Number 914


Subby nontraditional


I've got some Sub-Mariner stories here that probably aren't what you think of when you think of this classic character.

First we've got a version attributed by the Grand Comics Database to Al Gabriele, from Sub-Mariner #31, 1949. This is a very wacky story, close to the end of Sub-Mariner's 1940s run. Second we have a version by Bob Powell from 1954's Human Torch #36. This could be an inventory story, in case regular Subby artist Bill Everett was late or missed a deadline. As much as I normally like Powell, his visualization of the character seems wrong.

Finally, the Sub-Mariner that isn't. This Tony Mortellaro-drawn story looks like Namor. It's from issue #1 of Adventures Into Mystery, 1956, produced during a period when Sub-Mariner was in limbo. His comic had been canceled, and he was still five years away from being revived in Fantastic Four.

Scans for these stories are provided by Pappy friend-contributors John Kaminsky and Jim Sharpe. Thanks, guys!