Why ‘Black Panther’ new antagonist isn’t ‘another Aquaman’

LOS ANGELES — Opening Nov. 11, “Black Panther” sequel “Wakanda Forever” introduces a character who could be counted among the foundational figures of Marvel Comics: Namor the Submariner, played by Tenoch Huerta.

“This new version responds to this time and how this world has transformed. So for me it was natural and beautiful,” Huerta said at Disney’s D23 expo. “It could have been any brown-skinned Latin actor, but I got it. I love it, and I’m the guy. I’m Namor now!”

At the convention, the crowd gave Huerta a sizable ovation as director Ryan Coogler introduced him. The actor, of Aztec and Purépecha origin, brings to life one of the oldest antiheroes in all of comics. Namor the Submariner first hit stands in 1941, looking more like a Vulcan than the being of Mayan and Aztec influence who’s introduced in “Wakanda Forever.”

In comics lore, Namor McKenzie is a hot-tempered half-human, half-Atlantean being who is the ruler of the undersea kingdom of Atlantis. Much stronger than any human or Atlantean, he is also a mutant with the power of flight and the power to speak telepathically to marine life. (Namor was created three years before Aquaman.) Over the years, he’s befriended and gone to war with the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and more — including pitched battles with Black Panther and Wakanda.

Actor Winston Duke, who portrays M’Baku, describes Namor and his world as a much more believable portrayal of a character who he basically thought of as “another Aquaman.”

“In our version, it feels a lot more real than fiction. In the MCU fashion, we’ve grounded it in real cultural significance and cultural traditions. You see the Latinx contingent that is present visually. Ryan Coogler’s creation within the Marvel cinematic landscape is one of deep honor and connection to real stuff. So I think a lot of people are gonna see themselves represented.”

Huerta commented on how his introduction will affect how we view Wakanda.

“You will see them in a light of … confrontation. We don’t get along. But, it’s funny, in the end, they have too much in common,” said Huerta. “It portrays what is happening here in the States, from my perspective, between the minorities of this country. I think at some point we need to join together and create that different thing.”