Is he lost? How many different directions will he take?
Black Panther is a complex character. He just might be more complex than he needs to be. Since T'Challa's debut back in 1966, he has gone through quite a bit of changes. It's almost enough to make you wonder if he knows what he wants to do with himself or whether writers know what they should do with him. Black Panther first appeared back in Fantastic Four #52. This was before he would become king of Wakanda and used the Fantastic Four to prove that could defeat them and be worthy of leading and protecting his country. Soon afterwards, he journeyed to the United States and became a member of the Avengers.
This was the Black Panther I first knew. He was a leader but felt more like a superhero. Despite returning to his country, he continued to appear in different issues, usually fighting supervillains rather than actually leading his country.
Now that he's staying in Hell's Kitchen and soon to be wearing the American colors, which is the real Black Panther, ruler of Wakanda or superhero adventurer? == TEASER == It always seemed that Black Panther was torn between Wakanda and the United States. He returned in his Marvel Knights series and had a Washington D.C. envoy. Then he married Storm (of the X-Men) in a huge Wakandan ceremony. Rather than rule side-by-side in Wakanda, they soon ended up as members of the Fantastic Four when Reed and Sue wanted to take a vacation from the team. They did return to Wakanda only to have T'Challa injured and his sister, Shuri, take on the mantle of Black Panther.
While no longer possessing his former powers, he accepted Matt Murdock's offer to become the new protector of Hell's Kitchen while he tries to sort out his own issues after his possession during Shadowland.
Under a new guise, Black Panther is now living as Mr. Okwonko, the owner of a small diner in Hell's Kitchen. I'm digging his current adventures but it feels a little strange that he left Wakanda once again and has virtually no contact with his wife these days.
To add to the strangeness of his current activities, it appears that he will going in yet another direction as the American Panther. The images have been out for a couple weeks and honestly, I thought it might be some sort of April Fool's Joke.
Then again, there's no definite confirmation that it will actually be T'Challa under the Captain America-inspired costume. Maybe this has something to do with Steve Rogers not necessarily wanting to return to being Captain America. What if Steve wanted to make the Captain America Corps a reality?
Most likely it will be T'Challa going through another change or perhaps it's someone else trying to lure Black Panther out for a fight. He has been making his share of enemies in the short time he's spent in Hell's Kitchen.
The real question is, what should Black Panther do? Is he better off in America fighting crime alongside his superhero friends? Should he try actually spending time with his wife and the X-Men? Is it time he returned to Wakanda and reclaimed his role as the Black Panther? What is the deal with the American Panther costume? Is it a good idea for a temporary guise or just a really bad one?
Hmm....Well I hate to say it but it look like Black Panther doesn't have a solid fan base anymore and this may be Marvel attempt to give that fan base. Honestly I see this as a stupid trick or cruel joke for all true black panther fans. I mean honestly while this may piss alot of fans off out there. I feel that his marriage to Storm was ratings instead of story development. Because now you barely she Storm in anything anymore. I fear that Marvel see that Black Panther is on that dangerous road of getting cut from their line up and ending up in comic limbo so they trying so many ways to make him more interesting again. Sorry but after the Doom War arc I don't agree with T'Challa leaves his country just so he can end up in Hell Kitchen. I mean he did this to save the world from Dr. Doom and pay one hell of a sacrifice to do it. But for me T'Challa always had such pride in his country that he would find away to rebuild it instead of leave. I think instead of Marvel playing Russian roulette with T'Challa they should instead re-establish his character by rebuild his kingdom and building himself back up not making run. I mean if Marvel actually did this for Iron-man (who share of F up moments made the civil wars, Killed Steve Rogers, and got the Green Goblin in power) then why not take the same approach to rebuild an damage character. Also I not please with Marvel new take on Marriages. I seen Marvel ease them, destroy them, and write them off as if it was only for ratings instead of actually developing them. If T'Challa is married to Storm then Storm should be with him encouraging him and helping build him back up like a supported wife instead of MIA.
