If you were making a list of "characters who have been criminally underused," the Sub-Mariner would have to be at the top of the list.For that reason it's great to see him being actively involved in the Dark Reign storyline, and it's also great to see this issue, the second in an ongoing series of 70th Anniversary Specials.
This issue features three stories. The first one is written by Roy Thomas, who wrote many of Namor's classic adventures in the Silver Age.
Happily, Thomas hasn't lost a step, and the story, set in 1940, has Namor being the mercurial powerhouse we met in his first appearance.
He finds himself torn between the Allies and the Axis - after all, he tends to hate all surface people - and he's torn between two women as well.
The art by Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser is outstanding - powerful, raw and detailed. I don't remember seeing their work before, but I look forward to seeing more from them in the future.
The second story is also a delight, as it teams writer Mark Schultz and artist Al Williamson, who is simply one of my all-time favorites artists. His undersea adventure is incredible - like Thomas, he's still working at the top of his game.
The third and final story is a reprint of Namor's origin story from Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. Written and drawn by Bill Everett, it shows why he's a legend to this day.
All in all, an outstanding issue. Now if they'd just give Namor his own comic again, and use one of the creative teams on either of these stories - now, that would be something to celebrate!
Grade: A
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