Marvel continues to increase and diversify its roster of heroes, villains, and those between the lines of morality. With Marvel Studios’ next release, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the film is already looking like a heartfelt tribute to the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman and the legacy left behind by his time as T’Challa, the Black Panther.
However, the film leaves little time for mourning, as Wakanda soon comes under threat from the forces below the surface: Namor the Sub-Mariner, sporting his iconic green trunks and pointy ears. Namor’s entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe opens the possibilities of what could come in the future, considering the character has an intensely rich history in Marvel Comics.
7 The First Mutant
As a character, Namor was created decades before the X-Men. He was half-Atlantean and half-human, but later in the comics, his hybrid DNA was revealed to have the X-gene. This made him the first mutant in Marvel Comics and made his powers even stronger than before. As the first mutant, Namor has had a few adventures with the X-Men.
Namor joined the team for a while and was even a member of the Phoenix Five, a group of mutants that shared the power of the Phoenix Force. This is also around the same time Namor led Atlantis in a battle against Wakanda, something he seems to enjoy doing, as seen in the trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
6 Doctor Doom Alliance
With the threat of Namor looming over Wakanda, comic readers eagerly anticipate what land could next be invaded by Namor. The character most associated with Namor is the villainous and cunning Doctor Doom, the enemy of The Fantastic Four. The two initially bonded over their shared hatred for Reed Richards, but soon became rocky friends due to being monarchs of their kingdoms, Latveria and Atlantis.
Namor and Doctor Doom are constantly trying to double-cross each other and work for their gain. Namor most famously tried to play both sides during Secret Wars, and the Multiverse Incursions that threatened the Marvel universe as fans knew it.
5 He Predates Aquaman
It’s no secret that Marvel and DC are in a less than the friendly competition, in all forms of media involving their characters. Marvel Comics and DC Comics are constantly borrowing aspects of each other’s characters, and surprisingly to casual audiences, Namor came before Aquaman, it’s just that Aquaman received a cinematic debut first with his feature film.
Namor debuted in 1939, in Marvel Comics’ first issue. Namor is the king of Atlantis, like Aquaman, but hates the land far more than Aquaman does. The characters don’t share a lot in common, but Namor was introduced before Aquaman, technically making him the first comic king of Atlantis.
4 Obsession With Sue Storm
As Marvel’s first family, The Fantastic Four have had many adventures throughout the Marvel universe. Fans eagerly await their debut in the MCU with the recently announced Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four. However, one of the biggest threats to The Fantastic Four is the seductive Namor, who seems to always try and court Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman.
Sue is the wife of Reed Richards, who is Mister Fantastic. Namor does not keep it a secret how much he loves Sue Storm and constantly berates her for being with Reed. Unfortunately for Reed, the two do share an uneasy attraction. But, despite Namor’s request for Sue to leave Reed for him, she will not.
3 Captain America’s Ally
After Pearl Harbor was devastatingly attacked, the United States of America officially joined the war effort with the Allies for World War II in 1941. With this, Captain America and Bucky Barnes brought the fight to the fascists. Little did they know, Namor would form the superhero team The Invaders, to battle alongside the heroes of World War II.
This began the friendship between Captain America and Namor, with the latter even stating “we’re brothers.” The two share a bond like no other, considering they are nearly 100 years old at this point and went through a fierce war together. Although Namor can be both friend and foe, he has proved himself a great ally and is on Captain America’s team for Civil War.
2 Member Of The Illuminati
With such intense intellect and power on Earth, members of the superhero community forged the secret group, the Illuminati, to hold great power and influence over the world. The members include Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Mister Fantastic, Professor X, Black Bolt, and Namor the Sub-Mariner.
This team acted as Earth’s secret protectors and went on many covert missions to protect their planet. Their intellect knows no end, and their danger cannot be understated. They are the most powerful minds Earth has to offer, and Namor was perhaps one of their most cunning.
1 The Defenders
Namor is infamous in Marvel Comics for being a hero, a villain, and everything between. Namor is loyal only to himself, his people, and what he rules. In doing so, he can be the greatest ally or the worst. In the comics, his first ongoing team-up was with Doctor Strange and the Hulk, in which they formed The Defenders.
This hero team was famed for not being a team at all. They only came together when trouble made it so. They would have no affiliation outside the team, no headquarters like The Avengers. The Defenders were made specifically for threats that required no by-laws, and one in which an informal alliance would benefit them all.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to release in theaters on November 11, 2022.