Marvel Team-Up (Vol. 2) #8
Streams of Consciousness
Meditating in his home, Doctor Strange is disturbed as someone begins attacking the mystical barriers that protect his Sanctum Sanctorum. Shocked by this attack, Strange sends his astral form outside and is surprised to see that the attacker is his ally the Sub-Mariner.[1] Seeing that Namor is consumed with rage, Doctor Strange uses the Eye of Agamotto to pierce his mind to find out what's wrong. Inside his mind, the Sub-Mariner pleads with Strange to help him since he has been consumed with rage and confusion since his return. Restraining Namor with the Crimson Bands of Cytterak, Strange brings his friend into his Sanctum to probe his mind further.
Digging deep in the Atlantean's mind, Doctor Strange discovers that someone had cut up Namor's consciousness leaving him in a confused state where he can't tell the difference between his past memories and what is happening in the present.[2] He deduces that Namor's experiences in the other dimension, where Namor relived his earlier rebellious ways, is now creating a personality conflict within him.[3] Suddenly, Doctor Strange's astral form is ejected from Namor's mind as he breaks free from the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. The force of the Sub-Mariner breaking free knocks Strange out. The intrusion caused Namor to regain some of his sanity. When Wong enters the room and puts Stephen in bed to recover, the man-servant suggests that the Sub-Mariner go someplace else while his emotions are still hard to control while his master recovers.
Feeling better, Namor believes that he has been cured and decides to see if he can breathe underwater again. Unfortunately, once he dives into the water, Namor begins to drown immediately. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of New Atlantis, Namorita struggles to maintain order in a kingdom that is quickly losing subjects to Llyron.[4] This current crisis, Warlord Keerg suggests that New Atlantis establish business interests in the surface world to increase their wealth. Namorita refuses to do so, pointing out that this would pollute the very oceans that the Atlanteans call home. This raises suspicions in Keerg who believes that the princess is hiding the truth about Namor's current leave of absence from his kingdom. By this time, Namor has climbed out of the waters onto a nearby bridge causing a traffic jam. People begin to panic as the police arrive and when one of the officers tries to rough up one of the people fleeing it causes Namor to confuse the situation with a similar situation he saw during World War II. This causes Namor to go on a rampage until he is stopped by the astral form of Doctor Strange who arrives in the nick of time.
Taking Namor back to his home, Strange manages to conclude his examination and determines Namor's various identities at each other are at war with one another. The "Avenging Son" is fighting with his heroic and businessman personas.[5] He tells Namor that his problems are psychosomatic and won't solve themselves until he sorts out who he really is. Until he can get his emotions under control, Strange gives him the Tailsman of Abraxas to keep him in check. While back in New Atlantis, Namorita confides in Vashti that Namor's absence is due to something far more serious than everyone believes. Overheard by Keerg and his followers, the warlord of Atlantis uses this new revelation to stage a coup of the kingdom.
Recurring Characters
Sub-Mariner, Doctor Strange, Wong, Namorita, Lord Vashti, Warlord Kreeg,
Continuity Notes
Strange states that Namor just returned from his "extra-dimensional exile". Namor was among the heroes who were believed to have been killed in Onslaught Marvel Universe #1. In reality, he and the others lived on in a pocket dimension as seen in the Heroes Reborn event. They had just recently returned in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4.
The memories on display for Doctor Strange are the following:
His battle with the Wrecking Crew in Marvel Team-Up Vol 2 #6.
A clash between himself and the Human Torch, although which clash between the two (and which version of the Torch he is fighting) is unclear. If this is Johnny Storm the earliest clash this could have been was Fantastic Four #4. However, if this was actually Jim Hammond, the original Torch this could be their first clash in Marvel Mystery Comics #8-10.
The image of Namor with the Thing, Invisible Woman, and the Human Torch is from the period where Namor fought closely with the team between Fantastic Four #349-412.
One of Namor's many team-ups with Doctor Doom, although which team-up is not clear. The pair first worked together in Fantastic Four #6.
Namor's clash with Dynorr from Sub-Mariner #17-18.
Lastly, Namor's recent meeting with Jim Hammond in Heroes for Hire #8.
Namor relieved earlier events of his life during the events of Fantastic Four Vol 2 #2-3.
Llyron formed his own rival kingdom following the events of Fantastic Four: Atlantis Rising #2.
Namor's "costumed hero" persona is referring to the period in which he wore a black-and-yellow costume from Sub-Mariner #67 and Super-Villain Team-Up #6. His business persona is when he founded Oracle, Inc. in Namor the Sub-Mariner #1 until it was taken over by Jim Hammond Heroes for Hire #1.
