Homo mermanus
Encyclopedia
Homo mermanus is a fictional race of gill
ed aquatic humanoid
s that has appeared in numerous comic book
series published by Marvel Comics
. This race is best known as the people who live in the Atlantis
of Marvel's shared universe
, known as the Marvel Universe
. The most notable member of the race is Namor the Sub-Mariner.
An offshoot of the Homo sapiens
species with an as yet undisclosed origin, Homo mermanus are a mammal
ian species, but with some fish
-like characteristics. Each one possesses two twin gills located on their necks near the clavicle
bone, which allow them to breathe underwater. Their skin pigmentation can be either blue (most Atlanteans) or green (most Lemurians and nomads)
Their physiology is also much stronger and more durable than that of the Homo sapiens, necessitated by their exposure to the vast pressure of the deep sea. As a consequence they are physically much stronger than regular humans and can swim up to 30 miles (48 km) per hour. The typical lifespan for a Homo mermanus is 150 years. However they cannot survive outside of water for longer than five minutes without aid.
The total population of Homo mermanus has been estimated at over 1,000,000 globally.
that their first complex society
emerged. Like humans they learned to domesticate animals, such as dolphins, while humans domesticated horses, dogs and camels.
Atlantis itself had been a small above ground continent
with many human settlements, when an event 10,000 years ago called the "Great Cataclysm" caused it to be submerged into the sea. 2,000 years later, a group of Homo mermanus made the ruins of the human settlements in Atlantis their home and went on to develop a society there using as much of the material as they could scavenge from the wreckage. Many of the warring tribes united under a single emperor (although by the 20th century there were still some barbarian tribes).
500 years after the settlement of Atlantis, another group of Homo mermanus left Atlantis to found their own city -this time in a part of the ruins of another continent submerged during the Great Cataclysm - Lemuria
in the Pacific Ocean
.
These "Lemurians" would discover the Serpent Crown
in the ruins of their city, and through their Leader Naga's exposure and extensive use of the ancient mystical device, they would become more serpent-like in appearance than their Atlantean cousins.
Many Atlanteans worship Neptune, Roman god of the sea.
During the 20th century the Homo mermanus race began to come into sustained contact with their human cousins. These contacts have often been hostile, and have included many aborted invasions (Atlantis Attacks
etc.) and even separate occasions when large numbers of Homo mermanus were rendered comatose or sterilized for periods. During the Second World War
the kingdom of Atlantis also fought against the Axis Powers in alliance with the Allied Powers
.
However, not all interactions between Homo sapiens and Homo mermanus have been hostile - during the 1920s a Homo mermanus female, Princess Fen of Atlantis mated with the human sea captain Leonard McKenzie - a union which produced the first human/Atlantean hybrid - Namor{avenging son in atlantean}, the Sub-Mariner.
In the aftermath of the Civil War
and the World War Hulk
events the homo mermanus, being blamed for the terrorism due to the actions of Kamar, militaristic son of Namor, are forced to leave the seas, using the established sleeper cells to live within humanity. The Atlantean Army resided in Latveria
, guests of Doctor Doom
, and the civilians lived alongside the rest of humanity.
After their leader Namor allied with the X-Men
, the Atlanteans began to build a support pillar that would keep the newly established mutant nation of Utopia (near the coast of San Francisco) from sinking. Around this pillar, called the Atlantean column, they established a city called New Atlantis.
Gill
A gill is a respiratory organ found in many aquatic organisms that extracts dissolved oxygen from water, afterward excreting carbon dioxide. The gills of some species such as hermit crabs have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they are kept moist...
ed aquatic humanoid
Humanoid
A humanoid is something that has an appearance resembling a human being. The term first appeared in 1912 to refer to fossils which were morphologically similar to, but not identical with, those of the human skeleton. Although this usage was common in the sciences for much of the 20th century, it...
s that has appeared in numerous comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. This race is best known as the people who live in the Atlantis
Atlantis (Marvel Comics)
Atlantis is a fictional location in the Marvel Universe. It is based on the mythical island of Atlantis first mentioned in Plato's initial dialogue the Timaeus, written circa 360 BC. In the Marvel Universe, Atlantis was a small continent with many human settlements...
of Marvel's shared universe
Shared universe
A shared universe is a fictional universe to which more than one writer contributes. Work set in a shared universe share characters and other elements with varying degrees of consistency. Shared universes are contrasted with collaborative writing, in which multiple authors work on a single story....
