Namor Becomes Marvel’s New [SPOILER] To Kill The Avengers

Warning: SPOILERS for Avengers #32

The Avengers already have their plates more than full. The recently-resurrected Coulson is marshaling the Squadron Supreme on the behest of Mephisto, who is also rallying vampires and Atlanteans to his demonic agenda. And on that last point, it seems that Namor the Sub-Mariner is about to get a cosmic upgrade – and perhaps become the most recent host of the Phoenix Force.

Namor the Sub-Mariner first appeared officially in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939, making him one of Marvel’s oldest creations. A mutant progeny of a human sea captain and an Atlantean princess, Namor possesses a variety of powers, including underwater agility, super-strength, and control over aquatic lifeforms. While this might sound suspiciously similar to DC Comics’ own King of the Seven Seas, Aquaman (introduced in 1941), Namor’s characterization underwent a very different trajectory. Namor has been consistently depicted as an anti-hero, and once even threatened to sink Manhattan into the ocean. However, he has also fought alongside the Allies in Marvel’s (then Timely Comics) earliest World War II adventures. Since then, he has been both a frequent ally and occasional enemy to the likes of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers over the years. In addition, Namor was recently embued with a portion of the Phoenix Force during the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline, where he effectively destroyed Wakanda.

Avengers #32 by Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, and Francesco Manna focuses almost entirely on the gathering threats at the Avengers’ doorstep. The issue finds Namor embittered by the surface world’s reckless disregard for his underwater kingdom. An Atlantean barkeeper, who is clearly aligned with Mephisto, urges Namor to take the fight to the Avengers and tell him of potential allies in the fledging vampire nation establishing itself in Russia. But Namor ultimately seeks out a much higher power… in the form of the Phoenix Force.

This development comes as the Avengers face threats from several fronts – all of which originate from Mephisto. Angry the Avengers are operating out of Wakanda, Agent Coulson has formed the Squadron Supreme. Dracula has claimed Chernobyl as the seat of his new vampire kingdom, and while a new Winter Guard is challenging his power, the mysterious leader of the team murders her own butler at the drop of the hat when he mentions the Avengers. All of this is to say nothing of Mephisto’s own sinister interest in Tony Stark.

The bigger questions are how – or if – Namor’s interest in the Phoenix will play into Mephisto’s hands. Namor is certainly pictured on the cover among the assembled character beneath Mephisto’s throne, so he clearly has a role to play, along with the Squadron Supreme, Dracula and the Winter Guard. However, he looks considerably out of place, with his arms crossed, looking elsewhere. It’s possible his action will ultimately work against, or at least, away from Mephisto’s ultimate agenda. After all, Namor’s ultimate feud is with the Roxxon corporation, who has pillaged his undersea kingdom. His beef with the Avengers stims largely from their perceived role in siding with his enemies – but Roxxon, not the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, is his final target. Given his refusal to side with Mephisto’s allies, Namor will likely be charting his own path, as he has always done. Whether this will be a good thing or a bad thing fo the Avengers remains a mystery.

Avengers #32 by Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, and Francesco Manna is on sale now.