Black Panther & Namor: Doomed #1 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the FIRST issue of Black Panther & Namor: Doomed #1 from Marvel Comics!
Black Panther & Namor are two rulers who don’t usually work together all that well. So what happens when they’re forced to join forces? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Black Panther & Namor: Doomed #1 by Ethan S. Parker & Griffin Sheridan (Writers), Stefano Nesi (Artist), Jesus Aburtov (Color Artist), VC’s Travis Lanham (Letterer), Dave Johnson (Cover Artist)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
I was very intrigued to read this story, not only because it featured two rival kings who have a history of disagreeing with each other but also to see just how it would work it’s way into the stories being told in the Armageddon & Captain America storylines. Those two stories have such high stakes for the entire Marvel Universe, that it makes sense that they’re going to eventually bring other parts of the world into them.
Ethan S. Parker & Griffin Sheridan do a really great job presenting the story in a way that feels familiar to folks who might not have read the most recent stories involving Black Panther and/or Namor and seamlessly working them into the ongoing story being told with Captain America/Armageddon. They do a great job portraying both T’Challa & Namor as different sides of a coin but in the end it’s still the same quarter. They’re both dealing with their own problems in their own ways, but as is often the case those struggles pale in comparison to what is awaiting them on the horizon.
Before long things escalate very quickly for both sides and it leads to a very exciting conclusion. I won’t spoil what it is, but I’m sure it’s going to leave you with more questions than it does answers. I’m curious to see where this leads them in the next issue, and also what it means for the ongoing Cap series along with the Armageddon storyline. As I’ve said, both stories are tied together even if it might not seem like it at this point. So any oportunity to see how those two stories come closer together is going to be very interesting to watch develop.
The Artwork
Stefano Nesi & Jesus Aburtov are in charge of the artwork for this issue and they do a tremendous job with it. The use of color to really convey just how dark the overall tone is really stands out to me, since it feels like this story is going to lead to more trouble for the larger Marvel Universe. You also have to admire the action sequences which really are some of the best you’ll see from Marvel this week. The artwork really does a great job complimenting the story and the two play off each other really well.
Overall Grade: 8/10
A very intriguing story that is sure to leave you with more questions by the end than you started with. An intriguing set up for this first issue is sure to have ripple effects that are sure to be felt across the Marvel Universe in very compelling way. Together with artwork that is simple spectacular, this is an issue that you can’t pass up on!
