In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta will play the submarine Namor. This year’s Marvel Panel at San Diego Comic-Con gave audiences the first official look at the beloved comic book character that fans have long yearned to see in the MCU’s narrative. Unfortunately, while most people celebrated the long-awaited inclusion, others were quick to stoop to their judgmental nature.
Related: ‘You Can Tell Someone They Messed Up’: Eisner Award-Winning Marvel Artist Furious At Tenoch Huerta’s Namor Physique In Black Panther 2, Says He’s 60 And That he looks better
Few people were fascinated by the casting choice. Many chose to direct their insulting comments at Tenoch Huerta’s physique. Some were initially disappointed not to see an archetypal, intensely muscled, comic book depiction. The hatred reached a point of darkness when an award-winning Marvel artist drew contrasts between his body and Huerta’s. Additionally, he alluded to the fact that the actor was in “worst form” compared to a “60-year-old artist.”
A Twist of Events: The Marvelous Physique of Tenoch Huerta
Empire Magazine, in their Black Panther: Wakanda Forever feature, revealed to fans never-before-seen footage from the upcoming MCU movie. One of these images offers a half-body look at Namor de Huerta, whose chiseled physique completely ended the hate he was originally meant to show. Such a turn of events speaks to how quickly people judge a medium or the people associated with it; long before they are offered a full and bigger picture.
Just a month ago, Mike Deodato, Jr., a Marvel comics artist who has worked on several comic book titles such as Thunderbolts, Wolverine: Origins, Amazing Spider-Man, etc., took to Instagram to post a comparison image between his physique and that of Tenoch Huerta. This particular post received a huge backlash, as people claimed that it crossed several lines. The Eisner Prize winner was accused of body-shaming Black Panther actor.
Read more: ‘They’re the new Greek gods’: Black Panther 2 star Tenoch Huerta says becoming Namor will bring Latin American culture to the forefront
Not just Deodato, netizens continued to criticize the MCU’s Huerta and Namor. While many called him “too big”, others were resentful of a change in the antihero’s Atlantean background. From the start, the representation was subjected to intense scrutiny. However, that has now changed.
While thousands of fans were still excited, having shown incredible support for Huerta, haters might also regret their original position.
Fan reaction to Namor’s exclusive image
To say fans are in awe would be an understatement. Swarms of people have come forward to praise Tenoch Huerta’s physique – mostly in the form of light-hearted memes. While some still harbor skepticism about how MCU will handle Namor’s character arc and story building, others are confident that the ruler of Talocan will become one of the film’s strongest points.
Looked:
And you all say he has a bad body🤣☠️
— DOOMBLAZER 🍥 (@DoomBlazer23) September 26, 2022
— Ace® (@StrangeAcee) September 26, 2022
Man he’s so cool, how people hate him
— The Funnee Woman (@thefunneewoman) September 26, 2022
Read more: “It’s Your Skin, Your Voice”: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Star Tenoch Huerta Says Putting the Namor “Speedo” on for the First Time Was Amazing
Are you lying if you say he doesn’t look like Namor??? The angry face, pointy ears, winged feet, and green trucks with a golden belt are Namor’s most defining characteristics. Let’s be real, what is your REAL problem? pic.twitter.com/7R7JjXBzvN
— Evan Von Doom 💀 (@EvanReadsComics) September 26, 2022
No, everyone who saw the footage of d23 said he didn’t even flinch when mbaku attacked him, he’s shown to be very powerful
— Danger (@myspideyj) September 26, 2022
either you believe in Tenoch Huerta as Supremacy of Namor or you are wrong pic.twitter.com/sX2eqbDJ9y
— Ty ➃ (@ClobberinTyme) September 26, 2022
Described by director Ryan Coogler as the “antagonist of the dream”, the submarine will have a vital role to play in the upcoming sequel. As reports and rumors indicate that Marvel Studios may be unleashing a new spinoff on the Black Panther story, many speculated that Namor would also become a central part of the MCU’s future. We may see efforts in the future relating strictly to the character of Tenoch Huerta and any further exploration beyond the confines of Wakanda forever.
For now, fans are patiently waiting to see their favorite comic book character finally make his long-awaited MCU debut. That would be an exciting premise to look forward to.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to hit theaters on November 11, 2022.
Source: Empire Magazine
