While not necessarily doing much to move theBest Defense story forward, this issue is quite a gem in its own right. The argument could be made against the necessity of a character study for such a timeworn character as Namor, but I'd argue that it's always best to remember that every comic could be someone's first. And if I knew nothing about Namor, this issue would hook me without hesitation. Read Full Review

I liked this issue. I feel like it had lofty goals and a ton of ambition, succeeding on multiple levels. Read Full Review

Namor: The Best Defense has a good story, good characters, and great art. Definitely worth reading. Read Full Review

NAMOR: THE BEST DEFENSE is both a great refresher and introduction to the King of Atlantis. Zdarsky has a great voice for the Sub-Mariner. Read Full Review

Chip Zdarsky is the brains behind this story that features some lofty ideas spanning vast seas, and Carlos Magno is the artist drawing this classic Marvel looking book, in a super stimulating era of comics. Zdarsky does a great job of capturing the internal battle that Namor is forced him to endure. Life isn't east as a half human Atlantean King and that thought process is explored in depth.Magno helps Namor: The Best Defense #1 separate itself from DC's King of Atlantis, for this take is unique in many ways. The ending really changes everything about Namor and his crusade to unite two kingdoms. More importantly, this ending means the Defenders are that much closer to uniting like Voltron, and I cannot wait until that goes down! Read Full Review

Missteps aside Namor: The Best Defense #1 gives readers a pretty good idea of what Zdarsky's incoming Invaders book will be like, but it could have used a bit more of a concrete direction and a clearer art style. Read Full Review

Maybe it's the strange undersea locations, maybe it's the arrogance of our hero, but something here feels off, even with strong art and some nice dialogue. Read Full Review

Not sure what this issue has to do with The Best Defense, aside from the interlude and the ending. It feels more like set up for Zdarsky's Invaders run next year. Which is fine because I enjoyed this issue and I will be reading Invaders, but it makes me wonder if the bulk of this issue even matters to whatever story The Best Defense is trying to tell. The Immortal Hulk story seemed very related, but maybe it wasn't. The interludes are very weird and I have no clue what they have to do with anything, but I do like the ghost murderer, not gonna lie. This was interesting and Namor is a fun character, I just hope it doesn't feel out of place when this is all collected.

Art was alright. Very confusing in the middle, the action was pretty good! With no history of Namor except his recent battle with the Avengers and his Ultimate version, wish they explained more. The cliffhanger definitely has me interested in the next Best Defense issue.

That was mostly boring, but the conclusion of the story really carried it for me. Except for that weird Silver Surfer part... What the hell? And I still hate these interludes. However, the art is okay and there was almost nothing really bad. It's just not very interesting and I actually understood, that Namor comics might not be for me at all... Yeah, I still can't see this "Best Defense" as the event at all.