Sub-Mariner #47
Published and © by Marvel, March 1972
Title: “Doomsmasque!”
Synopsis: An amnesiac Sub-Mariner is stalked by Doctor Doom, who needs Namor for a plot to acquire the Cosmic Cube.
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: Gene Colan
Inker: Mike Esposito
Review: The early 1970s were a great time for the “average” Marvel comic. Fresh young talent like Gerry Conway were taking the helm of several series while work from above-average veteran artists like Gene Colan and cover artist Gil Kane seemed to be everywhere. Fun character combos – Sub-Mariner vs. Doom vs. MODOK? Sign Little Me up! – were flavored with a splash of Bronze Age relevance and a dash of Marvel’s signature melodrama. Not everything here works, but it really doesn’t need to: This was one heck of a package for the cost of two slim dimes.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “(A) very good three-parter.” – Joe Gibbons, FantaCo’s Chronicle’s Series Annual #1, 1983
Cool factor: Gil Kane was a striking cover artist, particularly during Marvel’s “picture-frame”-cover era.
Not-so-cool factor: MODOK has the Cosmic Cube and uses it … for bait?
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: “My past is still a stranger. Let it remain so. Namor will live – for today!” – An amnesiac Sub-Mariner, YOLOing his way to yet another bad decision
Editor’s note: This review was written July 28, 2025.
