SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for "Squadron Supreme" #1, scheduled for release in December.


Marvel has stressed that its upcoming "Squadron Supreme" series will feature a super-team employing methods unlike the bulk of Marvel's superhero roster -- and now fans have a big indicator as to what that actually means.

As revealed Monday on ComicBook.com, "Squadron Supreme" #1, from writer James Robinson and artist Leonard Kirk and scheduled for release in December, will see the team killing off Namor, one of Marvel's longest-running superhero characters, due to the Sub-Mariner destroying Doctor Spectrum's world. Of course, death in superhero comics is never permanent -- or rarely even lasts this long -- but it looks like Marvel and Robinson are looking for this one to have an impact.

"It is bittersweet, but I think that people have to pay for what they do," Robinson said. "I think that as you'll see in 'Squadron,' Namor's death will open up a lot of amazing story opportunities which will evolve in the future."

Though the confirmation of Namor's impending demise wasn't revealed before today, Marvel hinted it pretty broadly already -- Alex Ross's cover to "Squadron Supreme" #2, released back in September, depicted Squadron member Hyperion holding Namor's severed head:

Robinson told ComicBook.com that the plot development is the natural extension of the Namor character taking a darker path in recent years.

"In the last few years Namor has crossed the line from an anti-hero to something a little bit darker," Robinson said. "I mean we've seen absolutely no remorse whatsoever from him lately."

Created by Bill Everett, Namor pre-dates even Captain America, with the character first appearing in 1939's "Marvel Comics" #1, published by Marvel predecessor Timely Comics. The character has starred in several solo series over the decades, along with prominent roles in "Fantastic Four," "New Avengers" and more.

"Squadron Supreme" #1 -- the latest take on the long-running Marvel concept, this time featuring a main cast who each come from a destroyed Earth -- is scheduled for release on Dec. 16.