The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 1.4: The Illuminati

[This is Part 1 of a multiple post series going over the details of one of the most important moments in the Black Panther mythos: The Wakanda/Atlantis War.

In Part 1, we are specifically looking at the the various meetings between the Black Panther and Namor prior to the War. In 1.4, we look at the formation of the Illuminati]

The Illuminati first became an idea shortly following the Kree/Skrull War in Marvel time but during Bendis's The New Avengers: The Illuminati #1 in real time. Stark, Strange, Xavier, Reed, Namor, Black Bolt, and T'challa met in Wakanda to discuss some way to prevent another catastrophe like the Kree-Skrull War.

New Avenger: The Illuminati

Stark's initial idea was to form one giant team of all the super heroes. Namor immediately disagreed, rudely.

New Avenger: The Illuminati

T'challa also agrees it is a bad idea.

New Avenger: The Illuminati

Then Namor points out that the Avengers, X-Men, and Inhuman essentially have criminals on their team.

New Avenger: The Illuminati

The group then decides that it is best if they just kept everything to themselves. They would meet and meet in private. No friends, no family, no other teammates. This is when T'challa gives his famous (maybe infamous now) speech and dips out:

New Avenger: The Illuminati

T'challa's warning was prophetic in nature, as the Illuminati's first big decision, exiling The Hulk, ended up not being unanimous, and Namor nearly killed Iron Man because of it.

New Avenger: The Illuminati

In the end, Namor agreed with T'challa....

New Avenger: The Illuminati

But it didn't stop the Illuminati from meeting later on, over and over. And then later of course, it didn't stop T'challa from rejoining the group in the future when it fit his needs.

The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 1.5: Sturm und Drang

[This is Part 1 of a multiple post series going over the details of one of the most important moments in the Black Panther mythos: The Wakanda/Atlantis War.

In Part 1, we are specifically looking at the the various meetings between the Black Panther and Namor prior to the War. In 1.5, we look at Sturm und Drang]

Strum und Drang took place during Priest run of the character: Black Panther, vol 3, #26-30. It was an intricate storyline involving the various monarchs in the Marvel world at the time, including Namor, debating T'challa's actions to hold onto a Lemurian child he found in Wakanda. T'challa's actions put the world at the brink of World War III and put Atlantis and Wakanda at the brink of a direct war.

This post isn't meant ot give a breakdown of the story, but give a look at the relationship between T'challa and Namor.

After Ghaur declared war on Wakanda, T'challa immediately placed N'yami battle cruisers right outside of Deviant Lemuria. This caught the attention of Doom and Namor.

Black Panther, vol 3, #27

Klaw ends up sinking a US carrier during T'challa's UN address. And the world thinks Wakanda did it. The Monarchs meet again to discuss what the hell T'challa is up to. Namor reveals that he must defend Deviant Lemuria if Wakanda attacks.

Black Panther,vol 3, #28

Ross is sent to Deviant Lemuria. But Klaw is there and puts a dent into T'challa's plans.

Black Panther,vol 3, #28

Magneto intervenes. Wakanda only fired due to being fired on themselves. T'challa apologizes and orders his men to stand down and to give information to Namor. Klaw then reveals himself to T'challa and they fight before Klaw disapears, gloating.

T'challa and Namor meet again. We see that Atlantis and Wakanda are virtually at war... again.

Black Panther, vol 3, #29

Klaw then attacks T'challa again.

Meanwhile, Ross stops the Deviant Lemurians and Namor takes the child to Atlantis.

Black Panther, vol 3, #29

And thus end the third conflict between these two nations.

This mirrors some of the other meetings between Namor and Black Panther, in that a misunderstanding leads to the loss of Atlantis and Wakandan lives and nearly brings them to war. But, you can say the respect between the two monarchs and once again see their different personalities. T'challa calmness combined with plans on plans vs Namor's instinctive hot headedness. It is what makes this pairing so work so well.

Black Panther Myth: Storm is the Reason for Black Panther Success.

The Myth

The popularity of Storm is what propelled Black Panther to success.  

The Facts

- Black Panther has had over 190 comics, Storm has had 26.

- During Storm's heydey in the 90's, she was not associated with Black Panther.

- Storm had nothing to do with Priest's run, which made T'challa a character capable of holding a long solo book.

- Storm, vol 2 used T'challa to boost its sales.

- The Marriage resulted in a one comic boost in sales only.

- The Marriage issue was the only time Storm ever increased BP sales. One issue.

- X-men: World's Apart used the Black Panther mythos.

- Not one time has there been a Black Panther story that spun out of the Storm mythos.

