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Sub-Mariner: The Depths #1-5
Sub-Mariner: The Depths
The latest offering from the red-hot Marvel Knights line offers a searing vision of Namor, the Sub-Mariner as you've never seen, brought to you by Peter Milligan (X-Force) and Esad Ribic (Silver Surfer: Requeim)! Atlantis. Throughout the ages, a few men have wondered if this fabulous place actually exists. Fewer have imagined that the city is protected by a wild and vengeful being, the very embodiment of the untameable depths themselves - the Sub-Mariner. When a deep sea expedition mysteriously vanishes without a trace near the Marianes trench, legendary adventurer Randolph Stein embarks on a journey that will rock him - and his crew - to their very core. Travelling deep into the dark belly of the sea, the men of the good ship, Voyager, are about to see things that defy description, that supersede their wildest imagination - things that men aren't meant to see. Staring into the abyss, Stein will soon discover that the abyss can indeed stare right back at him! Collects Sub-Mariner: The Depths #1-5.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
14 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Peter Milligan
1,303 books391 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Peter Milligan is a British writer, best known for his work on X-Force / X-Statix, the X-Men, & the Vertigo series Human Target. He is also a scriptwriter.
He has been writing comics for some time and he has somewhat of a reputation for writing material that is highly outlandish, bizarre and/or absurd.
His highest profile projects to date include a run on X-Men, and his X-Force revamp that relaunched as X-Statix.
Many of Milligan's best works have been from DC Vertigo. These include: The Extremist (4 issues with artist Ted McKeever) The Minx (8 issues with artist Sean Phillips) Face (Prestige one-shot with artist Duncan Fegredo) The Eaters (Prestige one-shot with artist Dean Ormston) Vertigo Pop London (4 issues with artist Philip Bond) Enigma (8 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo) and Girl (3 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo).
Series:
* Human Target
* Greek Street
* X-Force / X-Statix
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Peter Milligan is a British writer, best known for his work on X-Force / X-Statix, the X-Men, & the Vertigo series Human Target. He is also a scriptwriter.
He has been writing comics for some time and he has somewhat of a reputation for writing material that is highly outlandish, bizarre and/or absurd.
His highest profile projects to date include a run on X-Men, and his X-Force revamp that relaunched as X-Statix.
Many of Milligan's best works have been from DC Vertigo. These include: The Extremist (4 issues with artist Ted McKeever) The Minx (8 issues with artist Sean Phillips) Face (Prestige one-shot with artist Duncan Fegredo) The Eaters (Prestige one-shot with artist Dean Ormston) Vertigo Pop London (4 issues with artist Philip Bond) Enigma (8 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo) and Girl (3 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo).
Series:
* Human Target
* Greek Street
* X-Force / X-Statix
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 21, 2015
Depressing and sloooow.
Or maybe I should say deep-pressing? *hyuck, hyuck*
Whatever, the payoff was not worth it. I kept thinking something amazing was going to happen at the end, but no.
Namor doesn't even say anything! Ever! He's not even an on-page character in this thing until the last issue, and even then...bah!
However, the art is beyond fantastic.
It really is! It set the mood for this spooky underwater horror story. And that's really what this is, a horror story. It's not a traditional comic book, and to be honest, that's what I wanted...a traditional tale. I was hoping to find a great comic featuring Namor. But this is more like a story about the legend of Namor, as told by a superstitious submarine crew, plus one professional myth de-bunking scientist.
De-Bunk is sent on a mission to find a nutty explorer who disappeared in the depths of the ocean. Just before Nutter went off the radar, he claimed to have seen Atlantis. Now his backers want to know if he was suffering from hallucinations, or if it really exists.
'Cause you can't let that shit fall into Commie hands!
Anyway, the longer they're underwater, the deeper they go...
Ahhhh! Jump scare!
Stuff like that was cool, but it ended up playing out like a horror movie. The tension slowly builds as De-bunk can't decide whether or not he's losing his mind.
Meanwhile, the crew is getting more and more agitated and fearful, because De-bunk won't respect their hokum rules about not saying HIS name...
It's a recipe for disaster.
Ok, so if you're looking for a horror comic then this would probably be right up your alley. Also, the art makes it totally worth taking a peek at.
