'Atlantis Attacks': Namor's 8 Biggest Grudges
The Sub-Mariner’s greatest enemies will never subdue the king of Atlantis. Imperious Rex!
This January, the Agents of Atlas will return in ATLANTIS ATTACKS, a new five-issue miniseries by writer Greg Pak and artist Ario Anindito that goes on sale Wednesday, January 22. The newly formed team led by Amadeus Cho will go up against King Namor and the armies of Atlantis. But considering the way Namor has acted lately, it doesn’t take much to set him off!
Jason Aaron’s AVENGERS run set Namor on his more militaristic path, while the recent INVADERS series shed additional light on Namor’s mindset. The Sub-Mariner was one of Marvel’s first heroes, and Namor still has his heroic moments. But enemies are one thing that Namor is never short on! Ahead of ATLANTIS ATTACKS #1, Marvel.com is looking back at a few of Namor’s greatest adversaries – and the grudges he still carries.
Llyra
In her own twisted way, Llyra desires to make Namor her own. However, impersonating Namor’s intended bride Dorma during their wedding probably wasn’t a very healthy way to build a relationship. The Lemurian priestess was also directly responsible for Doma’s demise, and Namor has never forgiven her for that.
Attuma
During the original ATLANTIS ATTACKS storyline, Attuma was the ruler of Atlantis. He and Namor have competed for control of the empire several times over the years. Physically, Attuma and Namor are fairly evenly matched. But what really got under Namor’s skin were the times when the Atlanteans preferred Attuma’s leadership over his.
Krang
Another Atlantean warlord, Krang has crossed paths with Namor several times. Although Krang has previously usurped the throne in Namor’s absence, Namor has accepted Krang back into his service. Perhaps this is Namor’s way of keeping his friends close and his enemies closer.
Reed Richards
Once a romantic rival, always a rival! Namor probably wouldn’t have such negative feelings towards Reed Richards if he didn’t harbor such intense romantic longing for Reed’s wife, Susan Storm Richards. Namor openly lusted for Susan during the early days of the Fantastic Four, and their attraction was definitely a two-way street. When Reed appeared to die in FANTASTIC FOUR #381, Namor was quick to reinsert himself into Susan’s life. When Reed returned in issue #407, Namor’s resentment quietly boiled in the background. It’s been that way ever since.
Doctor Doom
Namor and Doctor Doom are the very definition of frenemies. There is actually a great deal of mutual respect between Doom and Namor since they have teamed up many times. However, Doom wouldn’t hesitate to betray Namor if it suited his purposes. And Namor isn’t foolish enough to believe that Doom wouldn’t stab him in the back, if the right opportunity presented itself.
Black Panther
It seems as if Namor is even less inclined to trust Black Panther. During AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, Namor nearly destroyed the nation of Wakanda and left it in ruins. Black Panther repaid the favor by leaving Namor for dead in Jonathan Hickman’s NEW AVENGERS. Although the two rulers joined forces in 2015’s SECRET WARS, recent issues of AVENGERS have reignited their conflict.
Sebastian Shaw
Did you know that Namor and Emma Frost once had a passionate affair? As revealed in UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL (2009) #2, Sebastian Shaw sent Frost to seduce Namor and bring him into the Hellfire Club. When Frost and Namor actually fell in love, Shaw had her memories of Namor wiped, and he ordered a Sentinel attack on Atlantis. That earned Shaw a permanent place on Namor’s hitlist.
Master Khan
During the NAMOR: THE SUB-MARINER series in the ‘90s, the Sub-Mariner accidentally stumbled upon the plans of Master Khan. Rather than kill Namor, Khan decided to wipe his memories and send Namor back out into the world while he stole Namor’s company. It was a violation of Namor’s very being, which inevitably led to a deadly rematch. But even death hasn’t stopped Master Khan for long...
So what new conflicts will arise with Namor during January’s ATLANTIS ATTACKS? You’ll have to get your copy to find out!
ATLANTIS ATTACKS #1, written by Greg Pak with art by Ario Anindito, goes on sale Wednesday, January 22. Pre-order your copy today online or at your local comic shop!