Captives

Following his marriage to Marrian, the Sub-Mariner has set up a new home in the Atlantic along with some of his subjects that are still loyal to him.[1] However, the honeymoon comes to an abrupt end when their villa is rocked by an earthquake. Emerging from a fissure in the ocean floor is Poseidon, the Greek god also worshiped by the people of Atlantis. He has come to take Namor away due to his association with the Avengers and none are able to stop him.

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have been imprisoned by the Olympians as Zeus blames them for his son, Hercules, being in a coma.[2] Following Zeus’ orders, Poseidon brings the Sub-Mariner to Hades where he hands Namor off to Cerberus. When Namor regains consciousness he fights his way free and dives into the River Styx to try and restore his strength from its waters. There he is attacked by a sea monster and as he struggles to get free, the surface of the water lights on fire, seriously burning him as he makes his way to shore. When Namor wakes up his wounds have been healed by an unidentified Olympian, who tells Namor that he is the only hope for the other Avengers.[3] This mystery god leads Namor to Tartaurus, a massive fortress where his teammates are being held prisoner. Before the Sub-Mariner can get any kind of explanation, the man who saved him disappears.

Finding now entry into the castle, Namor smashes his way through one of the outer walls. Ambushing two guards, he steals a suit of armor so he can search incognito. Eventually, he finds the dungeon where the Avengers are being held prisoner. Attacking the guards, Namor frees his teammates, who finish knock out their captors. In the aftermath of the battle, Captain Marvel quickly tells Namor how Zeus blames them for Hercules being in a coma and banished them to Hades as punishment. They tried to explain the truth, but Zeus was so angry he was unwilling to listen to reason. Thor attempted to break free, but was easily stunned by Zeus due to his weakened condition and is prisoner elsewhere in the fortress.[4]

Fighting through more guards, the Avengers find Thor in another chamber being tortured by Pluto, the lord of Hades himself.[5] While the others battle Pluto and Cerberus, the Black Knight uses his Ebony Blade to cut through the massive stone block placed on Thor’s chest. With Thor finally free, She-Hulk brings the roof down on Pluto so they can make their escape. Thor leads the group to the Pathway of Infinity, a golden bridge that will lead them back to Olympus and hopefully a way back home. Unfortunately, Pluto has regrouped with his army and uses a massive tank to blow up part of the bridge. Thor tells the fliers on the team to help the others across the gap while he deals with Pluto alone.

Recurring Characters

Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Black Knight, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Sub-Mariner, Doctor Druid), Marrina, Zeus, Prometheus (unidentified), Neptune, Pluto, Ares, Ceberus, (in flashback) Hercules, Hermes

Continuity Notes

1. At the time of this story, Namor had just recently been forced to abdicate the Atlantean throne in Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner #1-4. From then, Attuma took over, leading to Namor finally getting married to Marrina and setting up a new land with people still loyal to him. See Avengers #272 as well as Alpha Flight #39-40.

2. Hercules was severely injured by the Masters of Evil in Avengers #274.

3. This mystery man is revealed to be Prometheus in Avengers #284.

4. At the time of this story, Thor has been cursed by Hela with eternal life with brittle bones that will not heal in Thor #372 until issue #382 of that series.

5. Pluto enjoys torturing Thor personally because the thunder god has foiled many of his plans in the past. At the time of this story, Pluto has fought Thor on many occasions including Thor #127-130, 163-164, 199-201, 222-223, 279 and Annual #10.