DC vs. Marvel: Aquaman vs. Namor The Sub-Mariner
For as long as there have been comic books, there has been the feud between DC and Marvel. Both are heavy-hitting comic companies that continue to gain legions of fans every year. The purpose of this column is to take one DC persona and one Marvel persona of equal measure and popularity and pit them against each other to see who would come out on top.
Background:
Arthur Curry (also called Orin) was born to a human father (Tom Curry) and Atlantean mother. One backstory says that as a young boy growing up in Maine, Arthur’s powers began to develop and on his mother’s deathbed he discovered his true heritage. In another version of his backstory, Arthur was raised by dolphins and later adopted by Tom. After adventures with Greek Gods and Atlantean prisons, Arthur eventually claimed his birthright as the King of Atlantis. Aquaman has a rich backstory including his wife Mera, Queen of Dimension Aqua and their children. Arthur and Mera stayed strong through many tragedies, including the death of Aquababy, and their romance is one of the most loved in comic history. After being killed defending Atlantis, Aquaman was revived as a Black Lantern and eventually brought back to life by the White Lantern Central Power Battery. Since his debut in 1941, he has had numerous epic storylines throughout his comic history. Although the continuity of Arthur’s backstory has changed with DC’s always shifting universe, he is always half man and half Atlantean, and most importantly, the King of Atlantis.
Namor McKenzie was born to an American seaman and the princess of Atlantis. His father died when he was very young and he grew up with his mother and her people. Putting aside his resentment for humans, Namor began to (begrudgingly) become the surface’s protector. Known as the Sub-Mariner, Namor not only ruled over his underwater people, but formed many alliances on the surface to keep humans safe including The Defenders. He has even partnered with supervillians at times. During the Civil War Namor disagreed with Iron Man’s support of the Superhero Registration Act. Namor has been married a few times throughout his history as well. Through the years, he has been alternately portrayed as a good-natured but short-fused superhero, or a hostile invader seeking vengeance for perceived wrongs that misguided surface-dwellers committed against his kingdom. Due to his reliance on a grey area of justice he is the first known comic “antihero” as well as the first mutant in the Marvel Universe (due to his unexplained powers). Regardless of the light he’s painted in, Namor is known as Marvel’s sea-man since 1939. Both men have long histories and rich backstories, hence this category is a tie.
Point: TIE
Skills:
Aquaman’s abilities include super-strength, durability, and speed, and being able to stay underwater indefinitely, as well as telepathy, which he uses to communicate with sea-life and allow them to do his bidding. Being half human and half royal Atlantean, Arthur is not only a super-human, but a super-Atlantean as well. Arthur also has enhanced sight, hearing, and smell as well as superhuman reflexes. He is a master swimmer, expert combatant and tactician and accomplished diplomat. His only weakness comes from staying outside of the water for too long.
Namor possesses superhuman strength, stamina, and durability. He can also fly and communicate telepathically with most sea life. The Sub-Mariner can speak English, Atlantean, and Lemurian and is a highly skilled business executive. The Sub-Mariner has the ability (at times) to mimic the characteristics of all the undersea creatures including sonar, lateral lines, and bio-electricity. His body is specially developed for underwater existence (including highly developed vision and specialized blood circulation) and like Aquaman; he cannot stay out of water for too long without losing his powers. While both men have similar amphibian abilities, it’s Namor’s to ability mimic sea creatures and take to the sky as well that gives him the edge in this category.
Point: Namor the Sub-Mariner
Affiliations:
Aquaman was a founding member of the Justice League of America (in some timelines) and is known for working with them. He was also involved in the disbanding and reforming of the Justice League in Detroit. He oftentimes works with his wife Mera and sidekicks Aqualad and Aquagirl. When you picture Aquaman, it is usually within the group of The Justice League.
Namor has been affiliated with the X-Men, The Defenders, The Illuminati, The Invaders, and The Avengers. He even worked with The Fantastic Four. Both superheroes are team players but it is Aquaman’s loyalty and importance to The Justice League that gives him a point for Affiliations.
Point: Aquaman
Apparel/Weapons:
Aquaman wears a characteristic orange and green armor made from a chain-mail like substance. He carries the Trident of Neptune which gives him great power and the divine right to rule the sea. With it he can manipulate and conjure water and disperse energy through bolts and forcefields. He can even control the weather and turn living creatures into different species, as well as make things disappear. At various points in his storyline Arthur also possessed the Cybernetic Hand, a prosthetic to replace the one he lost to piranhas that could be altered to form various weapons. At one point he also possessed the Waterbearer hand (given to him by the Lady of the Lake) which possessed various magical abilities including a healing touch.
The Sub-Mariner has had a few costume changes over the years. His most common look is that of a bright green, scaly speedo or a shiny black suit reminiscent of extraterrestrials. He is also often seen with a golden belt and wrist bands. Namor is the current owner of the Power Gem, which can back all other gems. He also uses the Proteus Horn to communicate with sea life. For a little while Namor was given the Time Gem which allowed him to control time (past, present, and future). While both men have impressive arsenals, Aquaman’s costume and trident are not only extremely powerful but much more recognized than Namor’s paraphernalia.
Point: Aquaman
Social Relevance:
For a long time Aquaman was DC’s whipping boy. Despite being one of the main members of the Justice League, and very powerful in his own right, he was the butt of many jokes. Aquaman has appeared in various cartoon series including The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, Super Friends, and Justice League. Arthur Curry has had multiple live action appearances on the show Smallville, played by Alan Ritchson. Aquaman is often referenced (usually jokingly) in popular culture including The Big Bang Theory, Entourage, Family Guy, and Spongebob Squarepants. With the New 52 series, Aquaman is re-envisioned as a battle-hardened warrior who is aware of his social status (the writers poking fun at his reputation). His newest storylines are widely regarded to be some of the best of New 52 and with a Justice League movie slated for 2015, it’s possible he may reach the big screen. Aquaman was rated the 147th greatest comic book character of all time by Wizard magazine and the 53rd greatest comic book hero of all time by IGN. Love him or hate him, everyone knows who Aquaman is.
