Marvel Knights: 4 (2004) #9

Today we conclude the Frozen storyline which took place in the Marvel Knights: 4 book that ran from 2004 to 2006. The first part of the story was reviewed in this post in February.

It took me a little while to determine why I didn't find this issue (and the previous one) as enjoyable as I could have. I recall that Marvel was criticized a while back (and might still be, I truly don't know) for its "decompressed" storytelling. These issues very much have that feel. This story could have been that single issue that transitions you from one major story to another but it feels like it was stretched into two.

That's one reason and I'm going to lead into another. In #8, Namor showed up to put the moves on Sue Richards for the umpteenth time. There was no apparent trigger for that action that I could pick up on. The issue ended with Reed Richards being fed up with Namor's advances towards Sue and the prince's general arrogance. Naturally, a fight ensued. Issue #9 picks up from there.

First, Susan Richards interferes in the fight...

Then Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, does.

But the Torch is there to stop the fight, not jump in. He needs help, you see.

The Human Torch is helping a lady look for her son who is believed to have fallen through the ice in the river. Conveniently enough Namor, who you may recall is in town for no particular reason, now has a purpose for being there. He finds the kid's corpse and...that's it. I suppose he goes home.

There are a few personal moments throughout, one in particular between Reed and Johnny, but this story feels like filler filled with filler. Namor's characterization is solid though. He's proud and headstrong but when called upon to do the right thing, he does not hesitate.

This book was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and drawn by Jim Muniz.

Marvel Knights: 4 (2004) #8

I quite enjoy the relationship between Namor and the Fantastic Four if only for the mutual attraction between Sue Richards and the Avenging Son.

Oh, we know the Richards won't split up. Not for any significant length of time, anyway. But the interaction between the three characters is usually entertaining.

This is what prompted me to read the issue below.

FROZEN PART 1 While New York freezes in the icy grip of winter, an old foe resurfaces with a grudge: Namor! And the crown prince is demanding Sue make good on an old promise, even if it's over Reed's dead body. 

Based on the brief recap at the beginning of the book, it seems that the FF are not at their best at this point. Things are SO bad that they had to...get jobs!

Sue, in particular, became a substitute teacher.

Damn, man...That kid is probably not struggling to read Shakespeare, he's just distracted. If Sue was my substitute teacher, I'd poison the regular one.

In mid session, he comes Namor doing his best combo of Al Pacino and Pepe Le Pew.

Sue bails on her class to take a stroll with Namor to a museum. He puts on the sweet moves which eventually anger Mrs. Richards. The timing of her outrage is rather good because as you might have expected, Mr. Richards had planned to surprise her.

Oh dear.

Namor suggests that Susan finds Reed to be a lousy husband, Reed calls Namor a no-life parasite that smells funny, all obviously building up to...

Namor literally suggests they take this outside and off we go!

To be continued in issue 9.

It's a good read for the tense moments and banter but it just seems...pointless.

Again acknowledging that it could be a function of not having read the previous issues, it seems like Namor shows up out of nowhere for no other reason than to be a dick. He has no cause to think Sue will be more open to his advances that day than the previous time, so...what are you doing there? I saw nothing about the old promise that was mentioned in the solicitation text and I don't get the reference to the "icy grip of winter". Presumably all is made clear(er) in the second part but part one is a little light in actual story.

Still fun to see this triangle match though.