Namor’s ideal adversary in the MCU was foreshadowed 12 years ago

The groundwork for an intriguing showdown between Tenoch Huerta’s Namor and a formidable opponent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was laid over a decade ago. The anticipation surrounding Namor’s live-action debut reached a crescendo in 2022 with the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, marking a significant moment in Phase 4 of the MCU.

Namor the Sub-Mariner’s introduction holds immense significance for the MCU, given his expansive corner of the Marvel Universe, replete with a unique rogues’ gallery and supporting characters. While Namor was initially portrayed as a foe to Shuri in Black Panther 2, there’s vast untapped potential for the character’s cinematic narrative. Namor’s storied comic history suggests that he deserves more than merely serving as an adversary to existing MCU characters; instead, he could engage with fresh faces in the MCU’s future.

Interestingly, the stage for a potential adversary was subtly set 12 years ago in Captain America: The First Avenger. Marvel planted an Easter egg during the Stark Expo scene, featuring a glass display of the humanoid figure of a man in a red and gold-trimmed suit. Identified as Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch, this character from the Golden Age of Marvel Comics has a historical rivalry with Namor. Their first heated battle in 1939’s Marvel Comics #1 marked the Marvel Universe’s inaugural superhero clash.

The MCU’s introduction of Quantum Bands in Black Panther 2 has opened the door for Namor’s powerful nemesis to make an appearance. The Human Torch, with his ability to produce fire, aligns well with Namor’s vulnerability to dehydration, as highlighted in Wakanda Forever. This vulnerability sets the stage for an engaging showdown, and the Human Torch’s fiery capabilities offer a unique dynamic against Namor.

While the Human Torch may lack the raw power of other Marvel powerhouses, his ability to exploit Namor’s weakness provides a strategic advantage. The events in Black Panther 2, particularly Shuri’s plan to weaken Namor through dehydration, showcase the potential for a compelling battle between Namor and the Human Torch. The Human Torch’s fire-based attacks could prove to be a formidable challenge for Namor, adding complexity to their potential conflict.

Considering the groundwork laid by the MCU in Captain America: The First Avenger and the thematic resonance established in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the possibility of a Namor vs. Human Torch confrontation holds significant narrative potential. While there are currently no announced MCU projects explicitly leading to this clash, the existence of the original Human Torch in the MCU, as hinted at in the Easter egg, offers a compelling thread for future exploration.

Marvel has an opportunity to revisit the 12-year-old setup for Jim Hammond’s character, presenting him as a fully-fledged MCU superhero. Introducing the original Human Torch in a future MCU project, such as Captain America: Brave New World, could involve a storyline where present-day characters uncover and reactivate him. This narrative thread could tie back to the MCU’s past and seamlessly connect with its current phase.

Should Marvel pursue this avenue, it could offer its unique interpretation of a West Coast Avengers story that brings Hammond into the modern world. In the comics, Hammond briefly joined Hawkeye’s Avengers team, presenting an intriguing prospect for Phase 5 or Phase 6 of the MCU. This setup could pave the way for a cinematic encounter between the Human Torch and Namor in a future Avengers installment, building on the rich history and potential conflicts embedded in Marvel’s expansive universe.

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