Featuring: Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner
Release: June 1, 1965
Cover: September 1965
12 cents
Superlative story by: Stan Lee!
Sensational art by: Adam Austin!
Spectacular inking by: Vince Colletta!
Sufficient lettering by: Artie Simek!
12 pages
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For, no matter how long the quest shall be–no matter how deadly the dangers I face–naught but victory can be mine! I was born to rule!! I was born Namor, the Sub-Mariner!
His second issue and Namor gets the entire cover. Take that, Hulk.
Expected structure continues. Last issue, Namor found the first clue, met a threat, and it was to be continued. This issue, he resolved that threat, found the second clue, met a new threat, and now it’s to be continued.
Let’s see where next issue goes.
OK, we can say a bit more. We see more weird courting schemes. Just as Dorma thought betraying Namor to Krang would win his heart, Krang thinks killing Namor will win Dorma’s heart. The strangest courting rituals.
Namor meets a very old Atlantean who remains loyal to the true king. The character isn’t named, but will become important. So let’s note him.
Nothing more evil than tax collectors. They seem to kill citizens for disobedience. Normally when Kirby shows somebody die, Stan adds some narration to let us know they actually lived. He seems to have forgotten that this time.
Final note is the Seaweed Man bears some resemblance to the upcoming Marvel plant-based monster, Man-Thing. And likely some older monsters as well. They’ve introduced all kinds of monsters in Marvel books.
Meanwhile, make sure you’ve checked out Namor’s coming entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the excellent Wakanda Forever trailer.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 50/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: The Sub-Mariner vol. 1.
Characters:
- Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner
- Father Neptune
- Lord Krang
- Lady Dorma
- Old Atlantean/Ancient of Atlantis
- Seaweed Man
Story notes:
- Namor referred to as “Prince of the blood”.
- Upon using the shell to kill the squid, an image of Neptune appears, directing Namor to the Forbidden Deeps.
- Image of Neptune directs Namor to Forbidden Deeps.
- Namor uses power to become living drill.
- Soldiers in Krang’s Hydro-powered soil movers.
- We’ve seen Namor use TVs like Krang’s to basically let you see anything.
- Namor thinks Krang’s war on the surface world would lead to mass annihilation.
- An old man sees Namor and assures him of their people’s loyalty.
- Namor looks for the Hidden Deeps, also called the Forbidden Deeps.
- Pile of tributes to Krang not high enough.
- People refer to Namor as the “Avenging Son”.
- Namor must defeat Seaweed Man to find the next clue.
| Previous | #381 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Tales to Astonish #70, Story B | Reading order | Tales to Astonish #71, Story B |
| Tales to Astonish #70, Story B | Tales to Astonish | Tales to Astonish #71, Story B |
I recently discovered this blog and am loving it. I am only 20 but I grew up with a lot of these old Marvel comics in various reprint collections. Your write-ups are super interesting, can’t wait to get to stuff like the FF wedding and the Master Planner trilogy. Keep it up.
Thank you! And thanks for reading!