Mr. Fish

Mr. Fish is the name of two Marvel Comics supervillains.

Publication history

The Mortimer Norris version of Mr. Fish first appeared in Luke Cage, Power Man #29 and was created by Bill Mantlo and George Tuska. Initially, Luke Cage, Power Man #29 was intended to continue a storyline from the twenty-eighth issue. The continuation of that story was running late. Because of these deadline considerations, the splash page admits, this fill-in story, "No One Laughs at Mr. Fish", was created to ensure #29 hit the stands on schedule.

The Bill Morris version of Mr. Fish first appeared in Daughters of the Dragon #4 and was created by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Khari Evans.

Fictional character biography

Mortimer Norris

Mr. Fish was once an ordinary human being, a petty crook who stumbled upon some stolen radioactive material while on a job. The exposure made him dizzy and caused him to fall into the East River. When he emerged, he had been mutated into an amphibious fish-man with enhanced strength. He used these powers to establish a Maggia branch in his area, aided by a group of thugs and his second-in-command, a dwarf named "Shrike". This attempt was cut short by a battle with Luke Cage. Mr. Fish initially seemed to have the upper hand: his men over-powered Cage and Fish himself used a mysterious concussive ray gun to knock Cage out, taking him to a deserted construction site. However, and despite Shrike's advice to finish Cage off before he awoke, Mr. Fish waited until Cage awoke so that he could recount his origin and master plan. Cage got his second wind and made short work of Fish's men. In a desperate move, Fish rushed towards Cage with a steel girder, but Cage dodged and Fish fell off the building, seemingly dying on impact.^[1]

Mr. Fish reappears years later without explanation, warning Tombstone about an upcoming gang war for control of Harlem.^[2]

Bill Norris

Later it seemed that Mr. Fish had survived his presumed death, visited an exotic nightclub with the Walrus and were entertained by a fat dancer.^[3] However, the Spider-Man: Back in Black Handbook identified this character as Bill Norris, the original Mr. Fish's brother who ended up in the same mutation as the original.^[4]

During the Shadowland storyline, Mr. Fish II was seen as a member of Flashmob (a group of former opponents of Luke Cage consisting of Chemistro III, Cheshire Cat, Comanche, Dontrell Hamilton, and Spear) when they confront the new Power Man on the rooftop. Although Mr. Fish managed to take down Power Man, he was knocked out by Iron Fist. After the group was remanded to Ryker's Island, Nightshade's solicitor Donovan was able to get Dontrell Hamilton, Mr. Fish, and Spear out while Comanche, Chemistro, and Cheshire Cat had to remain due to them having warrants and/or parole violations.^[5]

During the Spider-Island storyline, Mr. Fish is among the villains that have been infected by the bedbugs that bestowed spider powers on them. He, alongside the other members of Flashmob, ended up fighting Heroes for Hire when they tried to leave Manhattan.^[6]

Powers and abilities

Mr. Fish has enhanced strength and a fish-like appearance.

Alternate versions

Marvel Adventures

This version of Mr. Fish was about to enact his master plan only for him and his henchmen to encounter the Fantastic Four. Human Torch used his flames to dehydrate Mr. Fish, enough for a police officer to knock him out and arrest him.^[7]

References

External links

• Mr. Fish I at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• Mr. Fish II at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe