Strange Tales #125: "The Sub-Mariner Must Be Stopped!"

I've come across another book in which Namor is only involved in one of the stories so keeping to an earlier theme, I'll knock that one off now too.

While Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Girl are out, The Thing and the Human Torch are screwing around in the Baxter building. They are visited by a pair or reporters but are insulted to find out that the reporters are there to interview the other two members of the team. Hilarity ensues as The Thing and Torch kick the two newsmen to the curb.

All this seems pointless but it actually matters later.

That done, Namor appears on a nearby emergency monitor. His past attempt at invading the surface world is recapped as thet wo members of the Fantastic Four head out to greet him. They assume he's leading an Atlantean army even though there is not the slightest cause to conclude this.

They find him easily enough.

And yet you have used artificial vehicles in your own books! We've seen you ride turtle-skis before, too!

Based on the speed at which Torch and Thing are approaching him, Namor believes he's being attacked, which is actually fairly rational. He sinks the the FF members' vehicle so immediately gets the upper hand in the battle.

As for the Torch...

If I was ever tasked with writing Namor's adventures, I would make a list all the powers that he's used less than a handful of times in his early days and make damn sure to work them into my stories.

This clash of titans draws some media attention so when Reed and Sue Richards arrive home, they immediately find out about it.

I KNOW, woman! Now do as you're told!

They head out to join the battle.

Shut UP, Sue! A man can't think with your useless prattling! Just sit there, be pretty, and plan out my next sandwich!
 
The various times that Susan Storm has considered leaving Reed Richards are becoming more understandable as I read more of this team's early adventures.

When Namor sees the two remaining members of FF arrive, he swims off, stating that he has been lied to. Reed Richards explains Namor's behaviour to his dull-witted teammates.

But instead, you were being a couple of tools.

This little tale is hardly a classic but it was good for a giggle and it reinforced the lack of trust between Namor and the Fantastic Four at the time, a bit. Not bad for 13 pages.