Black Panther Wakanda Forever: Who is Namor the Sub-Mariner?

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s wonderfully touching trailer gave us our first glimpse at Riri Williams’ Ironheart, the newest incarnation of Black Panther, and the aquatic world of Talcoan, with its famous Sub-Mariner, King Namor. Many viewers are now wondering who is Namor? Let’s dive in to see who this mysterious dweller of the deep is.

Who Is Namor The Sub-Mariner?

Marvel Comics

Namor the Sub-Mariner made his first comic appearance in Marvel Comics No 1 all the way back in August 1939, predating Captain America’s first appearance by a full year. This would also mark the first appearance of The Human Torch (no, not Johnny Storm) who became his nemesis. In his first few stories, Namor was a Human-Atlantean hybrid and was portrayed as an angry, avenging force of the sea, with a hatred of human “surface dwellers.” This antagonistic attitude continued until the character was featured in WW2 War Effort comics, where he often teamed up alongside Captain America to take on nefarious enemies.

The Fantastic Four made their comic book debut in 1961, and they’ve certainly lived up to their name ever since. In the well-known issue 4, Johnny Storm (the NEW Human Torch) discovered Namor at his lowest, homeless and amnesia-stricken. When Johnny identified a fellow superhero in need, he kindly dropped him back into the ocean, where he was resurrected and returned to his known powerful state. Since this compassionate act that really encapsulates the spirit of being a hero, Sub-Mariner has joined forces with the Fantastic Four and has proven to be an invaluable ally.

Powers And Abilities

Being the son of a Sea-Captain and an escaped Atlantean Princess, Namor has grown up with an impressive range of aquatic abilities (thanks to his hybrid DNA), such as breathing underwater, telepathic control of the sea life, excellent hearing in aquatic surroundings, super strength, and his most unique ability, his winged ankles, which give him the ability to swim at high speeds and fly.

Marvel Comics

Get to know Namor

In a sea of comics featuring the Sub-Mariner, its easy to get overwhelmed. We recommend diving into these comics and series to really get to know Namor.

The Marvel Superheroes

Namor made his first appearance outside Marvel Comics in the 60’s animated series The Marvel Superheroes, fighting alongside Iron Man, Captain America and The Hulk. Namor’s segment in the show was called Sub-Mariner, and adapted a lot of Namor’s stories from his adventures in Marvel Comics on TV For the first time.

Fantastic Four

Marvel Comics

Namor’s introduction to the Fantastic Four shows a more heroic side to our webbed warrior. After having his life saved by Johnny Storm the Human Torch, Namor joined the Fantastic 4 as they went head to head against Doctor Doom. This run also showed a more sensitive side to Namor, as his feelings for The Invisible Woman, Sue Storm, was well known in the group, much to Mr. Fantastic’s dismay…

Saga Of The Sub-Mariner

This 12-issue mini-series from 1988 tells the origins of how Atlantis fell into the ocean and how the race of submariners rose to the surface. In the later issues, it features Namor’s parents meeting and giving birth to the first human hybrid Atlantean.

Namor: The First Mutant

When the X-Men are confronted by a vampire threat, Namor takes matters into his own hands and discovers a deadly new race of Atlantean vampires who live in the ocean.

Sub-Mariner: The Depths

This is a twisted horror take on Namor’s Atlantean background. Dr. Randolph Stein, a man known for debunking cryptids and monsters has his mind turned upside down when the superstitious doctor discovers that Atlantis is real, and so is its dangerous defender Namor.