If Wolverine can appear in NYC, San Francisco, Madripoor, Tokyo, Outer Space, the Negative Zone, London, and other other worldy places all within the span of a week (across multiple issues in different series runs...) Black Panther should be able to too! Heck, let him join 3 or 4 other teams, hang out in the x-Men books and have his own title ruling an on again off again powerful high tech nation. It's the world of comics where everything can happen. (and it's not just wolverine... Spider-Man has been doing it too lately. what is it now? Future Foundation? New Avengers? Some bio science lab thingie? Heroes in the Marvel universe have infinite time to do everything... let Black Panther ride the 'I'm on everyone's team too!' train for a while! :)
I can appreciate Marvel trying to add some added interest and changes to Black Panther, but call me old school, I prefer him fighting with The Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and having his duties as leader of his country from time to time.
He's best utilized as one of those "rotating characters". He's great, love his powers, (original) costume, and I actually like that he's married to Storm where others may not like it. I think its cool.
I don't know about this current story, haven't read it but I can't say I am liking it a lot. Interesting costume design to say the least but let Black Panther......be Black Panther.
Bingo. The character isn't as complex as we've been mislead to believe. He's no more complex than Aquaman, Namor, or any other "torn between two worlds" hero. In fact, the only reason he's "torn" is because writers don't know what to do with him. I've noticed that many writers (including black ones) really don't know what to do with black characters. They often fall into the pathetic habit of making their ethnicity their distinguishing feature. With T'challa, a man's who's heritage is such a big part of who he is, it always struck me as disappointing how little we see it displayed and analyzed in his comics. Point blank, most writers lack the ability and and are afraid of tackling the task of fleshing out Wakanda, its culture, its people, its politics, and T'challa's relationship to it. Writers have a hard time changing their view of Africa as do audiences. So having an African nation be the most advanced on the earth pushes their suspension of disbelief pass it's limits. And that's saying something considering the medium. Another problem is the assumption that american audiences lack the ability or desire to relate to stories that take place outside of it's borders. While this holds true to some extent I think the world has advanced to the point where most WASP now realize that there's a world outside of the U.S. and people who have both wholly unique perspectives and stories as well as universally relatable ones. Until a writer is bold enough to say "No, we're going to make you breathe in Wakanda's air, bath in it's rivers, speak and listen to it's people" then the Black Panther title will always be in this constant flux of inconsistency.
"
@Blackreverend said:
" @JonesDeini: COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER! THANK YOU FOR EXPOSING THE TRUTH!
If I was writing his character I would end the Panther Cult in Wakanda. Have a miniseries about the choice of a new one ( Lion, White Gorilla, Crocodile) Bast the panther Goddess showed up when Vibranium did and should leave with it now that there's no more! Have Shuri become the avatar of that God so there's only one Black Panther.
I would also reintroduce the Wakandan Secret Police to help facilitate her reign. After losing vibranium Wakanda must be in chaos! Shuri is the kind of character that would sanction one.
During Doomwar, T'Challa was exploring what he called "Shadow Physics"... considering that he's a genius I would like to see him find some way to harness this new power so that Wakanda can capitalize on it and work it's way back to greatness.
Like Spider-man, Batman and any other successful hero, the Black Panther has his own rogues and villains. It would be interesting to have them reimagined and sent against Wakanda seeing how Hudlin left them out when he rewrote The Black Panther's origins.
Finally I would have T'Challa lead a team of global heroes to solve humanity's problems. With US Agent, Captain Britain, Red Guardian, a new Major Mapleleaf and him as the Black Panther (A superhero not a ruler and living wherever Storm is). This series could easily replace one of the many Avengers titles... "
These were all great ideas. But, I fear they won't listen. "
And that is why I sometimes really hate Marvel and their "Shack of Ideas".
Wherever he is, he should be with his wife, Storm. It would be nice if they could establish a relationship that seems normal and less like a promotional stunt. I don't like how African heroes tend to have 'totemistic' or 'elemental' powers, anyway, so it would be cool to actually explore the aspects of his personality that is more similar to Tony Stark and Reed Richards.
Better yet, his time in the U.S. should be spent acting as an ambassador or on a prolonged state visit and not the owner of some diner.
