These two issues feature Captain America, first by himself and then with the Avengers, getting involved in Namor’s business in reference to an attack on New York by the giant whale creature Giganto—an attack actually engineered by Llyra, a Lemurian mutant with limited shape-changing abilities, and Llyron, the child Llyra had with Namor’s half-brother who technically was heir to the throne of Atlantis. (She originally wanted to bear Namor’s child, and while disguised as the Invisible Woman she did seduce him, only later to learn he is infertile.)
Now maybe you understand why Namor is always in a bad mood!
In issue #57, Navy lieutenant Ian Langstrom and his team come for Namor, and when he resists, someone thankfully dressed more colorfully shows up…

…Steve Rogers, Super-Parole-Officer!

And you thought I was kidding! Cap has served in this capacity since issue #13, after Namor stood trial for crimes against the surface world.
“Check out all the pouches I’ve got, bro,” Cap’s stance below seems to say, but his words say that Namor must come back to New York with him to sort out the whole Giganto mess.

When Namor demurs, Cap gets to use a bit of his judo, using his enemy’s strength against him—which is especially useful when his own strength is failing (as seen in current issues of Captain America).

Namor picks up on the change in his old friend…

…but is still impressed by his skill with a shield.

Namor’s suspicions are confirmed when he knocks Cap out with said shield, although I assume he’s not surprised when Cap keeps fighting…

…long after it would do any good. Out of respect for their long friendship, Namor stands down and leaves for Atlantis, but when Cap gives chase, he falls into what seems more like a prank than a trap.

Regardless, it’s enough to cover Namor’s exit, leaving Cap to reconsider his strategy.

In issue #58, he returns with the Avengers, after Namor is also suspected of attacking a submarine—the “vessel” Hercule refers to below before performing a labor on the Sub-Mariner.

Namor tries to demean Cap for bringing back-up, but our hero knows when he needs to ask for help (especially in his current condition).

Soon Namor has friends join him too, although he didn’t want them to.

During the ensuing battle Cap focuses on keeping Thunderstrike alive as Tiger Shark targets his breathing gear…

…but former Avenger Stingray, the Walter whom Namor groaned about above, thinks he knows better, and attacks Cap with impunity.

As Tiger Shark readies to take a big bite out of Thunderstrike, Namor knocks him away, after which Cap shares his air supply with him, as a good teammate does.

After praising his actions, Crystal gives Namor a chance to talk, and he takes the chance to point out the obvious with regard to the submarine before explaining what he needs to do about the New York attack. Cap also acknowledges his old friend’s honesty, and gives him a little more latitude—and then heads back to the surface before his oxygen runs out!

Namor pays unheard respect to his fellow Invader…

…and pretends he does not hear Stingray at all. (Oh, Walter.)
ISSUE DETAILS
Namor the Sub-Mariner #57, December 1994: Glenn Herdling (writer), Geof Isherwood (pencils and inks), Glynis Oliver (colors), Michael Higgins (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Namor the Sub-Mariner #58, January 1995: Glenn Herdling (writer), Geof Isherwood (pencils and inks), Glynis Oliver (colors), Michael Higgins (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Not yet collected.
PREVIOUS ISSUE: Namor the Sub-Mariner #26 and Captain America #400 (May 1992)
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #434 (December 1994), Avengers #382 and Marvel Double Feature #381-382 (December 1994-January 1995), Captain America #435 (January 1995), and Tales of Suspense #1 (January 1995)
Leave a comment