347. Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner (80s) #4 ... Marvel ...

Once more, look at that cover! Imagine from a time when comics artists have to meet deadlines and there are no fancy computer colouring and yet that piece of work is just superb! About the only thing I would suggest to improve is to make the background ... a bit more dark ... more shadowy so that the foreground with the characters would "pop" a bit more ... but that's just tiny bit of suggestion!

So, how will our tale of Namor end? Surprisingly, very well. Nothing feels rushed and everything is closed beautifully. Starting with Namor's usual denial when the truth about his latest crush, Jacq came to the fore ... to the man he had thought to oppose him in bringing Atlantis to the UN ...

No spoilers here as the cover would have told you everything ... apparently Jacq is hellbent upon a mission of revenge since she was a girl as her father was one of those innocent bystanders caught in the middle of a battle with Namor years and years ago and she grew up hating him preparing herself for this mission ...

And to aid her, as she studied the ocean depths and their mythologies, she managed to cover the real trident of Neptune. This is the very instrument that allowed her transformation into that blue Mermaid that gave her the power to transform others into the various creatures that have been giving Namor a hard time over the past few issues. So naturally when he finally found them, ain't no way he was going to defeat them as each of them, singly had already beaten him!

This is one Marvel story that stayed through to its hero's limitations. Namor, for once, when realizing he was hopelessly outclassed (the seas have cast him out) uses his brains and decides on a gamble ... for he is a product of land and sea but not everyone is. So SPOILER ALERT he put the new Jacq to the test ... and she in turn was found wanting

And the last few pages ... both heart breaking and touching and hopeful ... as he found that upon this disaster from the surface ... to return to Atlantis only to be notified that he has been voted unfit to rule!

Ratings: 8/10

346. Namor the Sub Mariner (80s) #3 ... Marvel ...

Look at that cover! Now that is a cover that conveys power!

And that is precisely how this issue starts - full of energy and action and the suspense goes on and on until the final page leaving us to wonder how they are going to wrap this up in just one more issue. I will be honest and admit that as a 12-year-old reading this for the first time ... wow ... it made a good impression on me regards Namor ... he may be arrogant (hey he is a royal born and king of Atlantis) ... but doesn't he have a right to be so?

Anyway for those who have yet to read issues 1 and 2 ... at this time of the tale, Namor is still king of all Atlantis. However, as a person who has a human father and Atlantean mother, Namor decided that it is time for Atlantis to take part on the world stage instead of living hidden away beneath the waves or to come out only for attacks

To this end, he pursued and petitioned through the UN. And the UN attached someone to his case a lady named Jacqueline who actually managed to capture Namor's heart although this is possibly not as difficult as one may imagine as Namor always seemed to melt for human ladies who is blond hehehe!

Anyway, while all this is ongoing, there are problems in his kingdom with some factions thinking he doesn't care about them and more about the surface world. And when problems come and the king is not around, well, this is an opening for politicians and the politicians of Atlantis are no less sharp as their counterparts from the surface world above

But what's a super powered protagonist without a super powered villain? And here the mystery deepens. In the first two issues, each time, Namor encounters something from out of legends. Here is no different. Two giant blue men came out of the depths to assault him and leave him among the rubble and to Namor's swirling thoughts, they most seemed like the old Twins ... from Lord Neptune's era ... but how is that possible?

And who is that mystery figure in darkness that is yet to be revealed?

What will Namor's final fates be?

Ratings: 8/10

293. Alpha Flight vol 1 #3 ... Marvel ...

Check out the cover first! Here's a voluptuous woman fully clothed yet managing to look o-so-sexy! All you bad girl pin-up artists should learn a thing or two here especially as you can see even though she has tights on there is no nipple! Don't get me wrong! I do collect the 90s comics from Image a lot

Anyway, in this the third issue, the primary highlights are that we get to see an aspect of Snowbird's abilities that are largely ignored throughout Alpha's issues which is certainly refreshing as I too have forgotten until I re-read this issue

Aside from that, each Alphan finds themselves being challenged with their worst fears by the revealed villain from last issue, the Master of the World ... and he even shares his origins with Marrina (and no it is not cliche) ... and what an unexpected origin it is too ... something I would never have dreamt of

And as for a cliffhanger ending ... yup ... I thought when the word balloon popped up it would be an Alphan ... what an unexpected but delightful surprise! We will not SPOIL it for you by disclosing who are the guest stars since even the covers kept them out of it

Finally, on the flipside, we see more development in Weapon Alpha in Dept H as Mc develops his suit and other operatives come onboard including a certain mutant with claws

Ratings: 8/10