Origin

Imperius Rex is a deranged clone of Namor, The Submariner, created by The Jackal thanks to a DNA sample provided by a mysterious benefactor.

Creation

Imperious Rex was introduced in New Avengers (2025) #1 by Sam Humphries and Ton Lima.

Major Story Arcs

Killuminati

Bucky Barnes and Black Widow put together a New Avengers task force to investigate a secret lab in Russia surrounded by missing persons reports. To protect himself, The Jackal released his clones of the Illuminati, including Imperius Rex. Rex used Atlantean telepathy to keep Namor busy.

While Iron Apex and Bolt were killed by the New Avengers, Rex mysteriously disappeared when Clea arrived. However, he was able to torture Namor with a telepathic connection from a distance. Since he ran from the Killuminati, he had been drawing power from the oceans, evolving into a massive sea monster. He attacked Australia but had his skull and backbone ripped from his body when Namor finally broke free of his psychic control.

Powers & Abilities

Submariner: Rex is presumably a submariner, capable of breathing underwater, surviving the pressures of the deep ocean, can see in low light environments, and swim at great speeds.

• Telepathy: Rex has Atlantean telepathy and is capable of communicating with his mind with all manner of aquatic life, including other Atlanteans.
• Physiology: Unlike Namor, Rex has purple skin, shark teeth, and six octopus tentacles in place of arms. He would quickly evolve into a massive sea monster.
• Flight: Rex is capable of flight above water just like Namor thanks to a pair of feathered wings on both his ankles.
• Healing: After he lost a tentacle, he exhibited an ability to grow three more from the stub.