Sub-Mariner #4Sub-Mariner #4
Title: “Who Strikes for Atlantis?”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: John Buscema
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Editor: Stan Lee
Namor is swimming towards New York when he thinks he sees Dorma. Namor stops to see her, but when he does he finds that Dorma was only a mirage. Namor wonders why he should long for one who betrayed him. Namor says that he must banish her from his mind just as she allowed him to be banished from Atlantis. Namor says that he is alone now, but that he must not let his loneliness interfere with his mission to find the man who in times past caused the deaths of Emperor Thakorr and his mother Princess Fen. Namor says that only Reed Richards can help him find the villain Destiny, and that he will help him or feel his wrath.
West of Namor in the Atlantic Ocean, Attuma sits within his massive metallic fortress. Attuma’s court fool tells him that his three scout crafts have returned. Attuma tells him to bring them to him right away, and that Proteus preserve them if they don’t tell him what he wants to hear. His scouts tell Attuma that they have located the Atlanteans. Attuma tells them to sound the call to arms, and that they will strike within the hour. The court fool says that the Atlanteans were foolish to believe that they would find peace by abandoning their capital. He goes on to say that Attuma is smart for attacking them when Namor, who can defeat Attuma in combat, is forever exiled. Attuma tells his court fool to shut up, or he will forget his privileged position. Attuma says that while Namor may have bested him in the past that it will never happen again. Attuma wishes that he could fight him again so he could prove his might is superior. The court fool tells Attuma to speak quietly lest his wish be granted. Attuma tells him to shut up or he is going to shut him up.
Attuma addresses his troops and says that they are going to attack the Atlanteans without warning or quarter. He says that the Atlanteans will be their slaves or die. He says that he is going to lead them in this triumph. A voice from the crowd speaks up and says that a coward must not lead them. Attuma asks who dares call him a coward. Gorgul steps forward and says that he should be warlord instead of Attuma. Gorgul says that he challenges Attuma to a death-duel to determine which of them is worthy to rule. Gorgul asks Attuma what he says. Attuma says, “This I say dolt… that you shall never again raise your voice against your betters!” Without warning Attuma throws a cudgel across the room into Gorgul’s face. Attuma says that is the fate of anyone who would challenge his power. Attuma says that his weapon has left Gorgul’s sight dimmed and his brain clouded. Attuma says that the next time he speaks out against his betters that it will be through toothless gums. Attuma yells at everyone else to get ready. The court fool says, “Beware, sire… lest the blindness of Gorgul be ended before your own!” Attuma says that the court fool was born to play the fool because his prattlings make no sense. Soon Attuma is aboard a gargantuan heavily armed flagship. The court fool says that soon Attuma will match the success of Krang and Byrrah. Attuma points out that they failed, but says that he will not. Attuma gives the order to depart.
A few leagues away, the Atlanteans are walking. Dorma is talking with Lord Seth. She says that the times weigh heavily upon her. She says that Namor is banished and their people are wanderers. She says that only Seth’s presence gives her comfort. Seth says that he will stay by her side for as long as she needs him. Dorma asks Vashti how long they will have to roam the ocean depths before they can find a land to make their home so that she can follow her heart. Vashti says that he knows that Dorma wants to search for Namor, but that her people need her now. Dorma asks if she will ever get to stop being of noble blood and just be a woman in love. Suddenly one of the Atlanteans scout ships speeds back to them. The scout tells them that their advance guard is being attacked by Attuma. Dorma says that they aren’t prepared for combat. Seth starts to leave. Dorma asks him where he is going. Seth says that his place is at the forefront of battle.
The scout takes Seth to the battle as he returns. Seth sees Attuma’s forces ravaging the Atlantean forces. The barbarians far outnumber the Atlanteans and there seems to be no hope of the Atlanteans defending themselves. Seth joins in the fight, and the sight gives hope to the Atlantean soldiers. Sensing that the key to the battle is bringing down Seth, the barbarians swarm him and chain him. Later Seth awakens to find himself kneeling before Attuma. The court fool asks if they should release Seth so that Attuma might smite him. Attuma tells him to shut up. Attuma says that if it were the Sub-Mariner that he would do just that, but that there is no profit in fighting one of lesser stature. Seth tells Attuma to face him and he will see that others besides Namor can stand for Atlantis. Attuma kicks Seth in the gut and tells him to speak only when spoken to. Attuma orders his men to keep Seth heavily guarded until his men return with all the Atlanteans. Attuma says then that he will execute Seth, Vashti, and the lady Dorma in front of them. Attuma says that then Namor will be the only one who remains of those who were the “Flower of Atlantic”.
Namor decides to catch a ride with a large tortoise so that he can preserve his strength for later. Some of Attuma’s barbarians spot Namor and decide that they should capture him, and that Attuma would reward them for bringing him “such a prize!” The three barbarians surround Namor. Namor says that they look like lackeys of Attuma, and says that in his exiled state he no longer has any quarrel with Attuma. Namor tells them to get lost or they will feel his imperial wrath. One barbarian notes that Namor still speaks of royal anger though he is an outcast. The barbarian swings his axe at Namor. Namor catches his axe in mid swing and throws the barbarian into one of his comrades. The barbarian says that Namor might be stronger than the Atlanteans that they have captured, but that it will avail him nothing. Namor said that he had no idea his proud people were captives. The barbarian takes advantage of Namor’s hesitation and belts him across the face. Kor Konn looks down at the unconscious Namor and says that he will be without equal when he brings Namor before Attuma a helpless prisoner.
