1996, the character's background and origins were altered and changed in Peter David's Aquaman: Time and Tide, instead depicting him as an indigenous Iñupiat man from Alaska who is Aquaman's half-brother through their shared father, Atlan.

In 2011, DC Comics would relaunch all of its monthly titles and the rebooting of the DC Universe continuity. Among the changes included Orm's new origin, cast as a full-blooded Atlantean whose shared parentage with Aquaman is through Atlanna, having similar physical powers to Aquaman and abilities derived from artifacts. The character's first major appearance would be in the Throne of Atlantis storyline, which depicted the beginning of their antagonistic relationship between the other.[4] Later stories would define Ocean Master and Aquaman heritage further, the 2013 Death of a King storyline indirectly establishes Atlan (previously the father of Ocean Master) as their ancestral relative, and the 2019 Drowned Earth storyline establishing Arion as their ancient ancestor.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis

Orm Curry was Aquaman's fully human half-brother, the son of Tom Curry (Aquaman's father) and a woman named Mary O'Sullivan.[5] He grew up under the shadow of his heroic half-brother and resented the fact that he had none of Aquaman's powers, being fully human, and he was already a petty criminal when he was stricken with amnesia and forgot all about his former life, disappearing shortly afterwards.

Several years later, the self-named Orm Marius reappeared as the Ocean Master, a high-tech pirate who initially attacked ships but quickly moved on to causing natural disasters to hold the world at ransom.[6] Aquaman and Aqualad were captured by Ocean Master but managed to escape. Aquaman was then unable to fight Ocean Master after having seen behind the Ocean Master's mask and realizing that he was his half-brother Orm, although he did stop his plan.

Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths

After the events of the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, significant changes were introduced to the character of Ocean Master. In this revised version, Ocean Master is portrayed as a hybrid of half homo magi (ancient Atlantean) and human descent with Inuit heritage, deviating from his previous depiction as an ordinary human. This unique ancestry bestows upon him inherent mystical potential, expanding upon previous portrayals of the character that showcased his magical abilities. Furthermore, this revised backstory establishes a biological connection between Ocean Master and Aquaman, as they are revealed to be half-brothers through their shared parent, Atlan.[7]

Aquaman: Time and Tide

Ocean Master appears as the main antagonist in the storyline "Aquaman: Time and Tide," where Aquaman chronicles his life experiences. While writing the book and reflecting on the past, Aquaman discovers a connection between Ocean Master's background and his own, leading him to realize that Ocean Master is his secret half-brother, as foretold by an ancient prophecy involving his biological father.[7]

In the earliest chronologically depicted story from Ocean Master's youth, Aquaman encounters a young Inupiat woman whom he rescues from a polar bear attack. Among her family members is Orm Marius, an Inupiat who is considered an outcast by his tradition-bound family due to his nonconformist beliefs and his perception of their primitiveness. Orm believes that his mother holds a deep-seated hatred towards him. Although she claims that he is the son of an "underwater wizard," Orm dismisses this notion. Orm encounters a young Arthur (Aquaman), whom he dislikes because Arthur has gained favor with the same family that rejected him. In a fit of jealousy, Orm attacks Kako, the woman, after discovering her intimate encounter with Arthur. While Kako survives the attack, she cannot recall the identity of her assailant. Eventually, Arthur is cast out from the family home when they discover his confrontation with Nuliajuk, a revered deity, believing that Arthur's actions would bring a curse upon them for taking him in.[7]

In another story set some time after the encounter with the Inupiat tribe, Aquaman encounters Orm once again, this time as "Ocean Master." Orm attempts to challenge and assassinate Aquaman but is easily defeated and spared by Arthur, who feels both pity for Orm's methods and an inability to deliver a more severe punishment for reasons unknown. Later, Atlantis falls under attack from Ocean Master's forces, and Aquaman, along with Aqualad, intercepts the assault but falls into a trap. While Ocean Master expresses his deep-seated hatred for Aquaman, he reveals himself as the assailant who attacked Kako. In a moment of rage, Aquaman frees himself but is then distracted by Mera's attack, causing Ocean Master, Mera, and Aqualad to escape during the ensuing chaos triggered by the self-destruct sequence of the ship.[7]

JLA: Our Worlds At War

Ocean Master clashed with the JLA again when he attempted to claim the remains of Atlantis following Aquaman's apparent death in the 2001 storyline "Our Worlds At War".

Aquaman: To Serve and Protect

Ocean Master would later appear as one of the antagonists in the "To Serve and Protect" storyline in the sixth Aquaman title, having used his mystical talents to alter reality so that he was Aquaman and Orin was Ocean Master, using a spell with the bones of Aquaman's lost hand as a focus. As Aquaman, Orm held Sub Diego under his evil rule, restricting the city's growth by claiming that the surface world had been destroyed by the attack that sunk the city.[8] However, Arthur was able to defeat his brother's plot, thanks to Doctor Geist, the scientist who had turned Sub Diego's population into water-breathers. Geist had studied Aquaman extensively and was unaffected by the spell as Orm did not know he even existed, Arthur having faked Geist's death so that he could work on reversing what he had done. Geist was able to provide Arthur with enough details of the real world to find the source of Orm's power and destroy it.[9]

Infinite Crisis

In the 2005–2006 storyline "Infinite Crisis", Ocean Master became a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.

