Dolphin (DC)
Dolphin is a female comic superhero who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
She was introduced as a mysterious young woman discovered by Navy divers during a salvage mission. With pale skin, white-blonde hair, and the ability to breathe underwater, she was revealed to be the product of secret scientific experimentation. Her backstory established her as a child subject exposed to an experimental serum that altered her physiology, granting her aquatic traits. Isolated from humanity for years, Dolphin grew up in the ocean, her first appearances showcasing her childlike curiosity and alienation from the surface world. (Showcase v1 #79)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Aquaman took Dolphin to the lost Atlantean city of Hy-Brasil to bring it back into the fold. He had an Atlantean ship download information about the Hunter/Gatherers that populated Hy-Brasil into Dolphin's brain. Tens of thousands of years ago they came to Earth and ran down the resources, creating an ice age, but thousands of years later they realized their mistake and reclaimed parts of Earth, interbreeding with various specious, with the Hy-Brasilians choosing rays. They encountered the king of Hy-Brasil, who refused to align himself with Aquaman, forcing a battle that Aquaman won. In accordance with Hy-Brasilian tradition the king committed suicide and the queen demanded that Aquaman become her new king and defend Hy-Brasil, or she would have her subjects rend him limb from limb. Dolphin suffered a mental attack and lashed out at the Hy-Brasilians, so the queen called for her execution, telling Aquaman that law and order was her jurisdiction. A high seer interrogated Dolphin, uncovering her memories about being freed from the undersea lab where she was mutated. This unlocked hidden programming by Kordax, who freed her and placed a mental hold on her, making her kill him. Aquaman blamed the Hy-Brasilians for unleashing her dark side, and challenged any one of them to combat, but they all backed down. After the Hy-Brasilians killed their queen, they told Aquaman he had their support when he needed them. (Aquaman v5 #18)
Aquaman and Dolphin went to a lost Atlantean city in the Himalayas, and Dolphin professed her love for Aquaman. The city had been taken over by Ocean Master, who refused to negotiate, attacked the heroes and put them in a deathtrap. Garth came to their rescue, Ocean Master's people physically attacked the heroes, and when Aquaman's mind opened up his memories of Orm as his half-brother returned to Ocean Master. Driven mad by the flood of memories and the relationship he had with Aquaman he exploded his mountain stronghold in an explosion of power. (Aquaman v5 #20) Tempest brought Aquaman and Dolphin to the lost Atlantean city of Thierna na Oge. Aquaman met their queen Nuala Silverarm, who already knew of the threat to Earth and pledged her support. Garth told Dolphin he had missed her every day he was away and kissed her. A skull-shaped Hunter ship approached Na Oge, discharging soldiers that the heroes defeated. During the battle Dolphin received a mental command to kill Aquaman, but she resisted it. Aquaman concluded that the skirmish was merely meant to test their mettle. (Aquaman v5 #21) Aquaman, Dolphin and Garth went to the lost Atlantean city of Basilia, which was already under the control of the Hunters. Aquaman freed Spought, a Hunter that was on the side of Earth, and Atlan appeared to help him escape the Hunters. Spought operated the cities controls, causing it to rise in the air, and turning it upside down to shake the Hunters free of it, and they flew off. (Aquaman v5 #22)
At this point, Dolphin had matured into a confident and heroic figure, no longer depicted as the wide-eyed ingénue of her debut. She became romantically involved with Garth, a relationship that allowed her character to flourish as an independent heroine with emotional depth. She supported Garth through his struggles with Atlantean heritage and responsibility, while also acting as a strong ally in defending Atlantis during conflicts. (Aquaman v5 #23)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Dolphin was a part of the Silent School’s rebellion against King Rath’s tyranny, with her muteness playing a more central role in her characterization. Despite her inability to speak, Dolphin demonstrated a fierce will and remarkable empathy, becoming one of Aquaman’s staunch allies in uniting the fractured kingdoms of Atlantis. This iteration firmly established her as an integral part of the Atlantean resistance, as well as a symbol of compassion and resilience. (Aquaman v6 #16)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Dolphin has always been visually striking, originally portrayed with chalk-white skin, silvery-blonde hair, and glowing eyes to emphasize her origins as a human experiment. Over the years, her design evolved toward a more natural yet still ethereal look, with blue-toned costumes often accentuating her aquatic nature. (Showcase v1 #79)
In personality, Dolphin reflects a mix of innocence and strength. Initially portrayed as curious and naïve about the surface world, her later portrayals emphasized her resilience, empathy, and determination. Despite her muteness, she expresses herself with clarity through action and presence, embodying emotional intelligence and courage. (Aquaman v5 #23)
Powers and abilities
In powers and abilities, Dolphin possesses enhanced physiology that allows her to breathe underwater, swim at extraordinary speeds, and withstand immense pressure in the ocean depths. She has superhuman strength comparable to Atlanteans, heightened agility, and acute underwater senses. Unlike Aquaman, she lacks telepathic powers but makes up for it with superior adaptability and combat training, particularly in Atlantean warfare. (Aquaman v6 #16)
Notes
- Dolphin was created by Jay Scott Pike where she made her first appearance in Showcase v1 #79 (December, 1968).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Young Justice, a character named Delphis appeared in the setting of the animated television series in the episode "Early Warning" where she was voiced by actress Tiya Sircar. The girl was kidnapped from her native India and taken to Cuba for Klarion's experimentation with the Metagene. As part of his Project Rutabaga, she was blasted with dark magic, which activated her metagene and drastically changed her. Sprouting gills, she could now only breathe underwater. After being freed by the Outsiders and members of the Justice League, she was brought to Atlantis to adjust to her new physiology.
Appearances
- Showcase v1: (1968)
- Aquaman v5:
- Aquaman v8:
External Links
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