Namor, The Sub-Mariner, was one of the first Marvel superheroes created, appearing three decades before Marvel became a company in Timely Comics’ Marvel Comics #1 by Bill Everett in 1939. He was the King of Atlantis and an ally of Captain America during World War II. Two years later, DC Comics introduced its own underwater hero, as Aquaman first appeared in 1941 in More Fun Comics #73.

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Through the years, the characters went in different directions. Namor became a respected yet villainous antihero while Aquaman ended up a joke for many fans thanks to his portrayal in the cartoon Super Friends before Geoff Johns helped rehabilitate him in DC’s New 52. In 2021, both stand as respected underwater rulers, two of the most powerful characters in their respective universes.

Aquaman - He Is A True Hero

Aquaman standing with his trident in movie.

The big difference between Aquaman and Namor is that DC’s King of Atlantis is a genuine hero. While Namor is an antihero who has sometimes worked with villains, Aquaman has always stood squarely on the side of truth and justice.

One of DC's most powerful characters, Aquaman is a respected hero who defends both his home and the seas, as well as land dwellers when needed. He won’t turn his back on anyone in need and is one of the greatest heroes that DC Comics ever presented.

Namor - He Believes In Himself

Namor controlling the water around him in a comic panel.

Namor might not always be a hero, and he might not always work with the good guys, but he is someone who fights for what he believes in. Aquaman has times where he has questioned his worth and place on the throne, but Namor has never doubted for once who he is or what his purpose is.

Namor is one of the most arrogant characters in Marvel Comics, but what some consider arrogance, Namor calls confidence. No one can convince Namor that he is anything less than the true king of the seas.

Aquaman - He Fought For His Throne

Aquaman battles off against Ocean Master beneath the waves

Aquaman was not someone who became the King of Atlantis the easy way. He was born with a human father and an Atlantean mother and he had to prove he was worthy of serving Atlantis as its king. He had plenty of naysayers standing in his way.

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This included his brother Orm, who had taken the throne for himself. Even when Arthur took control as the king, he struggled to keep it, with several usurpers attempting an uprising. Aquaman has always had to fight to hold the rule over Atlantis.

Namor - His Birthright Is Unquestioned

Namor ruling over Atlantis in the comics.

Unlike Aquaman, Namor always knew he would rule Atlantis. He also had a human father and an Atlantean mother, but Namor was born and raised in Atlantis. In Narmor's official first Marvel Comics story arc, he ended up displaced for a short time after World War II, but he returned to the throne that he rightfully owned.

While Aquaman fought for his right to rule Atlantis, Namor simply took what was his by force. Despite this, he rules his people with honor and has never taken his duty lightly as King of Atlantis.

Aquaman - The Justice League

Aquaman standing with the Justice League in the movie.

Namor is a supervillain more often than he is a hero. This gives him very few allies when Atlantis finds itself in danger. Meanwhile, Aquaman has all the allies he needs. He is a founding member of the Justice League and has served as a leader occasionally.

Aquaman earned the respect of heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman. He also holds the respect of governments across the planet and is a leader that has the diplomacy of his nation in mind when working with others.

Namor - Nothing Comes Before Atlantis

Namor uses the Phoenix Force to unleash a tidal wave against Wakanda in Marvel Comics.

For Aquaman, it is important to serve as one of Earth’s mightiest heroes with the Justice League. However, for Namor, he has no desire to serve under any team. The X-Men offered him a place at the governing table of Krakoa and Namor declined the role.

For Namor, there is only one thing worth his time. He defends the seas and his home of Atlantis. The Sub-Mariner doesn’t care about problems on the land, as he knows that as long as he protects his undersea kingdom, the entire world could burn and his people would remain safe.

Aquaman - He Is A King Of His People

Aquaman sitting on his throne as the king.

Aquaman has a very different form of leadership than Namor. While Namor is an arrogant man who sees others as below him, Aquaman is one of his people. He is a king to the people of Atlantis and cares about them as much as he cares about ruling them.

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Aquaman has a good heart and a kind soul and that helps him serve Atlantis, rather than just rule over it. He is strict when he needs to be, but he is a man who loves his people, which makes him a great king.

Namor - He Is An Ultimate Ruler

Namor fighting to protect the seas in the comics.

While Aquaman is a kind and benevolent king, Namor is a man who rules with an iron fist. He cares about his people and has made protecting them his primary concern. However, he is also someone who owns the throne he sits on and allows no one to question that.

Namor doesn’t care about alliances and he will strike out and crush any opposition he sees rising without hesitation. He is a man who rules the sea, and all those who live in it, and takes a backseat to no man, woman, or government.

Aquaman - He Controls Sea Life

Aquaman controlling sealife in Aquaman movie.

While Namor has the respect of all sea life, he still has to watch out for predators. Aquaman doesn’t need to worry about that. He has a power that is often misunderstood, and that is the ability to communicate and control everything from fish and sharks to whales and more.

Aquaman is not only the King of Atlantis, but he is a true king of the seas. His capability to command underwater sea creatures makes him one of the most powerful and influential characters in all comics, especially when Aquaman uses them to battle his main comic book villains.

Namor - He Is Ruthless

Namor in battle with Black Panther in Avengers Vs X-Men comic.

Aquaman is a good man, but that also means that he is someone who has weaknesses when he trusts the wrong people. Namor does not have that problem. When The Sub-Mariner sees a problem, he sets out to destroy it.

In the Avengers Vs. X-Men storyline, Namor saw enemies in the Avengers and he devastated Wakanda. When he sees someone harming the oceans through pollution, he strikes without mercy. Namor will do anything to protect his land, and that makes him the underwater kingdom’s greatest protector and king.

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