- The current rise of Black Panther's ability to sell came after the marriage and includes a solo book, multiple spin offs, a solo movie, and a cartoon. 

- Storm has used Black Panther for a boost in her sales, not the other way around. 

My first instinct is to attack this myth with snark. That is how ludicrous this position is... it likely shouldn't be taken very seriously and is obviously the work of a zealot. But you do see this opinion here and there but this is the first time it has been so... blunt and delusional about it.

But, facts trump snark (unless it's politics) so let's get down to business.

Storm's first solo series (Storm, vol 1) came out in 1996. It made it four issues. By that time, Black Panther had a 19 issue Jungle Action run (Jungle Action #6-24), a solo series Black Panther that was a 15 issue run that ran from 1977-1979 (vol 1, Kirby), a four issue mini series in 1988 (vol 2, Gillis), and another four issue mini series in 1990 (Panther's Prey).

So by the time Storm got her first solo series (or mini or anything), Black Panther had 42 comics he headlined, 19 of which had the name "Black Panther" in the title. It should also be noted he had another longer story in there as part of the "Marvel Comics Presents..." story line (Panthers Quest) that is about to be collected in trade format as well.

One point I will concede in this time period (the 90's) is that the very popular X-Men animated cartoon was in its heyday. Storm was a re-occuring character there and got a lot of eyeballs thanks to her easy to remember name, powers, and the fact she's black (the only one until Bishop came along). But, at the same time... she wasn't Wolverine, Cyclops, Xavier, Magneto, or even Jean. But she was an important part of the cast.

Unfortunately, her "popularity" peaked there and it had no bearing on her comics at all. And no bearing on Black Panther.The X-men brand was strong and she was an important part of that, but it never lead to any significant series of her own. During this time period, Black Panther was a dead-ish property, with no solo books in sight.

However, T'challa's rise back to prominence would happen with Black Panther, vol 3, in 1998 by Priest. Volume 3 lasted 62 issues spanning 1998-2003. People love to go "but it didn't sell!" It lasted 62 freaking issues... that is THREE TIMES LONGER THAN STORM'S ENTIRE PUBLICATION HISTORY! This rise had nothing to do with Storm whatsoever. She played a bit part in the book and that is it. Storm had zero solo issues during this time period despite being in two X-men movies at the time (as a back up character).

62 issues, no Storm help

In 2005, both Black Panther and Storm had their own solo series starting. Black Panther, vol 4, ended up lasting 41 issues from 2005-2008 before being relaunched. Ororo: Before the Storm lasted four. When Before the Storm #1 came out, it sold 26,000 issues. That same month, Black Panther #5 sold 37,000.

During this same period (2006), Storm, vol 2, was released. It was a story that, wait for it... CENTERED AROUND T'CHALLA! That is right, volume two used T'challa to bolster a Storm book as Storm, vol 2, #1 sold 32,800 issues.. a nearly 7,000 issue increase from her last book. It lasted six issues.

Black Panther, vol 4, #18 is one of the claim to fame moments for Storm fans who have this incorrect opinion. It was the "Marriage of the Century" between Storm and T'challa. This is "the moment" that "proves" that Storm was used to elevate Black Panther (despite all the prior evidence against that was already shown).

#18 jumped in sales to nearly 70,000 (up from 28,000). However, this was a one issue boost only. The numbers for #19 immediately dropped back down to the 28,000 range and stayed in that range until Hudlin started tying into Civil War and then Fantastic Four. Storm did NOT result in a sales increase for Black Panther... it was simply a one issue "event" type of comic that lead to speculators buying an abnormal amount. Despite Storm being in the book until the "Back to Africa" arc, it lead to no increase in sales whatsover. Hudlin had to use events to accomplish a sales increase.

No change in sales. 

In between Black Panther vol 4 and vol 5, Storm had another series, X-Men: World's Apart (2009) that, once again, used Black Panther and Wakanda and this time even the X-men name to sell. It opened at 31,000 before quickly dropping to 21,000 the second issue. It lasted four issues.

Black Panther, vol 5, was essentially a Shuri book with T'challa and Storm as guest stars. The reason for the sales boost had nothing to do with Storm (who was a regular since the marriage) but actually due to the book tying into Dark Reign, the go-to strategy for Hudlin to increase sales. Despite being a Shuri book, it still lasted 12 issues before being cancelled.

Black Panther moved to Hell's Kitchen for a doomed 18 issue run (yes, 18 issue run is considered doomed for T'challa). Storm guest stared during Kraven (#519-520) arc of the book... which resulted in not a single increased sell at all.

No change in sales

The marriage was then ended in 2012, during the Avengers vs X-Men event.

