Namor to team with the X-Men?

Rumours that Namor the Sub-Mariner could team up with the X-Men have begun to circulate, following the release of an Alan Davis illustration depicting the characters together.

The image was spotted when Marvel editor Nick Lowe released a photograph of his office, with the artwork pinned up in the background. Both Wolverine and Colossus appear in the drawing, fighting alongside the Atlantean prince.

Ongoing plotline Dark Reign finds the Sub-Mariner allied with Norman Osborn and Doctor Doom. It was also revealed that the character has a romantic history with Emma Frost, who convinces him to join the Dark X-Men.

Created by Bill Everett, Namor first appeared in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. As the first known comic book anti-hero, the character has remained historically important to Marvel Comics and has made crossover appearances in many of its books.

A film based on the Sub-Mariner is currently in pre-production at Universal, with U-571 helmer Jonathan Mostow poised to direct.