But I was under the impression that this was the comic book to read if you wanted to find a great Namor story.
Not so.
Unless creepy vampire Namor is what you're hoping for, then this one will probably disappoint. If I had known what I was getting into, I might have enjoyed it more, but I doubt it. The payoff wasn't enough to off-set the rambly, plodding pace, or the fact that we never learn who/what/why about Namor, himself. He's simply a pasty, naked man-fish that likes terrorizing sailors.
Or maybe I should say deep-pressing? *hyuck, hyuck*
Whatever, the payoff was not worth it. I kept thinking something amazing was going to happen at the end, but no.
Namor doesn't even say anything! Ever! He's not even an on-page character in this thing until the last issue, and even then...bah!
However, the art is beyond fantastic.
It really is! It set the mood for this spooky underwater horror story. And that's really what this is, a horror story. It's not a traditional comic book, and to be honest, that's what I wanted...a traditional tale. I was hoping to find a great comic featuring Namor. But this is more like a story about the legend of Namor, as told by a superstitious submarine crew, plus one professional myth de-bunking scientist.
De-Bunk is sent on a mission to find a nutty explorer who disappeared in the depths of the ocean. Just before Nutter went off the radar, he claimed to have seen Atlantis. Now his backers want to know if he was suffering from hallucinations, or if it really exists.
'Cause you can't let that shit fall into Commie hands!
Anyway, the longer they're underwater, the deeper they go...
Ahhhh! Jump scare!
Stuff like that was cool, but it ended up playing out like a horror movie. The tension slowly builds as De-bunk can't decide whether or not he's losing his mind.
Meanwhile, the crew is getting more and more agitated and fearful, because De-bunk won't respect their hokum rules about not saying HIS name...
It's a recipe for disaster.
Ok, so if you're looking for a horror comic then this would probably be right up your alley. Also, the art makes it totally worth taking a peek at.
But I was under the impression that this was the comic book to read if you wanted to find a great Namor story.
Not so.
Unless creepy vampire Namor is what you're hoping for, then this one will probably disappoint. If I had known what I was getting into, I might have enjoyed it more, but I doubt it. The payoff wasn't enough to off-set the rambly, plodding pace, or the fact that we never learn who/what/why about Namor, himself. He's simply a pasty, naked man-fish that likes terrorizing sailors.
July 23, 2021
Stein was annoying as the fucking hell, and what he did to the crew was completely awful and inhuman. Poor Nelson, he did believe that Stein was a "good man", but ain't no good man. Namor is an interesting character for me and i hope to read much more about him, yep.
November 6, 2012
A professional myth buster, Professor Stein, sets out to prove Atlantis is nothing but a legend, but as he takes a crew down into the black water in the submarine Plato, he discovers the fate of those from the previous expedition and their doomed Captain Marlowe. As things start to go wrong, the crew being to whisper the name of Namor, the prince and vicious protector of Atlantis, whom they say is out to protect the truth about his city at all costs…
Peter Milligan writes a very, very dark horror story in "Sub-Mariner: The Depths" where the tension builds as the submarine drops further into the ocean and the bodies start to pile up. You hardly get to see Namor himself and that's what makes the story so effective - all I could think about while I was reading this was a list of brilliant horror films like Alien, The Abyss, Event Horizon, Se7en, all of which have elements found in this story.
Artist Esad Ribic does outstanding work setting the tone with dark backgrounds and subtle placements of light in just the right places to keep the suspense up. Namor himself is a frightening figure, more so than usual, and here he is depicted as a chilling monster of the depths - the moments you see him, you are left breathless with fear. And then he’s gone!
It's not often that I use the words "horror" and "fear" when describing a Marvel comic book but Milligan did a fantastic job of writing one here. Much of the story rests upon the characters' psychologies as they begin to lose their minds slowly and turn on each other in desperation. It's fascinating to see even the most composed among them crack up.
"The Depths" is an excellent read framed by one of Marvel's oldest and most mysterious characters, Namor the Sub-Mariner. Highly recommended reading for those who enjoy the dark side of the comics genre - just don't read it in daylight, really spook yourself by reading this at night. Alone. Take a journey to the depths and find out what lurks in the black water...