Final Crisis

In the 2008–2009 storyline "Final Crisis", Ocean Master is placed on the new Society's inner circle by Libra.

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis

In the series Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis, Ocean Master enslaves the Atlanteans who survived the Spectre's destruction of Atlantis, and is using them to mine industrial materials for the surface world.

The New 52

In The New 52, DC Comics' relaunch of all of its monthly titles and the rebooting of the DC Universe continuity, Ocean Master's origins are once again revised. Unlike previous depictions of the character, Orm is cast as a full-blooded Atlantean and is initially characterized as having genuinely, brotherly love for Arthur and holds disdain towards "surface dwellers" for their acts that have polluted the oceans for thousands of years and prefers not sharing the Earth with them. Despite inclinations to attack the "surface dwellers" for perceived crimes towards the ocean, Orm instead ruled for the benefit of his people and adhered to a code of conduct.[10]

Origin

Orm was as the second son of Queen Atlanna, making him the younger half-brother of Arthur Curry. After Queen Atlanna has Arthur with a human male, Tom Curry, she gives up the child and allows him to raise their son. Atlanna is forced to return to Atlantis and to marry a member of her royal guard, with Orm the result of the union. As a child, Orm was told stories of terrors of humans ("surface dwellers") and how he had a half-brother on the surface. Saddened, he begged for the Atlantean guard to rescue him but was denied, inspiring him to take the throne to one day "rescue" his brother.[11]

Twelve years later, Orm inherited the throne after mysterious circumstances after the deaths of his father and mother days apart, the former assumed to be killed by his enemies and the latter accused of being killed by Orm himself by the royal advisor, Vulko. Failing to produce evidence, Vulko escapes and plots to overthrow Orm by placing Arthur on the throne. When Vulko is later confronted by Arthur (who is searching for Atlantis), he explains his brother's origins and tells him that Arthur is the rightful heir of Atlantis's throne, and therefore, must overthrow Orm, whom he claims to be corrupt ruler.[12]

When the brothers meet, Aquaman assumes the throne though abdicates it to Orm once more to live out his life as Aquaman under the promise that Orm does not attack the surface.[10]

Aquaman: The Others

Aquaman suspects Orm to be the Atlantean that hired Black Manta to steal Aquaman's scepter, which is an Atlantean relic of great power that was taken from the Dead King's tomb.[13] When the Atlantean retrieves the relic, Aquaman believes Orm is in the Atlantean ship and demands that he reveal himself, but the Atlantean ship escapes.[14] Later, Orm is visited by Aquaman to ask if he took the scepter, but Orm says that he did not, saying that if he wanted the relic scepter he would ask Aquaman for it.[15]

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

During the 2012 "Throne of Atlantis" storyline, someone sabotages an aircraft carrier and provokes it into attacking Atlantis. Believing to be under attack from the surface, Orm leads Atlantean soldiers to invade the carrier and then wage war on the surface.[16] Orm arrives in Boston, attacking seafarers and asking for his brother, Aquaman. Aquaman confronts Orm and attempts to talk sense to him, but they are interrupted by the Justice League without warning. Aquaman defends his brother, refusing to have him face extradition.[17] Attacked on multiple fronts, Orm electrocutes then imprisons the Justice League within water cocoons. He sends the Justice League to the abyssal plain, while he attempts to sink the city of Boston.[18] While Orm and his Atlantean soldiers plant bombs in an attempt to sink the city and face off against the superheroes that Cyborg called in as reserves, they are attacked by a race of sea creatures known as the Trench. After the Justice League escape from the abyssal plain, Aquaman realizes Orm is not using the relic scepter to sink the city. Since the Trench can only be commanded with the relic scepter, someone else must be using it to manipulate the Atlantean war. The mastermind is revealed to be Vulko.[19] The Justice League arrive to battle both the Atlanteans and the Trench, while Aquaman attacks his brother and tries to convince him that Vulko is responsible for the Atlantean war. However, Orm refuses to listen, believing that Aquaman has been corrupted by the surface world. The Justice League manage to dispose of all the bomb detonators in Boston, but Orm tries to use his control helmet to summon a tidal wave. Mera's power turns the wave to hard water to stop it. Orm is defeated by Aquaman, who reclaims the throne and takes command of the deceived Atlantean soldiers. The Trench are returned home and Vulko is taken in for an Atlantean trial. However, Orm is remanded to Belle Reve for his crimes after abdicating the throne and losing political immunity in the process. As he is taken away, Aquaman apologizes to his brother.[20]

