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SUB-MARINER

Created by writer/artist Bill Everett, Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner first appeared in Timely Comics' MARVEL COMICS #1, just a few months after Superman, and, along with the original Human Torch, is one of Marvel's first super-heroes. It is notable that Namor (as well as the Human Torch) began as an anti-hero, hating the surface world and often attacking America--until the U.S. entered World War II and then he began fighting on behalf of America and the Allies. He is considered Marvel's first mutant, as he is the hybrid son of a waterbreathing princess (of an underwater Antarctic kingdom, later identified as Atlantis) and American sea captain Leonard McKenzie. Popular throughout the 40's, he, like most super-heroes, faded away in the post-War environment (except for a one-year revival in 1954-5). He returned in 1962 in now-Marvel Comics' FANTASTIC FOUR #4 and eventually received his own series again, with original creator Bill Everett returning in 1972 to write & illustrate a number of issues. Namor has been a member of the Defenders, Invaders, Avengers, and X-Men at different times. A TV show was considered twice, in the 50's (perhaps leading to SEA HUNT instead) and the 70's (rejected because of the similar MAN FROM ATLANTIS), but it seems that Mr. Spock of STAR TREK was inspired by Namor, both being hybrids with great strength and pointed ears (and in the original TREK pilot, Spock's hair was cut closer to Namor's style). This last bit was told to me by my Dad who worked as a set painter on the original STAR TREK show and he was told that by Leonard Nimoy himself.

Description

SUB-MARINER

Created by writer/artist Bill Everett, Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner first appeared in Timely Comics' MARVEL COMICS #1, just a few months after Superman, and, along with the original Human Torch, is one of Marvel's first super-heroes. It is notable that Namor (as well as the Human Torch) began as an anti-hero, hating the surface world and often attacking America--until the U.S. entered World War II and then he began fighting on behalf of America and the Allies. He is considered Marvel's first mutant, as he is the hybrid son of a waterbreathing princess (of an underwater Antarctic kingdom, later identified as Atlantis) and American sea captain Leonard McKenzie. Popular throughout the 40's, he, like most super-heroes, faded away in the post-War environment (except for a one-year revival in 1954-5). He returned in 1962 in now-Marvel Comics' FANTASTIC FOUR #4 and eventually received his own series again, with original creator Bill Everett returning in 1972 to write & illustrate a number of issues. Namor has been a member of the Defenders, Invaders, Avengers, and X-Men at different times. A TV show was considered twice, in the 50's (perhaps leading to SEA HUNT instead) and the 70's (rejected because of the similar MAN FROM ATLANTIS), but it seems that Mr. Spock of STAR TREK was inspired by Namor, both being hybrids with great strength and pointed ears (and in the original TREK pilot, Spock's hair was cut closer to Namor's style). This last bit was told to me by my Dad who worked as a set painter on the original STAR TREK show and he was told that by Leonard Nimoy himself.