With Giant-Man and the Wasp riding off into the sunset (at least for now), Tales to Astonish shifts gears, introducing its new headliner: Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner. This issue picks up right after his recent appearance in Daredevil #7, with Namor returning to Atlantis to reclaim his throne from the traitorous Krang.

But Namor is too late. Krang has seized both the throne and much of the support of Atlantis, leaving Namor as little more than a prisoner. His escape, however, is aided by Lady Dorma—who is playing her own dangerous game for Namor’s love. Now, Namor embarks on a quest for Neptune’s Trident, the key to proving himself the rightful heir and ruler of Atlantis. But Krang has no intention of playing fair, trapping Namor in the ominous Cave of Shadows where the quest must begin.

Originality & Continuity

This royal drama has been building for a while, shaping Namor’s character, his supporting cast, and his place as Marvel’s premier anti-hero. Now, the game of thrones truly begins, with each character playing their own part in a larger unfolding conflict.

At this point in Marvel’s lineup, there’s no other hero quite like Namor. He’s not just a super-powered crimefighter—he’s a ruler, a monarch fighting to reclaim his stolen kingdom. That uniqueness gives his story a fresh and original edge.

Charicters & Development

Namor has always been self-important and headstrong, but here, those traits begin to solidify into the complex ruler we know today. He refuses to acknowledge even the devoted Lady Dorma’s right to love him—denying her so much as a touch due to his royal status and sense of duty. His arrogance and pride, already defining traits, are now given room to grow as he steps into the role of protagonist rather than antagonist.

Lady Dorma and Krang also get a chance to develop beyond their earlier appearances. Dorma shifts from mere background presence to a key player in the drama, while Krang establishes himself as a formidable antagonist, shaping up to be more than just a generic usurper.

Story & Art

As a story, this is just the beginning—but it could be the start of something great. It’s a bold step for a Marvel legend, positioning Namor as a lead in his own ongoing saga.

The art, credited to “Adam Austin” (a pseudonym for Gene Colan), brings a unique style to the series. It’s different, distinctive, and well-suited to the undersea world of Atlantis. If this is a sign of things to come, Namor’s era in Tales to Astonish could turn out to be something special.