Heck, why not have some of the X-Men based in Wakanda? Having one of their members be queen of a nation should give them comfort to open a school there. They can actually do a lot more good helping with the humanitarian efforts there (I'm thinking of the X-Men comic that came out in the '90s and was about handing out humanitarian relief to the native populace).
Correction. T'Challa was already the King when he met the Fantastic Four. If he had fought them prior to becoming king, he wouldn't be wearing the costume.
Anyway, I don't think that T'Challa is going to be the American Panther. He has a pistol holstered under his armpit. Guns aren't T'Challa's style.
@Fantasgasmic: True, but unlike the marriage it's well written
@InfinityOmelette:
I wish marvel would derail the damned train and plunge it into the pits of hell.
@darkcloakx:
He didn't say black, he said African. And I agree. A the most prominent African characters of the big two have totemistic powers. Of the top of my head DC has Vixen and Marvel has Panther.
@JonesDelini all i'm asking is what's wrong it? should they have have super strength and durability like alot of characters Ex. luke cage, frenzy, colossus, thing
Why cant we have a Panther as good as the one in Avengers: Earths Mightest Heroes? The writers if the comics are completely at a loss! Although David Liss is doing his best to make the current series readable.
Bingo. The character isn't as complex as we've been mislead to believe. He's no more complex than Aquaman, Namor, or any other "torn between two worlds" hero. In fact, the only reason he's "torn" is because writers don't know what to do with him. I've noticed that many writers (including black ones) really don't know what to do with black characters. They often fall into the pathetic habit of making their ethnicity their distinguishing feature. With T'challa, a man's who's heritage is such a big part of who he is, it always struck me as disappointing how little we see it displayed and analyzed in his comics. Point blank, most writers lack the ability and and are afraid of tackling the task of fleshing out Wakanda, its culture, its people, its politics, and T'challa's relationship to it. Writers have a hard time changing their view of Africa as do audiences. So having an African nation be the most advanced on the earth pushes their suspension of disbelief pass it's limits. And that's saying something considering the medium. Another problem is the assumption that american audiences lack the ability or desire to relate to stories that take place outside of it's borders. While this holds true to some extent I think the world has advanced to the point where most WASP now realize that there's a world outside of the U.S. and people who have both wholly unique perspectives and stories as well as universally relatable ones. Until a writer is bold enough to say "No, we're going to make you breathe in Wakanda's air, bath in it's rivers, speak and listen to it's people" then the Black Panther title will always be in this constant flux of inconsistency.
"
@Blackreverend said:
" @JonesDeini: COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER! THANK YOU FOR EXPOSING THE TRUTH!
If I was writing his character I would end the Panther Cult in Wakanda. Have a miniseries about the choice of a new one ( Lion, White Gorilla, Crocodile) Bast the panther Goddess showed up when Vibranium did and should leave with it now that there's no more! Have Shuri become the avatar of that God so there's only one Black Panther.
I would also reintroduce the Wakandan Secret Police to help facilitate her reign. After losing vibranium Wakanda must be in chaos! Shuri is the kind of character that would sanction one.
During Doomwar, T'Challa was exploring what he called "Shadow Physics"... considering that he's a genius I would like to see him find some way to harness this new power so that Wakanda can capitalize on it and work it's way back to greatness.
Like Spider-man, Batman and any other successful hero, the Black Panther has his own rogues and villains. It would be interesting to have them reimagined and sent against Wakanda seeing how Hudlin left them out when he rewrote The Black Panther's origins.
Finally I would have T'Challa lead a team of global heroes to solve humanity's problems. With US Agent, Captain Britain, Red Guardian, a new Major Mapleleaf and him as the Black Panther (A superhero not a ruler and living wherever Storm is). This series could easily replace one of the many Avengers titles... "
These were all great ideas. But, I fear they won't listen. "
Nope they wont listen ha ha, I had an idea for a global avengers as well. Being a Canadian I do get really sick of everything taking place in New York, there are other places even in the states i would like to see, I am lucky that im getting Alpha Flight back though, but I can always tell non canadians are writing Alpha Flight ha ha.
I would love to see Black Panther be in wakanada, be a superhero for all of africa how about? Unknown solider was an amazing book that looked at Africa with a modern look and it was a very interesting and unigue book. A great read, would love to see that for Black Panther.
