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Black Panther

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Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	T'Challa
Team affiliations	Fantastic Four Avengers Defenders Fantastic Force Illuminati Ultimates
Partnerships	Storm
Abilities	Genius-level intellect Highly proficient scientist and inventor Master strategist Skilled hunter and tracker Expert martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant Olympic-level athlete, acrobat and gymnast Utilizes high-tech equipment and weapons including vibranium uniform Enhanced senses, strength, speed, agility, stamina, durability, healing and reflexes Alchemical precognition and protection against mystical attacks

Black Panther is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby, first appearing in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) in the Silver Age of Comic Books. The series depicts the Black Panther as T'Challa, king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Along with possessing enhanced abilities achieved through ancient Wakandan ritual, T'Challa also relies on his genius intellect, rigorous physical training, martial arts skill, access to advanced technologies and wealth to combat his enemies and foes. His allegiance being foremost to the Wakandan nation, Black Panther does utilize a number of superhero teams as allies. He is however only an official member of the Avengers and Ultimates teams.

Black Panther is the first superhero of African descent in mainstream American comics, having debuted years before early African American superheroes such as Marvel Comics' the Falcon (1969) and Luke Cage (1972) or DC Comics' John Stewart in the role of Green Lantern (1971). The Black Panther storyline which ran through thirteen issues of the Jungle Action series (numbers six through eighteen) is considered to be Marvel Comics' first graphic novel. In one storyline the Black Panther mantle is handled by Kasper Cole, a multiracial New York City police officer. Beginning as an impersonator, Cole would later take on the moniker of White Tiger and become an ally to T'Challa. The role of Black Panther and leadership of Wakanda is also given to T'Challa's sister Shuri for a time when he is left recovering from critical injuries. For a period of time T'Challa operates as a vigilante in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood during the absence of allied superhero Daredevil. Black Panther is also known for his high-profile relationship with fellow superhero Storm of the X-Men. Though the two were married and engaged in numerous battles together, their alliances strained the relationship leading to an eventual divorce.

Black Panther has made numerous appearances in various television shows, animated films and video games. The character was first portrayed in live action by Chadwick Boseman in the 2016 film Captain America: Civil War. Boseman also performed the role in the character's first standalone film Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, both released in 2018 and all set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2011, Black Panther was ranked 51st overall on IGN's "Top 100 Comic Books Heroes" list.

Publication history

Creation and development

The Black Panther character predated the founding of the Black Panther Party organization in Oakland, California by a few months in 1966. The name and logo of the organization however were created the previous year by the Lowndes County Freedom Organization, the group's predecessor, based in Alabama. Co-creator Stan Lee stated the correspondence was unintentional, deeming it a "strange coincidence" that the character shared the same name as the political organizations. Upon returning to the Fantastic Four series in 1972, the character was renamed the "Black Leopard" for a short period of time as to avoid perceived alignment with the aforementioned organization. This change did not last long however, as the character reclaimed the Black Panther title in Avengers #105 nine months later. Artist Jack Kirby's original name for the character while creating the concept art was the "Coal Tiger."

A new Black Panther series was launched in 2016 by Marvel, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze. This series continues to be published with Coates as the head writer.

Fictional character biography

The Black Panther is a ceremonial title bestowed on the reigning monarch of the Panther Tribe of the advanced African nation of Wakanda. In addition to ruling the country, he or she is also chief of its various tribes, collectively referred to as the Wakandas. The Panther habit is a symbol of office (head of state) and is used even during diplomatic missions. The monarchy and Panther title are passed based on heredity but one must still earn them.

T'Challa was a child when he succeeded his father T'Chaka who was murdered by Klaw. Until T'Challa was deemed capable to assume his place at the throne, his uncle S'yan passed the trials to hold position as chief of Wakanda and the Black Panther. T'Challa was put through a number of grueling tests of mettle to prove his worthiness of holding the mantle before being given the powers of the Black Panther. T'Challa was educated abroad in the finest schools in Europe and America for a time before returning to his kingship.

T'Challa joins the Avengers on Captain America's recommendation. His identity as ruler of Wakanda being no secret, over the years T'Challa has to overcome challengers to the throne. The Avengers travel alongside him at one point to Wakanda where he is challenged by Man-Ape. He allies himself with the Fantastic Four and Avengers teams on a number of occasions. T'Challa begins to lead a dual life in New York City after joining the Avengers, teaching a high school under the assumed name "Luke Charles."

He once had a brain aneurysm which he was able to recover from.

Namor attempted to persuade T'Challa to join the Cabal but when he refused Doctor Doom was able to critically wound him. T'Challa's younger sister Shuri stepped in to fill his role as the Black Panther until he could recover. Shuri earned the blessing of the goddess Bast, inheriting the powers of the Black Panther and the throne of Wakanda. After recovering, rather than replacing Shuri at the throne T'Challa moved to Manhattan at Daredevil's request to take over duties protecting Hell's Kitchen and later rejoined the Avengers under the new secret identity Mr. Okonkwo amongst the locals.

While searching for a way to renew his powers T'Challa pledged himself again to Bast, this time as her King of the Dead, which boosted his abilities even greater than before. T'Challa joined the Illuminati as a strategy to defeat Namor whom T'Challa vowed to kill during his initial meeting with the group.

Wakanda and Atlantis later went to war despite T'Challa attempting to counsel Shuri to seek peace.

