For decades, the Marvel Universe has been woven interconnected tales of heroes, earth-shattering conflicts, and, of course, complex relationships. Among the most polarizing is the unique connection betweenThe Fantastic Four’sInvisible Woman, Sue Storm, and the Sub-Mariner, Namor. It is a dynamic that has sometimes captivated readers, but also split the fandom, generating heated opinions on both sides of the aisle.
The romance between Sue Storm and Namor isn’t just a relationship created to make a love trianglebetween the two and Reed Richards;it’s a deeply entrenched aspect of Marvel lore that existed well before many of its most famous pairings.
From their initial encounters, a palpable tension existed between the two.While Reed might be Sue’s intellectual equaland eventual husband,Namor represented the forbidden fruit; a challenge to her established life, sparking debates among fans for generations about where Sue’s heart truly lies.
The First Seeds Of An Unlikely Love Affair Were Sown Early
The Fantastic Four Were Introduced In 1962
The very first instance of a romantic spark between Namor and Sue Storm can be traced back toFantastic Four#4 (1962), a seminal issue crafted by the legendary duo of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. In this very early interaction, Namor, having been rediscovered after years of amnesia,immediately develops an infatuation with Sue. He is captivated by her beauty and spirit, seeing her as a queen worthy of his underwater kingdom. This initial attraction wasn’t subtle at all. Namor actively pursued Sue, often at the expense of The Fantastic Four’s missions, creating well-deserved friction with Reed Richards.
Namor’s relentless pursuit of Sue continued through many earlyFantastic Fourarcs.He frequently tried to whisk her away to Atlantis, believing he could offer her a life that she would never find with Reed.While Sue did reject his advances, there was often a sense of conflicted emotion; an acknowledgment of Namor’s power and charm, even as her loyalty remained with her teammates and, eventually, Reed. This complicated emotional entanglement laid the groundwork for a relationship between the two that would frequently waver between antagonist, ally, and potential romance.
Their Undeniable Chemistry Continued Through Decades of Storytelling
The Relationship Has Been Part Of Comics For Over 60 Years
Even after Sue Storm married Reed Richards, the underlying tension never truly ended.Writers over the decades have revisited this lustful dynamic to create tension between The Fantastic Four and Namor.In the 1980s, John Byrne’s run onFantastic Fourcontinued to explore the complicated relationship. While always remaining faithful to Reed, there were moments where Sue acknowledged the allure of a romance with Namor in a “what if” fashion that added depth to her character beyond simply being Reed’s wife. This long-lasting pull becamea facet of Sue’s personalitythat made her seem more independent and less defined solely by her familial duties.
Even after Sue Storm married Reed Richards, the underlying tension never truly ended.
This divisive flirtation resurfaced more than once over the years, often as a background hum in the grand scope of Marvel storytelling. Even in modern comics, creators likeJonathan Hickman during hisFantastic FourandFFruns subtly acknowledged the historical precedent of Namor’s feelings for Sue, and her quiet understanding of them. The classic drama of the “other man” (in this case, one who is also a powerful king), along withSue’s unwavering love for Reed, yet awareness of Namor’s feelings, ensures that the love triangle is still relevant in The Fantastic Four storylines after 60 years.
Given Marvel Studios' ongoing commitment to adapting iconic comic book storylines and character dynamics, it seems almost inevitable that the Sue Storm and Namor dynamic will find its way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. WithSue Stormpoised to make her long-awaited MCU debut along with the rest of Marvel’s First Family inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Namor already introduced inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, the pieces are perfectly aligned. Whether fans embrace it or not, the undeniable chemistry and historical significance of the relationship are too strong for Marvel to ignore, promising a divisive addition to the MCU’s established lore.
