Ultimate Fantastic Four: Tomb of Namor, Part 1
Issue: #24
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Greg Land
Inker: Matt Ryan
Colors: Justin Ponsor

This issues opens with a scene 15 years before. Johnny and Susan Storm are trying out an anti-gravity playpen Sue has developed; it allows the two children and their toys to float in the air. Professor Storm walks in and tells them he has bad news about their mother. A few days later, the Storms are participating in a closed-casket funeral.

Fifteen years later, in the present, Sue's and Johnny’s mother, Dr. Mary Storm, reveals she has been alive and well and working on a top-secret project, and that the story the children’s father has told them about her death is a lie. Johnny is thrilled that he’s talking to his mother; Sue is angry. Dr. Storm tells them that she’s been searching for the lost continent of Atlantis, including its libraries, hidden treasures or even DNA samples. Six weeks ago, Dr. Storm’s team found Atlantis, and now she’s come home to her family.

Sue is still not convinced. Her father apologizes for the lie, but admits he was trying to protect their feelings and that he thought their mother was gone for good. Sue uses her force fields to shatter every piece of glassware in the room, forgives her father, and stalks off.

Afterward, Reed and Ben go to visit with the zombie Fantastic Four, who are being held captive in a special containment cell. Reed has based the cell on the one that held the Hulk. Zombie Reed assures him that they’ll find a way out.

Meanwhile, Sue is looking at a photo of herself and her mother when her mother walks in. Sue wants to know why her mother has reappeared after 15 years, and she doesn’t believe it’s because her mother wants to make up for lost time with her family. Dr. Storm admits she needs a favor; Atlantis is too far below the ocean’s surface for conventional diving methods to work, and her team has found indications of life down there. She wants the Fantastic Four to investigate the area. Sue agrees, on the condition that once the mission is finished, she never has to see her mother again.

1500 miles off the coast of North America, the Atlantis mission crew is lowering three of the Fantastic Four into the ocean in a small submarine. Johnny is staying behind on the ship; his flame ability seems pointless in an underwater setting. Dr. and Professor Storm are in the control room, watching the dive. The sub reaches Atlantis, and all three passengers swim outside. Sue discovers a door with a digital lock; Ben removes the door completely, and the three move inside. They appear to be inside a tomb. Reed finds an inscription that reads “Namor”.

Suddenly the electronic links to the ship above go dead. Radar picks up a small object heading for the surface. In the last panel, we see a man swimming rapidly toward the surface.

Submitted By: Seldes Katne