Peter Milligan writes a very, very dark horror story in "Sub-Mariner: The Depths" where the tension builds as the submarine drops further into the ocean and the bodies start to pile up. You hardly get to see Namor himself and that's what makes the story so effective - all I could think about while I was reading this was a list of brilliant horror films like Alien, The Abyss, Event Horizon, Se7en, all of which have elements found in this story.
Artist Esad Ribic does outstanding work setting the tone with dark backgrounds and subtle placements of light in just the right places to keep the suspense up. Namor himself is a frightening figure, more so than usual, and here he is depicted as a chilling monster of the depths - the moments you see him, you are left breathless with fear. And then he’s gone!
It's not often that I use the words "horror" and "fear" when describing a Marvel comic book but Milligan did a fantastic job of writing one here. Much of the story rests upon the characters' psychologies as they begin to lose their minds slowly and turn on each other in desperation. It's fascinating to see even the most composed among them crack up.
"The Depths" is an excellent read framed by one of Marvel's oldest and most mysterious characters, Namor the Sub-Mariner. Highly recommended reading for those who enjoy the dark side of the comics genre - just don't read it in daylight, really spook yourself by reading this at night. Alone. Take a journey to the depths and find out what lurks in the black water...
July 29, 2020
Did I just read a Sub-Mariner comic? Do not construe that statement as a denouncement of this truly beautiful addition to the Namor pantheon. I am merely suggesting that if a reader is looking for a "Namor vs. Fantastic Four" style story than do not waste your time on "The Depths".
If, instead, you wish to read a perfectly executed story with epic art to accompany it; than by all means pick it up.
The story is set in the Cold War age just before the introduction of the Sub-Mariner to Marvel Universe. It centers on an expedition to the Marianas Trench to recover a lost submarine captain named Marlowe who is obsessed with discovering Atlantis. It is highly reminiscent of your "Heart of Darkness" or "Apocalpyse Now" storyline. The main character of the story is a Professor Stein. A world reknowned scientist intent on debunking the mysteries and mythes across the globe. Stein's mission to find Capt. Marlowe finds him on a submarine with a motley crew of "deep-men" as they call themselves; veterans if you will of the vast ocean deep. Many theories abound over the disappearance of Marlowe and his sub. At the forefront is the discussion of the dreaded Sub-Mariner, protector of Atlantis. Incidents begin to occur that the crew is convinced is the work of this inhuman creature.
Stein boils all of the crew's stories down to pure superstition until some encounters with Namor prove too real to deny. But what is Namor's purpose? What of Marlowe's sub and crew? What mysteries lay in the blackest of oceans? This comic is elegantly layed out and wonderfully written and draws the reader in completely. A wonderful addition to any comic collection.
If, instead, you wish to read a perfectly executed story with epic art to accompany it; than by all means pick it up.
The story is set in the Cold War age just before the introduction of the Sub-Mariner to Marvel Universe. It centers on an expedition to the Marianas Trench to recover a lost submarine captain named Marlowe who is obsessed with discovering Atlantis. It is highly reminiscent of your "Heart of Darkness" or "Apocalpyse Now" storyline. The main character of the story is a Professor Stein. A world reknowned scientist intent on debunking the mysteries and mythes across the globe. Stein's mission to find Capt. Marlowe finds him on a submarine with a motley crew of "deep-men" as they call themselves; veterans if you will of the vast ocean deep. Many theories abound over the disappearance of Marlowe and his sub. At the forefront is the discussion of the dreaded Sub-Mariner, protector of Atlantis. Incidents begin to occur that the crew is convinced is the work of this inhuman creature.
Stein boils all of the crew's stories down to pure superstition until some encounters with Namor prove too real to deny. But what is Namor's purpose? What of Marlowe's sub and crew? What mysteries lay in the blackest of oceans? This comic is elegantly layed out and wonderfully written and draws the reader in completely. A wonderful addition to any comic collection.
February 5, 2017
Wow! A SubMariner book that doesn't feature the title character. You wouldn't think that would work....
But it totally does!