Since then, T'challa enjoyed being front and center to one of the most popular Avenger's story lines of all time (Hickman's run), which then transitioned into Black Panther vol 6, which is pushing 20 issues with no sign of stopping, along with numerous spin off books. Outside of the comics, he was an integrate hero in Captain America: Civil War which transitioned into his upcoming solo movie in February 2018 before moving on to being an integral part of Avengers: Infinity War. At the same time, he became a cast member on the Avengers Assemble cartoon and will soon anchor the cartoon  for a season.

None of these things involved Storm.

Storm, on the other hand, has been her typical "X-men" self... a supporting character in a team book. Her 2014 solo series failed, dropping under 20K in sales by the 4th issue and lasting only 11 issues, despite having a known, popular comic writer attached to it (something T'challa hasn't had since Priest). Storm appeared in X-Men: Apocalypse, only to barely have any lines at all.

Storm has begun appearing back into the Black Panther books once again starting with season two and she even appeared in Black Panther and the Crew. And there are rumor of a solo book appearing once again... with the Black Panther writer.

So, once again, history is repeating itself. Black Panther becomes a happening property and Storm comes along to ride the coat tails . Not the other way around.

The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 1.3: The Kiber Island Incident

[This is Part 1 of a multiple post series going over the details of one of the most important moments in the Black Panther mythos: The Wakanda/Atlantis War.

In Part 1, we are specifically looking at the the various meetings between the Black Panther and Namor prior to the War. In 1.3, we look at the Kiber Island Incident.]

The Kiber Island Incident story in The Defenders #84 is the first meeting of T'challa and Namor in the 616 continuity and the first time in publication history that T'challa/Wakanda and Namor/Atlantis met. [This was actually retconned in Rise of the Black Panther. This is now the second meeting in canon-- Shadow]

Kiber Island is owned by Wakanda and Wakandan smugglers were using the island as a meeting place for some Atlanteans who are purchasing some stolen state secrets. The Black Panther shows up to stop the transaction with his fists. We later find out that that Atlanteans were from the royal navy and this acquisition was approved by Namor on accident due to his disdain of state procedures.

While T'challa is chasing the naval ship, he is captured by Namor's royal vessel. Namor goes to meet this "intruder" himself, only to discover the intruder is the King of Wakanda.

The Defenders #84

Namor's arrogance and temper clashes with T'challa pride and patience, leading to their first of many disagreements...

The Defenders #84

After T'challa escapes (showing off his intellect and technology), he runs into Dr. Banner (who is on the ship following the events of The Defenders #83), and wakes him up, causing the Hulk to emerge.

The Defenders #84

T'challa and Namor bicker again, Hulk breaks the ship, and T'challa is sucked into the open ocean unconscious. Luckily, his Navy arrives and the first conflict between Wakanda and Atlantis begins.

The Defenders #84

With T'challa unconscious, his generals take command. When the Hulk jumps out of the ocean and leaves Atlantis, the Wakandan generals believe it is missile sent for them... and decide to straight up try and nuke Atlantis.

The Defenders #84

T'challa wakes up, sees what has happened, and contacts Namor to try and save Atlantis... which Namor does by redirecting the nuke to Kiber Island.

The Defenders #84

Namor then promises to get his captured people back, or else.

The Defenders #84

As far as I can find, Namor never made good on this threat and the prisoners were never mentioned again.

Later, T'challa and Namor met again by accident at the Dr. Strange's house as T'challa was meeting with the Defenders, only for Namor to throw a temper tantrum and leave immediately.

The Defenders #85

The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 1.1: Namor Meets Azzuri the Wise

[This is Part 1 of a multiple post series going over the details of one of the most important moments in the Black Panther mythos: The Wakanda/Atlantis War.

In Part 1, we are specifically looking at the the various meetings between the Black Panther and Namor prior to the War. In 1.1, we take a look at the meeting between Namor and T'challa's grandfather: Azzuri.]

The first ever interaction between Namor and Wakanda came during the reign of Azzuri the Wise during WWII. This story was told to T'challa by Namor himself while the newly married T'challa and Storm came to meet with Namor in Atlantis to discuss the Superhero Civil War.

Black Panther, vol 3, #21 (Hudlin)

During WW2, the Invaders arrived in Africa to fight the Fascists there. This is around the time Captain America first came to Wakanda as well, that story was told in Captain American and Black Panther: Flags of our Fathers.

The Nazis and Invaders were both looking for plans, but the Wakandans got there first without leaving a trace. Namor soon caught up to the Wakanda air craft carrying Azzuri...

Black Panther, vol 3, #21 (Hudlin)

Next up, Namor meets T'challa for the first time, due to the Kiber Island Incident.