"Battle Royal!"

 

In comics, we've been witness to any number of clashes between characters where one's regal bearing added a level of complication and, in most cases, tension to their conflict. But all bets were off when both adversaries were of royal descent and each demanded obeisance from the other or otherwise claimed the higher ground in the dispute. A few such meetings come to mind: the Black Panther vs. Dr. Doom, for instance (and on more than one occasion); Doom's dealings with the Sub-Mariner (on too many occasions); Asgard's dealings with Olympus (ditto); or even Olympians vs. Olympians. Such clashes of power and ego have often proven to be entertaining glimpses into not only the situation but also the characters involved and their respective territories.

In mid-1980, another such conflict would begin to brew on Kiber Island, part of a chain of islands off the coast of Kenya which was annexed by Wakanda following the Panther's defeat of the so-called Kiber the Cruel--and which now serves as a meeting place for a smuggling operation being conducted by Wakandans and Atlanteans. (Tell me how that arrangement ever came about.)

The Wakandan's fears prove to be realized when all present discover that the Panther and his security forces have moved quickly on the information they've gathered from their captive--an encounter where the Panther learns this operation could well have the official sanction of Atlantis itself.

But if Prince Namor has any knowledge of these events, there's no such indication during a relaxing moment in the realm where he and Dr. Strange converse following the Defenders' battle with the Unnameable, a menace that could have brought about the extinction of Earth and countless other worlds without their intervention. Yet there is one Defender in particular whose life has potentially been impacted by the outcome of that struggle.

Soon enough, however, Namor is called away to be briefed on affairs of state--specifically, the developments on Kiber Island which have resulted in a Wakandan craft and its occupant being captured. At this point, Namor is unaware of the captured party's identity (and no, I have no idea why his officers wouldn't feel it necessary to convey that information beforehand--it seems a certainty that Namor would want that information prior to the captive being brought aboard), but it has no impact on either man's words to the other when the moment arrives.

And so the lines are drawn, with both of these men asserting their authority and stating their respective positions that would normally warrant a conference table for further discussion of the matter. Yet the situation will escalate--especially when another party insists on being heard.

To Namor's credit, his overtures to this meeting seemed to indicate his having every intention of handling this situation by the book. But this story takes place a decade prior to our learning the reason behind his irrational behavior which could manifest at a moment's notice--and so while the Panther is genuinely taken aback at Namor's subsequent response, he must nevertheless deal with the man's arrogance and legendary hair-trigger temper, traits which surface at the slightest affront. In so doing, we see a cooler head examine the situation, as well as his options.

Yet a variable which both men must take into account is Banner's transformation to the Hulk--a result of a rare blunder on the Panther's part, when he encountered the drugged Banner and attempted to hurriedly (and not at all gently) wake him to facilitate his rescue. Nor does the arrival of Namor calm things, as the Hulk seeks escape by crashing through the outer wall of the chamber and thereby causing a torrent of sea water to sweep all three men into the depths of the ocean.

As Namor sees to the drowning Hulk, a fleet of approaching Wakandan ships recovers T'Challa--but the wheels of misconception have begun spinning in both camps, and the Hulk's abrupt exit from Atlantis as well as the ocean itself translates to a perceived threat that perhaps no man may halt at this point--unless the rulers of two nations can rise above the circumstances of their dispute and act to save the lives of their subjects.

In the aftermath of the crisis, however, writer Ed Hannigan is careful to demonstrate that an explosive climax doesn't necessarily defuse the underlying situation, nor resolve differences that must still be addressed.

I'm frankly not sure when or even if relations between Atlantis and Wakanda were resolved, though I would think terms between them were met by the time Namor was proposed for and accepted Avengers membership. Things didn't appear to be too hopeful in the very next Defenders issue, when the Panther assisted the group in an operation against the Mandrill and Namor's recovery of the Hulk from the ocean resulted in an impromptu visit that proved the Panther and Namor had a ways to go before things were ironed out between them.

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Jack Kirby introduces...