A slow pot-burner of a book, this really captures the claustrophobia and isolaton of the undersea experience, coupled with that lurking fear of the unknown
A welcome change from the SuperHero slugfests we typically see!
But it totally does!
A slow pot-burner of a book, this really captures the claustrophobia and isolaton of the undersea experience, coupled with that lurking fear of the unknown
A welcome change from the SuperHero slugfests we typically see!
September 16, 2015
I kind of like Namor. Sure, he's a terrible person, but he can be fun to read about, at times. This is not that Namor. This is Namor as primal boogeyman. Sort of a new take on the character, for me at least. Milligan is trying for a sort of survival horror feel here, and there are times that he succeeds. There are some quality jump scares, and some really creepy imagery. But the story is kind of weak, a little drawn out and slow, and the ending was pretty meh. Still, a cool idea.
November 8, 2023
Namor, el primer mutante, señor de Atlantis y uno de los grandes antihéroes del universo Marvel, es el antagonista de uno de los relatos más aterradores y ambiciosos de la historia de los comics de superhéroes. Las profundidades es un relato con ecos lovecraftianos (y de la obra de William H. Hodgson) en que un grupo de exploradores submarinos se enfrentan a los misterios de las profundidades océanicas y a su majestuoso y brutal defensor. En cierto sentido, la trama de este relato es una típica historia de "base bajo ataque" (un lugar común de la ciencia ficción) que recuerda a las tramas de las primeras películas de Alien, pero el cuidadoso planteamiento de Milligan y las magistrales ilustraciones de Ribic le dan un giro apasionante a este viaje fatídico hacia el corazón de las tinieblas marinas. Pocas narrativas gráficas han hecho un uso tan efectivo del negro y su contraste con los destellos de color que, conforme avanza la trama, se van volviendo más escasos y pálidos. Por lo demás, no es el comic más recomendable para un primer acercamiento a la figura de Namor (otros comics o inclusive Wakanda Forever son introducciones más amigables a este personaje), pero definitivamente es una lectura memorable y una creación artística ambiciosa.
May 4, 2022
✯ [2.5/5] ✯
I am sad. The starting of this book was so slow and to be honest boring. But after the halfway mark I felt like this was getting so good, I like the ending, the art, but still wanted more from it!
I am sad. The starting of this book was so slow and to be honest boring. But after the halfway mark I felt like this was getting so good, I like the ending, the art, but still wanted more from it!
June 12, 2009
This is easily one of the more interesting takes on the superhero world in recent years. Set before Spider-Man or the Fantastic Four made that fictional world believe in the impossible, “The Depths” follows a professional skeptic who seeks to debunk the myth of Namor and Atlantis. The story mostly takes place on the submarine voyage, not at the destination, leaving the characters trapped with their superstitions and doubts in total blackness. While we know Namor will some day arise from the oceans, the slowly maddening narrative and eerie style will leave readers questioning if there really is a man down there. Esad Ribic’s art borders Alex Ross’s painting style, but has more of a sense of lighting and darkness, shadowing so many of the submarine scenes to grant them the oppressive atmosphere to which the characters are slowly succumbing. Equally as bold as telling a Marvel story where the protagonist doubts the existence of a hero, Peter Milligan questions skepticism itself, revealing that often it is just a tool to preserve what you want to believe by attacking what others think.
December 18, 2011
The brilliant thing about the comic I think is the villainy of Stein and how Namor saves him despite his misdeeds so he can spread his lies on the surface, much to Namor's advantage. A convincing portrait of a diehard rationalist who hangs on to the edge of disbelief through self-delusion.
December 24, 2022
A pretty fun horror comic about Marvel’s first superhero. A very different book for such a character, but a very refreshing one. He’s treated like some shadowy threat, and it’s terrifying at moments. The inky blackness of the depths being his domain, and the deeper the crew and it’s skeptical scientist lead descend into madness and death. Peter Milligan gives this tale a bent that feels like a mix of Lovecraft and Joseph Conrad, and it rocks. It’s not the first time he’s played with that, but it might be his most refined.
Esad Ribic’s lovely painted pages give the book a unique feel. It has retro deco aesthetics, with a cold sleekness reminiscent of Edward Hopper. But when it turns horror, it feels like something out of a nightmare. You can feel the cramped and damp spaces, chiaroscuro lighting, and the black depths of the sea.
