Would you work with a sworn enemy… if the threat was hell itself? The unlikely team-up event between Black Panther and Namor in their latest series, Doomed by Ethan Parker & Griffin Sheridan (the duo known for Queens’ Finest), explores the answer to this question.
It dives into the ramifications following events such as T’Challa being ousted from the throne and forcing his way back in, alongside Namor stepping down as King of Atlantis. There’s a strong contrast that jumps out as we read panels of both protecting their nations. Wakanda warns you: This article contains spoilers for both Doomed #1 and Captain America #15. Namor’s still adored and thanked by a lot of his subjects, while T’Challa is actively disliked despite being king again, even by his Dora Milaje, who make obvious their feelings of contempt at his throne. That could be due to a difference in personality. Wakandans are probably more apt and likely to speak out so harshly against T’Challa because of his kinder personality, as opposed to Namor.
On the topic of them as kings, for some odd reason, both are drawn with baby faces in this. I’m not a fan of that. They look like guys approaching 20, and it doesn’t really suit the level of experience they have and how long they’ve ruled their respective kingdoms. Additionally, this direction fails to work as a contrast to Dr. Doom. With his serious eyes, steely outfit, and strong demeanor, it just doesn’t contrast well when seeing their baby faces. Besides that though, the art is solid.
Doom attacks Atlantis alongside hellspawn demons, after striking a deal with Mephisto in Captain America #15 to regain his life. In exchange, he agrees that his soul will be Mephisto’s after he dies.
The thematic flip is really intriguing here. Usually Atlantis suffers attacks from above. The surface world is where battle tends to find Atlantis, if not from within. This time, the attack arrives literally from the core of the earth. Instead of from above, Atlantis suffers from below, as the sea floor splits open and demons run rampant.
The other flip is that heroes friendly with Namor tend to come down to Atlantis and ask for help, or Namor goes up to the surface world to attack. In Doomed, Namor turns both of those tropes on their heads, as he goes up, but this time he is the one to ask for help.
Namor’s appalled at Wakanda allowing T’Challa back on the throne, but he needs Wakanda’s help to save Atlantis. Despite no longer being king, the love he has for his people is immense.
By the end of this 5-issue mini-series, a status quo change should occur. Wakanda being at odds with T’Challa has gone on for a bit too long in my opinion, and this story is a good spot to reverse that. Or at the very least, sow the seeds of it.
The main gripe is that T’Challa forced his way back into a monarchy from Wakanda’s democracy. In the face of hellspawn, writing decisions could be utilized to place the nation in situations where they cannot wait for a parliamentary vote and need immediate action. This is where the advantage of a monarch, and T’Challa’s quick/matured decision-making ability can shine.
Branching off the topic of kings and nations, I’m curious why Doom went to Atlantis instead of Latveria. That’s his home, and he still knows the terrain. He also still has a lot of equity as a ruler, with Salvation failing to fill the power vacuum left in his absence. Additionally, Zdarsky’s Captain America revealed he left a clone behind. Coming out of the 15th issue, there’s a lot more to be done in Latveria than Atlantis, unless the following Cap issue will expand on the deal made with Mephisto.
Rating: 3.6/5
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