Tuesday, January 30, 2018

The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 2: Prelude to War

[This is Part 2 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 2, we are looking a the events that happened right before the war officially began, due to the events of Avengers vs X-Men.]



Avengers vs X-Men was not kind to Wakanda.

When the Phoenix was first seen coming toward Earth, Storm was actually apart of the Avengers, not T'challa. Due to the potential extinction level event, Captain America called all Avengers, past and present, to meet at the mansion to discuss the plan. This included T'challa.

However, Storm quickly realized she need to be with her people... meaning the mutants. Not the Avengers. And eventually, not Wakanda.

New Avengers, vol 3, #24

T'challa on the other hand, naturally joined the Avengers. Both T'challa and Namor were present when the Avengers first stormed the beaches of Utopia, although they did not have a direct confrontation.


Avengers vs X-Men #1

Once Hope escaped, the fighting spread throughout the world, including around Wakanda.. lead by the Queen of Wakanda. Yep, she brought a Nazi into Wakanda. Bast have Mercy.

Avengers vs X-Men #4

T'challa and Storm actually got into a huge fight that resulted in Storm throwing her ring at T'challa. This will be covered in a later installment as the whole divorce deserves its own post. I'll link when i get it up.

Soon after, Namor got a portion of the Phoenix power after Stark accidentally split the Phoenix force. With the power of a God in the hands of a hot headed, arrogant, short thinking monarch was not the best thing to ever happen to Wakanda.

Avengers vs X-Men #5

Initially following the formation of the Phoenix 5, T'challa tried to keep Wakanda out of the hostilities. When the Avengers decided to extract Hope, T'challa specifically refused to be apart of it.

Avengers vs X-Men #6

However, following the decision of the Scott to hunt down the Avengers, T'challa used Wakanda as a base for the Avengers while he and Tony Stark tried to figure out a way to defeat them.

Avengers vs X-Men #7

Thanks to World of Wakanda, we know that Atlanteans were hanging around Wakanda around this time, looking for the Avengers. We can only assume that, as King, Namor is the one that sent them there. The Dora's were tasked with finding and eliminating the threat.




Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1

Things came to a head after the accidental capture of the mutant Transonic.

Avengers vs X-men #7

This is actually a panel that is hotly debated by Black Panther fans. At the time of AvX, Shuri was actually Queen of Wakanda, not T'challa. T'challa only recently became King of the Dead prior to AvX. Shuri is the one who would have had to OK any Avengers activities in Wakanda. And Shuri was the one that ultimately ordered Transonic's capture.

But... other than this one single panel, Shuri is nowhere to be seen during the event or shortly thereafter. So was Namor flooding Shuri's fault in the end for allowing the Avengers to be in Wakanda in the first place? Or is it T'challa's as the writers of AvX basically ignored Shuri outside of that one panel?

It isn't really fair due to the garbage writing, but as Queen, Shuri unfortunately catches the blame here in my opinion. Unfortunately, no one higher up in Marvel treats the Black Panther mythos with any respect so we never got a tie in looking into the decision to house the Avengers there. We can only assume that T'challa asked Shuri, likely convinced Shuri, and Shuri eventually gave the order for it to happen.

Either way, Namor did not take kindly to the capture of Transonic. Especially not after he was easily defeated by the Scarlet Witch, heated at the decisions Cyclops was making, and was eventually egged on by Emma Frost.

Avengers vs X-Men #7

After that, there was only the war.

Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1
Avengers vs X-men #7


Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Black Panther Myth: Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes was the Debut of the Vibranium daggers.


The Myth

 Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes was the debut of the Vibranium daggers.




The Facts

Priest is also responsible for the Energy Daggers and they have appeared multiple times in the comics before the Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon and afterwards.


Yes, I am double dipping with this poorly made article.

The Energy Daggers were introduced by Mr. Priest 14 years before Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes...
Black Panther, vol 3, #1

Hudlin used them four years before Earth's Mightiest Heroes...

Black Panther, vol 4, #34

Hell, T'challa even used energy daggers in Ulton Unlimited, one of the most popular Avenger's arcs of all time, 13 years before Earth's Mightiest Heroes...

Avengers: Ultron Unlimited
And in the 2006 video game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance...


I love EMH, and it features one of my favorite Black Panther characterizations ever, and actually got me into the character, but... it did not debut or popularize the energy daggers. At all. 

Black Panther Myth: The MCU "Suit to Black Panther Habit" Transformation Came from Coates


The Myth

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ is responsible for the idea of the MCU suit-to-habit transformation. 






The Facts

Christopher Priest is responsible for the suit-to-habit transformation that the MCU now uses. Both in concept and in the effects of the change. In fact, Coates has never shown a suit-to-habit transformation... only a mask that transforms. 


For the record, we are talking about this, which has been seen in multiple Black Panther movie trailer spots.




Mr. Justin Carter at CBR makes the bold claim that the first issue of Coates is where the idea of the suit-to-habit transformation came from. Unfortunately, he missed by three volumes... it was vol 3, #1 where Priest debuted the transformation...