Highly recommended.
Esad Ribic’s lovely painted pages give the book a unique feel. It has retro deco aesthetics, with a cold sleekness reminiscent of Edward Hopper. But when it turns horror, it feels like something out of a nightmare. You can feel the cramped and damp spaces, chiaroscuro lighting, and the black depths of the sea.
Highly recommended.
January 17, 2022
I liked the narrative angle that this graphic novel took, the horror story of the creature you just see at the end. But I feel like Stein was not a compelling enough protagonist to really keep me hooked.
December 6, 2020
This mini-series reimagines Namor the Sub-Mariner as a horrible myth, folklore like Bigfoot or the Abominable Snowman or the Wendigo. Professor Stein makes a career out of disproving myths and discovering the factual scientific explanation behind them, and he takes a small crew into the Marianas Trench to find Atlantis! But the crew is a superstitious lot who informs him of the dark monster "Namor" who lurks beneath the depths. As Stein and his crew get closer to Atlantis they start to see things out of the corner of their eye, they have visions, and the expedition is proving somehow... dangerous? Besides the regular dangers of deep-sea travel, of course. But is it all in their minds as the pressure and isolation gets to them, or is there some truth behind the myth?
It's a slow-moving horror comic that reads like a monster movie, which is a neat direction to see Marvel take. Some of the art can be a bit questionable- I love Esad Ribic but his facial expressions are not the greatest and, as Stein slowly descends into insanity, the faces become the main vehicle for the storytelling. But when he gets to draw the ships, the sea animals, and the actual horror, it's incredible.
It's a slow-moving horror comic that reads like a monster movie, which is a neat direction to see Marvel take. Some of the art can be a bit questionable- I love Esad Ribic but his facial expressions are not the greatest and, as Stein slowly descends into insanity, the faces become the main vehicle for the storytelling. But when he gets to draw the ships, the sea animals, and the actual horror, it's incredible.
October 16, 2013
Got this given to me as a gift due to me harping on about Esad Ribic's artwork in another comic I'd read (Silver Surfer: Requiem) and I knew absolutely zero about Namor or Sub-Mariner. Still don't know loads about him, need to wikipedia his arse but I do know that again, Ribic does a brilliant job on the art front. Props to Milligan too, for making a Marvel comic feel like a 70's/80's horror film and not going down the familiar capes and cowl route.
May 31, 2014
Probably the best story I've seen Ribic illustrate. The conceit of showing Namor so little over a 5-issue Sub-Mariner stretch can only have worked with art this interesting. When we do finally see the atlantean prince in full horror-show monster effect, we realise how gripping and resonant a character he can be. And we think, wow, that Sue Richards must have neen a real animal!
May 12, 2019
This is a suspense story in which the Sub-Mariner only appears as the unknown other, with no dialogue. Painted art by Ribic rocks. This is more a mystery like the movie The Deep.
Assembled issues from the back issue bin of my local comics shop.
Mildly recommended.
Assembled issues from the back issue bin of my local comics shop.
Mildly recommended.
September 30, 2019
* loved the drawing style
May 5, 2025
Such an atmosphere!
The deep diving culture was fascinating to read about!
This had a rare instance of characters having such stark and realistic personalities that I went back and reread parts to see those characters in those moments and how well they would line up!
Namor being off the page and being a haunting word adds to Ribic's looming art beautifully!
Such a unique story setting!
A truly subversive little read!
The deep diving culture was fascinating to read about!
This had a rare instance of characters having such stark and realistic personalities that I went back and reread parts to see those characters in those moments and how well they would line up!
Namor being off the page and being a haunting word adds to Ribic's looming art beautifully!
Such a unique story setting!
A truly subversive little read!
May 20, 2025
Highly recommended for non fans of Namor
This is like those Will Eisner Spirit comics where the Spirit plays a small role and the background characters are front and center. By not focusing on Prince Namor, the story makes the Sub-Mariner even more legendary. This is mostly a story of the sea and its explorers, but it is also a horror story. Like the X-Files, the paranormal and mythic are to be discovered or falsified. Like Lovecraft, the knowledge of the depths and forbidden truths can drive a man insane.