Afterwards, the renegade Atlantean, Murk, makes plans to break Orm - now known by the media as the "Ocean Master" (a name he despises) - out of Belle Reve.[21] While in prison, Orm is advised by his lawyer that he must plead guilty to the criminal charges against him.[22] Murk and other Atlanteans arrive to free Orm, but return home when they receive a message that Atlantis is under attack.[23]

Forever Evil

During the 2013 "Forever Evil" storyline, Deathstorm and Power Ring invade Belle Reve, killing Orm's lawyer. During Belle Reve's prison break, Orm walks out to reclaim his Atlantean garb when a critically wounded prison officer begs for help; seeing that this officer was the only one who showed him any kindness, Orm kills him to end his suffering. He then runs into fellow escapees who are attacking a small-town diner, and whilst he is initially not bothered about confronting them, once they turn their attentions to him, he takes them out. A diner employee named Erin desperately pleads with Orm to save her young son Tommy, but he refuses, instead heading back to the ocean. However, he changes his mind, going back midway through his path to save him.[24]

In the aftermath of the attack, Orm now lives with Erin and Tommy, entertaining the latter with stories of Atlantis. Suddenly, Orm is confronted by King Nereus from Xebel who has found the other four kingdoms. Nereus offers him the opportunity to join him to allow the kings of the Seven Seas to rule Earth once more.[25]

Aquaman: Maelstrom

Although Ocean Master did not appear, it is revealed that Orm was not responsible for his mother death; after Atlanna slew her husband for claiming to kill Arthur, she faked her death and abandoned Orm, leaving him to the inherit the throne. When Arthur met her and gave her an artifact that will allow Atlantis to officially recognize him as the true sovereign of Atlantis, she urged her elder son to not to reveal her true whereabouts to Orm, intending to confront him herself when she is ready.[26]

DC Universe (2017-)

Eventually, Ocean Master re-emerges with a new status quo; now depicted as a reformed super-villain having given up his former life to live on dry land with Erin and Tommy, he is conflicted between the safety of Atlantis and his envious-driven yearning to overthrow his rival and brother, Aquaman.[27]

Mera: Queen of Atlantis

Orm returns in the miniseries Mera: Queen of Atlantis. At the start of the series, he is shown to be engaged to Erin and views Tommy as his son, having decided to leave Arthur to rule Atlantis and settle down with his new family. However, when he learns that his brother has been deposed by the usurper Courm Rath and is now presumed dead, Orm silently leaves Erin and Tommy in the middle of the night, feeling duty bound to reassert his claim to the throne. This brings him into conflict with Mera, whom the power brokers of Atlantis have selected to replace Rath, and his sister Tula, who is now a close ally of Arthur and Mera. Mera defeats Orm and has him imprisoned.

Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth

In the "Drowned Earth" crossover event, when all the inhabitants of Atlantis besides the two of them are transformed into monsters by tainted waters released by a trio of alien sea gods. He leads her to a hidden chamber where an ancient artifact called the Clarion which could repel the invasion is stored, but is himself transformed by the waters.

Ocean Master: Year of the Villain

Orm appears in a one-shot special as part of the Year of the Villain crossover event. Following Drowned Earth, Orm hid as a beggar on the streets of the Ninth Tride, Atlantis' poorest district and closest to the sea floor. Still considered a wanted criminal by Mera's regime and unable to escape the city due to impenetrable guard patrols which he himself designed, Orm wandered the streets, bitter from the feeling that despite sacrificing everything for Atlantis, it neither needed nor wanted him. Orm would learn of a surface king by the name of Dagon who controlled a powerful ocean elemental through an amulet. Later that night, a mad beggar heard the same elemental and would make his escape with Orm following him, learning of a security flaw in Atlantis. Once free, he witnessed someone take the beggar and followed them to a rig where he encountered one of Aquaman's foes, the Marine Maruder, and learned of her new abilities of manipulating the bodies of marine life courtesy of Lex Luthor. He escapes and saves the beggar, who then leads him to where he hears the call of the ocean elemental from the story of King Dagon. Orm manages to find the ocean elemental from the stories after venturing in the deep ocean to the point even an Atlantean body struggled from the pressure. Introducing herself as Lernaea, she frees Orm from the deeper depths of the ocean. Orm would go back to slay the Marine Maruder for her transgressions against the Atlantean she abducted and fed her body to his newfound followers, christening them citizens of the "City of Dagon". King once more, he is visited by a more powerful incarnation of Lex Luthor (known as "Apex Lex") and is offered the chance to gain power through him. Orm rejects his offer and frees the Lernaea, who chooses to freely follow Orm, before threatening Apex Lex to stay out of his oceans. Orm then visits Erin and relays the whole story to her, explaining his whereabouts since he last seen them. Due to his choices in choosing his life as Ocean Master and Atlantis over them, Erin breaks up with Orm though he relents that despite all matters, he considered Tommy his son and will approach him when he is older and give him the option of being his heir before leaving her. Now backed by Atlantean outcasts from the homeless population of the Ninth Tride and the Lernaea from loyalty, Orm officially christens himself king of Dagon.[28]

