| Piranha | |
|---|---|
_from_Sub-Mariner_Vol_1_70_0001.jpg) Piranha as seen inSub-Mariner #70. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Sub-Mariner #70 (May 1974) |
| Created by | Marv Wolfman (writer) George Tuska (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Mutatedpiranha |
| Team affiliations | Deep Six |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina and durability Sharp teeth and claws Underwater breathing Paralyzing venom Marine telepathy Healing factor Consumptive knowledge replication Digestive assimilation Zombie physiology Zombification Asexual reproduction |
Piranha is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics.
The character first appeared inSub-Mariner #70 (May 1974) and was created byMarv Wolfman andGeorge Tuska.[1]
The Piranha is a normalpiranha who was evolved into an anthropomorphic form after being exposed to radiation generated byLemuel Dorcas's experiments. He commands other fish to enter the radiation as well, transforming them into similar forms. During a battle withNamor, Piranha is injured and his blood attracts his piranha servants, who consume him.[2]
These piranhas grow up into forms identical to the original Piranha, multiplying into a population of hundreds. The piranhas capture Namor and theThing, forcing them to fight to the death in a stadium. The two manage to destroy the stadium, crushing the piranhas to death.[3]
The original Piranha later regenerates his body and joinsDeep Six.[4] After the events ofMarvel Zombies 3,Headpool is teleported to the bottom of the ocean, where he infects Piranha and the Men-Fish with a zombie plague. When the Men-Fish attack a cruise ship, theMidnight Sons arrive and destroy them, with Piranha presumably being killed in the process.[5]
The Piranha is a piranha who was mutated by radiation into a semi-humanoid being with sub-human intelligence. The Piranha had superhuman physicality, teeth that were strong and sharp enough to penetrate Namor's skin,[2] claws that were equally as incisive made deadlier by a sleep-inducing venom they generated and the power to command other fish telepathically.[3] Piranha could increase its intellect by consuming the remains of anyone it came across, effectively adding their knowledge, memories and acumen to its own. Piranha also boasts a regenerative healing factor powerful enough to physically restore him even from being devoured by his own Men-Fish,[4] but was not powerful enough to prevent his reanimation.
After being zombified byHeadpool, Piranha was turned into a zombie with a greatly augmented appetite. On top of the standard ability to spread the zombie plague via physical contact, Piranha gained a parasitic ability to create clones of itself as eggs in healthy human hosts.[5]