, known as the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. The most notable member of the race is Namor the Sub-Mariner.
An offshoot of the Homo sapiens
Homo sapiens (Marvel Comics)
Within the Marvel Universe, the species Homo sapiens, and its genus Homo, is far more prolific and active than in the real world. The branching of the species Homo sapiens came with the arrival of the Celestials on Earth, the Space Gods of genetic engineering; the Celestials as a race have their...
species with an as yet undisclosed origin, Homo mermanus are a mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
ian species, but with some fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
-like characteristics. Each one possesses two twin gills located on their necks near the clavicle
Clavicle
In human anatomy, the clavicle or collar bone is a long bone of short length that serves as a strut between the scapula and the sternum. It is the only long bone in body that lies horizontally...
bone, which allow them to breathe underwater. Their skin pigmentation can be either blue (most Atlanteans) or green (most Lemurians and nomads)
Their physiology is also much stronger and more durable than that of the Homo sapiens, necessitated by their exposure to the vast pressure of the deep sea. As a consequence they are physically much stronger than regular humans and can swim up to 30 miles (48 km) per hour. The typical lifespan for a Homo mermanus is 150 years. However they cannot survive outside of water for longer than five minutes without aid.
The total population of Homo mermanus has been estimated at over 1,000,000 globally.
History
The Homo mermanus are often referred to as Atlanteans, as it is in the city of AtlantisAtlantis (Marvel Comics)
Atlantis is a fictional location in the Marvel Universe. It is based on the mythical island of Atlantis first mentioned in Plato's initial dialogue the Timaeus, written circa 360 BC. In the Marvel Universe, Atlantis was a small continent with many human settlements...
that their first complex society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
emerged. Like humans they learned to domesticate animals, such as dolphins, while humans domesticated horses, dogs and camels.
Atlantis itself had been a small above ground continent
Continent
A continent is one of several very large landmasses on Earth. They are generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, with seven regions commonly regarded as continents—they are : Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.Plate tectonics is...
with many human settlements, when an event 10,000 years ago called the "Great Cataclysm" caused it to be submerged into the sea. 2,000 years later, a group of Homo mermanus made the ruins of the human settlements in Atlantis their home and went on to develop a society there using as much of the material as they could scavenge from the wreckage. Many of the warring tribes united under a single emperor (although by the 20th century there were still some barbarian tribes).
500 years after the settlement of Atlantis, another group of Homo mermanus left Atlantis to found their own city -this time in a part of the ruins of another continent submerged during the Great Cataclysm - Lemuria
Lemuria (comics)
Lemuria is the name of two fictional locations in the Marvel Universe.Lemuria had been a small continent and group of islands in the Pacific Ocean 21,000 years ago, which was ruled by the Deviants. Lemuria became the center of the Deviant empire, and the only remaining free land was Atlantis, the...
in the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
These "Lemurians" would discover the Serpent Crown
Serpent Crown
The Serpent Crown is a fictional mystical power object which has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It exists within Marvel's main shared universe...
in the ruins of their city, and through their Leader Naga's exposure and extensive use of the ancient mystical device, they would become more serpent-like in appearance than their Atlantean cousins.
Many Atlanteans worship Neptune, Roman god of the sea.
During the 20th century the Homo mermanus race began to come into sustained contact with their human cousins. These contacts have often been hostile, and have included many aborted invasions (Atlantis Attacks
Atlantis Attacks
Atlantis Attacks was a comic book super-hero crossover storyline which ran through most of the summer annuals published by Marvel Comics in 1989....
etc.) and even separate occasions when large numbers of Homo mermanus were rendered comatose or sterilized for periods. During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the kingdom of Atlantis also fought against the Axis Powers in alliance with the Allied Powers
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
.
