These Namor Cosplays are Coming for the Surface World

The Sub-Mariner arrives to defend Talokan in the Black Panther Sequel- we’re celebrating the rise of Aqua-Papi with this Namor cosplay feature!

Of all the Marvel movies I have seen in the last few decades, few have moved me as much as the Black Panther films. Seeing amazing stories about cultures that don’t often get their chance to shine in the superhero spotlight is amazing for someone who appreciates diverse perspectives and learning new things. These are rich cultures deeply rooted in histories and traditions that are alive and thriving today. We get to discover them anew in the MCU, draped in the mythos (and spandex) of a comic book superhero brought to life. Today we’re celebrating our first trip to Talokan with this Namor cosplay!

Discovering Namor and Talokan

Namor is one of the oldest Marvel characters, originally marketed as The Sub-Mariner. He has had many iterations through the years, and his cultural heritage has shifted in the newest Black Panther film. Instead of representing Atlantas, we are introduced to the underground civilization of Talokan, off the Yukatán peninsula. The Talokanil are a Yukatán-Mayan civilization exposed to the effects of Vibranium, and escaped from smallpox into the sea thanks to a Mayan god. Namor was born in this underwater world and became the King of his people.

In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we learn of Namor and his backstory and see the gorgeous underwater kingdom he rules. Though he is a polarizing character, we understand his need to defend his people from the selfish corruption of the surface world. This week we’re featuring some amazing cosplayers who identify personally with Namor. It’s exciting to see a new character from this part of the world, inspiring a new generation to see themselves in characters on the big screen. I personally enjoyed this film very much, and hope we will see much more of Talokan in the next phase of the MCU. Enjoy, and Imperius Rex!

Namor Cosplay with permission by Dex Does Cosplay

For me, it’s so exciting to see such an important comic book character represented (finally) on the big screen, and by a person of colour no less. I’m Filipino, and my country’s history was heavily influenced by the Spanish colonizers who forcibly shaped our culture; it was amazing to see such a relatable character in a massive Marvel film. Plus, his characterisation is BRILLIANT: not a “typical” Marvel antagonist at all and definitely not a villain, Namor just has his own goals and motivations for his people first and foremost, which happens to clash with the goals and motivations of other Marvel protagonists (just like the comics!).

-Dex Does Cosplay

Namor Cosplay with permission by Albie Madrigal: Wolffin_About

What the MCU Namor means to me? Well being Mexican I feel seen. My people, my culture is displayed as a protagonist and front versus just in the background. Namor represent culture, represent family. Protect our loved ones at any cost.

-Albie Madrigal

Namor Cosplay with permission by Adan Garcia: Aldan_g86

When the first image of Namor was leaked I was hooked. I could not stop looking at the image online. I knew of Namor from comics but was never that big of a fan but when I saw the obvious Mayan influence in the image I knew right then and there I wanted to Cosplay him. As a Mexican it was great to see something I connected with. I’ve studied Mayan culture and visited the temples in Mexico and bringing this to life was something really special for me and many others. 

-Adan Garcia

Namor Cosplay with permission by Anthony Lobo: CaptainDandyAndy

Cosplaying Namór in the rendition that Marvel Studios has presented to us has reinvigorated my pride as a Latino Cosplayer and a Latino man in general. To be able to see myself in a character and actor as much as I do with Tenoch Huerta and Namór has been nothing short of euphoric to me and I can only imagine what it means to kids around the world that will see themselves in this character and light up with excitement when they see a superhero that looks like them!

Advertisement

-Anthony Lobo

~Join us next week for more Cosplay Coverage~

Have a Cosplay question you would like Mayhem’s Muse to answer?

Know a Cosplayer you’d like to see featured? Send an email here!

Author: Jennifer Larsen

Jennifer aka "Mayhem's Muse" is the Cosplay Editor for BoLS and manages Ad Sales and Communications. Her cosplay awards include the RTX Judge's Choice Award and Dragon's Lair Austin's Cosplay Symposium. Jennifer has been a Cosplay Guest Judge at RTX, Tacticon and Genghis Con in Colorado. She regularly attends conventions to cover cosplay for BoLS. Her cosplay work has been featured in publications such as Girls Who Love Monsters, Geek Fuel, and Renaissance Magazine. Jennifer has modeled in the Her Universe Fashion Show, Precision Camera's yearly Precision Camera University, and has taught several workshops for photographers about partnering with cosplayers and creative muses/models. Jennifer is a lifelong enthusiast of retro video games and loves Dungeons & Dragons, urban fantasy, tabletop games, VR technology, and historical archery. She has set National Records through USA Archery’s Traditional Division for Asiatic Bows and earned 4th Place in the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan in 2018 for Women’s Korean Archery. Jennifer is currently studying for her Masters's Degree in Organizational Leadership.