Dedicated to the definitive superhero non-team.


Friday, July 13, 2012

Captain Nemo

An unfolding storyline in the pages of the Defenders revealed that more than 100 years ago Prince Namor's mother had banded together with an unusual array of pulp-era adventurers, including the likes of Captain Nemo. A key piece of evidence emerged in Defenders #5, when the modern heroes discovered the remains of the Nautilus submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne.

This would mean that Captain Nemo was not only a character from 19th century literature but also a historical figure within the world of Marvel characters—and a topic of discussion among the latest version of the non-team (Defenders #5).

Red She-Hulk: Do you think the dead guy there is really Captain Nemo? From the books and such?

As his teammate spoke, Namor looked closely at a photograph of the fabled captain.

Namor: What books?
Red She-Hulk: Jules Verne?
Namor: Is he an Atlantean author?
Red She-Hulk: No, he--
Namor: Haven't read it.

The half-Atlantean observed familial resemblance between himself and the legendary captain, so Red She-Hulk broached the subject.

Red She-Hulk: Could he be your father?
Namor: … It doesn't matter. I know who I am.
Defenders. No. 5. June 2012. "Namor: The 99 Daughters of Pontus." Matt Fraction (writer), Mitch Breitweiser (artist), Mitch & Bettie Bretweiser (color artists), VC's Clayton Cowles (letterer).
An illustrated adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ran in Marvel Classics Comics #4 (Jan. 1976). The Mysterious Island appeared in #11 (July 1976).

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