Marvel and DC have several parallel characters, but no two are more comparable than Namor the Sub-Mariner and Aquaman with regard to their origins and powers. Thanks to the success of his DCEU movies, Jason Momoa's take on Aquaman has become one of the most famous modern-day superheroes. Meanwhile, his competitor's counterpart, Namor, has been missing from the MCU despite him being one of Marvel's very first superheroes.
Namor made his debut in Marvel Comics in 1939, which means he predates the likes of Captain America, Iron Man, and the Hulk and was introduced two years before DC's Aquaman. In the decades that have passed, the two sea-dwelling characters have shared a number of similarities, including their origins, powers, and storylines. But while Aquaman has almost always stayed on the side of good, Namor has displayed more shades of gray as he has teamed up with and fought against some of Marvel's most iconic heroes, including Black Panther, the Fantastic Four, and the Illuminati.
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With 2018's Aquaman being a surprise hit, grossing more than any other DCEU movie, the introduction of Namor into the MCU could prove to be a popular decision. After years of Marvel Studios teasing the character, Namor will make his live-action debut (played by Tenoch Huerta) in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever where he is set to be introduced as a villain who leads his army into battle against the Wakandans. With Marvel's King of Atlantis finally ready to enter the MCU, here's a comparison between Namor and Aquaman, including a spotlight on their differences.
Namor & Aquaman's Origins Explained
Namor and Aquaman are both half-human and half-Atlantean, but their origins are slightly different. Namor's father, Leonard McKenzie, was an explorer who met and fell in love with Fen, an Atlantean princess, during a Vibranium recovery mission. Although the couple was not together for long, they conceived a super-powered son, Namor, who upon birth became the sole heir to the legendary world of Atlantis. Namor's unique hybrid DNA is what grants him all of his super abilities except for his power of flight, which came from a genetic mutation, making him Marvel's first mutant.
Aquaman, or Arthur Curry, has had his origin retold several times since his comic book introduction. The best-known Aquaman origin story is from DC's Silver Age, where Arthur was born to Atlanna, an Atlantean princess, and Tom Curry, a lighthouse keeper who found her during a storm. The two quickly formed a relationship and conceived Arthur, but Atlanna kept her powers and heritage hidden from her partner and her son. Despite the future Aquaman exhibiting superhuman powers from a young age, it was only on her deathbed that Atlanna revealed to Arthur his connection to Atlantis. Following the death of his parents, Arthur left his childhood home to take his place as King of Atlantis.
How Powerful Namor Is Compared To Aquaman
Namor and Aquaman share many of the same strengths and abilities. As well as them both being able to breathe underwater and manipulate water, the two heroes also have superhuman strength, speed, and endurance. Namor and Aquaman have had instances of immense power in their respective comics, but Namor has the edge. Marvel's King of Atlantis has made Hercules bleed, held his own against the Avengers, and almost destroyed Wakanda with a devastating tidal wave.
Where Aquaman has the upper hand is in his ability to control aquatic life through his marine telepathy. A recent Marvel Comics and DC crossover storyline proved Aquaman's telepathic ability to talk to marine animals is more potent than Namor's. As well as that difference, in a past battle with Namor, Aquaman summoned a whale to crush his Marvel counterpart, proving his strength in the sea. Above water, though, Namor's mutant ability to fly, thanks to the small wings on his ankles, puts him ahead of Aquaman.
Namor & Aquaman's Biggest Differences
The major difference between Namor and Aquaman concerns their personalities. Aquaman is usually portrayed as a squeaky clean hero who, in the comics, has historically been the Justice League's weak link in terms of popularity. However, Jason Momoa's portrayal in the DCEU has gone some way to make The King of the Seven Seas a lot cooler. Namor is typically an anti-hero in Marvel Comics, fighting for his people whether other heroes like it or not. This will form a key part of the movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever storyline that pits Wakanda against Namor's kingdom of Talocan, the MCU's Atlantis. Even when part of a team, Namor confidently stands against his teammates if he disagrees with them, a trait that saw him first leave and then fight against the Illuminati. Namor has even fallen all the way into villainy, as with the times when he teamed up with Doctor Doom and Magneto.
Aesthetically, both characters have sported different outfits in their respective histories. Namor's most iconic look is his green trunks, while Aquaman is best known for his golden scale armor and green bottoms. Completing Aquaman's look is his famous trident, a weapon Namor also uses but much less frequently. That is partly because Aquaman's trident is much more powerful, having the ability to pierce Darkseid's skin. It's also because Namor prefers hand-to-hand combat, so he can use his own powers.
How The MCU's Namor Compares To DCEU's Aquaman
Despite the Marvel Studios' recent trend of turning serious characters into wacky ones, the MCU's Namor the Sub-Mariner is poised to be one of the franchise's most ruthless characters. Introducing Namor as a villain sets the precedent that he is not someone to be messed with down the line. In comparison, Aquaman is a compassionate character — he spared his villainous half-brother Orm's life in the movie Aquaman — a trait that the MCU will not give to Namor if they choose to keep faithful to his Marvel Comics persona. The DCEU's Aquaman is also happy to crack a joke from time to time, like when he mocked Batman's outfit choice in Justice League. That is also something unlikely to be seen with the no-nonsense Namor.