Aquaman: Manta vs Machine

As Atlantis is in a state of disarray due to Mera being in a coma from a battle with Black Manta and his new weapon and Vulko proving an unpopular impromptu ruler among Atlantean citizens, Orm visits the Atlantean house of healing where Mera is staying in and is present when Aquaman and Mera's daughter, Andrina (nicknamed Andy), is born.[29]

Aquaman: Echoes of a Life Lived Well

Months following the royal birth of Princess Andy, Orm began undermining Mera and her council's rule using his status as king of Dagon with the intent of establishing Dagon a new city-state capital by ushering in several tactical gambits; he manipulates the poorer populace of the Ninth Tride in his growing army, begins winning support from other kingdoms, and manipulates his brother by having Lernaea abduct Andy and hidden away to expose the more dangerous and terrifying side of his brother's personality to stow the question of having a possible ruler who can be considered easily provoked. He later attends the wedding between Mera and Vulko, the latter chosen as part of Mera's own contingency plans to ensure no one else besides someone she trusts can take reign and power, and denounces the idea of Vulko marrying a comatose woman in an attempt to gain power in front of other representatives of the other six kingdoms. When Mera reveals herself to be conscious and intends to bring an end of Atlantean monarchy, his Dagoian forces attack Atlantis with intent to bring down Mera and her rule. Eventually, Aquaman challenges Orm into battle in which either Orm conforms to Mera's act to end Atlantean monarchy or Orm assumes the throne once more. During the battle, Orm cheats and injures Aquaman with his trident. In return, Aquaman calls upon the Justice League, the Sea Gods of the World, and other allies. The battle is interrupted by Dolphin and Orm's second-in-command, Pilot, in which both exposes him as the mastermind behind Andy's kidnapping and his intent in using the Dagoian forces he cultivated in a bid for power. With Lernaea renouncing her loyalty to Orm and himself disgraced and defeated once again, he concedes to the dissolution of the Atlantean monarchy.[30] Although he was seemingly captured, Ocean Master is later revealed to be free.[31]

Aquamen and other titles

In Aquaman/Green Arrow: Deep Target, time-altering events instead cast him as an enemy of Oliver Queen in flashbacks, whose life was switched with Aquaman. Within the first upheaveals of the timeline changes in an attempt to create the original timeline, Ocean Master is instead portrayed far more friendly to his brother Aquaman, the two agreeing to rule as brother-kings and sharing their birthright. When the original timeline is later restored, Ocean Master is once more Aquaman's enemy and their shared mother, Atlanna, is revealed to have passed away (having done so between the Maelstrom storyline and series).

In the Aquamen series, Ocean Master appears as one of the chief antagonists in the book; he attacks a United Nations Embassy and attempting to kidnap an Atlantean ambassador before being stopped by Aquaman and arrested by Atlantean authorities. As Jackson's patience with Arthur is tested due to the intervention of Black Manta on Arthur's behest, he calls a secret meeting of the Aquaman Family and requests an expert on Atlantean biology (revealed to be Dr. Shin). The Aquaman Family learn that a series of events unfolding on the surface references an oil spill that killed Atlanteans in the past. Jackson seeks out Orm, whom is in an Atlantean maximum security prison, to learn more about the conspiracy. As Orm taunts Jackson, the Xebellian demonstrates his powers to manipulate water by controlling the water in Orm's body as a form of torture to force him to relinquish the information he has. Orm relents but leads him into a trap with the Scavager in Gotham, whom has undergone upgrades and is revealed to be a co-conspirator alongside Orm, as he freed him from Atlantean prison and has him as an accomplise.

Characterization

Personality and themes

"His character trait of how angry he is, that's something that's throughout the comics. He was an angry boy. He always was angry. He's angry at Arthur. He's angry for Arthur not being there. He's resentful of that. He's angry probably at his father and the relationship that he and his mother had. He's bottled up all of his family turmoil and it manifests itself out through violence like a lot of bad people will do, but I don't look at him as bad. I certainly look at him as troubled and I can look at some of his actions as irrational or reprehensible. But he's justifiably angry and I'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't think that we're ruining the oceans. We need to take better care of our world."

