64 Years Ago This Week, Marvel Brought Back a World War II Icon & Changed Mutant History

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When Marvel Comics launched its line of superhero comics, it built on the foundations of its predecessors, Timely and Atlas Comics. Although Marvel had access to existing characters, they largely decided to create new ones, using titles like Journey Into Mystery to showcase fresh superheroes and introducing new teams like The Fantastic Four. However, Marvel didn’t completely abandon the past. They revived Captain America, a hero originally created during World War II, in The Avengers, and later brought back another of his wartime teammates in The Fantastic Four.

In February 1962, with issue #4 of Fantastic Four, Marvel Comics reintroduced Namor, a hero originally published by Timely Comics as the Sub-Mariner. Interestingly, this appearance also established Namor as the first mutant in the Marvel Universe, predating the debut of the X-Men by a full year.

Marvel Comics Reintroduced Namor, The Sub-Mariner, as the First Mutant

In Fantastic Four #4, Johnny Storm, who had left the Fantastic Four to hide, encountered a man living on the streets near the Bowery. While reading an old comic about the Sub-Mariner, Johnny recalled his sister mentioning the hero’s service in World War II. This led him to meet Namor, who had lost his memory and didn’t know who he was or how long he’d been wandering.

When Johnny Storm used his powers on Namor, he instantly recognized him. He rescued Namor and put him in the water, which brought back his memories. Unfortunately, Namor discovered Atlantis had been destroyed, and evidence pointed to humans using atomic weapons during World War II as the cause. Enraged, he threatened to wipe out humanity, but his feelings for Susan Storm of the Fantastic Four changed everything, and he ultimately left them to escape.

This marked a turning point for Namor. Originally a superhero fighting against Nazis and fascists during World War II, he became a villain, convinced that humans were responsible for the destruction of his homeland. He reappeared quickly, first alongside Doctor Doom, and later when his team was struggling the most. Over time, Namor has evolved into one of Marvel’s strongest antiheroes, frequently shifting between being a hero and a villain.

This period also marked the beginning of mutants in Marvel Comics, though Namor wasn’t identified as one right away. He was first hinted at as a possible mutant in Fantastic Four Annual #1 in 1963, which came out on the same day as The X-Men #1 – the comic that officially introduced named mutants to Marvel. This means Namor technically debuted as Marvel’s first mutant a year and a half before the term ‘mutant’ was even used in the comics. Interestingly, Namor first appeared in a Marvel comic 23 years after his initial appearance in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 in 1939 – just after Superman debuted and before Batman, making him one of the earliest superheroes in comic book history.

When the Sub-Mariner first appeared in Marvel Comics 64 years ago, he wasn’t originally intended to be a mutant. However, he paved the way for the concept of mutants – heroes born with powers instead of gaining them through an event. This change redefined Namor’s beginnings as an Atlantian hero, adding complexity to his character and laying the groundwork for the type of hero the X-Men would later become famous for.

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2026-02-11 02:42