Marvel obviously have high hopes for Namor.  After all, they've given it a 25c launch issue, which must be costing them.

While Marville was indeed awful, I'm coming to this book with an open mind.  This is written by Andi Watson based on Jemas' story outline.  Jemas has written decent short stories in the past (in 411 and Moment of Silence), and his previous collaborations with other writers in this format have produced at least readable material.  Besides, Watson is a good writer of down to earth character drama.

That said, the book has an obvious uphill struggle.  It's a Namor book, and even in boom times, he's always had problems sustaining a title.  It's set in past continuity, which normally guarantees a swift demise.  And it's apparently going to end up as something closer to a romance book.  All of these factors have "direct market nosedive" written all over them.

But the Tsunami books are written with an eye to the trade paperback market.  A comic featuring a teenage Atlantean prince in romantic fantasy stories?  Well, why not?  You never know, the manga audiences might be interested.

We won't know for a few months yet whether they've produced a good first trade paperback.  Unfortunately, they haven't produced a good first issue so far as the serial format is concerned.  Most of the first issue is given over to an extended flashback set-up showing Namor as a child, which has no direct bearing on the rest of the issue.  A shark crops up near the end to provide some dramatic tension, but it's all a bit late.  Simply put, not very much happens in this issue.  I would hazard a guess that the opening scene may be setting up the love interest for later in the series, in which case it'll make sense in the long run.  But taking this issue as a story in its own right, it doesn't work.  It meanders around, doesn't really get its supporting cast over as strong characters, and generally ends up a bit bland.

On the plus side, while Salvador Larroca may not have been immediately enthusiastic about taking this assignment, he's certainly done a great job on it.  The scenes on the beach are wonderfully told, and the design for Atlantis - a multi-tier city, since everyone can effectively fly - is fabulous.  There is, however, a looming problem with telling the supporting characters apart, since one blue-skinned guy with a decent physique wearing a loincloth looks much like any other.  The final page is particularly confused, with the colouring making it appear that Namor is the character being attacked by the shark.

Unfortunately, this is a disappointing start.  Not enough happens for it to work as a serialised comic, and while it looks great, it doesn't have the feel of a winner.

Rating: C+

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