Patrick Wilson[32]

According to Geoff Johns during an interview published on ComicVine, Johns opined that he doesn't view Orm (prior to being known as Ocean Master) as a malicious super-villain, characterizing him as someone doing what he believes is best for the Atlantean people and doesn't quite hate his brother, Arthur. Like many of his fellow people, he shares a bizarre perspective on the "surface world" and has a pride and culture different from the "surface". John's intent for the character included exploring the character in a different manner compared to traditional super-villains such as Sinestro or the Black Hand.[4]

In an interview with Patrick Wilson for his role as Ocean Master in Aquaman, the actor stated that he doesn't view the character as a villain; while considering him a villain in comic book lore as a foil and antagonist, Patrick opined that he is "rooted" in an understandable dilemma of being angry at the pollution and destruction of the ocean. He further speaks upon the character's trait of being angry consistent throughout the character's existence and believes the character's actions of being irrational or reprehensible while believing the character to being justifiable in his anger.[32]

Romances

During Geoff Johns's run on Aquaman, the character received a love interest in the form of Erin Shaw, a human woman native to Florida whom he saves alongside her son during the events of Forever Evil despite his typical characterization in his aversion and xenophobic views of the "surface world". Due to his relationship with the character, Ocean Master's views changes, seemingly relaxing much of his previous xenophobia towards the surface. Eventually Orm proposes to Erin while becoming Tommy, Erin's son, new father figure.[24][25] The two later break their engagement due to Orm's priotization of his homeland over Erin and Tommy, believing that his royal duties calls for sacrificing what he desires most.[28]

Powers and abilities

Ocean Master is widely recognized as one of Aquaman's enduring adversaries, consistently depicted as a formidable opponent throughout various storylines. While his specific abilities may vary across different continuities, recent narratives have portrayed the character as an "Alpha" class threat to the Justice League and positioning him among the most dangerous individuals on Earth.[33] Interestingly, this distinction is shared with other notable DC Comics characters, including Black Adam.[34]

Pre/Post-Crisis version

In the earliest iteration of the character, predating the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Ocean Master was portrayed as a technologically advanced sea pirate. Following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the character underwent a transformation that expanded upon their original depiction. It was revealed that Ocean Master, being a descendant of ancient Atlanteans, possessed a hybrid nature that granted him mystical abilities. Unlike Aquaman, Ocean Master's lineage traced back to both a homo magi and a human woman, rather than being the product of a homo magi and a modern Atlantean. This unique heritage bestowed upon Ocean Master the potential for mystical powers.[35]

Magical abilities

As a result of his extensive study of Atlantean lore and utilization of ancient Atlantean talismans, Ocean Master acquired formidable magical abilities. Over time, he honed his skills in various schools of sorcery, enabling him to perform a wide range of mystical feats. These included conjuring energy blasts, telepathy, illusions, and the manipulation of sea life. Through his mastery of magic, Ocean Master granted himself the ability to breathe underwater, swim at enhanced speeds, and remain unaffected by the immense pressures of the deep ocean, similar to other modern Atlanteans in the DC Universe.[36][37][38] At the peak of his magical powers, Ocean Master exhibited hydrokinetic abilities of remarkable strength, capable of restraining both Superman and Wonder Woman when they ventured into Atlantis. Wonder Woman even speculated that his powers were further fortified within his native realm of power.[39] Additionally, Ocean Master demonstrated the capacity to manipulate the timeline using his magic and trident, exemplified by swapping his own life with that of his brother and exerting mental control over his protege, Aquagirl.[40]

Other skills and abilities

In addition to his powers, Ocean Master is acknowledged as a master tactician and possesses extensive nautical knowledge. He is also skilled in hand-to-hand combat, displaying an ability to hold his own against most humans despite lacking enhanced strength. Through his comprehensive study of ancient Atlantean magic, Ocean Master has gained proficiency in aspects of Atlantean history that were long forgotten. His research has allowed him to draw upon the era associated with one of the most influential mystics in Atlantean history, further enhancing his understanding and command of mystical forces.[36][38]

Post-Flashpoint version

From the New 52 era onwards, the character is portrayed as a full-blooded Atlantean, endowing him with superhuman physical capabilities. As an Atlantean of noble lineage, his inherent abilities surpass those of ordinary Atlanteans. However, unlike Aquaman or his mother Atlanna, there is no indication that he has inherited either magical abilities or natural oceanic telepathy associated with the Life Force, which is the energy present within all living beings but particularly strong in those connected to the ocean.[41] It is worth noting that in alternate realities sharing a similar history to the Post-Flashpoint continuity, there are suggestions that he still possesses magical potential.

Physical abilities

A full-blooded modern Atlantean, he possesses their shared attributes of powers granted by their physiology at a heighten level: he is able to breathe underwater indefinitely, possesses superhuman strength that allows him to freely move underwater and withstand the pressures of the deep ocean, superhuman speed, superhuman durability, and enhanced senses that enable several abilities such as being able to see deep within the depths of the ocean. A drawback of his heritage, however, is that he dehydrates at a faster rate on land than a human.[36]

Ocean Master is also acknowledged as a highly skilled warrior, having honed his combat abilities to a remarkable degree from a young age. He is widely regarded as a superior fighter compared to the average human with similar training, showcasing exceptional prowess in battle.[36]