However, not all interactions between Homo sapiens and Homo mermanus have been hostile - during the 1920s a Homo mermanus female, Princess Fen of Atlantis mated with the human sea captain Leonard McKenzie - a union which produced the first human/Atlantean hybrid - Namor{avenging son in atlantean}, the Sub-Mariner.
In the aftermath of the Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
and the World War Hulk
World War Hulk
"World War Hulk" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self titled limited series and various other titles published by Marvel Comics in 2007, featuring the Hulk....
events the homo mermanus, being blamed for the terrorism due to the actions of Kamar, militaristic son of Namor, are forced to leave the seas, using the established sleeper cells to live within humanity. The Atlantean Army resided in Latveria
Latveria
Latveria is a nation in the . It is an isolated European country ruled by the supervillain Doctor Doom, supposedly located in the Banat region. It is surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, and also borders the Symkaria to the south. Its capital is Doomstadt.-Publication history:Latveria first...
, guests of Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
, and the civilians lived alongside the rest of humanity.
After their leader Namor allied with the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
, the Atlanteans began to build a support pillar that would keep the newly established mutant nation of Utopia (near the coast of San Francisco) from sinking. Around this pillar, called the Atlantean column, they established a city called New Atlantis.
Subraces
Homo mermanus is divided between the Atlanteans and the splinter group that settled in the sunken continent of Lemuria and took the name of Lemurians. They differed as they possessed a more reptilian greenish skin color compared to the blue skinned Atlanteans.Golden Age Characters
- Namor McKenzie - Ruler of Atlantis; member of the Invaders, Defenders, Avengers; retained his mutant powers after M-Day
- Blabek
- ByrrahByrrahByrrah is a Marvel Comics character. He is a prince of Atlantis, and cousin to Namor the Sub-Mariner. He first appeared in Marvel: Mystery Comics #82.- Fictional character biography :...
- Cousin of Namor and Challenger of the Throne; currently deceased - Chemil - Wartime Nurse
- Cogolla
- Daka - Uncle of Namor and possibly the Father of Byrrah; briefly took over the crown of Atlantis before Pearl Harbor; later allied with the Nazis and the Seal People and led an invasion of Argentina
- Daro
- DormaLady DormaLady Dorma is a fictional character that appeared in comic books by Timely Comics .A native of the undersea kingdom of Atlantis, the character was Namor the Sub-Mariner's cousin and his close confidant in many of his original appearances in the 1940s, and was reintroduced in the late 1960s and...
- Wife of Namor; currently deceased - Ertve - Wartime High Priest and member of the Council of Three.
- Fen - Mother of Namor; currently deceased
- Folma - Wartime Lieutenant
- Harla
- Jadda
- Kalo
- Kamara
- Karal - Royal Guard
- Lerza
- Lucas
- Mara
- Mel
- Mephistios
- Naka
- Namora (Aquaria Nautica Neptunia)NamoraNamora is a fictional character, a superhero in the . She is from Atlantis and is the daughter of an Atlantean father and a human mother. She is the cousin of Namor the Sub-Mariner.-Publication history:...
- Cousin of Namor - Narvick
- Nostromas - Wartime Physician
- Petrod - Wartime Sentry
- Rad
- Sarna
- Sigor
- Tarna
- Tarot
- Thakorr - Grandfather of Namor; currently deceased
- Til
- Tor
- Vayos
- Zarot
- Zolma
Modern Age Characters
- Abira
- Achak
- Amir - Member of the Royal Guard, Sleeper Agent; currently deceased
- Amo
- Andromeda AttumasenAndromeda (Marvel Comics)Andromeda Attumasen is a fictional character that appears in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The character is a member of Homo mermanus, the race that occupies the Atlantis of Marvel's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe....
- former member of the Dragon Circle and the DefendersDefenders (comics)The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
. - Arath - Mutant Terrorist and Member of Sleeper Cell 13
- Argos - Military Officer
- Arkus - Military Officer
- Arno
- Ashur
- Askid
- AttumaAttumaAttuma is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He is an Atlantean nomadic warlord who is the nemesis of Namor the Sub-Mariner, and is the father of the superhero Andromeda. He believes he is the prophesied conqueror of the Atlantean Empire...
