How did Black Panther become Black Panther?

Black Panther, the iconic comic strip superhero, has a rich and complex history that spans over five decades. Created for Marvel Comics by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four no. 52 in July 1966. The origin story of Black Panther is deeply rooted in the fictional African country of Wakanda, a nation depicted as a unique blend of futuristic technology and traditional life, owing to the presence of Vibranium, a rare and nearly indestructible meteoric ore.

Seeking to address the lack of Black characters in comics, Lee and Kirby introduced T’Challa, a member of the royal family of Wakanda. After the death of his father at the hands of the villainous Ulysses Klaw, T’Challa claimed the throne and the mantle of the Black Panther. His exposure to a mystical herb enhanced his strength and agility to near-superhuman levels. The character joined the Avengers in 1968 and headlined his own book in 1973.

Origin and Early Stories

The “Panther’s Rage” story arc in Jungle Action, written by Don McGregor and drawn by Billy Graham, featured an all-Black cast and delved into themes of colonialism and democracy. However, poor sales led to the cancellation of the series. The character faced marginalization in the following years, with sporadic appearances and attempts at revitalization through miniseries.

Black Panther in the 21st Century

In 1998, writer Christopher Priest reintroduced the hero in a critically acclaimed series that continued until 2003. The character experienced a renaissance with film director Reginald Hudlin’s run from 2005 to 2010, during which T’Challa was briefly married to Storm of the X-Men and became a member of the Illuminati. National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates was tasked with writing the relaunched Black Panther comic, which became one of the best-selling comics of 2016.

Black Panther in Film and Other Media

The character entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War in 2016, portrayed by Chadwick Boseman. The 2018 film Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler, became a cultural phenomenon, examining race, gender, and power issues through an Afrofuturist lens. Boseman’s death in 2020 cast doubt on the future of the Black Panther film franchise, leading to the passing of the mantle to a new Wakandan champion in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).

FAQs

Who is Black Panther?

Black Panther is a comic strip superhero created for Marvel Comics by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four no. 52 in July 1966.

Who created Black Panther’s character?

Black Panther was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics.

What is Black Panther’s origin story?

Black Panther’s origin story is rooted in the fictional African country of Wakanda, where T’Challa, a member of the royal family, claims the throne and the mantle of the Black Panther after the death of his father.

Is Black Panther associated with the Black Panthers?

Marvel briefly changed the Black Panther’s name to the Black Leopard in an attempt to dissociate the character from the revolutionary political organization of the same name. However, the character was soon back to being the Black Panther again.

How has Black Panther been portrayed outside of print media?

Black Panther entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016 and became a cultural phenomenon with the release of the 2018 film, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Chadwick Boseman.