ComiCentric Issue 33: Don’t leave Wakanda till next time, do Wakanda today
Namor was created in 1939 by Bill Everett for Marvel, then Timely Comics. One of the original 3 characters to come out from marvel. Setting the stage for what could be mutants since the other one was a super powered weenier and the other an android who lit himself on fire. A mutant son of a human fisherman and princess of Atlantis, you know that old story, Namor possess super strength and agility and the ability to fly with his lil’ tiny adorable wings on his feet. (Seriously! I’ve always thought they were adorable!)
Starting off as a defender and a crusader of the world’s oceans, a place he calls home. this character seemed off putting to several people, so he was often used as a bad guy trying to do good. An anti-anti-hero. He just wanted people to leave his kingdom in peace and not throw they Milky Way warper into the oceans. This and several misunderstandings would often let Namor down the wrong paths for the right reasons. Except for the time he tried to steal Sue Storm from Reed Richards… that was just a flex. But this new Namor we got in Black Panther: Wakanda forever can’t hold a trident to the classic version.
The movie turns the Atlantean kingdom into a Mayan myth. We see Atlantis turn into Tlālōcān, still an under-water kingdom that now holds the Talokanil. And while still the king he is no longer Namor, he is K’uk’ulkan who we all know from ancient Mayan culture as the serpent god. But Marvel is trying to diversify their ethnic bonds and good for them. Instead of treating us to a brand-new character and making it cultural appropriate feeding us the same old Hollywood slop. They get one of their main marvel originals and tried something intersting. They change Namors background yet keeping the essence of what the comic character is. It’s a risky chance and one seen with much controversy. But to me that doesn’t interest me. its not a big deal. It’s the way the movie culture is. Its not even the way he got his name… NO… AMOR…. UGHH! I can over see that. Cause it was a joke even before the movie was out.
Namor came off strong. And we all loved him for that gave us something to cheer for. But after being the top champ for years and having nothing to challenge him. Once he was beaten, its high time to hightail it? I mean as soon as he gets a bit scraped up, he retreats and sulks? Even his cousin Namora tries to call him out on this. But he with his serpent tongue sort of convinces her that he is is biding his time. And will somehow take over the surface world with Wakanda’s help. Delusional much? This is not befitting actions of a Imperius Rex.
I love that we as a brown skinned people are getting some representation with characters that are supposed to be predominantly white. But if you’re going to represent, please don’t make us look bad at the end.