Debuting in 1939, Namor has had a long, winding history in the Marvel Universe battling heroes as often as he's fought alongside them. Hailing from both human and Atlantean descent, the warrior posses mutant abilities, including immense strength, speed, durability, and flight. Whether battling the forces of evil or the surface world, Namor's proven himself a force to be reckoned with.
Namor never backs down from a fight, and should he find himself transported to the DC Universe, he'll likely cause as much a stir there as he does at home. Before long, epic clashes with DC's popular heroes would ensue, and Namor would best some of their greatest combatants with ease. For those masterful heroes who manage to defeat Namor, they'll have the Atlantean's undying respect.
Updated November 18th, 2022 by Casey Coates: Namor the Submariner made his official MCU debut in the successful sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. As he demonstrated on the big screen, Namor is a proficient warrior and can hold his own in battle. While some DC heroes could force Namor to accept defeat, he'd have others begging for mercy. As such, this list has been updated to reflect CBR's current style and to highlight Namor's odds against popular DC heroes.
DC Heroes Namor Could Defeat
Beast Boy
Beast Boy is a far more experienced hero than he gets credit for, something his immature and playful attitude rarely conveys. His ability to transform into a variety of animals grants him several combat options, but Beast Boy isn't ready for someone of Namor's skill.
Beast Boy would probably dive into the situation headfirst and challenge Namor underwater, and a decision he'll soon regret. Even if Beast Boy stayed in the game long enough to take the fight to the surface, Namor vastly outmatches him. Between Namor's raw power and his decades of experience, Beast Boy won't stand a chance.
Tempest
Tempest was the first Aqualad, and some saw him as a watered-down Aquaman. Over the years, he would change, gaining powerful magical abilities and taking on the name Tempest. While Tempest's magic makes him a very powerful opponent, Namor is no stranger to battling formidable adversaries.
Namor doesn't like to let his opponents dictate the tenor of the fight. After observing Tempest's abilities and tactics, Namor will shift gears and take control of the fight. Using his superior mobility to keep ahead of Tempest's attacks, the Submariner will wait for the perfect opportunity to strike, then end the battle.
Nightwing
Nightwing is one of the most skilled and beloved heroes in the DC Universe. Beginning his crimefighting career as Robin before he was even a teenager, Nightwing has fought various foes over the years. While Nightwing has plenty of experience taking down opponents far stronger than him, Namor has additional advantages.
Namor's durability would protect him from most things Nightwing could throw at him. In hand to hand combat, Nightwing knows a few tricks, but Namor has the superior strength and speed. Even if Nightwing tried to strategize his way out, there's little he could do to turn the tide in his favor.
Red Tornado
Red Tornado is an android that was created to destroy the Justice League. Bucking his programming, he joined up with the team, eventually becoming an air elemental and one of the best tanks the team ever had. While Red Tornado has proven as tough as they come, Namor has the android's number.
Red Tornado's tornado shooting ability will make it difficult for Namor to close the gap, but the Justice Leaguer isn't the only one who can fly. Using his quick thinking, Namor will close in on Red Tornado, signalling the battle's end. With nothing to protect him from Namor's enhanced strength, Tornado will fall in defeat.
Starfire
Starfire is one of the most powerful members of the Teen Titans. A Tamaranean princess, she's super strong and durable, can fire powerful blasts of energy, and can fly. Starfire is also an extremely skilled fighter on top of all of that. While she would give Namor a run for his money, this isn't a fight Starfire can win.
Similarly matched, a class between Namor and Starfire would be quite the showdown to behold. Both would give everything they have, neither asking any quarter. Starfire's starbolts would offer her an advantage in the beginning, but the possibility of defeat will prompt Namor to dig deep and go into overdrive. Falling back on his decades of experience, Namor will determine Starfire's weaknesses and turn the tide in his favor.
DC Heroes Namor Would Lose To
Plastic Man
Namor has a rivalry with stretchy heroes, so he'd probably challenge Plastic Man simply because he reminds the Submariner of the Fantastic Four's Reed Richards. A nigh invulnerable shapeshifter, Plastic Man has all the resources he needs to take down the Atlantean warrior.
While Namor is equipped with impressive durability, Plastic Man has similar protection. A quick-thinker, once Plastic Man deduces Namor's weakness, he'll use his powers to keep Namor from the water, by any means necessary. He'll wait Namor out and end the conflict once Namor's dehydrated and weakened.
Mera
The Queen of Atlantis, it's arguable that Mera is more powerful than her loving husband, Aquaman. Fantastically strong and durable, she's skilled in battle and her aquakinesis allows her to control water. That one ability of Mera's will win the day in a battle against Namor.
Mera's temper is just as legendary as Namor's and a battle between the two would be one for the ages. Namor has the physical advantage, and Mera will quickly realize that fist-fighting him isn't wise. Switching to her aquakinesis, she can dry Namor out by purging the water he relies on, weakening him immensely.
Animal Man
Animal Man's connection to nature gives him the ability to emulate the skills of any animal... including ones from other planets. This makes Animal Man one of the most formidable heroes around and will allow him to beat Namor. If Namor takes the fight under water, he'll soon discover he doesn't have the advantage he thinks he does.
Animal Man can regenerate and heal himself from injury by tapping into insect and reptile abilities. Similarly, he can become fantastically strong, summoning a blue whale's might. Thanks to Animal Man's unpredictable powers — like tapping into an extraterrestrial animal that shoots lightning out of its face — Namor won't be able to predict his opponent's moves, slowly losing ground until he's defeated.
Batman
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Batman, with prep time, can beat just about anybody. Regardless the threat's actual probability, the Dark Knight prepares for all manners of enemies. This includes his own friends in the Justice League, especially the one who's also a half human, half Atlantean.
This means that Batman is already geared up to take down Namor even though his opponent is from another universe. Given that Namor shares Aquaman's weaknesses, Batman has the advantage. It won't take Batman long to deduce Namor is Atlantean. Once the Dark Knight enacts his anti-Aquaman plan, the battle is as good as over.
Aquaman
Aquaman and Namor are similar in a lot of ways. Both are half human, half Atlantean undersea monarchs with short tempers. Both of them are super strong and durable, but Aquaman takes the advantage, proven by the fact he once held up a continental plate.
Namor may be able to fly, but Aquaman can communicate with sea life, a power that Submariner can't match. Even if Namor took the fight to the surface to get away from Aquaman's aquatic army, Aquaman is still stronger than him. Namor would refuse to surrender until Aquaman knocked him out, but his defiance wouldn't change the battle's outcome.