Aquagirl (Lorena Marquez)
| Aquagirl | |
|---|---|
|
Lorena, Koryak and Vulko from Aquaman vol. 6 #32 (September 2005), art by Patrick Gleason | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004) |
| Created by |
Will Pfeifer (writer) Patrick Gleason (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Lorena Marquez |
| Species | Human |
| Place of origin | Sub Diego |
| Team affiliations | Teen Titans |
| Partnerships | Aquaman |
| Abilities | Adapted for breathing underwater and resisting deep-sea-level pressure |
Lorena Marquez is one of several fictional characters to use the codename Aquagirl. She is a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. Lorena debuted in Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004), and was created by Will Pfeifer and Patrick Gleason.
Fictional character biography
Lorena Marquez is on a date at the San Diego Zoo when an earthquake shakes San Diego and causes it to sink deep into the sea, killing thousands — including Lorena's entire family. She comes into contact with Aquaman, who nurses her back to health as she discovers that she has developed the ability to breathe underwater like an Atlantean. The two manage to locate the other survivors of the quake, as well as Anton Geist, the scientist responsible for the catastrophe. Lorena and Aquaman have no choice but to begin rebuilding the city as "Sub Diego." When Ocean Master switches lives with Aquaman, Lorena assumes the identity of Aquagirl, adopting an aquatic costume. After Aquaman exposes Ocean Master's scheme, Lorena keeps her Aquagirl costume and identity, and the two carry on protecting Sub Diego.[1] When a string of homicides begin to emerge in Sub Diego, Lorena was one of the first to discover that it was former police officer Chandra Abbot who was guilty. The two fight and Chandra admits she did not understand why Aquaman would allow Lorena to help him but she at that moment she understood, she is a good detective.
"One Year Later"
In Teen Titans Volume 3 #34 (May 2006), Lorena is shown at Titans Tower arguing with Holly Granger during a flashback. Lorena is also a member of the Teen Titans during the events of 52. She assists Steel in launching an attack on LexCorp when Natasha Irons is captured by Lex Luthor.[2] She later resurfaces as supporting character of the new Aquaman, Arthur Joseph Curry, in Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis. Apparently, as one of the last Sub Diegoans able to breathe water, she is left in the seas, mourning Koryak's death in the rubble of Poseidonis. She then joins Curry, Cal Durham, Tempest, and the new Topo in their voyage to Sub Diego. Aquagirl appears up in Terror Titans #1 and is kidnapped (along with a group of other teen superheroes) by the Terror Titans. While her teammate Molecule is slain by the new Persuader, Lorena is taken alive, to be mindwiped and forced to fight in the Dark Side Club at the behest of the Apokoliptan Gods on Earth. She is defeated twice, once by Rose Wilson after being stabbed, and again by a brainwashed Terra, who crushes Lorena with a pair of boulders. Aquagirl and the others are eventually freed by Miss Martian, and Lorena joins the survivors in a trek to Titans Tower in order to recover.
Rejoining the Titans
While resting in the tower, Lorena meets and befriends Static, telling him that she enjoyed her past experience as a member of the Teen Titans. After realizing that she has nowhere to go and no family, Lorena accepts Wonder Girl's offer to rejoin the team, taking up permanent residence in Titans Tower.[3]
Remaining close friends with Static, Lorena also begins flirting in Spanish with her teammate Blue Beetle, despite him already dating teen superheroine and Titan reserve member, Traci 13.[4] She also quickly gains an enemy in Bombshell, finding her to be rude. Despite her apparent concern for both Static and Blue Beetle, Aquagirl begins flirting with Superboy after she witnesses a fight between him and Wonder Girl.[5]
During a mission to rescue Raven from an extradimensional being called Wyld, Aquagirl and Bombshell are swallowed by massive sea monster mutated from Wyld's energy.[6] After Static destroys Wyld, Aquagirl and Bombshell are left missing at sea with their fates uncertain.[7] In the following issue, it is mentioned that both Bombshell and Aquagirl had been rescued by their teammates, but were removed from the Titans due to Wonder Girl no longer wishing to endanger "inexperienced" teen heroes by allowing them membership.[8]
Brightest Day
In the Brightest Day crossover, Lorena is approached by Mera who had come searching for help against her sister and her Death Squad.[9] She and Mera subsequently reappear when Siren and her army attack Miami, Florida as the opening salvo of an invasion. During the battle, Lorena rescues the new Aqualad by kicking Black Manta in the face just as he is about to stab the youth to death. After Mera and Aqualad successfully trap the invaders inside the Bermuda Triangle, Lorena tells Aqualad not to "get any ideas" as the two teens watch Aquaman and Mera passionately kiss.[10]
She is one of the former Titans that came to aid them in the battle between Superboy-Prime.
Powers and abilities
- Adapted for breathing underwater and resisting deep-sea-level pressure[11]
- Enhanced strength
- In addition to her metahuman abilities, Lorena appears to be proficient with the use of an Atlantean trident, which she has often been seen using in battle since joining the Teen Titans.
- Has shown exemplary detective skills
- semi-proficient in hand-to-hand combat
Other versions
Titans Tomorrow
In the Titans Tomorrow timeline, Lorena is Aquawoman, a member of the Titans. It is revealed that she has developed telepathic powers which she had used to kill (or paralyze) former Titan member Garth.
References
- ↑ Aquaman vol. 6 #16 (May 2004)
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #17-19 (December 2004 - February 2005)
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #69 (May 2009)
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #72-74 (August 2009 - October 2009)
- ↑ Teen Titans vol.3 #83 (July 2010)
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #85
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #87
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #88
- ↑ Brightest Day #18 (January 2011)
- ↑ Brightest Day #20 (February 2011)
- ↑ Teen Titans vol. 3 #81 (May 2010)