Jason Aaron has done it again… and are we surprised? The eight-issue mini-series Namor: The Last King of Atlantis is an impressive love letter to the past, present, and future of Marvel’s iconic Sub-Mariner. Taking place amid the backdrop of a massive war between the Earth’s many oceanic factions, Namor sets a path forward for both Namor and Atlantis, freeing the former King from many of the shackles of his past and giving him a freer journey forward. The trade paperback itself is thicker than most, a small detail but an important one, feeling better in my hands than some of Marvel’s skinnier five-issue trades.
Marvel
Paul Davidson and Alex Lins, respectively the artist and colorist for Namor, bring the richness of the sea’s dark depths into every page of the series, with dynamic fight scenes and epic character designs that make every page a joy to witness. The coloring, somehow dynamic and vibrant even set in the watery reality of Atlantis, paints the perfect picture in every scene, and I truly believe Lins’ colors are crucial to why this comic was so fun to read. Plus, the covers for every issue by Alexander Lozano are gorgeous, not even talking about variant covers from artists like Alessandro Cappuccio and Alex Maleev, seen below in this review.
This series was by no means perfect, with the middle few issues dragging a bit. In most ways, I am glad that this limited series was eight issues as opposed to five or six, to give the story time to grow and breathe. However, I was not obsessed with the ongoing flashbacks. I liked it for the first three or so issues, but by the fourth I was hoping that Aaron would focus more on the present story, or even do some flash-forwards, showing the future of Atlantis and balancing the ongoing look into the past. I like the content of the flashbacks and how they reveal more about Namor’s upbringing, don’t get me wrong, but I also felt like they chopped up the pacing of the issues and stopped me from being as present in the main story.
I really loved Namor’s inner dialogue throughout the story, especially when Aaron had Namor reflect on his role as King, his dedication to the denizens of Earth’s many oceans, and most importantly, the sweet love his mother had for him. I think that the series started out really strong, was able to sustain itself in the middle mainly, and most importantly, stuck its landing. I loved how Aaron ended the series, with Namor once again accepting his role as protector of the Ocean, but becoming the last ruler of Atlantis. In many ways, the ending mirrors T’Challa’s banishment from Wakanda, and the democratic government that began in both Wakanda and Atlantis, an interesting detail in the complex and dark relationship between the two monarchs.
Marvel
Jason Aaron’s world-building in this comic is supreme, giving real consequence to the decisions of each watery faction. From the leaders of each warring nation to their unique fighting styles, lore, and weaponry, Aaron fully fleshed out a portion of the Marvel Universe that has been little explored. There is also a fascinating glimpse into the consequences of Namor’s own long-running politics and narcissism, as a formerly despotic ruler of an imperialist kingdom, who taught the importance and power of supremacy to his many followers. Namor waged war against the “filthy land-dwellers” for decades, giving rise to a spirit of nationalism in the sea that spurred on much of World War Sea, something he was forced to violently reckon with throughout the series.
Overall, I really enjoyed Namor: The Last King of Atlantis, and both the comic reading public and critics seem to agree. The art from Davidson and Lins is breathtaking and engaging, and the oversized trade paperback feels great in the hands. From recentering Namor’s underwater politics and his role in the ocean’s future to the explosive battles between the many warring nations, Aaron’s characterization of the Sub-Mariner feels modern and exciting. I am excited to see what Namor does next, and this series did a wonderful job of setting up the antihero for a variety of bold future tales.
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