“The Search for the Sub-Mariner”
Published: March 1964
Story: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Script: Lee
Pencils: Kirby
Inks: George Roussos
Letters: Sam Rosen
Cover: Kirby and Chic Stone
Synopsis
At the Baxter Building, Reed experiments with a new thought projector, then tells Ben and Johnny of his intentions to propose to Sue. Meanwhile, under the ocean, the Sub-Mariner stews in loneliness, then declares his plan to wed Sue.
While Reed is out shopping for a ring, Namor uses new technology to subdue Ben and Johnny and abduct Sue. When Reed returns, he is overcome with rage and insists Ben and Johnny remain behind as he pursues Namor. Unsure of how to find Namor beneath the ocean, Johnny contacts Dr. Strange, who uses his mystic powers to locate Namor’s citadel, where he watches Reed fight Namor.
Dr. Strange then uses his to magic to transport Ben and Johnny to the fight, where Johnny frees Sue. After a battle with Namor and his henchmen, Sue ends it by telling Namor she loves Reed. Before Namor can react, Dr. Strange whisks the Fantastic Four away to Reed’s submarine, where Reed worries that Sue only pledged her love to save him from Namor.
What’s going on here?
FF 27 falls in the middle of a busy run of Marvel cross-promotion. Starting with a guest appearance by Ant-Man in FF 16, then with Nick Fury in FF 21, the Hulk and Avengers in FF 25-26, and with Dr. Strange in this issue, it’s clear Stan is leveraging the popularity of the Fantastic Four to introduce readers to other Marvel heroes. (The X-Men will also appear soon). But while those other appearances tended to have some internal logic to them, Dr. Strange doesn’t add much to this story. It’s not obvious why the Torch contacted him to find Namor, given the FF had just battled him in Atlantis in the first FF annual. He mostly serves as a teleportation device, moving the FF from place to place. He does, however, manage to unleash a full arsenal of Dr. Strange-y oaths, invoking the Vishanti, Hoggoth and Dorammu, as he does.
The more significant development is the further evolution of the relationship between Reed and Sue, which has sort of lurched along for the first few years of the FF. Now, finally, we’re on the verge of progress: a proposal! Reed is uncharacteristically exuberant about the idea and (understandably) distraught when she is adducted.
Stan and Jack really lean into the melodrama of the Reed-Sue-Namor love triangle in this issue, even though it feels like all of this was settled in the annual. As a result, none of it feels pareticularly suspenseful.
The denouement, however, does create a bit of uneasy tension, as Reed is agony about Sue’s true feelings.
The issue is really devoted to Reed, and features several pages of him in combat with Namor. Here’s a cool one”
Secret agent man
Namor, who previously appeared as a movie mogul to entangle the FF, is now dressed like a James Bond villain.
The sexist sixties
Sue is imprisoned for about the 12th time in the FF’s first 27 issues.
Weird science
Namor has all sorts of technology. Where does it come from? No idea.
Then there’s Reed’s underwater breathing pills.
The incredible Mr. Fantastic
Lots of creative stretching in this issue.
Dig that Kirby Krackle
This splash page is amazing
For sale
A mint condition Fantastic Four 27 (9.8) will cost about $21,000.
Next issue: The X-Men!
Percival Henry: The Fantastic Four and more 