Namor: Conquered Shores #2 Review

Written by: Christopher Cantwell
Art by: Pasqual Ferry
Colors by: Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by: Pasqual Ferry, Matt Hollingsworth
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: November 16, 2022

Namor: Conquered Shores #2 shines a ray of hope for the humans living in a power-starved refuge under the ocean as the arrival of Jim Hammond, aka the original Human Torch, presents a solution, a mystery, and a possible threat.

Is It Good?

It’s not bad. Namor: Conquered Shores #2 presents a hook sorely lacking in the first issue, so if you’ve hung on to issue #2, your patience has been rewarded.

Issue #1 ended with Namor, Cap, and LukeCage spotting a Human Torch buzzing the skies over NYC. Assuming the buzzer is Jim Hammond, the OG Torch and full android, the Atlanteans surmise the Torch’s flame powers could serve as the solution to the human colony’s power problems under the ocean. Through a little bickering and a lot of soul searching, Namor and Luke Cage set out to find the Torch to request his help or at least find Reed Richards’ research on Torch powers if Hammond can’t be found.

Cantwell’s overdue hook makes sense, and it’s well-executed here. Readers get a few flashbacks to Namor’s relationship with Sue Storm as a visit to the Baxter Building stirs old feelings. Namor’s relationship with the Atlantean leaders gets fleshed out when Namorita expresses disapproval over Namor’s quest for mercy. And an old villain resurfaces to deepen the mystery of Hammond’s reemergence.

In all, Cantwell brings several pieces together well, making a more intriguing story than hinted at in issue #1.

Along with the writing, Ferry and Hooingsworth turn in gorgeous art in this issue. The color range is spectacular, the character designs are powerful, and the sets are cinematic. Kudos to the art team for a gorgeous book.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Bits and Pieces

Namor: Conquered Shores #2 greatly improves on issue #1 by delivering a quest to save humanity and hinting at the possibility of a new war. The multiple mysteries are well-introduced with high stakes, and the art is gorgeous.