It's not an ordinary Sub-Mariner story but makes you appreciate the character even more than before. I even recommend this for people who don't like Namor.
This is like those Will Eisner Spirit comics where the Spirit plays a small role and the background characters are front and center. By not focusing on Prince Namor, the story makes the Sub-Mariner even more legendary. This is mostly a story of the sea and its explorers, but it is also a horror story. Like the X-Files, the paranormal and mythic are to be discovered or falsified. Like Lovecraft, the knowledge of the depths and forbidden truths can drive a man insane.
It's not an ordinary Sub-Mariner story but makes you appreciate the character even more than before. I even recommend this for people who don't like Namor.
November 17, 2023
Esta fue mi lectura spooky del mes pasado. La disfruté bastante.
March 25, 2022
Once again, I’m writing a review on a book that I am conflicted on. Overall this book is a mixed bag.
So let’s start with the positives.
The concept is brilliant. I’ve always been a fan of genre based stories in a larger fictional universe. In this case, a thriller-horror book taking place in the Marvel Universe from the eyes of the average citizens. This book gets bonus points with how the main attraction isn’t even present for 98% of the book and when he is, he doesn’t say a word. But back to the main point: a psychological thriller about a mythical defender of Atlantis hunting these men worked perfectly for me and I’d love to see more stuff like it. If anyone has any recommendations, please leave them in the comments down below.
The art is near perfect. Dark, mysterious, chilling and a constant reminder of the dangerous world around them at all times. Namor is genuinely terrifying when we get glimpses of him and the art shines particularly bright in issue 02 when our main character has a waking nightmare. I won’t spoil it but it just might be the most terrifying image I’ve seen in a comic book. I did however say it’s “near” perfect and that is true. It almost is. The only bad thing about it is Esad Ribic’s inability to draw human faces. But aside from that, he is the best part of this book.
The writing is good, as mentioned above, the concept is brilliant, and as I’m about to get into, only one thing really drags it down.
With that, the negatives, the pacing is what ultimately brings this book from a 5 star down to a 3 star. The first two issues are perfect, and if I was judging them independently, I would give it 5 stars. But issue 3 goes nowhere. Issue 4 is a little boring and the resolution in issue 5 is not as satisfying as I’d hoped.
Overall, Sub-Mariner: The Depths is a good book that could have been great if it was brought down to 3 and a half or maybe 4 issues. But in the end with great art and an even greater core idea, this book reminds me why I love Marvel Knights books: mature storytelling that takes risks. Maybe it doesn’t always pan out but I’ve always preferred a big swing and a miss to a middle of the road, nothing-book. I will read this again someday, 3.5 stars
So let’s start with the positives.
The concept is brilliant. I’ve always been a fan of genre based stories in a larger fictional universe. In this case, a thriller-horror book taking place in the Marvel Universe from the eyes of the average citizens. This book gets bonus points with how the main attraction isn’t even present for 98% of the book and when he is, he doesn’t say a word. But back to the main point: a psychological thriller about a mythical defender of Atlantis hunting these men worked perfectly for me and I’d love to see more stuff like it. If anyone has any recommendations, please leave them in the comments down below.
The art is near perfect. Dark, mysterious, chilling and a constant reminder of the dangerous world around them at all times. Namor is genuinely terrifying when we get glimpses of him and the art shines particularly bright in issue 02 when our main character has a waking nightmare. I won’t spoil it but it just might be the most terrifying image I’ve seen in a comic book. I did however say it’s “near” perfect and that is true. It almost is. The only bad thing about it is Esad Ribic’s inability to draw human faces. But aside from that, he is the best part of this book.
The writing is good, as mentioned above, the concept is brilliant, and as I’m about to get into, only one thing really drags it down.
With that, the negatives, the pacing is what ultimately brings this book from a 5 star down to a 3 star. The first two issues are perfect, and if I was judging them independently, I would give it 5 stars. But issue 3 goes nowhere. Issue 4 is a little boring and the resolution in issue 5 is not as satisfying as I’d hoped.
