Namor, sometimes called the Submariner, is one of the oldest characters in Marvel Comics. Making his debut back in 1939, he was around even before Captain America. With such a long comic book history to draw from, it makes sense that the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of Namor would have at least some similarities to his print counterpart.
Ryan Coogler’s version of Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever perfectly balances new ideas and stays faithful to the source material. New elements made Namor feel fresh, while much of what makes him an interesting character in the comics was still retained.
Spoilers ahead for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
10/10 Namor’s Appearance Is Comics Accurate
Namor, like all comic book characters that have been around for over 80 years, has been through a lot of different looks over the years. Probably his most iconic look is his original look of wearing nothing but some green scaley trunks.
While Namor in the MCU also wears a necklace and has some piercings, he largely retains his original costume. He also has the same dark hair and pointed ears as his comic book counterpart. His trident was also swapped for a spear, but it looks similar enough to his comic book weapon and helps avoid Aquaman comparisons.
9/10 Namor Is The Ruler Of An Underwater Kingdom
Perhaps Namor’s most defining trait in the comics is that he is the king of Atlantis. This aspect of his character fuels many of his decisions, so it would be strange if the MCU did not retain it. Luckily, Wakanda Forever included this vital part of his character.
Instead of Atlantis, Namor’s kingdom in the MCU is called Talokan. The switch in name was done to better reflect the relocation of the underwater kingdom to the coast of Yucatán, Mexico. While the name may be changed, the concept is the same as the comics.
8/10 Both Versions Of Namor Are Incredibly Strong
Aquatic heroes like Namor sometimes get misunderstood by casual fans. The perception is often that the extent of their powers is the ability to breathe underwater, but in truth is that Namor also has comparable super strength to other superheroes.
The MCU version of Namor demonstrates his strength in his first scene. When he first appears in Wakanda Forever, Namor rips a helicopter out of the air mid-flight, throwing it in the opposite direction it was trying to go. Clearly, the MCU version of Namor is just as strong as his comics counterpart.
7/10 Namor Can Fly In An Unlikely Way
Comic book fans are used to the MCU version of characters removing some aspects from the source material that are deemed too weird or goofy. That made it somewhat of a surprise that Namor’s ankle wings remained intact from the comics when he appeared in Wakanda Forever.
In Wakanda Forever, just like in the comics, Namor’s wings are a unique aspect of his physiology, not a trait shared by the rest of the Talokanil or Atlanteans, depending on the source. Hopefully, the success of Namor in the MCU will inspire Marvel to continue allowing some of the weirder aspects of the comics to make it into the movies.
6/10 Namor Attacks Wakanda With A Tidal Wave
During the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover event, many of the heroes of Marvel Comics found themselves in conflict with one another. One of the most notable events from the storyline was when Namor attacked Wakanda with a tidal wave, devastating the city in his attempt to find Wanda Maximoff.
The MCU version of Namor also attacks Wakanda in a similar manner in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The circumstances of Namor’s attack are strangely similar in the MCU despite some differences surrounding motivations. While there are no X-Men and Wanda isn’t involved, Namor still floods Wakanda to find someone taking refuge there.
5/10 Namor Has A Feud With Black Panther
While Namor’s initial attack had more to do with Wanda than T’Challa, the king of Wakanda didn’t take the attack on his people too kindly. This kicked off a feud between the Black Panther and Namor in the comics.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also features a feud between Namor and Black Panther, though this time, it is Shuri in the role instead of her brother. Similarly, the fight between them is also inspired by Namor’s attack on Wakanda, made even more personal in the MCU since Namor kills Shuri’s mother, Queen Ramonda.
4/10 Namor Is Defensive Of His People
Namor takes his role as king of Atlantis very seriously in Marvel Comics. He is very protective of his kingdom and its people, which has led him to make some questionable decisions in the past, like allying himself with Victor Von Doom.
Similarly, Namor in the MCU feels responsible and protective of Talokan and its inhabitants. This is partly due to Namor being the oldest of the Talokanil and revered as their god due to his mutation that allows him to be seemingly immortal.
3/10 Namor Is Not Always The Hero
Namor may have been introduced to Marvel Comics as a hero, but that has changed over time. Namor now resides more in the territory of an anti-hero, and even occasionally crosses the line into being a full-on villain.
Namor isn’t really a villain in Wakanda Forever, but he does serve as the main antagonist of the film. Thanks to his understandable motivations and Tenoch Huerta’s excellent portrayal of the character, the MCU’s Namor could easily be redeemed and act more as an anti-hero going forward.
2/10 Namor Is A Mutant
Though Namor existed before the X-Men were created, his origin was ret-conned in 1964 to make him a mutant, just like Wolverine or Magneto. Since then, Namor has been linked to the rest of the X-Men in the comics due to their shared struggle.
Namor’s mutant status in the MCU is only briefly mentioned in Wakanda Forever. While the X-Men still haven’t been introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, calling Namor a mutant in the film was a clear reference to their existence, similar to the revelation that Kamala Khan is a mutant in Ms. Marvel.
1/10 Namor Distrusts The Surface World
Throughout the years, Namor has often found himself in conflict with people of the surface world in Marvel Comics. Often, Namor is inspired by slights made by surface dwellers against the denizens of Atlantis, which fuels his distrust of them.
The MCU’s Namor doesn’t trust surface dwellers either, and he is given very clear reasons why he shouldn’t. In Wakanda Forever, a flashback reveals that Namor witnessed his people’s enslavement at a young age at the hands of colonizers. This leads to Namor’s decision to isolate Talokan and its people from the surface world, wishing to defend them from a similar fate.
