Aquaman vs. Namor Fight Analysis

In terms of water-breathing heroes, it had to be Arthur and Namor, and in this case, it's a fair match.

For DC: Aquaman
At his best? Arguable. "Pirate Aquaman" isn't the ICONIC Aquaman, but many consider him the most BADASS Aquaman. He lost a hand, but replaced it with an all-purpose tool, so not really a disadvantage there either.
His advantage: Peter David is writing this issue and he was Aquaman's writer. Also, Namor can't talk to sea creatures.

For Marvel: Namor the Sub-Mariner
At his best? While the 90s make-over is limited to a gross ponytail, there's not a lot of variation on Namor over the years. He should be as fit for battle here as he might have been in decades prior or since.
His advantage: He talks better smack, is physically stronger and can fly. My advice, take it out of the water.

Why this match? Both Atlantean princes who patrol the waters, often as eco-warriors, but participating in landbound adventures through each universe's premier super-teams.
Were they Amalgamated? The Aqua-Mariner combined the two who are PROBABLY the most thematically matched in the entire event (at least among the characters who count towards each universe's total).
What if they fought their Amalgam Buddy? They did.
If DC vs. Marvel had been fought today: It would still be this, and even orange-shirted Aquaman would trounce the Avenging Son.

Play by Play: You know what I said about Namor talking superior smack? Peter David doesn't agree:

Oh, Namor as a retort, but it hits where it doesn't hurt Arthur. The Sub-Mariner's punch eventually does connect and Arthur is sent flying to Seaworld, where a disgruntled killer whale admonishes him - "Look out, Swimmer!" Hey, Shamu, how about you help instead of criticizing?

Result: Yes, that works. Aquaman uses his two advantages - the multi-tool and control/asking for help of sea creatures to seal the deal despite Namor's possible physical advantage. I'm not certain the Sub-Mariner was defeated by his "nobility", or that he's nobler than Arthur, or that this is cheating, but the scene needed a button after all that insult-slinging. This was the one fight in issue 2 that I was happy with, especially as an Aquaman stan, but also because it was fun and clever, and ended the way I thought it should.

Next time: Hey, aren't those heroes too young for this?