Overall, Sub-Mariner: The Depths is a good book that could have been great if it was brought down to 3 and a half or maybe 4 issues. But in the end with great art and an even greater core idea, this book reminds me why I love Marvel Knights books: mature storytelling that takes risks. Maybe it doesn’t always pan out but I’ve always preferred a big swing and a miss to a middle of the road, nothing-book. I will read this again someday, 3.5 stars
January 11, 2022
Fans of what Al Ewing did with IMMORTAL HULK take note! This is an even more effective blend of superheroes and horror. Peter Milligan's story is notable in that a super-hero (Sub-Mariner) is utilized as the dread/threat/horror in this five-issue mini-series. Even more notable is that fact that Namor does not utter one word of dialogue, nor does he even appear in a significant way (only in quick glimpses and shadows) until the final issue. You would not expect that to work, but it does.
This is done so well, with the suspense building issue after issue until the finale. Imagine if Edgar Allan Poe was asked to write a superhero story. I can also imagine a huge uproar among Sub-Mariner fans if this had been a continuing series. Regular readers know him as a proud protector of his homeland and environmental activist, but you've never seen him respond to challenges to Atlantis in bloody, merciless fury as this before.
The evocative art of Esac Ribic is a perfect compliment to Milligan's story, with a painted appearance that helps enhance the Classics Illustrated feel to the story.
Two expeditions venture deep into the Marianis Trench to find the lost city of Atlantis. The sole survivor of the first journey, Captain Marlowe, becomes a homicidal lunatic after his crew is dispatched in bloody fashion. The world's foremost debunker of myths and legends, Dr Randolph Stein, becomes the sole survivor of the second expedition, and the series details his descent into skepticism, followed by self-doubt and madness. His resolution to the challenge is horrifyingly blunt.
Pick this up if you're looking for a scary good read. Just don't expect a traditional super-hero story.
This is done so well, with the suspense building issue after issue until the finale. Imagine if Edgar Allan Poe was asked to write a superhero story. I can also imagine a huge uproar among Sub-Mariner fans if this had been a continuing series. Regular readers know him as a proud protector of his homeland and environmental activist, but you've never seen him respond to challenges to Atlantis in bloody, merciless fury as this before.
The evocative art of Esac Ribic is a perfect compliment to Milligan's story, with a painted appearance that helps enhance the Classics Illustrated feel to the story.
Two expeditions venture deep into the Marianis Trench to find the lost city of Atlantis. The sole survivor of the first journey, Captain Marlowe, becomes a homicidal lunatic after his crew is dispatched in bloody fashion. The world's foremost debunker of myths and legends, Dr Randolph Stein, becomes the sole survivor of the second expedition, and the series details his descent into skepticism, followed by self-doubt and madness. His resolution to the challenge is horrifyingly blunt.
Pick this up if you're looking for a scary good read. Just don't expect a traditional super-hero story.
February 21, 2015
Honestamente esperaba encontrarme con otra aventura más de Namor mientras se enfrentaba a los terrestres quienes, a su vez, planeaban descubrir a Atlantis, pero la sorpresa (para bien) fue mayor cuando a medida que iba avanzando con la lectura no me encontré con un cómic de Namor, o x superhéroe, sino sobre la condición humana cuando se enfrentan al encierro y el desespero.
En Namor: En las profundidades, Peter Milligan escribe una historia con sabor a película clásica, muchas de las situaciones presente rememoran a clásicos como Alien. Una tripulación que se enfrenta a lo desconocido mientras luchan por mantenerse cuerdos, el encierro y la oscuridad de las profundidades hacen de las suyas en la psique de los personajes, y mientras que la mayor parte de la tripulación le teme a un ser llamado Namor, el protagonista de la historia, un científico incrédulo se pone en la tarea de desmentir tal leyenda.
El arte de Esad Ribic es impresionante, cada cuadro da la sensación de encierro y opresión, y le da a los personajes un aspecto más humano, lejos de las exageraciones, y a Namor, las pocas veces que hace acto de presencia lo hace ver imponente. La oscuridad y el fondo marino lo hace ver aterrador, siendo este uno de los puntos fuertes de esta gran historia.
