A 50th ANNIVERSARY sartorial salute!
Maybe it’s because I’m not a Marvel purist. Maybe it’s because I just have great taste in clothes. But I’ve always dug the Sub-Mariner’s short-lived, but far out 1970s outfit. You know, the one with the wings and plunging neckline.
John Romita designed the outfit, which debuted 50 years ago in August 1973’s Sub-Mariner #67. Namor fairly quickly returned to the Speedo look but you can’t blame the guy for tryin’ to be stylin’, right?
So why are we running this at the end of July instead of August 7, the actual debut date? Because it’s damn hot! And because we’re doing a whole 13 COVERS thang on Black Manta over here.
See? You get both of your aquatic Marvel and DC during this disgusting heatwave.
Dig, then, 13 COVERS: THE SUB-MARINER IN HIS GROOVY ’70s THREADS:
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John Romita, with poss. Tony Mortellaro ink assists
Romita
Romita
Gil Kane pencils, Frank Giacoia inks
Ed Hannigan pencils, Joe Sinnott inks
Rich Buckler pencils, Dan Adkins inks
Buckler and Sinnott
Larry Lieber pencils, inker unclear. Romita alterations.
Buckler and Sinnott
Kane pencils, Mike Esposito’s inks
Buckler and Sinnott
Kane and Giacoia
Romita
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MORE
— 13 BLACK MANTA COVERS: Because It’s HOT and It’s Summer. Click here.
— 13 TALES TO ASTONISH COVERS Just to Make You Feel Good. Click here.
July 29, 2023
Very cool. I remember when the Avenging Son got his new duds (and briefly his given name above the title). Do any Dimensionalists out there know how and why (and by whom) Marvel made the decision to retrofit Subby? Were his sales that badly underwater? (And I don’t suppose there’s a SS-M action figure out there??)
July 29, 2023
My understanding is that sales for the title were declining and the thought was that putting Sub-Mariner in a more traditional superhero-looking costume would increase sales. Alas, it didn’t.
July 29, 2023
I was never a fan. I think it might’ve worked better if it had kept the more traditional green color scheme.
July 29, 2023
Dimensionalists! I love it! I’m gonna use that! Thanks, Laurence! (And yes, there has been at least one action figure. Possibly more.)
July 29, 2023
I’m with you, Dan. I love Namor’s black costume. So much better, and more regal, than green speedos.
July 30, 2023
I had a few of those Super-Villain Team-Up’s.
It took years before I got the in-story reason for Subby’s costume change. When I was younger I liked the new version, prefer the speedo now.
July 29, 2023
No. 69 great cover!
July 30, 2023
I love this costume!
July 30, 2023
I think he looked more like a Las Vegas performer than s superhero in it.
August 2, 2023
That’s OK by me! Namor Presley!
August 2, 2023
One of my favorite costumes!