After Atlanna's supposed death, Vulko falls from grace when he claims her son, Orm Marius, is responsible.
Cast out in disgrace, Vulko seeks to avenge her death by helping Arthur Curry, Atlanna's half-human elder son, gain the throne over Orm.
However, Vulko's actions betray Aquaman's trust, making him a criminal and a reluctant ally for a period of time.
Initially, the character was slated to make an appearance in Justice League, but all of Dafoe's scenes were ultimately cut from the film.
Nuidis Vulko was created by Bob Haney and Howard Purcell where he first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #73 (cover-dated Sept.
[7] In his first comic book appearance, he assists Aquaman and the Atom in repelling microscopic invaders from a 'single drop of water'.
[8] Soon after he supervises the transition of Atlantis citizens from water to air breathers; this is needed to escape an enemy attack.
It took the Justice League only a few months to rescue the missing underwater dwellers but for them it was fifteen years in slavery to their masters, led by the evil Gamemnae.
[17] Vulko discovers a cabal of Atlantean magic users, empowered by the 'Obsidian Age' incident have turned traitor and are mistreating innocent prisoners.
Vulko explains to Arthur about his brother and tells Aquaman that he is the rightful heir of Atlantis's throne, and therefore, must overthrow Ocean Master.
[26] Cyborg picks up Doctor Stephen Shin (Aquaman's friend who helped Arthur develop his powers) and also brings him to the Watchtower.
[29] Vulko escapes the Watchtower and arrives in Boston to watch Aquaman fight Ocean Master for the Atlantean throne.
When Aquaman defeats Ocean Master and the deceived Atlantean soldiers, Vulko surrenders and confesses to wanting his life back in Atlantis.
While the Atantean guards mentioned they are to defend Atlantis, the Atlantean warden then takes Vulko to another prison cell.
Aquaman is still angry at him about the events of "Throne of Atlantis", but Vulko shows him the truth about the Dead King's past.
Aquaman learned about him being the descendant of Orin, whose deception against his own brother led to the Dead King's takeover of Atlantis' kingdom.
[39] As a Atlantean, Vulko possesses natural superhuman abilities that grant him enhanced strength, durability, sight, swimming, and speed, enabling him to thrive in the depths of the ocean and live underwater indefinitely.