— ᨳଓ . [ᴍᴏʀᴅᴇᴄᴀɪ ʜᴇʟʟᴇʀ]

Mordecai Heller[1] is a bootlegger and triggerman for the Marigold Gang and a major antagonist in the series, he previously worked for the Lackadaisy Crew.

Physical description: Mordecai has tuxedo colored fur, in the comic he has olive green irises but in the animated series he has fully olive green eyes, he has short hair at the top of his head that droops down, and a circular patch of white fur on his mouth area reaching under his nose. He has white fur under his eyes as well, complemented with thick white eyebrows.

Serafine forcibly carved a Voodoo protection glyph into Mordecai's chest when he refused to join the Maitre Carrefour cult.[2] Due to this in some comics he has a blood stain in that area.

According to a QNA page about eyebrows, Mordecai's were styled so he would always look mad.

Clothing: He commonly wears the Marigold uniform with a red tie but occasionally wears a long, black coat with a beige fedora or a white-collared shirt with suspender pants. ────────────────────── Biography: Mordecai was born on March 28, 1899 in New York City, New York to German-Jewish immigrants. Before starting education, Mordecai suffered from congenital myopia and was forced to wear spectacles. After his father Issac passed from a stroke, Mordecai became very protective of his family when they moved to the east side of Manhattan in terrible living conditions. He only finished his primary education.

At 13, Mordecai began working as an accountant and bookie for grifters, loan sharks and gambling operations. In need of money at 17, he extorted money from someone minor in the crime world, murdering them as he replaced their role and was able to embezzle money from higher ranks, though he was later caught.

In fright, Mordecai gets on a getaway train to either Chicago or Detroit while leaving all his money for his family; however, while finishing a letter to his mother explaining the situation, he notices two thugs in the traincar watching him, and realizes he is being pursued. While Mordecai is asking around for a stamp, the train enters a tunnel before Atlas appears from the shadow, coming to sit on the other side. He and Mordecai exchanged glances briefly before Atlas stood up to leave for his destination, all the while leaving a revolver inside the newspaper that he carried onto the train. Mordecai took the revolver and used it to defend himself and escape from his pursuers.

Atlas helps Mordecai get out of his former troubles and Mordecai decides to join Lackadaisy as a sharpshooter. Though, after Atlas' death in 1926, Mordecai got into a fight with Viktor and eventually kneecapped him. He was later hired by Asa Sweet in early 1927 to be a triggerman for Marigold. ────────────────────── Personality and traits: Mordecai was shown as reserved and professional in nature, but also neurodivergent with a compulsive attitude for cleanliness and order. He seems to have a dislike for touch, which was shown when he avoided Ivy in the episode Ingenue and when requested to dance in the comic; he also became visibly uncomfortable when Gracie put his hand on Mordecai's shoulder in a friendly gesture. He worked to keep an intimidating persona as a triggerman, albeit became awkward if it did not work as intended. Mordecai was shown as a perfectionist, wanting symmetry and having his Earl Grey tea a specific amount of time.

Relationships: Atlas May A quiet man with an expressive brow, Atlas possesses the life experience to recognize a young man in need of assistance and skill to offer it without a word. With just a glance, a heartbeat, and a firearm left within a discarded newspaper, Atlas May provided Mordecai with the tool needed to break free of fate and seize control of his destiny.

There's little information regarding the four years between their first interaction on a train in 1916 and the Lackadaisy Speakeasy opening. Before becoming an entrepreneur of illicit substances, Atlas is known as a restaurateur, already owning the Little Daisy Cafe above the caves that would eventually disguise the true nature of his business when prohibition law came into full force in 1920.

Regardless of the goods involved or seemingly the job required, Mordecai was devoted to his service until Atlas' untimely death in 1926.

To Mordecai, a young man in a new city and emancipated from his family for their protection, Atlas May became a veritable anchor. Mordecai may have even modeled his disinterested, flat tone and permanent scowl off of Atlas' own business appearance.

It's evident that Mordeicai had a close relationship with Atlas, likely viewing him as a rolemodel or as his teacher, a piece of evidence for this is Mitzi describing Mordecai as Atlas’, “wayward golden boy,” showing a connection that was equally deep on Atlas' side.[3]

Even after abandoning Lackadaisy for greener pastures, Mordecai actively conducts private inquiries while working for Maribel Hotel, going so far as to conceal an intended target of Asa Sweet to question him further.

While conducting these inquiries, Mordecai is seen in his least composed state; he lacks his waistcoat and suit jacket, his shirt is stained with blood where his chest still bleeds and he looks generally disheveled. This divergence from his usual appearance could speak to a desperation to uncover the truth of Atlas' death - He is even willing to let his target go in exchange for information, implying that he values his investigation into Atlas' death more than loyalty to his new organization. Additionally, He agrees with the notion his new position may consist of tying up the loose ends of Atlas' death, and it evidently troubles Mordecai greatly this could be true.

Mitzi May Mordecai seems to feel little beyond contempt for Mitzi. In "Monomania", he states that he considers her partially responsible for Atlas's death, and goes on to state that she brought her current problems on herself, and can bring nothing but disgrace to Lackadaisy.

"Hamstring" establishes that Mordecai and Mitzi both have information about Atlas' death that they have not shared with others. Additionally, there is a flashback that shows them exchanging a gun, though it is unclear whether this is related to Atlas' death. When interrogating his captive Mr. Grombach, Mordecai emphatically states that, while he has "little interest in defending her", Mitzi did not shoot Atlas, as Grombach has heard via rumor.

Nico & Serafine Savoy Mordecai current works with Nico and Serafine. They appear to enjoy taking advantage of his difficulties with humor.[4] In "Cutthroat", he asks Asa how he found the siblings, noting that he has trouble understanding them but wishes to know more about them if he is to continue working with them.

Rocky Rickaby Mordecai has known Rocky since before he left Lackadaisy. Due to Rocky's immature and childish personality, Mordecai seems to have some level of distance from him currently.

In "Heartstrings", Rocky offers Mordecai a respectful handshake by calling him "Ol'Serious Face". In response, Mordecai calls Rocky ridiculous.

Rocky asks Mitzi whether he should confront Mordecai after he notices that her conversation with him has brought her to tears in "Haggersnash", but Mitzi tells him to keep his distance.

According to Tracy, there's more to show regarding Mordecai and Rocky's relationship.[5]

Viktor Vasko Before separation from Lackadaisy, the two worked together as Atlas' triggermen.

Fighting effectively together, eliminating opposition, and disposing of bodies. On the job, the two engage in mild (if slightly one-sided) banter, and in less serious situations were capable of casual small talk. There seemed to be a respect between the two. However, it has evidently gone extremely sour as they parted ways, Mordecai having knee-capped Viktor. The two have not interacted since.

"Heartstrings" establishes that Mordecai kneecapped Viktor as part of an attempt to convince Viktor to retire, shortly before he left Lackadaisy.