Copyright Screen Rant
One of Marvel's first ever heroes just got a haunting redesign, as they gain the full powers of the God of Symbiotes. It's a dark new look that fans will never forget, and one that MCU fans (who only recently met the character in question) need to see. Namor Unleashes His Symbiote Potential in Haunting Redesign Marvel recently announced a series of new 'Knullified' variant covers, celebrating the launch of the new Knull series from Al Ewing and Tom Waltz. Heroes like Daredevil, Nova, Spider-Man and Wolverine are transformed as if they've gained Knull's abilities, however the star of the show is Namor the Sub-Mariner. In a cover drawn by Aaron Kuder, Namor gains a silver torso and intimidating tentacled body, with Knull's black ichor and blood-red detailing turning the king of Atlantis into the ultimate sea monster. Kuder has transformed Namor into a monstrous form not seen in his more than eight decades in Marvel Comics. The cover will appear on select copies of New Avengers #7, coming this December from Sam Humphries and Ton Lima. Namor first officially appeared in 1939's Marvel Comics #1 alongside fellow icon the Human Torch, though he technically debuted in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 (an unpublished comic intended as a giveaway item.) He was created by Bill Everett and pre-dates DC's Aquaman by several years. Knull will follow the return of the former God of Symbiotes, who has been imprisoned by the Asgardian goddess Hela. At the height of his power, Knull commanded the powers of a primordial god, able to travel across time and space by projecting his mind into symbiote matter. He was killed and replaced by Eddie Brock's Venom in 2020's King in Black, with his return to life so far unexplained. Namor Can't Escape His Monstrous Potential It's fitting that this awesome design should feature on the cover of New Avengers, given the series has seen Namor literally confront his own monstrous potential. The comic follow the ragtag New Avengers as they hunt down clones of Marvel's greatest heroes. Namor's clone in particular has become a thorn in the team's side, with 'Imperius Rex' possessing powerful telepathic abilities. Originally an imp-like being, Imperius Rex eventually grew into a kraken not dissimilar from Namor's own 'Knullified' redesign. Namor debuted as an antihero with a major grudge against humanity, but willing to ally with heroes like Human Torch and Captain America to beat the Nazis. Since then, he's attacked the 'surface world' multiple times, both deliberately and as part of a condition where water pollution causes him to exhibit unstable behavior. In many ways, these dark reimaginings of Namor are how he's been seen by innocent victims who got on the wrong side of a king's temper. There are few Marvel heroes more in touch with their inner darkness than Namor the Sub-Mariner, and Aaron Kuder's redesign shows what he could become if he truly surrendered to his worst impulses. New Avengers #7 is coming December 10 from Marvel Comics.
