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When Walks The Warlord!
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Keith Giffen channels the spirit of Jack Kirby throughout this issue, not necessarily by doing straight copies of his drawing style, but by using the same science-fiction design flair and dramatic poses. A prime example of this is the cover, which is another example in the long line of covers that show a huge Doctor Doom looming over everybody else. One of my PhD Supervisors has previously noted that there seem to be an awful lot of images of Doom like this, and I think he's got a point!
After the previous issue's thrilling Doom VS Red Skull showdown, this one catches up with The Submariner again. Afetr agreeing to help him free his people from suspended animation, the story this time sees Doctor Doom and Namor heading back to Atlantis to do just that. Before they get there, however, they are attacked by some very Kirby-esque underwater tanks.
Initially Doom steps back and observes the battle, but realises that if Namor loses he will be left with his oath to help him unfulfilled. However, rather than intervene in the fighting he simply gets on with what he's come there to do, and releases what appears to be gas pellets into the water. Why he had to come himself to do this I do not know - he could have sent a lackey or just given them to Namor to take back - but whatever the reason they work. The Atlanteans are freed and Doom has fulfilled his promise.
This close-up of Doom's eyes glaring from behind his mask is another image that keeps on cropping up!
Most of the rest of the issue is taken up with Namor fighting the warlord Krang, the villain who attacked them in the first place and who is trying to take over Atlantis. There's not an awful lot of story in it, but it looks fabulous thanks to Keith Griffen's amazing artwork which, as I say, takes inspiration from Kirby without necessarily copying him.
Krang is defeated, but when he tries to escape he bumps into Doctor Doom who finally gets a bit of action, beating the Warlord easily in a sword fight.
With that all done Doom returns to Namor, who is spectacularly ungrateful. I mean, yes, Doom did kidnap him, use him as a slave to attack his own enemies, and betray him on a monthly basis, but then again he has just saved the lives of everybody Namor knows, so his behaviour does seem a little ungracious.
I suppose it seems odd because Namor is supposed to be more of a superhero than Doom, and so might be expected to be a bit more civil. The next page shows him being cheered as King by his people, and this also seems oddly villainous. They're hailing him, aren't they?
The story ends with Doom slinking away, musing on the fact that Namor's power over his people comes from love, whereas Doom's comes from iron will and power. I'm not sure that's entirely accurate - we've seen on many occasions that the Latverians at least respect him, but perhaps this is something too difficult for Doom to accept.
This is the end of Namor's appearances in Super-Villain Team-Up, leaving Doom to share the headline slot with other villains in future, starting next time with Magneto!
link to information about this issue
posted 27/9/2019 by Mark Hibbett
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