In this review of Namor #7, the former king of Atlantis goes full Westeros after learning the shocking truth of Atlantis’ undersea origin.
NAMOR #7
Writer: JASON AARON
Artists: ALEX LINS & PAUL DAVIDSON (A)
Main Cover: ALEXANDER LOZANO
Variant Cover: OLIVIER COIPEL
Page Count: 40 pages
Release Date: February 5, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Namor #7 begins 20,000 years ago on the continent of Atlantis. A young woman encounters a large group of marine life that has beached themselves by order of the sea god Neptune. They tell her they are present to witness the sinking of Atlantis. While Neptune emerges from the sea wielding his magic trident, the woman reels in horror as a massive wave appears behind him.
Cut to present day in the Plains of The Deep. Namor brandishes Neptune’s trident as he confronts the seven contenders for the throne of Atlantis, demanding their unconditional surrender. The Seven are taken aback by this proclamation, as up until now Namor had refused to reclaim the title.
While the Seven are at odds over control of the throne, they are all in agreement that Namor should never again become king. Attuma and Kailani question his sanity, while the rest of the Seven simply threaten Namor, demanding he step aside and choose a successor.
Namor forcefully warns the Seven that his new understanding of Atlantis’ history has changed his mind and that he will fight to his death to prevent any of them from taking control.
The Seven utter the battle cry “Imperius Rex” as does Namor, and the war begins. For countless hours Namor fends off wave after wave of soldiers, sea monsters, sorcerers, and legions of the undead. The fight is long, brutal and bloody, and as the Seven’s armies finally retreat in exhaustion, Namor still stands, wounded but alive, and not a single enemy combatant has been killed.
Kailani implores the injured Namor to yield, but he adamantly refuses. As Kailani and the rest of the Seven recuperate, they hear Namor singing an ancient Atlantean battle hymn enhanced by Neptune’s trident.
The story shifts back to the sinking of Atlantis as Neptune imbues its drowning people with the ability to breathe underwater. Neptune welcomes them to their new world and then greets a confused Namor.
Seeking guidance, Namor had been visiting the Grotto of the Ancients in the present day, when he was drawn into Atlantis’ ancient past to witness its true dark history: Neptune had sunk Atlantis out of petty jealousy to claim the battle hardened Atlanteans as warriors in his name, including Namor.
Namor is rocked by Neptune’s admission, now aware that the blood and carnage he unleashed on behalf of Atlantis was in truth, petty machinations of a vain and jealous god. Enraged, Namor unleashes his legendary wrath on the sea god.
Back in the present, Kailani strikes Namor repeatedly as he stands defenseless. At long last Kailani acknowledges Namor’s resolve and kneels before him. Namor is hailed by all as the new king of Atlantis only to watch him destroy the throne with the trident.
Review
As with this entire series, Namor #7 leans heavily into dark fantasy, full of ancient secrets, warring kingdoms, shocking betrayals and epic, bloody battles all within the confines of the T+ rating.
Namor #7 also time jumps between two eras, but unlike in previous issues the past story dwells on ancient history rather than on the trials of young Namor.
Writer Jason Aaron doesn’t shy away from Namor’s numerous acts of villainy and violence, but instead embraces them as necessary evils committed to protect his people. However, with the revelation of Neptune’s destructive hand in the reshaping of Atlantis, Namor is forced to take stock in both his previous actions and in what he must do next.
Aaron has put his stamp on the legacies of other Marvel characters including Thor and Wolverine, and now with the clever dialogue, intricate plotting, high stakes, compelling characters and world shaking revelations, he has added another stand out project to his catalog.
Artists Paul Davidson (present day) and Alex Lins (the past) once again succeed in bringing Aaron’s brilliant script to life. With Namor #7, they both employ their distinctive visual styles to depict the present day Namor. While Davidson employs a bold, clean style with fewer details, Lins’ sketchier approach adds a more weathered and rough-hewn feel.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Namor #7 is another smashing success, that sets up what will likely be a wild finale. The creative team finally gives Namor his due by producing an epic length tale befitting one of Marvel’s longest running characters.