- Barbarian Warlord and Usurper - Attumacht
- Azir
- Balaal
- Banara
- Beemer
- Betty
- Bloodtide - member of Fathom FiveFathom Five (comics)The Fathom Five are a team of fictional sea-dwelling terrorists partially composed of previously existing characters. They debuted in the first few issues of the New Thunderbolts and have fought Namor and Warbird besides the Thunderbolts proper....
- Bobo - Cousin of Namor
- Brodar
- Burka
- Byrrahna
- Cirin
- Corak
- Coral - currently deceased
- Crab - Member of School
- Crosta - Mutant
- Dakkor
- Dara - Cousin of Namor, currently deceased
- Dashak
- Deathcharge
- Delta Nine - Atlantean Clone
- Dorma Clones - Atlantean Clones of the Lady Dorma
- Dorma (Heroes Reborn) - Heroes Reborn version of Dorma
- DragonriderDragonrider (comics)Dragonrider is a fictional Atlantean villain in Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Dragonrider was introduced in 1984's Sub-Mariner four-issue limited series; in that series, she appeared in Sub-Mariner #1-2 , and #4 , and was created by J. M...
- Outlaw; member of Fathom FiveFathom Five (comics)The Fathom Five are a team of fictional sea-dwelling terrorists partially composed of previously existing characters. They debuted in the first few issues of the New Thunderbolts and have fought Namor and Warbird besides the Thunderbolts proper.... - Eel - Mutant; Leader of SURF
- Elanna
- Epititus - currently deceased
- Fara - currently deceased
- Farax
- Gelva
- Gorgul
- Gort
- Govan - Ambassador of Atlantis
- Grokko
- Harran
- Hana
- Husam
- Husani
- Ikthon - Head Scientist
- Immannu
- Jakka - currently deceased
- Janus - Sleeper Agent
- Jian
- Joe Atlantis
- Kadar - currently deceased
- Kalen
- Kamar - son of Namor; former member of 13th Cell; currently deceased
- Kamuu
- Kavor
- Keerg - Warlord
- Kor-Konn
- Kormok - High Priest
- Korra - Grandmother of Namor; presumed deceased
- Korro
- Krakos
- KrangKrang (comics)Warlord Krang is a fictional character, in the Marvel Comics universe. He was a high-ranking member of the Atlantean military.-Fictional character biography:...
- Exiled Warlord, Former Member of the Serpent SquadSerpent SquadThe Serpent Squad is a fictional mercenary group composed of snake-themed criminals in Marvel Comics. Most often antagonists of Captain America, the roster has changed through various incarnations... - Kyral - Geneticist
- Lorvex
- Madoxx - Elder Statesman; Member of the Council of Three
- Mako - Genetic Creation of Vyrra; presumed deceased
- Mako
- Manowar - Mutated Warrior; member of Fathom FiveFathom Five (comics)The Fathom Five are a team of fictional sea-dwelling terrorists partially composed of previously existing characters. They debuted in the first few issues of the New Thunderbolts and have fought Namor and Warbird besides the Thunderbolts proper....
- Mara
- Marcan
- Mato
- Minnow - Member of School
- Morcan - Criminal
- Morel
- Mussels - Member of School
- Namita
- Namorita PrentissNamoritaNamorita Prentiss is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Universe, commonly known by the name of Nita. She is a mutant clone of her mother, Namora, and a member of the New Warriors. She was killed in the explosion in Stamford that started the Superhero Civil War.-Publication history:Namorita first...
- clone of Namora; former member of the New WarriorsNew WarriorsThe New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...
; killed by NitroNitro (comics)Nitro is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain Marvel #34 and was created by Jim Starlin.... - Nautak - currently deceased
- Nereus
- Nia NobleNia NobleNia Noble is a fictional character from Marvel Comics. She is the daughter of two supervillains, but she herself is heroic. She first appeared in New Invaders vol.2, #3 .Nia Noble is a hybrid of a human telepath and an enhanced Atlantean...
- Half-Atlantean; Queen of Neptunia - Numara D'athahr
- Opistho
- Orelem
- OrkaOrka (comics)Orka is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 and was created by writer Roy Thomas and Marie Severin.-Publication history:...