Great points guys!
Oh and @Blackreverend: Go with Guardian, Major Mapleleaf sucks ;)
I can appreciate Marvel trying to add some added interest and changes to Black Panther, but call me old school, I prefer him fighting with The Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and having his duties as leader of his country from time to time.
He's best utilized as one of those "rotating characters". He's great, love his powers, (original) costume, and I actually like that he's married to Storm where others may not like it. I think its cool.
I don't know about this current story, haven't read it but I can't say I am liking it a lot. Interesting costume design to say the least but let Black Panther......be Black Panther.
"
I don't think that people necessarily hate the marriage in and of itself, but that the writers have done little to flesh it out, and establish that they have a close relationship. And to make matters worse, ever since the marriage, Storm's appearances in X-men books have been few and far between, which only makes matters worse.
I agree with that he should be utilized as a "rotating character". It'd be great if he joined the Future Foundation, to highlight his intelligence, and if he was a reserve member of the Avengers. If Pym's Mighty Avengers were still around, he would have made a good addition to that team, because instead of just focusing on America's problems, they were the Avengers to the rest of the world.
What ever Marvel does, I wish they would stop it with all the stunts and just write good stories. Changing his status quo every 2 seconds doesn't help.
@frogjitsu: I strongly agree with most of your sentiments here and in fact, should have said as much myself. However, there HAVE been a number of Viners who've expressed some disdain regarding Storm being with T'Challa. Yet I understand your point how Marvel hasn't really done much to show the pair together, nor having enough for the characters to do on their own, other than this ploy and gimmick. IF it is Black Panther but I suspect it really is.
I haven't read anything for awhile, so I really don't have much right to say anything at this point BUT my first reaction was, "Just let Black Panther be Black Panther". Show more of BP and Ororo together. So many potential opportunities there yet Marvel is doing this?
@Kid_Zombie: Unknown soldier was AMAZING so foolish of Vertigo to cancel it due to it not meeting their sales quota...philistines.
@darkcloakx: There's nothing wrong with totemistic power of and within itself, but when it's applied to African characters it's just stereotypical. It's the equivalent of making Asian characters be martial artists, ninjas,or samurai if you follow me. I just don't like the implications of it, folk. Everytime I see it it's like I can see an editor/writer sitting and thinking "Africa...savagery, idol worship, animals, nature...of course!!! It makes perfect sense! Well call him the Zebra!!!"
T'Challa is a great character and I have tried very hard to stick with his books over the years. The problem is that writers seem to not know what to do with him. The beginning of his run on Marvel Knights was amazing. He was a king yet he was also a super hero. Unfortunately, they moved from that characterization and the mag got extremely predictable and boring.
This is ridiculous! Black Panther is from Wakanda, what would possibly convince the character to wear a patriotic AMERICAN costume and wrap himself in a foreign flag. He has friends from America yes, but there is no way you'd convince me that he'd have the allegiance to do something like that.
That doesn't make sense to me.
Consider this, would an American (or American President for that matter) start wrapping themselves in a foreign flag if they 'simply took frequent trips to a country?'
But honestly i'm so tired of Marvel/DC and how so many of their books just don't have a sense of direction (i could go on but i'm not). But people if you don't think your comics are being done justice then start boycotting the companies or at least the books you don't like. Specially if they do something that cancels a characters death or development (i'm looking at one more day and johnny better not comeback for a decent amount of time). Before you think I'm against the mainstream i do buy my dc/marvel comics just a very small amount.
I wish to see both. I would love to see him in America and the people of Wakanda questioning him where does his loyalty lies and when he goes back to Wakanda, people question him and when he's in America, he gets question of how American is he. That would be some sort of drama.
To be honest... I'd love to see a "Captain America Corps" with Steve at the helm, T'Challa and a few others filling out the ranks, and Bucky making scattered appearances. I kinda HATE Secret Avengers because it's essentially the Steve Rogers show, so it'd be cool if he actually got his own team...
