| Dorma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939) (full) |
| Created by | Bill Everett (writer / artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Dorma |
| Species | Homo mermanus |
| Place of origin | Atlantis |
| Team affiliations | Swift Tide |
| Partnerships | Namorita Namora Namor Fin |
| Notable aliases | Lady Dorma |
| Abilities |
|
Dorma is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created by writer and artistBill Everett, the characterfirst appeared inMarvel Comics #1 (October 1939).[1] She debuted when Marvel Comics was known asTimely Comics. Dorma is a native aristocrat of the undersea kingdom ofAtlantis.[2] She initially wasNamor the Sub-Mariner's cousin,[3] and is depicted as his close confidant and childhood friend through several rewrites.[4] Dorma was reintroduced in the late 1960s and early 1970s as Namor's lover and wife-to-be, before her death. She is also known under the codenameLady Dorma.[5]
Dorma debuted inMarvel Comics #1 (October 1939), the first comic book byTimely Comics, predecessor of Marvel, created byBill Everett. She appeared in the 1950Tales to Astonish series,[6] the 1961 Fantastic Four series,[7] the 1963Fantastic Four Annual series, marking her firstSilver Age appearance, and the 1968Sub-Mariner series.[8] Dorma was the beloved of Namor, Prince of Atlantis. InSub-Mariner #36 (April 1971), Namor married Dorma — and discovered that the woman that he married was actually his disguised enemyLlyra, who murdered the real Dorma by bringing the water-breathing bride to the surface and causing her to suffocate in the open air.[9] WriterRoy Thomas said that he decided to do away with Lady Dorma because "he felt that Sub-Mariner should be a lone wolf, and he didn't like the idea of his having such a stable home, aLois Lane situation."[10]
Dorma appeared in the 2021King in Black: Namor series.[11][12]
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Dorma, daughter of Wa-Than, belongs to the Atlantean nobility.[13] She is the cousin of Namor, heir to the Atlantean throne. Despite her initial hostility against her cousin, she eventually developed love for Namor as an adult.[14] In an effort to win him over, Dorma helped her cousin attack the Cape Anna Lighthouse.[15] She supported him when Atlantis was attacked by Luther Robinson and Lynne Harris, who assaulted their country in revenge, after a series of conflicts between Atlantis and the people of the surface.[16] Dorma also fought alongside Namor against the Nazis.[17]
Later, Dorma and Namor started a relationship, which was interrupted when Atlantis was attacked by a telepath named Paul Destine, who killed several inhabitants, with Namor suffering fromamnesia.[18] Dorma and Namor were subsequently reunited when Namor remembered his true identity.[19] However, after Namor saved the life ofSusan Storm / Invisible Girl, Dorma became jealous.[20] She helpedAttuma attack Atlantis out of vengeance. Namor later forgave her actions.[21]
Dorma was engaged to be married to Namor when she was kidnapped byLlyra, who assumed her identity and tricked Namor into marrying her instead. However, according to Atlantean law, Dorma was now Namor's wife, not Llyra, despite her absence from the wedding ceremony. Furious, Llyra fled to the surface world, followed by an equally enraged Namor. Llyra returned to the imprisoned Dorma and smashed Dorma's water-filled prison.[22] Unable to breathe out of water, Dorma suffocated, but not before she struck down Llyra and saved her husband's life.[23]
Dorma possesses an Atlantean physiology that grants her several abilities. She can breathe underwater and resist extreme water pressures and temperatures.[24]
An alternate version of Dorma appears in theHouse of M reality. Lady Dorma appears as the Queen of Atlantis.[25]
An alternate version of Dorma appears on aduplicate Earth that was the setting of theHeroes Reborn story arc.[26] Hercounterpart was the Queen of the Atlanteans. In contrast to the demurely elegant aristocrat on the original Earth, this alternate version of Dorma was a fierce warrior-woman.[27]