The character was introduced in "Block Mania", the prologue story to the "The Apocalypse War" epic storyline. In this story he was responsible for spreading the Block Mania contaminant via the water supplies of Mega City One, inciting 'block wars' to destabilise the city. During this incident he also killed the original Judge Giant, who had discovered his activities. The destruction of East Meg One by Judge Dredd's retaliatory strike force at the climax of the Apocalypse War left Orlok with a strong desire for vengeance against Dredd and Mega City One.