Other skills and abilities

Ocean Master possesses a genius-level intellect and exhibits expertise in various fields. As a skilled politician and leader, he demonstrates charisma among his people, which allowed him to establish his own underwater city-state composed of Atlantean mutants. Within this realm, he is regarded as a competent ruler. Ocean Master has also demonstrated knowledge in medicine, devising a method to treat and cure a challenging illness in Atlantis. His abilities in this area were notably compared to those of the chief scientist and advisor, Vulko.[42][29]

Furthermore, Ocean Master showcases aptitude as a capable military commander. His successful attack on the surface world proved to be effective against both the United States military and the formidable Justice League.[11] Additionally, he displays inventiveness and expertise in technology. Notably, he upgraded the armor of the Scavenger using Atlantean technology, incorporating advanced features such as an enhanced computer interface, teleportation capabilities, increased superhuman strength, and the ability to manifest at will. These enhancements and technical skills were favorably compared to those of Black Manta, whose own technology originates from the lost Atlantean tribe known as the Deserters.[43]

Technology, artifacts, and resources

Across various iterations, Ocean Master consistently possesses a notable array of resources and technology to support his objectives. In all depictions, his arsenal is founded upon a range of stolen technologies, although his initial iteration primarily relied on human technology. This included equipment such as harpoon guns, sonic weaponry, nets, and lasers.[44] Subsequent revisions to the character introduced the incorporation of mystical artifacts, which grant him varying powers and abilities depending on the specific continuity. In more modern depictions, the character also has access to Atlantean technology that allows him to exhibit control over more powerful creatures of the sea[43] and upgrade the Scavenger's suit with a myriad of equipment including teleporters, hacking systems, and scanners.[43]

Ocean Master's Helmet

In all versions of the character throhgout his prublication history, he bears a helmet granting him distinct abilities. Both versions introduced are distinctive in appearance and grants him different abilities. In its original depiction, the special helmet Orm bore allowed him to breathe underwather indefinitely. An alternative version of Ocean Master's headgear is introduced in the New 52, referred to as a crown. This mystical crown grants him the ability to manipulate water and exhibit hydrokinetic powers comparable to other individuals with Atlantean lineage who possess inherent hydrokinetic abilities, such as Mera.[36]

Trident of Ocean Master

In most iterations, Ocean Master prominently wields a trident as his primary weapon throughout his publication history. Each iteration of the trident in the mainstream continuity possess a distinctive design and grants him distinct abilities and power sets. After Crisis on Infinite Earths, Orm's trident was bestowed upon him by the entity known as Neron. This trident augments his magical abilities and allows him to discharge mystic energies. The full extent of its capabilities remains unknown, but it is known to enhance his powers significantly. Additionally, the trident enables Ocean Master to breathe underwater indefinitely, similar to the function of his special helmet.[45] A different version and history of the trident is introduced in the New 52. It is said to have been forged during the ancient days of Atlantis prior to its submergence. As a symbol of Atlantean royalty, the trident possesses various powers. It grants the user the ability to manipulate weather patterns, the ocean, and control the magnetic field, thereby exerting control over magnetism. Similar to Aquaman's Trident of Neptune, this trident is remarkably potent and is one of the few weapons capable of combating the entity known as the Abyssal Dark. This was demonstrated when Mera briefly wielded the trident after obtaining it from Ocean Master during a confrontation.[46][33][36][41]

Zodiac Crystals

Prior to the New 52, Ocean Master possessed a collection of the Zodiac Crystals, including ones imbedded into an Atlantis Royal Seal carried by a previous king and the Lia Fail, an artifact from the city-state, Thierna Na Oge. These artifacts bolstered his magical abilities, allowing him to surpass the likes of Aquaman in combat and sorcery comparable to Nuada Silverhand, a powerful female king of Thierna No Oge who was recognized as the most proficient magic user of her tribe, despite his inexperience with magic[47]

Other versions

Flashpoint

In the alternate timeline of the 2011 "Flashpoint" storyline,[48][49] Ocean Master is revealed to have conspired with Artemis and Hippolyta's sister, Penthiselea to start a war between the Atlanteans and the Amazons, during which they would have Aquaman and Wonder Woman killed, in a plot that would eventually see the two conspirators hailed as heroes by the two civilizations for ending the war.[50]

Batman and the Justice League Manga

An alternate version of Ocean Master would appear in the Batman and the Justice League Manga series written by Shiori Teshirogi. The series' iteration of Orm is similar to his New 52 counterpart, the character being a full-blooded Atlantean raised by Orvax and Atlanna and having genuine care for his brother. Unlike the comic book's incarnation of the character, his past with his father is briefly explored, Orvax having raised Orm to regard the surface with contempt. Like the character's previous incarnations, he possess mystic potential and is the only character aside from those originating from the Aramiya family in the story able to manipulate the mystical energy originating from the Ley lines, granting him immense magical powers and enhanced Atlantean physical abilities.[51][52]