- Mutated Warrior; Former Member of Heroes for HireHeroes For HireHeroes for Hire is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #54 , and was created by Ed Hannigan and Lee Elias.-Publication history and original concept:...
; currently deceased - Orthus
- Orrek
- Ossem
- Oudvrou
- People of the Black Sea
- Politus
- Porphyr
- Proctidae
- Proteus
- Proteus - Rebel Shapeshifter
- Raman - Gate-Keeper of Atlantis
- Ramin
- Ramon
- Relun
- Remora
- Rennar
- Ronga
- Ruthar
- Saru-San - presumed deceased
- Seahorse - Member of School
- Seaweed - Member of School
- Selach - Subcommander to Krang
- Serestus
- Seth - Cousin of Namor
- Shakkoth - High Priest and member of Council of Three and At'La'Tique
- Shalak
- Sharkskin - Mutant; Member of SURF
- Shem
- Squid - Leader of the School
- Stegar
- Sulomor - Delegate to Mazikhandar; currently deceased
- Talan
- Tanas
- Tareva - Soceress
- Teneel
- Thakos - Warlord and member of the Council of Three
- Thallo
- The Mad Twins
- Timoran
- Tornaga
- Trident Team
- Tulem
- TyrakTyrakTyrak is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:He is an Atlantean warrior, serving in the army of the conqueror Attuma. He has served in a number of missions for Attuma, and has fought the Avengers on more than one occasion.He posed as the Inhuman Triton to...
- Size-Changing Criminal - U-Man (Meranno)U-ManU-Man is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Invaders #3 and was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins.-Publication history:...
- Nazi Sympathizer - Undertow - Mutant; Member of SURF
- Unforgiven Dead/Old Ones
- Vashti Cleito-Son - Grand Vizier and Member of Council of Three
- Vayor
- Volpan - Technician
- Vyrra - Outlaw Geneticist; currently deceased
- Waya
- Worta
- Wurta
- Xiomara
- Zantor
- Zantor - Scientist
- Zarina - Aunt of Namor
- Zartra
- Zoga - Mutated Rebel; currently deceased
- Zoran
Known Lemurians
- Karthon
- Merro
- Naga
- Nagala
- Llyna
- Llyra - Half-Lemurian
- Llyron
- Llyron - Pseudo-Clone of Namor; member of Fathom FiveFathom Five (comics)The Fathom Five are a team of fictional sea-dwelling terrorists partially composed of previously existing characters. They debuted in the first few issues of the New Thunderbolts and have fought Namor and Warbird besides the Thunderbolts proper....
Video games
- The game Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game developed for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360 by Raven Software and published by Activision. The game was simultaneously ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox...
has a stage where the players must travel to the underwater city of Atlantis to stop a riot orchestrated by AttumaAttumaAttuma is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He is an Atlantean nomadic warlord who is the nemesis of Namor the Sub-Mariner, and is the father of the superhero Andromeda. He believes he is the prophesied conqueror of the Atlantean Empire...
who believed he would become the sea kingdoms' new ruler as foretold in the Atlantean Chronicles. Attuma used Sonic Emmiters to cause the Atlanteans to riot and turn against Namor. Attuma is assisted in his goal by ByrrahByrrahByrrah is a Marvel Comics character. He is a prince of Atlantis, and cousin to Namor the Sub-Mariner. He first appeared in Marvel: Mystery Comics #82.- Fictional character biography :...
, Tiger Shark, and Warlord KrangKrang (comics)Warlord Krang is a fictional character, in the Marvel Comics universe. He was a high-ranking member of the Atlantean military.-Fictional character biography:...
. When Attuma and Tiger Shark are defeated, Tiger Shark mentioned that Doctor Doom was their benefactor in Attuma's plot. Within the game, there is also a temple devoted to Negrete whose shrine was protected by temple guardians trained to defeat any trespassers. The Eyes of Negrete were holy objects used by the temple priests for access to the inner sanctums of the temple. In the Atlantis briefing, Captain America mentions that the Atlanteans aren't fans of the surface dwellers.
External links
- Atlanteans at Marvel.com
- http://www.marvel.com/universe/Glossary:H#Homo_mermanus