Summary

• Namor's ego remains a constant, even in alternate realities - a trait that defines him as a king in any timeline.
• Officer "King" Namor in a noir-themed universe showcases his unwavering self-confidence and sense of authority.
• Across Marvel's legacy, Namor McKenzie's presence as a hero or villain stems from his universal ego and royal roots.

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Fantastic Four #19

As one of Marvel Comics’ oldest characters, Namor is one of the most important figures in comics history. Marvel’s first mutant has played a major role in the history of the world, and the King of Atlantis is all too aware of just how important his role is. But in any reality, Namor will be Namor – and he’s got the perfect nickname to crystalize just how he sees himself, and how others see him.

Fantastic Four #19 by Ryan North, Carlos Gómez, Jesus Aburtov, and VC’s Joe Caramagna finds the Four separated within a noir-themed timeline, with Reed Richards nowhere to be found. On the hunt for the missing Prof. Richards, P.I. Alicia Masters turns to the help of a friend on the force, “King” McKenzie.

Described as one of the few honest cops on the force, this landlocked Officer Namor maintains his signature ego, only agreeing to help upon realizing Sue Storm’s involvement. The timeline is ultimately restored, but Namor McKenzie’s alternate self couldn’t be truer to the hero if he tried.

Namor Is A King In Any Timeline

The Scion of Atlantis Is Too Arrogant To Be Anything Else

Namor has had a complex history both as a hero and as a villain, but the one trait that always carries through in all his incarnations is his own massive sense of self-confidence and ego. That arrogant streak still applies in his role as a noir-style honest cop, but it clearly doesn’t do him any favors as it apparently got him demoted to the city’s “backwaters.” Even so, the King McKenzie persona still clearly reflects Namor’s true nature, right down to his unexpected role as a cop.

Namor McKenzie has always been a massive part of Marvel Comics’ legacy and continuity.

As an officer of the law, Namor still serves as a figure of order in this revised Marvel history. While a surface world cop is a bit less prestigious than the King of Atlantis, it’s still a position of authority and a chance to make a difference for good or for ill – a role to which Namor is well-suited. And with his derisive “King” nickname harkening back to his royal roots as the ruler of Atlantis, neither readers nor Namor can ever truly forget who the Sub-Mariner is meant to be, even in the alternate timeline found in this issue.

Namor Will Always Be Who He Is

The Sub-Mariner’s Ego Is Universal

Namor McKenzie has always been a massive part of Marvel Comics’ legacy and continuity. As one of its oldest heroes, the Sub-Mariner will always play a role in the House of Ideas, whether that’s alongside the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, or on his own as a hero or maybe even a villain if the mood strikes him. Among Marvel Comics’ premiere heroes, Namor is truly a king, and he’s always going to make sure that everyone knows it, no matter the timeline.

Fantastic Four #19 is available now from Marvel Comics.