While in imprisonment in Belle Reeve for attempting an Atlantean invasion, he escapes after harnessing power of the Ley lines, gaining special magical abilities he believes will allow him to forcefully take the throne from his brother. Ocean Master encounters Batman and gains the upper hand while showing off his new powers. When Aquaman arrives and Orm prepares to unleash his new abilities against his brother, he is taken by Joker with intent on making him both a member of the Injustice League and to work alongside the series' antagonist, Ankorou's, while both forces plot to use the Ley lines to rewrite the history of Earth in their favor. Orm reluctantly allies himself with Joker and Ankoku before retrieving his weaponry and fighting against his brother once more.[51] Using his abilities to peer into Aquaman's memories, he see's his brother's experiences on the surface and their shared mother's love, having a change of heart and helps Aquaman and Batman defeat Ankorou's vessel threatening Gotham City.[53]

In other media

Television

  • Orm appears in the Justice League episode "The Enemy Below", voiced by Richard Green. This version is a lord of the Atlantean royal court who attempts to manipulate Aquaman into declaring war on the surface world. He only refers to Aquaman by "Brother". When the latter hesitates, Orm hires Deadshot to assassinate him while the former assumes Atlantis' throne. While Aquaman survives Deadshot's attack, he is arrested by Orm upon his return to Atlantis and left for dead alongside his son. Orm leads a rebellious faction of the Atlantean army to the North Pole to activate an Atlantean weapon, but Aquaman joins forces with the Justice League to confront Orm, during which Aquaman leaves Orm to fall to his death.
  • Ocean Master appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Evil Under the Sea!", voiced by Wallace Langham.
  • Ocean Master appears in Young Justice, voiced by Roger Craig Smith. This version is a leading member of the Light who masquerades as Aquaman's loving and supportive brother in the first season. After being replaced by Black Manta in the second season following his identity being exposed and subsequent incarceration in Atlantean prison for six years, Ocean Master returns in the third season episode "Home Fires" plotting to murder the Justice League's families, only to be killed by Lady Shiva on the Light's behalf to prevent mutually assured destruction. As of the fourth season, the Light recovered a psychic scan of Ocean Master's brain and placed it in a clone of Atlantis' founder and first king, Arion in the hopes of taking control of Atlantis. To aid in this plot, they also created a clone of Ocean Master with the original's memories up to his incarceration to sow chaos in Atlantis. After Aquaman captures the clone and a team led by Kaldur'ahm recover Arion's crown to test Arion's identity, the original Ocean Master is killed by the Lords of Order while the clone is made to realize his true nature and set free by Aquaman as he cannot be held responsible for the original's crimes.[54]
  • Ocean Master appears in Aquaman: King of Atlantis, voiced by Dana Snyder.[55]
  • Ocean Master appears in the Harley Quinn episode "Another Sharkley Adventure", voiced by Alan Tudyk.

Film

Patrick Wilson as King Orm Marius / Ocean Master in Aquaman (2018).

Video games

Miscellaneous

Ocean Master appears in the Young Justice animated series' tie-in comic, in which he is revealed further to be an Atlantean supremacist who believes Atlanteans with human-like appearances are inferior to those biologically adapted to the sea.

