Namor

Namor the Sub-Mariner
Textless variant cover of Sub-Mariner (2007) #1.
Art by Michael Turner.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearance
Created byBill Everett
In-story information
Full nameNamor McKenzie
SpeciesHuman mutant / Atlantean hybrid
Place of originAtlantis
Team affiliations
Partnerships
Notable aliases
  • The Avenging Son
  • The Sub-Mariner
  • Namor the First
  • King of Atlantis
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, speed, durability, agility, senses, and reflexes
  • Marine life empathy, telepathy, and control
  • Resistance to extreme temperatures
  • Flight via wings on his ankles
  • Extended longevity
  • Aquatic adaptation
  • Electric shock
  • Hydrokinesis
  • Echolocation

Namor McKenzie (/ˈnmɔːr/), also known as the Sub-Mariner, is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Bill Everett for comic book packager Funnies Inc., the character first appeared in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 (uncirculated).[1] Namor first appeared publicly in Marvel Comics #1 (cover-dated October 1939).[2] It was the first comic book from Timely Comics, the 1930s–1940s predecessor of Marvel Comics. During that period, known to historians and fans as the Golden Age of Comic Books, the Sub-Mariner was one of Timely's top three characters, along with Captain America and the original Human Torch. Moreover, Namor has also been described as the first comic book antihero.[3][4]

The mutant son of a human sea captain and a princess of the mythical undersea kingdom of Atlantis, Namor possesses the superstrength and aquatic abilities of the Homo mermanus race, as well as the mutant ability of flight, along with other superhuman powers. Throughout the years he has been portrayed as an antihero, alternating between a good-natured but short-fused superhero, and a hostile invader seeking vengeance for perceived wrongs that misguided surface-dwellers committed against his kingdom. A historically important and relatively popular Marvel character, Namor has served directly with the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the Invaders, the Defenders, the X-Men and the Illuminati as well as serving as a foil to them on occasion.

Tenoch Huerta Mejía portrays Namor in his live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).

  1. ^ Jason Wiese (June 19, 2021). "Marvel's Namor: Everything You Need To Know About The Sub-Mariner From The Comics". CinemaBlend. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Schedeen, Jesse; Knox, Kelly (November 9, 2022). "Namor Explained - Who Is Tenoch Huerta Mejía's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Character?". IGN. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  3. ^ MacIntosh, Bruce (April 2008). "Sub-Mariner: Proud Prince or Perennial Punching Bag?". Back Issue!. Vol. 1, no. 27. Raleigh, North Carolina, United States: TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 15–22.
  4. ^ Gustines, George Gene (August 27, 2019). "The Sub-Mariner Turns 80. He's Still Super". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 28, 2023.