Editor's Note: Sub-Mariner: The Depths #2 arrives in stores tomorrow, October 1.

I'm still not sure what to make of this book. Just to let you know, Namor doesn't really show up in this issue either (unless you count the shadowy figure in the background type of showing up), and the entire issue is focused on the interactions of the crew of the submarine and the Rationalist Dr. Stein.

Don't get me wrong. The writing is pretty good, and I'm really enjoying the idea of Namor as folk legend in an alternate Earth setting, but this is really more of a vanity project than a story aimed at your average comic reader. I'm not sure why Marvel just didn't release this as an original graphic novel, since it has no ties to any other work set in any other variation of the Marvel Universe.

But it's cool, nonetheless.

So far as the story goes, the pacing is nice, with Milligan building tension and revealing character slowly, but steadily, for a five issue project. And just in the quality of writing and the level of artistic expression, it's miles beyond that last Namor mini-series. You remember? The one that tied in to Civil War? You didn't read it? Not surprising. I may be the only one who finished that thing (damn my mental illness and completion compulsion!!).

But let me make it clear: this is much better than that piece of crap.

And yet, I still find myself wondering why I'm bothering.

There's something appealing about the story of a hard-core Rationalist and debunker of superstitions and myths, coming face-to-face with a being of mythological status, but ultimately it's kind of predictable and isn't really breaking any new ground. There have been a couple of intriguing moments per issue so far; character moments, usually, like this issue's brief mention of the Japanese art of flower arranging by one of the crew. It's a nice touch, and if it really did happen (there's the possibility that it didn't - I'm trying to avoid spoilers, here, people), it's a fresh bit of characterization. If it didn't, then it's an even more intriguing bit of characterization.

Or it could just be a throwaway bit of oddness.

Artistically, Ribic is providing excellent work, and the two-page spread of Stein venturing out in a tiny, one-man submarine is gorgeous. However, at the same time, the story is fairly static with very little, so far, to stretch his illustrating muscles. We get lots of scenes of folks sitting and talking, or menacing one another in dark, cramped hallways. And while they look good, there's not a lot of energy and practically nothing to draw a reader in and leave them wanting more.

So, in the end, I'd recommend this as a good read with pretty, painted art, but I don't know if it's worth bothering with in the monthly format. You'll definitely want to give it a look in its prestige hardback format (at least, it seems that way this early in the game), but as a pamphlet it is leaving something to be desired.

---

What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!

---