Bingo. The character isn't as complex as we've been mislead to believe. He's no more complex than Aquaman, Namor, or any other "torn between two worlds" hero. In fact, the only reason he's "torn" is because writers don't know what to do with him. I've noticed that many writers (including black ones) really don't know what to do with black characters. They often fall into the pathetic habit of making their ethnicity their distinguishing feature. With T'challa, a man's who's heritage is such a big part of who he is, it always struck me as disappointing how little we see it displayed and analyzed in his comics. Point blank, most writers lack the ability and and are afraid of tackling the task of fleshing out Wakanda, its culture, its people, its politics, and T'challa's relationship to it. Writers have a hard time changing their view of Africa as do audiences. So having an African nation be the most advanced on the earth pushes their suspension of disbelief pass it's limits. And that's saying something considering the medium. Another problem is the assumption that american audiences lack the ability or desire to relate to stories that take place outside of it's borders. While this holds true to some extent I think the world has advanced to the point where most WASP now realize that there's a world outside of the U.S. and people who have both wholly unique perspectives and stories as well as universally relatable ones. Until a writer is bold enough to say "No, we're going to make you breathe in Wakanda's air, bath in it's rivers, speak and listen to it's people" then the Black Panther title will always be in this constant flux of inconsistency.
"
@Blackreverend said:
" @JonesDeini: COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER! THANK YOU FOR EXPOSING THE TRUTH!
If I was writing his character I would end the Panther Cult in Wakanda. Have a miniseries about the choice of a new one ( Lion, White Gorilla, Crocodile) Bast the panther Goddess showed up when Vibranium did and should leave with it now that there's no more! Have Shuri become the avatar of that God so there's only one Black Panther.
I would also reintroduce the Wakandan Secret Police to help facilitate her reign. After losing vibranium Wakanda must be in chaos! Shuri is the kind of character that would sanction one.
During Doomwar, T'Challa was exploring what he called "Shadow Physics"... considering that he's a genius I would like to see him find some way to harness this new power so that Wakanda can capitalize on it and work it's way back to greatness.
Like Spider-man, Batman and any other successful hero, the Black Panther has his own rogues and villains. It would be interesting to have them reimagined and sent against Wakanda seeing how Hudlin left them out when he rewrote The Black Panther's origins.
Finally I would have T'Challa lead a team of global heroes to solve humanity's problems. With US Agent, Captain Britain, Red Guardian, a new Major Mapleleaf and him as the Black Panther (A superhero not a ruler and living wherever Storm is). This series could easily replace one of the many Avengers titles... "
These were all great ideas. But, I fear they won't listen. "
In a recent FF comic they meet the Future Foundation of the Future, the FFF, and the team leader seems to be Captain Wakanda, basically a future Black Panther. Maybe Black Panther has become Captain Wakanda and Wakanda's flag and flag's colors happen to be the similar to America's.
Since the marriage of Storm and Black Panther was an extremely racist thing (They got married 'cause they're the most important black kids in Marvel? I mean what?), and she got demoted from team leader to extra, I don't mind they not meeting
@ImperiousRix: Don't you see you can't have a captain america corps with Black Panther in it he's not only already representing his country as it's protector (that isn't protecting) but he's from Wakanda and he's the king of Wakanda.
Great...He sounds like every-other Super Person now.
Married but not spending any real time with his woman, whether together or on a team. Spider-man, Superman, Batman (Bruce) or (Dick). It doesn't even have to be about a woman...FAMILY TIME isn't allowed in this line of work.
Green Arrow (random kids), Black Canary, Lady Shiva - Cassandra Cain.
At least Wonder Woman goes home, she has more of a family set up, Batman just collects people that fall in place.
And worse of all fighting causes that have nothing to do with him.
At least Batman stays in Gotham.. fighting crime, not so much JLA or other people's adventures.
EVEN THE LANTERNS show more Responsibility!
In short its means they can't write any good adventure stories for Africa. Gotta write what you know...and we know America.
I love my Country, but that sucks we can't write about something else.
Return my man Tchalla to Wakanda, and do an on-going series there. One where he kicks everybody's ass who steps on Wakandan soil, and restores the nation to its rightful glory.
Maybe even form an all Black super crew to help out every now and again.
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