Today's topic is the thirteenth issue of Super-Villain Team-Up. The cover depicted Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, and the warlord known as Krang squaring off in Dr. Doom's hands. The story was called "When Walks the Warlord!" The issue had a publication date of August 1977.
The tale began underwater, as Namor neared his home of Atlantis. Following closely behind him was Dr. Doom, piloting a spherical craft across the water's bottom. Victor Von Doom was attempting to honor his vow to assist the Atlantean people. The allies had just reached Atlantis' boundaries when they were attacked.
The Sub-Mariner approached the first wave and soon learned that the warlord Krang now inhabited his realm. Doom observed that revelation from the safety of his ship. He entered the suspended animation room after the battle had begun, and released a quartet of small projectiles from his armor a few moments later.
While Namor continued battling Krang and his cohorts, Doom met Lord Vashti after he and his comrades emerged from their lengthy slumber. Vashti dispatched his comrades to assist their regent Namor, who now had to face a giant beast that Krang had summoned by blowing a large horn (that was first used in the fourth issue of the original Fantastic Four title).
During the melee, Krang returned to the throne room, where he met Doom. The would-be usurper of Atlantis proved to be no match for the Latverian monarch. Namor arrived shortly after his battle had been won, to find Krang defeated. He was thankful for Doom's assistance and that he kept his word, but their alliance was now over.
Namor's people were chanting his name once more as Doom departed. Victor noted that his strength was from his own determination, while Namor's was derived from the faith in him by his fellow Atlanteans. Doom was certain that they would meet again, but he did not know if it would be as friend or foe the next time.
I felt like this was a satisfactory conclusion to Doom and Namor's partnership. It was a rocky relationship as I've said before, one that sometimes felt a bit out of place. Namor has been portrayed as both hero and villain throughout the decades in Marvel publications. and he has sided with Doom more than once. I'm glad that a different villain was the main antagonist, instead of someone like Tiger Shark or Attuma, who we ran across earlier in this series' run.
That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll close out the workweek with a discussion of the fourteenth issue of Marvel's Super-Villain Team-Up. A new threat takes the co-billing spot that issue, in a story that closes out this title's regular run and is a crossover with a book that featured a short-lived hero team. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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