Namor the Submariner is Marvel's Avenging Son, the Scion of Atlantis, and a character most other figures in the Marvel Universe have a hard time getting along with. One of the company's first creations, the arrogant antihero has remained a fixture in Marvel's stable for the better part of a century.
Whether because of his longevity, his centrality to the politics of the Marvel Universe, or just his general hardheadedness, Namor has a long history of battles in the Marvel Universe. Namor has brought down some of the heaviest hitters in the 616 with his tenacity and royal strength.
Updated November 14, 2022, by Peter Eckhardt: With Namor's cinematic debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel's first superhero is reaching heights of popularity not seen since his debut. We thought it important to expand on this list with more of Namor's best comic book battles.
15 The Blind Man Against The King: Namor Downs Daredevil
Daredevil Vol. 1 #7, Written by Stan Lee, art by Wally Wood, letters by Artie Simek
For a superhero who is distinctively human, Daredevil is one of the most impressive combatants in the Marvel Universe. More important than Matt Murdock's martial ability, though, is his commitment to protecting the innocent. This led to Daredevil confronting Namor when the Prince of Atlantis announced he intended to destroy the surface world.
This story began when Namor attempted to employ Matt Murdock to sue the surface world for its treatment of the ocean. Murdock told him that was not possible, causing Namor begin to lay waste to New York City. Though Namor defeated Daredevil, the latter's bravery caused Namor to stop his rampage.
14 Robo-Wrecker: Namor Smashes Sentinels
Sub-Mariner Vol. 2 #3: Written by Matt Cherniss and Peter Johnson, pencils/inks by Phil Briones, colors by Paul Mounts, and letters by Joe Petit
Marvel's first mutant is no stranger to battling the enemies of the X-Men. Namor's closest allyship with the X-Men was during the Utopia era of the team, but Namor encountered a few of the government's mutant-hunting robots at the X-Mansion following the Department of Defense classifying him as a terrorist.
Though colossal, armored, and armed with lasers, the pair of Sentinels that ambushed Namor were no match for the Scion of Atlantis. Namor made quick work of his robotic foes and continued his journey cross-country.
13 Anti-Heroes: Namor Versus Venom
Sub-Mariner Vol.2 #4: Written by Matt Cherniss and Peter Johnson, pencils/inks by Phil Briones, colors by Paul Mounts, and letters by Joe Caramagna
Since its debut in Secret Wars, the enigmatic Venom symbiote has been one of the most popular characters in Marvel Comics. With that popularity has come serious power, transforming first into a slavering antihero and later into a hulking, toothed monster. When former Scorpion Mac Gargan possessed the symbiote, he was charged by the U.S. government with taking down Namor.
What followed was a particularly brutal fight that saw Venom rip off Namor's ankle wings and shoot him with a gun that deprived him of oxygen. The fight ended when Namor ripped out Venom's tongue. While both characters eventually healed, this was one of Namor's most brutal battles ever.
12 Monarch Of Menace: Namor Drowns Wakanda
Avengers Vs. X-Men #8: Written by Brian Michael Bendis, pencils by Adam Kubert, inks by John Dell, colors by Laura Martin and Larry Molinar, and letters by Chris Eliopoulos
2012's Avengers vs. X-Men was a crossover that saw Marvel's two biggest teams face off. Namor sided with the X-Men and, after the Phoenix Force came to Earth, joined Cyclops, Colossus, Emma Frost, and Magik as a member of the cosmically-empowered Phoenix Five. Ever unstable, Namor used his power to attack Wakanda.
In one of Namor's ugliest moments, he sent a massive wave crashing through Wakanda that devastated much of the country. Ultimately, this led to Namor losing the power of the Phoenix Force. This incident would become an important moment in Namor's rivalry with Black Panther and go on to inform the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
11 X-Terminated: Namor Womps Wolverine
Sub-Mariner Vol. 2 #3: Written by Matt Cherniss and Peter Johnson, pencils/inks by Phil Briones, colors by Paul Mounts, and letters by Joe Petit
As one of Marvel's most popular, violent characters, there are few in the Marvel Universe whom Wolverine hasn't tested his mettle against. Namor is no exception, having battled the Ol' Canucklehead several times. One of Logan's soundest defeats came when he attacked Namor at the X-Mansion.
