When Namor was first introduced in 1939, the character’s roots were already well-defined. He was half-Atlantean, half-human, and all ruthless. He was prepared to drown New York City, willing to fight against the Nazis, and determined to protect (and avenge) Atlantis at all costs. It was everything that would follow the character for the next century’s worth of storytelling. Namor, the Submariner Epic Collection: Titans Three, however, offers everything else that a reader could possibly need to know about him.
The book boasts that it collected The Sub-Mariner (1968) #28-49, Daredevil (1964) #77, and material from Ka-ZAR (1970) #1, which is enough to fill in Namor’s major appearances from 1970 to 1972. As it is volume four of the Namor, the Submariner Epic Collection, it is certainly wise to check out the first three volumes first, but they are admittedly unnecessary. As long as a reader has a basic idea of Namor’s history, it is more than enough to keep up.
As a whole, the most recent Namor collection does a good job of remaining entertaining, even if it is structurally confusing. It begins with a one-off story to help engage readers with his character, giving the book some time to establish its main players. It eventually walks into various arcs that each build on the last, though the earliest arcs feel completely disjointed. It is only in the last half of the collection when Namor’s journey finally begins to make sense.
Marvel Comics
Some of the language is, admittedly, dated. A reader can only see Namor screaming about “Litterbugs” or watching a goon screeching “Holy Toledo!” so many times before bursting out laughing. There are many reminders that this book was, in fact, written in the 1970s, but never so much that it feels overly alienating. After all, music festivals, environmental protests, and Namor fighting the Fantastic Four all still happen today, so modern readers should be able to get through it easily.
Young readers, however, will struggle with Namor’s verbose dialogue. Even other characters reflect on it, repeatedly mocking the Sub-Mariner for his princely speech. Between Namor, the Atlanteans, and the 497-page count, the fourth Namor Collection is a long read that would be difficult for any reader to get through in one sitting. That’s a good thing for a book with a sizable price tag.
It’s the latter half of the book that is especially worth reading, however. After Llyra is introduced (in a somewhat nonsensical story arc), the book immediately leaps into action. though it suffers from a character being fridged unnecessarily — that very fridging is exactly where the story truly becomes fundamentally interesting.
One particular issue partway through the Namor collection explores Namor’s time alone on an island. It is as tragic as it is genuinely moving. It forces the reader to empathize with Namor for what may be the first time in the book, truly wrenching away from occasionally cheesy moments, instead offering an atypical and touching perspective on his life. The book moves into an entire arc about Namor exploring his heritage and his history, which is always one of the more interesting elements of the character.
Marvel Comics
There are, of course, team-ups. It wouldn’t be a superhero comic collection otherwise. Yet the Namor collection has some especially fun and inventive team-ups. Triton and Stingray have a hilarious dynamic, where they look for heroism in Namor and are swiftly disappointed. Namor and the Silver Surfer also share a fun friendship, though their frustration with the Hulk ruins their short alliance. Even Spider-Man has his fun with Namor, even after beating Daredevil senseless. As for the Human Torch’s appearance, which is teased on the back cover? Well, it wouldn’t be a Namor collection without a Human Torch making an appearance.
This collection can also boast classic artwork that took Bill Everett’s initial designs and attempted to modernize them for a new era. The underwater scenes are where it’s at its best, as Atlantis boasts an inspired style that merges ancient Greek architecture with an entirely alien culture. Colorful characters and scenes help to break up the otherwise blue background to distract from the somewhat dim reality of an underwater society that happens to be filled with blue-skinned Atlanteans.
The Namor collection’s back cover preaches “Tragedy, Triumph, and the Titans Three!“, and it delivers on every promise. The pre-cursor to the Defenders is fun to witness, and the dynamic of that trio might be the best part of the entire collection. The tragedy is ever-present, as Namor is dealt three massive blows that would later become entrenched into his lore. Triumph is the rarest. While Namor sees many victories, the book ends on a dark note that begs its readers to pick up Volume 5, which is likely some time away.
With heavy stakes, a massive status quo change for the titular character, and some brilliant action scenes, it is certainly worth picking up Namor, the Sub-Mariner Epic Collection: Titans Three. The latest Namor collection offers everything that makes the character so memorable, as he weighs his role as an anti-hero against his place in Atlantis. Tragedy and triumph come side-by-side, and it’s always fun to see him wrestling with himself — and, of course, other heroes.
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