Captain America (2004) #635.1

The specifics for this issue are a little hard to track down. Comixology lists it as part of the 2004 to 2011 Captain America series, yet it was released in August 2012. That series ran to issue 50 until modifying its numbering to 600.

As of #620, "& Bucky" was added to the title. Guest-stars became a regular occurrence from #629 on, with the likes of Hawkeye, Iron Man and The Black Widow joining the Captain on his adventures.

And Namor, for one issue.

There's always a concern that the guest-appearance will be limited to just a few pages but not in this case. The book opens with Namor reluctantly facing some sort of gathering in an unknown location in 1942.

So...Why are you there at all?

The spokeswoman for the group explains that the weapons of Atlantis have been pillaged and Namor's people are being used for a "cross-purpose". 

That cryptic message delivered, we move to an air battle over France. Cap-Am jumps from a troop-carrying plane onto an enemy fighter and is joined by The Avenging Son, who more or less happens to be passing through.

Once back on solid ground, the Captain follows Namor to the latter's target, a group called The Thule, described as... 

Namor accurately points out that Captain America wasn't dragged into a damn thing. While Cap-Am self-monologues over Namor's apparent lack of willingness to make friends, the villain reveals his secret weapon.

Release the Kraken!

That thing is made of dead Atlantean(s) wearing a Medusa-like skull mask which gives it magical abilities. The Prince Of The Blood will not stand by and see his people treated this way, even the dead ones, so it's on.

Yeah, that, and the wings on his ankles also remind me that he's more than human.

I enjoyed this. It was very much Captain America AND Namor as opposed to the Sub-Mariner showing up long enough to toss a few punches.

The story (by Cullen Bunn) was a "one-and-done" though I suspect regular readers picked up on a few hints of back-filling. Namor's arrogance was on display, there were a couple of interesting inclusions among the covenant that Namor was talking to prior to meeting Cap and the art was gorgeous. I'm not sure the images above spotlight its quality adequately.

This was not a key appearance in Namor's history by any stretch but its a welcome addition to the collection.