Issue - 20

Title - In the Darkness Dwells Doom

Writer - Roy Thomas

Art - John Buscema

Summary:

Namor, the Sub-Mariner, scours the streets of New York fleeing army US military soldiers which pursue him. His flight inadvertently takes him into the Latverian embassy whose gates open for him. After battling a deadly robot, Doom confronts Namor. He reveals that he allowed Namor in so that they may forge and alliance as they had before and conquer the surface world together. No longer interested in world conquest, Namor refuses the offer and pleads with Doom for water to replenish his strength. Doom then proceeds shut off all the water in the embassy and blackmail Namor. He will give him water only if he will promise his Atlantean army to him. Namor refuses and the two engage in battle. Using one of Doom's own devices, he causes a fire which begins to envelope the embassy. Firefighters arrive on scene to put out the fire and their streams of water replenish Namor enough to escape.

Comments:

The more I read Namor, the more I like his character. I think if I ever start another site, I'll do one on Namor. He and Doom are very similar, although both sometimes hate to admit it. Pairing the two up whether as foes or allies is always a treat. This story is another step on the path to the Super-Villain Team-Up series. Really there's nothing much to rave about here story wise. Its not to say its bad, no. Rather its just another solid actioner from Roy Thomas. I've always enjoyed his Doom dialogue, and I think he's one of the better writers to have managed to play on Doom's thin line between honor and dishonor. Then of course you got the John Buscema art which is excellent as always. That first page has a mean looking Namor. Anyway, while this isn't a ground breaking story, its certainly a fun easy read. Bottom Line: * * * out of 5

Notes:

• Reprinted in Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1, Essential Super-Villain Team-Up, and The Sub-Mariner Marvel Masterworks Volume 4 (pictured below).