Sub-Mariner #49
Published and © by Marvel, May 1972
Title: “The Dream Stone”
Synopsis: Doctor Doom clashes with MODOK while Sub-Mariner attempts to rescue a damsel in distress – before the Cosmic Cube explodes!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: Gene Colan
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Review: This three-part saga (see reviews of Sub-Mariner #47 and #48) started strong but sputters to its conclusion with this hodgepodge of plot threads and character motivations. Doctor Doom seems strangely indecisive and emotional. MODOK wants to kill everyone and hang out with his androids lackeys. Sub-Mariner has amnesia and literally doesn’t know what’s going on. And Kenner? Who even knows who Kenner is? In short, there’s a lot happening here, but little understanding of why it’s happening. It feels a lot like many summer blockbusters: plenty of big punching and explosions but little in the way of story sense.
Grade: C+
Cool factor: Gene Colan is best remembered as a moody horror artist, but his Sub-Mariner work is a nice reminder that he did some fine superhero work, as well.
Not-so-cool factor: Sub-Mariner was paralyzed on the final page of the previous issue – a fact no one seems to remember here.
Notable: Death of Kenner. (Who? Exactly.)
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 6p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a National Diamond variant.
Character quotable: “Doom, for all your supposed sophistication, at heart – you are still a peasant.” – MODOK, who knows how to hurt a guy
Editor’s note: This review was written Aug. 3, 2025.