Black Panther, vol 3, #1
... and then did it again in the next issue...

Black Panther, vol 3, #2
And later, he actually showed the full transformation, which is VERY similar to the MCU design.

Black Panther, vol 3, #13
Coates first issue (Black Panther, vol 6, #1) doesn't even feature a suit transformation! It only shows the mask coming on with the rest of the habit already in place.

Black Panther, vol 6, #1
In fact, not a single time in volume 6 is there a suit-to-habit transformation. The only transformation in the "modern" area was actually shown by Ewing in Ultimates².

Ultimates² #1

So CBR, in there rush to get another click bait article up, had someone write an article about Black Panther that:

1. Never read Priest's run
2. Never read the issue he was referencing (Coates #1).

We can do better than this folks!

Coates, and more specifically Stelfreeze, do get credit for the inspiration about the energy absorbing habit along with the coloring when that happens. That is taken straight from volume 6.

But the actual suit transformation? Naw, that is all Priest.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 1.8: Shuri and Namor Brawl

[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 1.8, we look at the Shuri/Namor Brawl]



Shuri was Queen of Wakanda and the Black Panther following T'challa's near death at the hands of Doom. While T'challa was building himself back up physically and mentally with the help of various sorcerer's in the outskirts of Wakanda while at the same time training his Dora army, Shuri went around basically beating ass and taking names to find out who was responsible for what happened to T'challa.

Her search eventually lead her to Namor, and their personalities did not match as well as Namor and T'challa.

Black Panther, vol 5, #8
Shuri also realized she was physically outmatched in a straight fight and came armed to the teeth with a new armor and gadgets that would augment her physical capabilities to take on Namor if need be. And because of both of their hot headed natures... that proved prudent.






Yep, same tech as Azzuri.....



Black Panther, vol 5, #11

Namor was stopped by the Fantastic Four, who discovered evidence that Namor was framed.

Black Panther, vol 5, #11

What is interesting is that despite T'challa being blown to bits and Namor being framed, Namor still honors T'challa by not revealing what their meeting was about.

Black Panther vol 5, #11

Namor later joined Shuri and the F4 in finding out who exactly framed Namor and well... beating them up.

Black Panther, vol 5, #12

And this, ladies and gentlemen, was the last positive meeting between Atlanteans and Wakandans. It seems nutso it when from honor and cooperation to a blood bath.

But the war is coming...

Friday, January 12, 2018

The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 1.7: The Cabal

[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 1.7, we look at The Cabal]



Post Secret Invasion, the Marvel Universe entered the "Dark Reign": the rise of Normon Osborn to a position of power. Which resulted in the formation of the Yang to the Illuminati's Yin... the Cabal. Namor, always the opportunist and no stranger to villainy, had joined and approached T'challa to join as well.

It should also be noted that T'challa made this visit in secret, telling no one else in Wakanda.




Black Panther, vol 5, #1


This would be the last positive interaction between the two for a long time.

Shortly afterwards, Doom blew T'challa to kingdom come and putting him in a coma. Leading to the rise of Shuri, Doom War, and Hell's Kitchen.

Next up Shuri... and her and Namor's personalities do not mesh as well as T'challa's.....

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Black Panther Fan Questionnaire



Hello fellow Black Panther Fans! This questionnaire serves as a way to get a feeling on some of the key moments in the BP mythos according to the actual fans.

My blog doesn't really exist as a "personal opinion" blog but more of an encyclopedia of all things Black Panther. So, in order to help guide new fans in the right direction, I think it is imperative to get a sense of what the fandom's thoughts on the mythos are.

So, if you could, please answer the following questions to the best your abilities in the comments. Or you can answer then on the Hudlin Forum thread HERE. Or you can direct message me on instagram @black_panther_blog. Or FB if you see a FB post. Or whatever works best for ya, I will make it work.

You can answer all of the questions or just one. You can be as blunt or detailed as you'd like. All I ask is that this is for FANS only. If you don't like the character, I don't really want or need your opinion.