Kor Konn shackles
Namor’s arms, legs, and head. He brings Namor to Attuma and
tells Attuma to look at what his mightiest warrior has done for
him. The court jester says that he warned Attuma not to speak too
loudly. Attuma tells Kor Konn that he is a “bumbling,
brainless block”. He says that Kor should have destroyed
Namor on the spot. Attuma asks Kor if it never dawned on him that
Namor might be feigning weakness. 
Namor says that the time for pretense is past.
Namor shatters the shackles that hold him. Attuma tells him guard
to help him, but Namor is on Attuma instantly. Attuma starts
laughing at Namor. Namor tells him to get up. Attuma says that
Namor isn’t going to do anything. Attuma says that he has
something to show him. Attuma pulls back a curtain and tells
Namor to look and decide if he wishes to continue their struggle.
Namor looks out and is aghast as he sees that the Atlanteans have
been turned into Attuma’s slaves. He says that they are
mining the precious metals of the deep. Namor says that he does
not see Dorma, Vashti, or Seth among the people. Attuma says that
they are all dead. Namor drops to his knees and says that this
must not be true. Attuma adds that they will not be the only ones
of Namor’s people to die unless Namor agrees to serve him
forever. Namor says that he has a better plan. He challenges
Attuma to battle before his minions and the loser will serve the
winner. Attuma says that Namor is funnier than his court jester
and asks why he should agree to that. The barbarians around
Attuma start to whisper that is sounds like Attuma is unsure of
his prowress. Another says that maybe another should lead them.
Attuma decides that he has to fight Namor and tells his guards to
bring him his metal armor.
Now fully garbed in
his metal gear, Attuma calls for the battle to proceed. Namor
punches Attuma in the stomach only to receive a shock from the
armor. Namor clutches his hand. Attuma asks Namor if he has
already lost his taste for combat. 
Attuma says that he hasn’t and swats
Namor across the face with his axe. Namor says that Attuma is a
cheater, but that he can’t appeal to his hordes because they
are all just as bestial as Attuma to deplore such tactics. Namor
rips up a cannon and throws it at Attuma. Attuma’s men all
run from the debris, but Attuma stands still as the cannon
bounces off his chest. Attuma slams his axe into Namor’s
stomach.
With his now limited eyesight, Gorgul watches the fight and says to himself that the barbarians should not be ruled by one without honor, pride, or valor. Gorgul decides to do something about it. Gorgul fights his way into the prisoners’ compound. The guard shoots Gorgul, but Gorgul keeps pushing his way through. Gorgul rips through one of the nearby structures and frees Dorma. Gorgul tells Dorma not to be afraid of him. He says that he only came to help her and Namor. Dorma tells Gorgul to take her to Namor right away. Gorgul takes Dorma to the machine that is powering Attuma’s armor. He says that they must destroy it, but then he collapses from loss of blood. Gorgul tells Dorma that she must smash the machine to save Namor. Gorgul says that then Namor will show what a coward Attuma is. With his dying breath Gorgul says that he should have led the barbarians. Dorma wonders how she is going to destroy the machine. She finds a nearby axe and hits the machine. The machine explodes.
At that moment, Attuma is standing on Namor’s arms. Attuma says that he could never trust Namor as his lackey and so he must die. Namor gives one final try to get up and smashes Attuma’s axe as it comes down. Attuma asks what happened to his machine. Namor says realizes that all of Attuma’s power came from some device. Namor tears the armor off Attuma and then knocks him unconscious. Namor asks the barbarians if any of them want a piece of him. They all say no and Namor tells them to get lost. He says that the next time they would assault the Atlanteans that they should think of Attuma’s fate. The barbarians leave. Namor watches his people and says that they are now free to find solace in the arms of a loved one. Namor says that only he is denied that and thinks about how Attuma told him that Dorma was dead.
Inside Attuma’s cell, the court jester cries for Attuma. He says that Attuma always called him a fool, but that he was the one who warned him that Gorgul’s blindness might not outlast his own. He says that now Gorgul is dead, his blindness ended, while Attuma endures with nothing but hatred in his heart.
Namor says that he has no place among his former subjects. He says that they will find another leader, but that he can never find another like Dorma. Namor decided to set out and find the villain Destiny.
Prince of the Realm rating: 7 out of 10
That Attuma is one bad guy. Attacking the weak and ruling over them. One has to wonder why Attuma didn’t kill Dorma and the others like he said he was going to. Buscema’s style and storytelling are good, but the issue’s fighting is very weak. Everything is blocked out by the impact lines or shown by clasps of people’s hands. I do have to say that the page where the barbarians are conquering Atlanteans was very well done however.