Seems like Marvel is laying some ground work for the coming Black Panther solo film in the MCU, as the first issue of the new comic series Black Panther was just released. And it shares the same aura that has been cast on the coming Marvel movie; it is a geo-political, brave piece of literature, and coming from Marvel, that’s saying a lot.
The series is written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and drawn by Brian Stelfreeze, and the combination make have delved deeper than the superficial representation of the character and look at the political connection and responsibilties that ultimately shape and mould the man.
Like T’challa, the nation of Wakanda in Ta-Nehisi Coates’ writing is not some ambiguous African generalisation; they are a people of rich and diversified cultures. It is the kind of strata and complexity you’d quicker find under the Image Comics imprint than Marvel. Which has opened up great anticipation for me to see the Black Panther solo film if they follow suit in the cinematic universe.
In issue one, a very unique proposal and, by extension, exploration of this unique idea is conjured up by one powerful question: What if T’Challa brand of monarchy rule wanted by the majority of the Wakandan people?
What ensues is the building of T’Challa character engrossed in conflict who now has to prove his worth even as his home is in turmoil and on the edge of civil war [not that one]. And we love it (from a narrative perspective obviously [not war and conflict]).
But then the future of the series (currently all depends on whether this will be allowed to blossom into a long, continuous series or if any jerk reaction to topics touched will invoke PC-ification or changing narrative trajectory. Let’s hope that’s not the case.
Check out Cover and few of the pages from the first issue that dropped yesterday:
Black Panther Issue 1 was released April 6th 2016