Namor had come to the X-Mansion to seek aid from Professor X, but Wolverine thought that the Avenging Son had a more nefarious intent. Wolverine attacked his occasional ally, but Namor quickly took the lead in the fight, throwing Wolverine through several walls. Professor X had to step in and end the fight before it got out of hand.
10 Battle For The Crown: Namor Against Attuma
Tales to Astonish #88: Written by Stan Lee, pencils/inks by Bill Everett, and letters by Sam Rosen
The barbarian warlord and fierce fighter Attuma is one of Namor's classic enemies. Attuma has continually pursued the crown of the underwater kingdom at any cost ever since hearing of an ancient Atlantean prophecy that claimed a member of his tribe, the Skarka, would take the throne of Atlantis by force.
An instance of this occurred in the Silver Age Tales to Astonish #88 when Attuma led the forces of his barbarian hordes to conquer Atlantis. Upon breaching the city, he was confronted by Namor. The two joined in battle, but Namor quickly prevailed and took out the aquatic villain in just a few hits.
9 Fire Under Water: Namor Vs Red Hulk
Hulk Volume 2 #27: Written by Jeff Parker, drawn/inked by Gabriel Hardman, colored by Elisabeth Breitweiser, and lettered by Ed Dukeshire
The Red Hulk is the monstrous alter ego of General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, who, after years of hunting the Hulk, turned himself into one to best his foe. Ross holds immense power as the Red Hulk, and he's beaten both Hulk and Thor with his intense heat powers and great physical strength.
When Red Hulk learns of a plot to vaporize the world's oceans in Hulk Volume 2 #27, he teams up with Namor to stop the plan. However, Namor is ambushed by a series of sea monsters. Thinking himself betrayed by Ross, he quickly beats the brute back to the surface, ultimately saying that his presence pollutes the ocean.
8 Former Friends Feud: Namor Douses Jim Hammond
Invaders Vol. 3 #5: Written by Chip Zdarsky, pencils/inks by Carlos Magno and Butch Guice, colors by Alex Guimarães, and letters by Travis Lanham
Jim Hammond, like Namor, is one of the few Marvel characters who've successfully rolled over from the Golden Age of Comics into the present. An android created with the abilities of flight and pyrokinesis, Hammond fought alongside Namor and Captain America as a part of the Invaders in World War 2.
In the World War Namor crossover, Jim Hammond confronts Namor about his newly-rediscovered desire to take over the world. The battle showed how the original Human Torch was no match for the King of the Sea, as Namor decapitated his former friend and left Hammond's head to be rescued by Tony Stark.
7 Fantastic Force: Namor Vs The Super Skrull
Namor: The Sub-Mariner #18: Written/pencils/inks/letters by John Byrne, colors by Glynis Wein
Kl'rt, the Super Skrull, is a cosmically-powerful foe who holds the combined powers of the Fantastic Four as well as those of an average Skrull. The Super Skrull has faced a variety of classic Marvel characters in battle including Thor, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and of course, The Fantastic Four.
In 1991's Namor: The Sub Mariner #18, Kl'rt is revealed to be posing as Iron Fist. He demands Namor's surrender in exchange for the life of his cousin, Namorita. In true Namor fashion, the Crown Prince of Atlantis assaults the villain and destroys his various doomsday machines, chasing him away from the scene of the battle.
6 Magic Against Might: Namor Finishes Master Khan
Namor the Sub-Mariner Vol. 1 #33: Written by Bob Harras, pencils/inks by Jae Lee, colors by Glynnis Oliver, and letters by Michael Higgins
Master Khan was an accomplished sorcerer in the Marvel Universe who could command the mystic power of entities such as Cyttorak, the Faltine, and Bishru. His true skill lay in manipulation, often pitting heroes against each other to gain ever more wealth and power.
