Dorma
Dorma is an Atlantean and the distant cousin of Namor the Sub-Mariner. She maintains a largely unrequited infatuation for Namor, the prince of Atlantis.
Biography
1930s
Dorma and Namor together disabled a lighthouse as part of the Atlanteans' war against humanity.[1]
1960s
By 1963, Dorma was linked with warlord Krang, who had aspirations for the Atlantean throne. Soon however, Namor returned to Atlantis; he was treated as a returning hero, and immediately reclaimed his title of prince. Dorma in turn took the side of Namor, leaving Krang in the process—Dorma desired Namor's love, but he was solely focused on his rule. Namor soon declared war on humanity, but his army was defeated by the Fantastic Four. Namor kidnapped Invisible Girl and kept her hostage in an underwater submersible with Krang and Dorma by his side. The rest of the Four soon arrived above the surface, and Namor fought them as Krang observed via periscope. Invisible Girl showed concern for Namor's welfare, piquing Krang's curiosity. He correctly speculated that she and Namor had a special attraction, which raised the jealous Dorma's ire. Dorma smashed the window, causing water to flood in and forcing the hero to try to escape by jumping out. Invisible Girl passed out as the Atlanteans repaired the hole in their craft. Namor recovered Invisible Girl and returned to the submersible, taking an attached subcraft to transport her to safety. Krang and Dorma protested, incensed that Namor would care so deeply for a human. What the two did next is unclear, but by the time Namor returned to Atlantis, it was empty and barren: his people had abandoned him.[2]
Eventually, Namor restored his rule over the Atlantean people, and Dorma returned to his side. Not long after Namor reclaimed his throne, Atlantis was threatened by a large legion led by Attuma, a barbaric warlord from the murky depths. Dorma pleaded with Namor not to rush into battle, but he brushed away with particular cruelty. Scorned by her only love, Dorma acted rashly and betrayed Namor, allowing Attuma and his brutal hordes to penetrate the city of Atlantis. Regretting her actions, Dorma came to the surface and pleaded with the Four for assistance, warning them that Attuma would be a far more dangerous ruler than Namor and would certainly come for the surface after securing Atlantis. They agreed to help, and followed Dorma under the sea to Atlantis. The Four and Dorma evacuated the bathysphere and fought their way through Attuma's forces and into the city of Atlantis, where Namor and his dwindling forces fought valiantly against Attuma's superior invading army. In the end, the Four gave Namor the edge he needed to defeat Attuma, all without him even knowing they were there. Namor banished the surrendering Attuma and his followers from Atlantis. Dorma returned to his side, and he forgave her for her actions.[3]
In 1965, when Namor went to the surface in an ill-fated attempt to legally seize the surface for his people. In his absence, Krang instigated a rebellion for the throne. Dorma traveled to the surface to notify Namor, but he delayed returning to allow his case to be heard. In the end, the case proved fruitless, and Namor returned to Atlantis to find that Krang had fully situated himself as prince.[4] As he arrived at the city walls, he was approached by Lady Dorma, who told him that the people stood behind him in spite of Krang's usurpation. She offered her love to him yet again, but the proud Namor scorned her, and she jealously called the guards upon him. Dorma desperately sought Namor's love, and she believed that keeping him away from the throne would allow him to be with her. The guards took Namor to Krang, and the two shared insults before Krang sent Namor to the dungeons. Dorma visited him, and told him that his capture had lost his favor with the people of Atlantis. Namor told her his intent to seek out Neptune's trident and thereby reclaim the throne. "Legendary law" also held that once the quest had begun, no Atlantean was allowed to stop it. The mercurial Dorma freed her unrequited lover, and Namor set out to begin his quest.[5] As Dorma awaited his return in Atlantis, Krang made repeated advances upon her in an attempt to make her his bride. She repeatedly refused, and he eventually banished her to the realm of the Faceless Ones for execution on account of her supposed treason.[6] Namor heard of this and rescued her, earning Neptune's approval and the trident in the process. Namor returned to Atlantis with Dorma and used the trident to reclaim his rightful throne with Dorma by his side.[7][8][9]
References
- ↑ Marvel Comics #1c: "The Sub-Mariner." (October 1939) Everett, Bill.
- ↑ Fantastic Four Annual #1a: "Sub-Mariner Versus the Human Race!" (June 1963) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Ayers, Dick (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Fantastic Four #33: "Side-by-Side with Sub-Mariner!" (December 1964) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Stone, Chic (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Daredevil #7: "In Mortal Combat with...Sub-Mariner!" (April 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Wood, Wallace (art), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Tales to Astonish #70a: "The Start of the Quest!" (August 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Austin, Adam (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Tales to Astonish #73a: "By Force of Arms!" (November 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Austin, Adam (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Tales to Astonish #74a: "When Fails the Quest!" (December 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Austin, Adam (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Rosen, Sam (let).
- ↑ Tales to Astonish #75a: "The End of the Quest!" (January 1966) Lee, Stan (w), Austin, Adam (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Rosen, Sam (let).
- ↑ Tales to Astonish #76a: "Uneasy Hangs the Head...!" (February 1966) Lee, Stan (w), Austin, Adam (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Rosen, Sam (let).