Powers and abilities

The title "Black Panther" is a rank of office given to the chief of the Wakandan Panther Clan. As chieftain the Panther is entitled to eat a special heart-shaped herb which, in addition to inheriting a mystical connection with the Wakandan Panther God, grants the ingestor superhuman senses, agility, durability, reflexes, speed, stamina, strength, and an accelerated healing factor. T'Challa lost his connection to the Wakandan Panther God at a certain point in time. Working with his sorcerer Zawavari he forged a new one with an unknown Panther deity. This connection endowed him with augmented physical attributes as well as immunity to mystical attacks and alchemical precognition which he developed in order to battle Doctor Doom. When T'Challa's alchemical upgrade was tested by means of Wakanda's most powerful acolytes attacking him in unison, each mystical attack was absorbed and in fact strengthened T'Challa. During these preparations, T'Challa invented a potent magical/scientific hybrid art termed "shadow physics" and used it to craft shadow weapons and to track vibranium on a quantum level. His senses become so powerful at this time that he can memorize thousands of his individual prey's scents. Following his war with Doom, T'Challa loses his enhanced abilities however reestablishing his connection with the Panther God. Along with the resurgence of his previous superhuman abilities he is anointed "King of the Dead," granting him the knowledge and power of all the previous "Black Panthers" as well as the ability to control the undead.

T'Challa is a skilled hunter and tracker, master strategist, inventor and scientist. He is considered to have a genius-level intellect, holding a Ph.D in physics from the University of Oxford. Considered one of the eight smartest people on the planet, he is a genius in physics and advanced technology, as well as a brilliant inventor.

T'Challa is a rigorously trained acrobat and gymnast. He is masterfully trained in various African martial artforms as well as other contemporary martial arts and fighting styles which belong to no known disciplines.

As chief of Wakanda, the Panther is granted access to a vast collection of magical artifacts, advanced Wakandan technological and militaristic hardware, as well as the support of his nation's top scientists, warriors, and mystics. The Panther's attire is the sacred vibranium costume of the Wakandan Panther Cult. In Black Panther volume 3, writer Christopher Priest expanded the Panther's day-to-day arsenal to include equipment such as an "energy dagger," a vibranium-weave suit, and a portable supercomputer called the "Kimoyo card." In Black Panther volume 4 writer Reginald Hudlin introduced specialized equipment such as "thrice-blessed armor" and "light armor" for specific tasks. For a short while Hudlin also outfitted the Black Panther with the Ebony Blade of the Black Knight.

Other versions

Main article: Alternative versions of Black Panther

Supporting characters

Main article: List of Black Panther supporting characters

The Black Panther has a large range of supporting characters that are connected throughout his own issues and storylines and/or series starring other superheroes. The characters associated most with the Black Panther are those of T'Challa's direct familial lineage as well as the inhabitants of his nation of Wakanda. This includes numerous political leaders from various tribes in the nation as well as an assortment of soldiers, elders, healers and more. After the assassination of his father T'Chaka, he begins his formal rites of passage training. T'Challa along with his younger sister Shuri and adopted elder brother Hunter are left orphaned in T'Chaka's wake, as his stepmother Ramonda went missing for years after having been abducted. His uncle S'Yan becomes ruler of the nation until T'Challa is able to prove himself worthy of the role of king.

T'Challa has had a number of romantic interests throughout his narrative. His most well-known relationship is with Ororo Munroe, better known as mutant superhero Storm of the X-Men. Retconned as T'Challa's childhood sweetheart, the two separate as he returns home from his ritual trials of passage. While in college in America, he dated fellow classmate Nikki Adams but the relationship ends after she learns of his true identity. T'Challa later develops a long-term relationship with American professional singer Monica Lynne and the two even become engaged at one point. The relationship ends for undisclosed reasons, however. T'Challa has a brief encounter with Malaika, a trade representative from Paris, as well. Later reuniting with his former flame Storm, the two develop a romantic partnership as adults which results in marriage. Due to the events of the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover storyline, the relationship becomes strained to the point that T'Challa has the marriage annulled.

The Black Panther character has an established collection of supervillains which he faces in the comics as well as other forms of media. With the nation of Wakanda being so rich in its resources and technological advancements, some of the villains attempt to overthrow the kingdom in order to exploit its vast amounts of Vibranium and advanced weaponries. Other characters find fault with T'Challa's strategies to running the nation and strive to dethrone him on a regular basis. In some instances, various villains and terrorist groups have intended to colonize the nation as the other countries in Africa due to prejudice and racism alone.

Cultural impact

Reception

Black Panther was ranked the seventy-ninth greatest comic book character by Wizard magazine in 2008. The character placed number fifty-one on IGN's "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes" list, being given favorable comparison to DC Comics' Batman due to both character's immense resources and fierce willpower.

Black representation in comics

Main article: Portrayal of black people in comics

In other media

Main article: Black Panther in other media

See also

• African characters in comics
• List of black animated characters
• List of black superheroes
• List of black video game characters
• List of Marvel Comics superhero debuts
• Portrayal of black people in comics

Sources

• Wiacek, Stephen (2018). Marvel Black Panther: The Ultimate Guide (London: DK). ISBN 1465466266

External links

WikiGuy86/Sandbox at the Marvel Universe wiki

• Black Panther at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
• Black Panther at the Marvel Directory
• World of Black Heroes: Black Panther–T'challa Biography