What Powers Do The Talokanil Actually Have? Are Any As Strong As Namor?

The underwater kingdom of Talokan was introduced during Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, ruled by Namor and inhabited by the Talokanil, a powerful race of humans enhanced by their ancestors' ingestion of vibranium-infused plants. Talokan is located deep underwater beneath the Gulf of Mexico, and has managed to stay hidden from the outside world for centuries, despite it being able to rival Wakanda thanks to its rich vibranium deposits. However, not much is actually revealed about the inhabitants of Talokan, with much of their powers and strengths remaining a mystery that needs to be uncovered.

While the Talokanil have the appearance of the everyday human when under the water, on the surface, their skin takes on blue hues, and they need to wear a breathing apparatus as their physiology has evolved for underwater survival. Throughout Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, they're shown to be formidable opponents to the Wakandan forces, even seeming like an even match for the Dora Milaje, Wakanda's all-female armed forces, including the newly-debuted Midnight Angels, Okoye and Aneka. Namor appears to be the strongest of them all, though it's up to future MCU projects to properly flesh out the strengths and limitations of the Talokanil.

Talokanil Powers Explained

While Namor's powerset seems wildly different from the other Talokanil, the others are still remarkably powerful, with their vibranium-infused bodies granting them enhanced strength, durability, stamina, agility, and an incredible regenerative healing factor that enables them to survive even stab wounds from vibranium weapons. As well as this, they appear to have some sort of telepathic connection to marine life, allowing them to ride whales and make aquatic creatures carry large objects for them, and they can also climb the walls of ships with ease. One of their creepiest abilities, however, is their siren song, which puts their enemies in a hypnotic and controllable state.

Is Namor Really The Strongest Talokanil?

Due to Namor being a mutant and Talokanil hybrid, his physiology is different, gifting him a unique set of abilities. Unlike his people, Namor can breathe on the surface as he can underwater, and his skin doesn't change to blue as his body processes oxygen differently. However, it was revealed that the longer he stays underwater, the stronger he gets, with Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler confirming that Namor is as strong as Thor, but when underwater, is as strong as the Hulk. Namor has all the powers of a Talokanil, but enhanced, as well as powers given to him because of his mutation.

Namor's mutant physiology gifts him three major abilities that the other Talokanil don't possess, including enhanced hearing, an elongated lifespan, and flight. Namor is able to hear Ramonda and Shuri's conversation even though he is underwater, with much sharper hearing than any human or Talokanil. As well as Namor's comic-accurate winged ankles, he has an incredibly long lifespan, since he was born in 1571 and still looks young. This could be an important piece of mutant lore from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which could inform how mutants are eventually introduced to the MCU.

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