The Sub-mariner was the first official Marvel superhero and has appeared in various animated television shows including The Marvel Super Heroes, Spider-Man, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Fantastic Four, The Avengers: United They Stand and Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes. In 2006 it was announced that a Sub-Mariner movie would be produced but it has yet to come. Namor was listed as the 88th greatest comic book character by Wizard magazine and IGN ranked Namor as the 77th greatest comic book hero of all time. Comic book fans definitely know who Namor is but outside of that realm, his name doesn’t bring about as much recognition as Aquaman’s does, which is why Aquaman wins for social relevance.
Point: Aquaman
Both Aquaman and Namor the Sub-Mariner are long-lived and powerful superheroes. They rule Atlantis in their separate universes but only one can win this battle, and that’s the ever-talked-about Aquaman.
Aquaman’s newest book is amazing!
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Oh man, this is an epic matchup with an equally epic write up to compliment it! I’d have to agree with every point here and while both are great heroes its Aquaman that comes out on top.
Also I totally agree with Jamie, the new Aquaman reboot is fantastic!
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I’ve always been a big Aquaman fan and have never really understood why he became the butt of so many jokes.
I do like how the JLA cartoon version of how he lost his hand became canon. It is more noble and heroic than the original comic version.
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You’re kidding on the “Affiliations,” right? Namor has tried to attack the surface world innumerable times, and yet, he’s been on several super teams because he’s always viewed as an asset. (He’s probably the only character who’s been allied with Dr. Doom more than once.) Cyclops was willing to have Emma Frost engage in extended flirtations with him in order to secure his muscle for the X-Men. (Not only that, he once helped out on EXTREME COUPLES THERAPY for Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman despite his attraction to Sue.) In the early issues of the Justice League, there was a situation where all they could find for Aquaman to do was sit in a pool made by Green Lantern and cheer them on. Justice League Detroit was a mess and he was trying to leave almost immediately.
Within their respective universes, Namor gets far more respect than Aquaman does. No one makes the Avenging Son sit in a pool and cheer for them. Aquaman could win me back if they would just BRING BACK TOPO.
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Aquaman’s affiliation with the Justice League demonstrates a lot more loyalty than Namor’s affiliations with anyone IMO
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This is Pretty Cool but incorrect. Namor could kick Aquas ass any day of the week. with a Machiavilian personality and rage issues that result in badassery Namor i s the clear winner
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Thank you for reading but I do want to point out that this is about who is a better character overall not just who would win in a fight. But at the end of the day, its all subjective.
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Plus, Namor can fucking FLY! He flew first before Superman or Shazam ever did!
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You have to be kidding about both of them having complex story lines. Aquaman’s story line is pretty much lifted directly from Namor’s. I think Namor deserves some points for being a badass as well as being a much more complex character. He is constantly conflicted between aiding humans and defending the oceans from them. He also has an emotional complexity that is lacking in Aquaman (as is generally the case with Marvel vs. DC).
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aqua man has more abilities than namor and can even telepathically influence him..go and read jla vs avengers aqua man shut down all atlantean. enemies even namorita included..and namor admitted that even him being strong had a headache…aqua has advantage true telepathy and is faster in d water..if they should fight aqua will use all forms of aquatic life even namors own monsters or ppl..this is frm comic facts.
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I’m taking Prince Namor over Aquaman. Namor has a burning desire inside of him that would will him to win over Aquaman.
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Reblogged this on blacklightmafia.
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To be honest I don’t see why origins should be a tie. In my opinion, Namor’s stories are some of the richest in comic history. Just the fact that he is not a villain nor is he a hero. The man hated surface dwellers and staged attacks on the surface. But somehow wound up being good. He will do everything and anything for Atlantis, but at the same time does infact care for the surface. So it’s a constant conflict. It’s just so good that every comic is a great surprise. That isn’t really the best explanation but is origin and history are far more richer.
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Namor is of course a far more interesting character. It has been said it’s not about who would win but Namor can fight the hulk. Aquaman vs the hulk would last about 3 seconds, unless he was a fast runner. 😉
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I like both characters, from a young age l, now 46, would chose and cheer for Namor everytime. Just my thoughts 😃
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Reblogged this on thepageofdaniel and commented:
I always thought that Namor was more calculating & rational ( not unlike a certain other pointy – eared pop culture associated with a certain starship ), even though he has a chronic distrust of surface – dwellers, whereas Arthur Curry is generally a straight – up hero, even though his effectiveness is limited. I haven’t really read a comic book / graphic novel in a while, so this observer is somewhat out of the loop.
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Namor should have won affiliations. If it came down to a fight to the death Namor’s many affiliations would enable him to have many more allies to back him up.
Also i belive Namor can stay away from water longer.
Im going with Namor on this.
Aquaman sucks, DC sucks, Marvel all the way
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The reason Aquaman has been the butt of jokes is because DC didn’t know what to do with him and turned him into an afterthought of DC’s big 3. The debate on Aquaman doesn’t even start until your in Green Lantern territory. Namor is certainly a complex character going back nearly 80 years, he comes from the depression era of anti-heros and darker characters like DC’s JSA., Aquaman just got interesting recently.
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Aquaman is cool and all, but Namor the SubMariner is smashingly the devastating force in this matchup, Namor would break Aquaman into pieces period.
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