In the 5oth episode of the Golden Age of Comic books, we discuss the Golden Age Sub-Mariner first published by Timely (later Marvel) Comics in 1939. Namor made his first appearance in a giveaway title, Motion Picture Funnies Weekly in 1939. This title was never distributed to the public, and a few months later he had his “real” first appearance and origin in the pages of Marvel Comics #1 (May/June, 1939). The character continued as one of Timely’s big three characters in the pages of Marvel Mystery Comics, Human Torch Comics, Sub-Mariner Comics and All-Winners Comics as a member of the All-Winners Squad. Subby’s Golden Age run was interrupted in 1949, and Atlas attempted a revival of Namor and other Marvel heroes in the pages of Young Men Comics in 1953. This was followed by attempts at reviving the character in Men’s Adventures Comics, Human Torch Comics, Captain America Comics and his own title, Sub-Mariner Comics. This attempt to revive the character met with limited success, and he was retired again until he came back in the Silver Age of Comics in the pages of Fantastic Four #4.
In this episode we also have a special appearance from Bruce Rosenberger of KomicsKast who talks about the Wonder Woman newspaper strips. We also have a another special guest who discusses one of his favorite Golden Age stories.
I also mention some new Golden Age related reading material:
Superman Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told
The Superman Chronicles Volume 2
Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told Volume 2
Justice Society volume 2 (reprinting the death of the Golden Age Batman from Adventure Comics #462)
