Long-Time Batman Creator Graham Nolan Calls Out Marvel For “Box-Checking” Namor Character Design For Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Source: Namor: The First Mutant #1

Long-time Batman creator and the creator of Bane, Graham Nolan, called out Marvel Studios for an alleged leaked design of Namor for the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film.

Source: Black Panther #21

On July 2nd, Twitter account MCU_Facility leaked concept art for Namor from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever allegedly from a piece of merchandise.

The Twitter account simply wrote, “And finally… Namor !!! Black Panther: Wakanda Forever mech confirm the blurry leak for Namor ?”

Source: MCU_Facility Twitter

RELATED: Another Rumor Claims Doctor Doom To Arrive In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Provides Details On His Role

Nolan, who recently wrapped up a successful crowdfunding campaign for Giant-Size Two-Fisted Manly Tales on IndieGoGo, shared his thoughts on the concept art for Namor on Facebook.

He wrote, “Namor, who’s father was Scottish-American (MacKenzie) and mother who was a blue-skinned Atlantean is now, what?,…Aztec?”

“Creativity by box-checking for the win,” he sarcastically concluded.

Source: Graham Nolan Facebook

As Nolan notes in his commentary, the very first story featuring Namor in Marvel Comics #1 back in 1939 documented his lineage.

It revealed he was the son of Commander Leonard McKenzie, the captain of an American expedition ship named the Oracle, and the Atlantean princess Fen, who was sent to spy on the Americans, but eventually fell in love and married McKenzie.

Source: Marvel Comics #1

RELATED: Rumor: Namor’s Origin To Be Radically Altered In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Back in May a rumor surfaced that this origin would be radically altered for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film. 

Brazilian website Chippu claimed that Namor would no longer originate from Atlantis. Rather the site claimed he would come from a separate underwater region in Central America. They specifically noted he “will come from a historic and submerged city of Mexican culture.”

The site also noted that the change was being made so “the public does not confuse Namor so much with Aquaman, a character who has an almost identical origin in the comics.”

Source: The Saga of the Sub-Mariner #1

The design does fit within Marvel’s vision for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The company’s executive vice president Victoria Alonso revealed in June 2021 that one of the company’s priorities was to pander to specific groups of people.

During an appearance at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to promote the animated series What If…? she declared, “So you can look at it from the social point of view, the cultural point of view. But truthfully, this is a business. From a fiscal point of view, you are leaving money on the table by not representing.”

She further detailed, “We can only tell stories if we succeed and actually have money to make them. So the idea being, ‘If it makes money, why not make it?’ To me it seemed like a very simple equation, but it took a lot of time, a lot of talking.”

Executive Producer Victoria Alonso attends the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Monday, May 2, 2022.
(photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

What do you make of Nolan calling out Marvel Studios for this alleged design for Namor for the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film?

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