Merchandise

  • Several collectibles of the DCEU incarnation of Ocean Master were released, including a 6' DC Multiverse figure by Mattel and a Pop! Vinyl statue by Funko.[60]
  • Ocean Master, based on his DC Rebirth design, received a mini-figure in a 2019 Lego Batman set.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ↑ David, Peter (1996). Aquaman: time and tide. New York, NY: DC Comics. ISBN 1-56389-259-6. OCLC 31958925.
  3. ↑ Scott, Melanie (2019). DC ultimate character guide (New ed.). New York. ISBN 978-1-4654-7975-4. OCLC 1089398386.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. 1 2 "Interview: Geoff Johns Talks Aquaman, Justice League and 'Throne of Atlantis'". Comic Vine. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  5. ↑ Wells, John (2014). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-1605490557.
  6. ↑ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 251. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  7. 1 2 3 4 David, P. (1996). In Aquaman: Time and Tide. DC Comics.
  8. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 6) #26 (March 2005). DC Comics.
  9. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 6) #27 (April 2005). DC Comics.
  10. 1 2 DC Comics Encyclopedia: All-New Edition
  11. 1 2 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis. DC Comics. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4012-4240-4.
  12. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #0 (September 2012). DC Comics.
  13. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #11 (July 2012). DC Comics.
  14. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #13 (October 2012). DC Comics.
  15. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #14 (November 2012). DC Comics.
  16. ↑ Justice League (vol. 2) #15 (December 2012). DC Comics.
  17. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #15 (December 2012). DC Comics.
  18. ↑ Justice League (vol. 2) #16 (January 2013). DC Comics.
  19. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #16 (January 2013). DC Comics.
  20. ↑ Justice League (vol. 2) #17 (February 2013). DC Comics.
  21. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #18 (March 2013). DC Comics.
  22. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #19 (May 2013). DC Comics.
  23. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #23 (August 2013). DC Comics.
  24. 1 2 Aquaman (vol. 7) #23.2 (September 2013). DC Comics.
  25. 1 2 Aquaman (vol. 7) #25 (November 2013). DC Comics.
  26. ↑ Aquaman: Maelstrom. DC Comics. 2015. ISBN 978-1401254414.
  27. ↑ DC Comics Ultimate Character Guide New Edition
  28. 1 2 Watters, Dan (2020). Ocean Master: Year of the Villain #1. DC Comics.
  29. 1 2 DeConnick, Kelly Sue (2020). Aquaman Vol. 3: Manta vs Machine. DC Comics.
  30. ↑ DeConnick, Kelly Sue (2021). Aquaman Vol. 4: Echoes of a Life Lived Well. DC Comics. ISBN 978-1779505880.
  31. ↑ Adams, Jeremy (2021). Flash (2016- ) #768. DC Comics.
  32. 1 2 "Ocean Master: What Motivates the Greatest Aquaman Villain?". Den of Geek. 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  33. 1 2 Abnett, Dan (2018). Mera: Queen of Atlantis. DC Comics. ISBN 978-1401285302.
  34. ↑ Johns, Geoff; Morrison, Grant; Rucka, Greg. 52 #45. DC.
  35. ↑ Manning, Matthew K.; Wiacek, Stephen; Scott, Melanie; Inc.)), Nick Jones ((Author at DK Publishing; Walker, Landry Quinn; Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alexander C.; Korté, Steve; Beatty, Scott (2006). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7440-5302-9. {{cite book}}: |first4= has generic name (help)
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "DC Universe Infinite Entry: Ocean Master". DC Universe Infinite. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  37. ↑ Scott Beatty; Daniel Wallace, eds. (2008). The DC comics encyclopedia: the definitive guide to the characters of the DC universe (Updated and expanded ed.). New York. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC 213309017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  38. 1 2 Who's Who in the DC Universe #1 with FOLD OUT MAP OF ATLANTIS. ASIN B002QDDTCU.
  39. ↑ Kelly, Joe (2003). JLA: The Obsidian Age. Doug Mahnke. London: DC Comics. ISBN 1-84023-702-3. OCLC 59342701.
  40. ↑ John Arcudi; Patrick Gleason; Christian Alamy (2016). Aquaman: to serve and protect. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-6382-9. OCLC 948805337.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  41. 1 2 DK (2023-09-07). The Periodic Table of DC. DK Publishing. ISBN 978-0-241-65323-4.
  42. ↑ Ocean Master: Year of the Villain #1
  43. 1 2 3 Brown, Chuck; Thomas, Brandon (2022). Aquamen #4. DC Comics.
  44. ↑ Who's Who: The Definitive Dictionary Of The DC Universe #17. DC Comics. 1986.
  45. ↑ Beatty, Scott (1999). Aquaman: Secret Files and Origins #1. DC Comics.
  46. ↑ Abnett, Dan (2018). Aquaman. Vol. 6, Kingslayer. Riccardo Federici, Kelley Jones, Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, Danny Miki, Sunny Gho. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-8543-2. OCLC 1057729154.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  47. ↑ Ponzer, Neil (1986). Aquman v2 #1-4. DC Comics.
  48. ↑ Flashpoint #2 (June 2011). DC Comics.
  49. ↑ Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #2 (July 2011). DC Comics.
  50. ↑ Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #3 (August 2011). DC Comics.
  51. 1 2 Teshirogi, Shiori (2019). Batman & the Justice League. Vol. 2. Sheldon Drzka, Stuart Moore, Deron Bennett. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-9059-7. OCLC 1098033802.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  52. ↑ Teshirogi, Shiori (2018). Batman & the Justice League. Vol. 1. Sheldon Drzka. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-8469-5. OCLC 1029247421.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  53. ↑ Teshirogi, Shiori (2019). Batman & the Justice League. Vol. 3. Sheldon Drzka, Stuart Moore, Deron Bennett. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-9442-7. OCLC 1121183509.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  54. ↑ @DCComics (March 10, 2022). "Have you emotionally recovered yet? Because we haven't.Kaldur'ahm is back in Arc 4 of #YoungJusticePhantoms, stre…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  55. ↑ "Watch: DC's Aquaman Makes a Splash in First 'King of Atlantis' Promo". 10 September 2021.
  56. ↑ Siegel, Lucas (May 16, 2014). "AQUAMAN To Get Animated New 52 Origin Film". Newsarama. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
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  58. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 12, 2016). "Patrick Wilson To Play 'Aquaman's Evil Half-Brother ORM". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  59. ↑ Davids, Brian (November 13, 2019). "'Midway' Star Patrick Wilson on HBO's 'Watchmen,' 'Aquaman 2' and 'Conjuring 3'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  60. ↑ "'Aquaman' Movie Toys From Mattel Are Available to Pre-Order Now". Comicbook.com. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
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