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Sub-Mariner #1 (1968): Namor's Silver Age solo series

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerSub-Mariner #1 (May 1968), by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, launched Namor's first solo title of the Silver Age after his feature in Tales to Astonish ended. It is one of the 1968 Marvel expansion #1s — with Captain America #100, Iron Man #1, Silver Surfer #1 and Nick Fury #1 — and a solid Silver Age key with a Buscema origin retelling. Namor himself dates from Marvel Comics #1 (1939) by Bill Everett.

Background

Namor, created by Bill Everett for Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939), was Timely's first major character alongside the Human Torch. Revived in Fantastic Four #4 (May 1962), he shared Tales to Astonish with the Hulk from #70 to #101, then had a single issue of Iron Man and Sub-Mariner (April 1968) before his own title.

The issue

Thomas and Buscema retold Namor's origin in the first issue and set up the run that followed. Buscema drew the early issues; the series ran 72 issues to 1974.

Collecting

The 1968 #1s are a natural set for Silver Age collectors, and Sub-Mariner #1 is among the more affordable of them. A CGC 8.0 is in the store. Namor's Golden Age appearances — Marvel Comics #1 and Marvel Mystery Comics — are in a different price class; a Marvel Mystery Comics #19 (May 1941) is in the store.

See the Silver Age collection and the Timely Comics publisher page.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

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SaleKey issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

Sub-Mariner #1

CGC 8.0 · Universal Blue

First issue of the Sub-Mariner's solo series; origin retold

(0)
$1,223$1,312
Key issueLast copy

Timely Comics · Golden Age

Marvel Mystery Comics #19

CBCS 7.0 · Universal Blue

Alex Schomburg cover; Sub-Mariner story by Bill Everett

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$2,950

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