Fantastic Four 4
“The Coming of the Sub-Mariner”
Published: Feb. 1962
Story: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Pencils: Kirby
Script: Lee
Inks: Sol Brodsky (uncredited)
Cover: Kirby and Brodsky

Synopsis

Following last issue’s departure of the Human Torch, the remaining members of the Fantastic Four search for him around New York. After a brief scuffle when he’s found by the Thing, the Torch hides in a Bowery flophouse, where he encounters a hobo with surprising strength. He’s revealed to be the amnesiac Namor the Sub-Mariner, and after the Torch drops him in the ocean, his memories are revived and he pledges revenge on surface dwellers for the destruction of Atlantis.

The Sub-Mariner enlists Giganto, a monstrous whale with arms, to invade New York, and it’s stopped only after the Thing detonates a nuclear bomb inside it. The Sub-Mariner then threatens to take the Invisible Woman as his bride or he’ll unleash a greater invasion. Sue agrees, but Namor, sensing her reluctance relents, and is defeated when the Torch created a tornado of fire that deposits Namor in the ocean.

What’s going on here

The issue is of course notable for the introduction of Namor to the Marvel Universe, and the beginning of his decades-long preoccupation with Sue Storm, which is occasionally reciprocated.

It’s also the best issue to date. It flows directly from the events of the previous issue, and the Fantastic Four tangle with a foe with a real backstory, plausible motivations, and the ability to cause serious trouble.

So who is this guy?

The Sub-Mariner, created by Bill Everett, first appeared in 1939. Inspired by the original Human Torch, Everett wanted to create a nautical equivalent and chose his name, Namor, because he wanted something noble-sounding (Namor is “Roman” spelled backwards). Half-human, half Atlantean, his father was a sea-captain and his mother was daughter of the emperor of Atlantis, making Namor its eventual king.

The Sub-Mariner was a mainstay of Timely Comics (Marvel’s precursor) during the 1940s, but faded out in the 1950s along with most super-heroes.

His depiction in Fantastic Four 4 is consistent with his Golden Age characterization: Arrogant and impetuous, but driven by a pursuit of justice. Initially written as a villain, Marvel gradually transitioned Namor to hero and his rages were retconned by John Byrne as a consequence of his mixed ancestry.

Namor becomes a Marvel mainstay, starring in several versions of his own book while serving as a member of the Defenders, Avengers, and X-Men, with his ability to fly identify him as a mutant. He’s also retconned into Captain America’s World War II -era team, the Invaders.

Fantastic Four 4 also introduces the Namor-Sue entanglement, which twists and turns over the decades. One mild irony of Namor’s infatuation of Sue is that he clearly sees something in her which doesn’t become evident to the rest of us for decades, when her writer’s finally give her a personality and backbone. Until then, though, she’s mostly just a pretty face who whimpers a lot.

Their relationship is mostly flirtatious, although once in a while a writer will push things a bit, especially when Sue and Reed are in the midst of their occasional marital difficulties. Grant Morrison may have taken it the farthest in Fantastic Four 1234, a miniseries where Sue’s frustration with Reed’s absences comes close to a tipping point.

New York, New York

For the first time the Fantastic Four are described as living in New York instead of a fictional city like Metropolis or Gotham. That will have major repercussions for the future the Marvel Universe, and become a key differentiator of Marvel from DC as its fans celebrated the “realism” of its comics.

They’re fighting again

The Atomic Age

Namor plots his revenge on the surface world after discovering lingering radiation in the ruins of Atlantic, which he attributes to human and “their accursed atomic tests. And Ben somehow locates a nuclear bomb and totes it into the mouth of Giganto, Jonah-like, before detonating it.

Are you sure he’s a genius?

Mr. Fantastic takes a rather aggressive approach to asking some passing motorcyclists about the Torch’s whereabouts. Thankfully, they don’t press assault charges.

Dig that Kirby Krackle

Jack does a great job with this fight sequence:

With this amazing panel:

And of course with Giganto:

We’re No. 1

The “World’s Greatest Comic Magazine” is now affixed above the logo, where it will remain for decades:

Also, a house ad for the Hulk appears a few times at the top and bottom of the pages, a first.

For sale

A mint (9.8) copy of FF 4 will set you back around $450,000

Pin up

Reed gets the pin up treatment in this issue

Next issue: Dr. Doom!