Sub-Mariner #3 Review

SUB-MARINER #3
Written by Matt Cherniss & Peter Johnson
Art by Philippe Briones

Unlike most covers that display various fights between super heroes, this issue actually delivers on the cover's promise and then some. If you have been following this mini-series, you know we ended last issue with Namor at the Xavier Mansion looking for Charles when Wolverine meets him at the door. This issue's ensuing fight scene is sparked as Wolverine compares Namor to Bin Laden showing up at his door step.

As a non-American, I find this comparison a bit over the top and distasteful for a comic book that stars super powered individuals. To compare a character like Namor to a real life terrorist like Bin Laden in a fictional universe that has people like Dr Doom and Magneto with kill counts in the millions is a bit much.

Ignoring the reasons for the fight, I really enjoyed the fight between these two. Wolverine has his plot armour on so that he can stand up to Namor, but for the most part, Namor beats the piss out of him for several pages before Xavier steps in and saves Wolverine any further punishment. I was hoping for some Illuminati type discussion to take place between the two of them, but it was not even mentioned. Felt like wasted potential to me. Xavier helps Namor find his rogue sleeper cell, but refuses to help him deal with them and basically kicks him out of the mansion as he is appalled by Namor's use of sleeper cells to spy on the United States. Coming from someone like Xavier, a member of a covert Illuminati group that attacked the Skrull home world, mind fucked Noh-Var and the countless other things Xavier has done, such as mind wiping Magneto and so on, and it comes off a bit contrived and high-and-mighty of Xavier to do so.

From here, Namor wipes the floor with several of the Sentinels that try to stop him from leaving the Institute before he runs into our final grudge match of the issue versus Venom. I had completely forgotten he was in this from the previews a month or so ago and it took me by surprise to see him bringing Namor down. Nice to see a covert Thunderbolts attack and Venom is used quite well here. Venom is not in Namor's strength class, but they fit him with some nano-tech gun that deprives Namor of oxygen to his cells somehow and allows Venom to take him down.

All-in-all, this issue is an excellent fanboy book where we get to see some excellent comic book fights and not really have to worry too much about story. While the previous paragraphs might seem negative, they are really just minor gripes about a story that should not be taken overly serious. Ignore the minor plot points and enjoy a knockdown, slugfest of an issue. It is worth it for the final splash page in my opinion and while not the best book ever, you should not regret buying this issue.

Verdict - Check It

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