Definitivamente no es un cómic para las personas que buscan leer una historia de Namor, pero si lo recomiendo mucho a las personas que disfrutaron de películas como Aliens o The Abyss y que le gusten ese enfoque al horror y lo fantástico. Y aunque no es la típica historia de superhéroe si logra mostrar una parte de como es Namor, un antihéroe en toda regla.
En Namor: En las profundidades, Peter Milligan escribe una historia con sabor a película clásica, muchas de las situaciones presente rememoran a clásicos como Alien. Una tripulación que se enfrenta a lo desconocido mientras luchan por mantenerse cuerdos, el encierro y la oscuridad de las profundidades hacen de las suyas en la psique de los personajes, y mientras que la mayor parte de la tripulación le teme a un ser llamado Namor, el protagonista de la historia, un científico incrédulo se pone en la tarea de desmentir tal leyenda.
El arte de Esad Ribic es impresionante, cada cuadro da la sensación de encierro y opresión, y le da a los personajes un aspecto más humano, lejos de las exageraciones, y a Namor, las pocas veces que hace acto de presencia lo hace ver imponente. La oscuridad y el fondo marino lo hace ver aterrador, siendo este uno de los puntos fuertes de esta gran historia.
Definitivamente no es un cómic para las personas que buscan leer una historia de Namor, pero si lo recomiendo mucho a las personas que disfrutaron de películas como Aliens o The Abyss y que le gusten ese enfoque al horror y lo fantástico. Y aunque no es la típica historia de superhéroe si logra mostrar una parte de como es Namor, un antihéroe en toda regla.
December 14, 2018
One of the good things about the huge multiverses of DC and Marvel comics is that you can find a story in any genre set in that multiverse provided that the author could pitch it successfully to an editor at some point. This time it's a horror story about the skeptic scientist going down to the ocean depths to prove that the fabled Atlantis does not exist with a bunch of superstitious sailors. Considering that Peter Milligan just started his Hellblazer run while finishing this limited series, you can guess the result - a solid horror story with just a little bit of Marvel universe thrown in.
June 17, 2015
This trade paperback collects the five-issue mini-series and is a good read, but don't expect much Sub-Mariner. He's relegated to being a bit like the xenomorph in "Alien." He lurks in the murky depths and behind corners for most of it. It is a good story of men in the deep sea and how the depths and never-ending darkness affects the minds of these men. Namor the Sub-Mariner is spoken of as a legend, a bogey man, and a god. The art is great and Peter Milligan is one of the most under-appreciated writers in comics.
June 14, 2017
Not what I was expecting when I grabbed a Sub-Mariner title out of the used trade bin at my comic shop, but really cool anyway!
A good slow-burn, atmospheric horror book. And, as someone who's not typically about that horror life, I really enjoyed it. Great art, concise but not lacking in detail, feels like that one episode of Firefly. Not my absolute favorite thing I've ever read, but it's good.
A good slow-burn, atmospheric horror book. And, as someone who's not typically about that horror life, I really enjoyed it. Great art, concise but not lacking in detail, feels like that one episode of Firefly. Not my absolute favorite thing I've ever read, but it's good.
April 25, 2019
There's not a whole lot of Namor in this. He's essentially the boogey-man in a creepy horror story.
The artwork by Ribic is amazing, and combined with Milligan's story it was very atmospheric.
However I can't help but feel a little bit let down by the ending. I wanted to find out a bit more about Namor, but we get nothing. Not motivations for his actions... nothing!
The artwork by Ribic is amazing, and combined with Milligan's story it was very atmospheric.
However I can't help but feel a little bit let down by the ending. I wanted to find out a bit more about Namor, but we get nothing. Not motivations for his actions... nothing!
March 3, 2024
I really expected this to be better. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous, but the pacing is extremely slow. Namor rarely makes an appearance; instead, he is treated as a mystery throughout the comic and the majority of the plot revolves around characters searching for Atlantis - most of whom I unfortunately found to be bland and uninteresting.
October 7, 2014
To be honest this was mostly a very slow, over-wrought build-up, but man, the art is Gorgeous!!
And the perspective on this classic character was wonderfully fresh, so, ...
4 stars it is.
And the perspective on this classic character was wonderfully fresh, so, ...
4 stars it is.
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