In one such manipulation, Kahn hypnotized the Super-Skrull into posing as Iron Fist. When Namor uncovered the ruse, Khan brainwashed the Submariner into a "savage" version of himself. When he recovered, Namor hunted down the villain and violently assaulted him, ripping his head from his body.
5 Fearsome Fins: Namor Takes Out Tiger Shark
Sub-Mariner Vol. 1 #6: Written by Roy Thomas, pencils by John Buscema, inks by Dan Adkins, and letters by Irv Watanabe
Todd Arliss was an Olympic swimmer who suffered a debilitating spine injury. When mad scientist Dr. Dorcas used both Namor and shark DNA to help with Arliss's recovery, neither Dorcas nor Arliss knew that the swimmer would transform into the brutal Tiger Shark. Since then, Tiger Shark has gone on to menace a variety of foes across the Marvel Universe.
In Sub-Mariner # 5-6, Dorcas completes his experiment on Arliss. Namor and Tiger Shark instantly come to blows, trashing Dorcas's lab and bursting through the wall into the nearby ocean. Namor tracks him to Atlantis, ultimately beating Tiger Shark into submission in the royal throne room.
4 Avengers Vs X-Man: Namor Knocks Out She-Hulk and Luke Cage
Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 #12: Written by Kieron Gillen, pencils by Greg Land, inks by Jae Leisten, colors by Guru-eFX, letters by Joe Caramagna
When the Phoenix Force was spotted heading towards Earth, the X-Men sought to welcome it while the Avengers wanted to stop it. The two teams are put on a collision course as various members are sent around the globe to find the potential host of the Phoenix Force.
While helping the X-Men, Namor encounters the super-strong She-Hulk, the invulnerable Luke Cage, and the rock-skinned Thing. Namor brings Cage underwater, knocking him out via asphyxiation. Namor then takes out She-Hulk, partially using Cage's body as a club. As he squares off with the Thing, Namor is teleported away by Magik.
3 Seas Against Stars: Namor Stops The Silver Surfer
Sub-Mariner Vol. 1 #34: Written by Roy Thomas, pencils by Sal Buscema, inks by Jim Mooney, and letters by Artie Simek
The Sentinel of the Spaceways, Norrin Radd, has been a long-time ally of Namor's, serving with him on the original incarnation of the Defenders. The two have rejoined in many Defenders reunions since – the Surfer's power cosmic pairing well with the Atlantean's aquatic might.
In 1971's Sub-Mariner #34, Namor discovers a machine that can control the Earth's weather. In a decidedly-heroic turn, Namor seeks to enlist the Silver Surfer's aid in destroying it. However, Namor approaches the Silver Surfer by yanking him into the ocean. The two battle to a near-standstill before Namor convinces the Surfer of his cause.
2 Competing Conquerors: Namor Vs Magneto
X-Men Vol. 1 #6: Written by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone, and letters by Artie Simek
In the Silver Age, Magneto was a decidedly more villainous character, seeking to create a world ruled by mutants. Upon hearing of Namor's return to the surface world, he sought to have the Atlantean mutant join his cause of global domination, which is something Namor initially accepted.
After a battle with the X-Men in X-Men #6, Namor becomes repulsed by Magneto's treatment of the Scarlet Witch and attempts to leave. Magneto attacks him but Namor brushes him off and destroys the Master of Magnetism's giant magnet, foiling his attempt to take over the globe.
1 Titanic Takedown: Namor Vs Hulk
Incredible Hulk Vol. 1 #118: Written by Stan Lee, pencils/inks by Herb Trimpe, and letters by Artie Simek
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Much like the Silver Surfer, the Hulk has been Namor's ally since the late '60s. Much like Namor, the Hulk of this era was as much a dangerous antihero as he was a true hero, often going on rampages that devastated communities and put him at odds with the heroes of the time.
After being found unconscious by Namor's duplicitous ally Lady Dorma, Bruce Banner is brought back to Atlantis. Upon seeing an altercation between Namor and Dorma, Banner hulks out and begins fighting the prince. Namor eventually gains the upper hand when he punches Hulk out of the water so hard that, upon landing, the beast transforms back into Bruce Banner.