Origin
Dolphin was apparently once a surface child, stolen away by aquatic aliens and mutated to undersea life. She was freed by Kordax, a blond-haired green-skinned former Atlantean. When two US Navy men investigated the sunken wreckage of the ship USS Arabesque, they discovered a beautiful young woman living within, obviously able to survive underwater without drowning. Brought aboard their ship, the young woman was found to have gill-like slits in her neck and slight webbing between her fingers and toes. One of the men named the mysterious woman âDolphin’. Dolphin couldn’t survive away from the water for long and returned to the seas.
Later, Dolphin joined heroes Immortal Man, Animal Man, Congo Bill, Rick Flag, and Cave Carson to thwart a scheme of the evil immortal, Vandal Savage. Immortal Man suggested the team remain together and they became known as the Forgotten Heroes. Dolphin remained with the team until its eventual breakup.
Creation
Dolphin was created by Jay Scott Pike and first appeared in Showcase #79 (December 1968).
Aquaman
Afterwards, Dolphin continued to roam the seas and occasionally aided other heroes, including Animal Man and Aquaman. Dolphin then came into conflict with the evil Charybdis, and alongside Aquaman were able to defeat the villain; although it cost Aquaman his hand. Soon after, Aquaman and Dolphin entered into a romantic relationship and became a supporting character for the series.
Thereafter, Kordax, an evil ancestor of Aquaman’s, secretly took control of Dolphin’s mind to gain control of the royal court and kill Aquaman to get revenge on the royal house of Atlantis. However, Dolphin’s strong-will broke free of his control and continued his relationship with Aquaman.
Later on, Aquaman went through some emotional as well as physical changes. His appearance became more amphibian and his moods became more erratic. It was at this time that his relationship with Dolphin began to dissolve. The couple drifted apart. Dolphin then gave birth to a son, Cerdian. Although Aquaman returned to his true form, his life was further complicated by the return of his ex-wife, Mera.
Tempest
Shortly after this, Garth began a relationship with Dolphin. Initially, Garth and Dolphin concealed their relationship from Aquaman, unsure of what his reaction would be. Eventually, Aquaman learned of their relationship and gave them his blessing. Dolphin then discovered she was pregnant. Garth was happy at the news and proposed marriage. Garth and Dolphin were married in a traditional Atlantean ceremony with friends and family in attendance. Dolphin has since given birth to a son. Dolphin and Tempest‘s first child was named Cerdian by Aquaman as a gesture to the surface-country Cerdia, which had recently fallen under Atlantean control.
As Garth’s obligations to the Titans increased, he seemed to have trouble balancing his family life with his dedication to the team. Dolphin rectified the situation by moving into the Titans Tower with Cerdian. But soon after, the Titans Tower was destroyed by enemy forces. To put a further strain on the situation, Tempest was almost killed by an addictive drug from a Chemical World. After these events, Dolphin insisted Garth retire from the Titans – and Garth reluctantly complied.
Garth moved his family to New Atlantis, where he was greeted with suspicion from the new rulers and placed under house arrest. Leaving his wife and small child behind, Tempest used his wizardry to escape Atlantis and sought Aquaman for help. Eventually, the sorcerers’ rule was overturned and Atlantis was restored. Before its citizens could celebrate, Atlantis was attacked by the Spectre, who was driven mad when he lost his human host. As Spectre razed Atlantis to the ground, Tempest and several Atlantean mystics unsuccessfully tried to combat him. With Atlantis destroyed, only Tempest’s tattered costumed was found.
Death
After the destruction of Atlantis, Dolphin and her son were missing. Tempest scoured the oceans for them but eventually discovered they were killed as they hid for safety. Soon after, Dolphin was raised as a member of the Black Lantern Corps and helped Tula rip her husband’s heart out. Together they attacked the Titans but were defeated by Dove.
Rebirth
Dolphin makes her first post Blackest Night appearance in Aqauaman #25.
Powers & Abilities
Dolphin is an Olympic level swimmer with enhanced strength and durability. Due to her encounter with alien scientific experimentation to create a subaquatic humanoid race, she gained the abilities to breath underwater with superhuman strength. She is able to withstand the deep water pressures of the ocean floor and is artificially adapted to subaquatic life.
Former Powers
The Black Power Ring granted her extremely fast regeneration: she was able to almost instantly regrow her head, which was frozen by Tempest, after Mera shattered it by trident.
DC Rebirth
In the new continuity. Dolphins powers are attributed to the quality of mystical mutation brought on by the over abundances of arcane force in Atlantis itself. She has the ability to take on a more icthyoid like form, with scales and claws with which she can gash and maim dense hides. Dolphin also emits bio-luminescent discharges which can disorient or buffet affected targets, she can even create simple light forms through it.
Characteristics
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 145 lbs (66 kg)
- Eye Color: Sea Blue
- Hair Color: Silver
Status
- Identity: Public
- Place of Birth: Atlantis
- Citizenship: Atlantean
- Base of Operations: Atlantis
- Known Relatives: Garth (Husband), Cerdian (son)
Other Versions
Wonder Woman and the Star Riders
Dolphin was one of the Star Riders in the proposed animated series and toyline ” Wonder Woman and the Star Riders.” The series was canceled before it was released, though a short comic was released featuring Dolphin and the other Star Riders. She was vastly different from her main counterpart, and was the keeper of the Water Gem.
JLA: The Nail
Dolphin appears in Professor Hamilton’s Cadmus Labs in the JLA Elseworlds story, ‘The Nail‘ written by Alan Davis.
Heroclixs and board games
In 2006 Heroclixs seroes pack Dolphin was made in the set but she is only a bystander a pog that worth less points in the game to play if you have to much points as a back up pog.