Fantastic Four Annual #1
Sub-Mariner Versus the Human Race!
Namor has finally found the lost people of Atlantis and is reunited with his lover Lady Dorma, much to the displeasure of Warlord Krang. While on the surface world, the Thing and Human Torch are on another childish rampage through the Baxter Building; once the spat is sorted out it's suggested that perhaps a vacation is in order.
Wanting to check out reports of giant sea creatures, Reed suggests a cruise. When gigantic aquatic specimens show themselves, the FF are captured by Namor when they go to investigate. Namor demands that the Fantastic Four deliver a message to the United Nations that the seas and the air above belong to the nation of Atlantis. Seeking an audience at the United Nations, after hearing the origins of Homo Mermani and the origins of Namor from Professor G.W. Falton, Reed informs the Nations that Namor is a menace.
Falton reveals himself to be Namor in disguise and declares war on the surface world. Sending an army to attack New York City, the Fantastic Four's first attempt at fighting back the invading Atlanteans fails. However, Reed builds a device which causes the water in the warriors' helmets to evaporate forcing a retreat. Attacking the Fantastic Four directly, Namor kidnaps Sue and takes her aboard his ship. While the Fantastic Four is fighting Namor for Sue's freedom, Warlord Krang and Lady Dorma attempt to drown Sue, prompting Namor to rescue her. Needing immediate medical attention, Namor swims Sue to shore and brings her to a hospital.
When the Fantastic Four meet up with Namor at the hospital, he calls off his attack against the surface world for the time being and returns to the ocean depths. However, Atlantis is deserted as Krang has convinced the Atlanteans that their sovereign is a traitor for saving the surface woman. Namor is alone again.
Recurring Characters
Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, Thing), Alicia Masters, Sub-Mariner, Warlord Krang, Lady Dorma, Thakos, Princess Fen, Emperor Thankor, Leonard McKenzie
Continuity Notes
This is the first time the Atlanteans have been depicted in their trademark blue skin. In all Timely and Atlas era comics, male members of the Atlantean race had green scaly skin, large eyes and catfish like barbels under their noses. Females had Caucasian skin, but also had larger eyes and some fish-like features. To date there is no explanation given as to this aesthetic change, however the majority of flashbacks to prior eras also depict Atlanteans as having blue skin and none of the fish-like features.
Although it was implied that Namor lived in Atlantis in Sub-Mariner Comics #31, this story clarifies this fact.
This story starts off with Namor having already found his lost people. Saga of the Sub-Mariner #7 fills the gap between Namor's last appearance in Fantastic Four #14 and this Annual. It explains that following the destruction of Atlantis in the 1950s (per Sub-Mariner #1) the people of Atlantis became roaming nomads and eventually settled in a new kingdom under the rule of Emperor Thakorr's step-son Byrrah. When Namor found his people, Byrrah was forced to surrender the throne to Namor.
The appearance of Nikita Khrushchev in this story should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.
This is one of many retelling of Namor's origins, which was originally mentioned in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. The first depiction of Namor's origins was in Sub-Mariner Comics #32 establishing the romance between Namor's parents Princess Fen and Leonard McKenzie. This story was expanded in greater detail in Saga of the Sub-Mariner #1.
Although Lady Dorma first appeared back in Marvel Comics #1 this is the first time it has been established that she had a romantic interest with Namor.
It is after this story that Sue realizes that she wants to marry Reed Richards, and not be Namor's queen. As seen in Fantastic Four: The Wedding Special #1.
The Fabulous Fantastic Four Meet Spider-Man!
Seeking to monetize his abilities, Spider-Man pays a visit to the Fantastic Four to see if they will hire him onto their team. Shooting a web-line the street, the wall-crawler tightrope walks to the Baxter Building. There he sets off the security screening alerting the Fantastic Four to his presence.
Breaking through a plastic screen, Spider-Man is attacked by the Fantastic Four. The wall-crawler holds his own against the team. Eventually, Mister Fantastic holds off his teammates and demands to know what Spider-Man wants. The masked vigilante explains that he was showing off his abilities so that the Fantastic Four to hire him. Spider-Man soon learns, much to his dismay, that the Fantastic Four is not a for-profit organization and that any revenue they generate goes toward their various scientific experiments. Furious about this rejection, Spider-Man leaves, vowing to make the Fantastic Four look bad. As they watch the wall-crawler leave, the Fantastic Four worry that this new costumed hero may become a menace.
Recurring Characters
Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, Thing), Spider-Man
Continuity Notes
This story expands on the Fantastic Four's battle with Spider-Man from Amazing Spider-Man #1. These extended battle scenes were also revisited in a flashback in Amazing Spider-Man #375.
