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1st appearance of Sub-Mariner in Silver Age; 1st "Flame On"; Jack Kirby cover; COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 8 (CBI)


Fantastic Four #4 features the first appearance of Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner in the Silver Age, beginning Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's vision of reviving Golden Age stars from the days of Timely Comics. Fortunately, plenty of readers were excited to see Prince Namor recover from the case of amnesia that had left him living on the Bowery. It wasn't long before the Sub-Mariner stopped by Avengers #4 to free Captain America from his suspended animation in a block of ice. We're also early enough in the Fantastic Four run to get Johnny Storm's first cry of "Flame on!"

Typically, the creative team also turned up the drama for the Sub-Mariner's comeback. Where the Golden Age Namor was a tortured anti-hero, the Silver Age Namor was happily settled into hating humans. Sue Storm was the sole exception, which made Namor specifically enraged at her fellow members of the Fantastic Four. This amazing return would help to establish the new comic as one of the most gloriously inventive of all Silver Age Marvel titles—with Namor's continuing popularity ensuring that this issue remains a top collectible.
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