1. All-Time Favorite Black Panther Story (pick top 5-10 in order)

Here are some recommendations. Feel free to write in whatever story you want. Just trying to jog memories:
  • King Solomon's Frogs (Black Panther, vol 1, #1-7)
  • Jakarra (Black Panther, vol 1, #8-10)
  • Kiber the Cruel (Black Panther, vol 1, #11-13)
  • Ulysses Klaw (Black Panther, vol 1, #14-15)
  • The Client (Black Panther, vol 3, #1-5)
  • Enemy of the State (Black Panther, vol 3, #6-12)
  • Killmonger's Rage (Black Panther, vol 3, #18-20)
  • Killmonger's Reign (Black Panther, vol 3, #21-25)
  • Sturm Und Drang (Black Panther, vol 3, #26-30)
  • Return of the Dragon (Black Panther, vol 3, #38-40)
  • Enemy of the State II (Black Panther, vol 3, #41-45)
  • Who is the Black Panther (Black Panther, vol 4, #1-6)
  • Bad Mutha (Black Panther, vol 4, #10-13)
  • Bride of the Panther (Black Panther, vol 4, #14-18)
  • Civil War (Black Panther, vol 4, #19-25)
  • Four the Hard Way (Black Panther, vol 4, #26-30)
  • Little Green Men (Black Panther, vol 4, #31-34)
  • Back to Africa (Black Panther, vol 4, #35-38)
  • Deadliest of the Species (Black Panther, vol 5, #1-6)
  • The Man Without Fear (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #513-518)
  • The Man Without Fear: Fear Itself (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #519-524)
  • The Kingpin of Wakanda (Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #525-529)
  • Hickman's New Avengers/TRO/Secret Wars
  • A Nation Under Our Feet (Black Panther, vol 6, #1-12)
  • Ewings's Ultimates
  • Fantastic Four #52-53
  • Panther's Rage (Jungle Action #6-18)
  • Gillis (Black Panther, vol 2, #1-4)
  • Red Zone (Avengers, vol 3, #65-70)
  • See Wakanda and Die/Secret Invasion (Black Panther, vol 4, #39-41)
  • The New Fantastic Four #544-550
  • Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers #1-4

2. Favorite Black Panther Run (pick top 3 in order)
  • Volume 1 (Kirby)
  • Jungle Action/Quest/Prey (McGregor)
  • Volume 3 (Priest)
  • Volume 4 (Hudlin)
  • Volume 5 (Mayberry/Hudlin)
  • Man Without Fear/Most Dangerous Man Alive (Liss)
  • Volume 6 (Coates)

3. Favorite Single Black Panther Moment (pick top 3 in order)

Here are some recommendations. Feel free to write in whatever moment you want. Just trying to jog memories:
  • T'challa punches Mephisto (Priest)
  • T'challa and the Tiger God (Ewing)
  • T'challa breaks Red Skull's jaw (Red Zone)
  • Defeats Iron Man with Windex (Priest)
  • Marriage of the Century (Hudlin)
  • Brutally Defeats Super-Skrulls (SWAD)
  • OHKO Karnak (Hudlin)
  • Wields the Infinity Gauntlet (Secret Wars)
  • T'challa OHKO Silver Surfer  (McDuffie)
  • T'challa reveals he spied on the Avengers (Priest)
  • Iron Fist Fight (Priest)
  • Drags Man Up a Building (Priest)
  • Decks Hatemonger (Liss)
  • Mind Whammy Thanos (Ewing)
  • Creates the Life Raft (Hickman)
  • Tells the Illuminati to F Off (Bendis)
  • Creates X-gene Suppressant (Liss)
  • Slits Dudes Throat (Hudlin)
  • Telepathically Blocks Emma Frost (Original  Sin)

4. Favorite Black Panther Villain (pick top 5, in order)
  • Killmonger
  • Klaw
  • M'baku
  • Hunter
  • Achebe
  • Doom
  • Namor
  • Tetu
  • Zenzi
  • Malice
  • Solomon Prey
  • Madam Slay
  • Vlad
  • The Kingpin
  • Zeke Stane
  • Morlun
  • Kiber the Cruel
  • Anton Pretorius

6. Favorite Supporting Cast Member (pick top 5, in order)
  • Shuri
  • Ramonda
  • T'chaka
  • S'yan
  • Changamire
  • Okoye
  • Nakia
  • N'yami
  • W'kabi
  • Zuri
  • Akili
  • Kasper Cole
  • Everette Ross
  • Queen Divine Justice
  • Hodari
  • Taku
  • Monica Lynne
  • Aneka
  • Ayo
  • Bast/Panther God
  • Mendinao
  • Zawavari

7. Favorite "Team" Black Panther Story (pick top 3, in order)
  • Roy Thomas Avengers
  • Kurt Busiek Avengers
  • Geoff Johns Avengers
  • Dwayne McDuffie New Fantastic Four
  • Jonathan Hickman New Avengers/Illuminati
  • Al Ewing The Ultimates
  • Black Panther and the Crew

8. Least Favorite Black Panther Moment (pick top 3, in order)

Here are some recommendations. Feel free to write in whatever moment you want. Just trying to jog memories:
  • Marriage Annulment/Fight with Storm (AvX)
  • Destroyed by Doom (Hudlin vol 5)
  • Doom War
  • Rape Camps in Wakanda (Coates)
  • Crack in Wakanda  (Panther's Prey)
  • Brain Aneurysm (Priest)
  • Falls and Breaks his Neck (Age of Ultron)
  • Forgives Namor Off Panel (Secret Wars)
  • Ramonda Kidnapped in South Africa (Panther's Quest)
  • Allows Namor to Wake Up After Black Bolt Knocks Him Out (Hickman)
  • The "Noble Negro" Years (Roy Thomas and Co)

9. Least Favorite Black Panther Writer (pick bottom 3, in order)
  • Kirby
  • McGregor
  • Roy Thomas
  • Gillis
  • Priest
  • Hudlin
  • Mayberry
  • Liss
  • Hickman
  • Coates
  • Ewing

10. Overall Favorite Rendition of Black Panther (pick top 5, in order)
  • Kirby- comics
  • McGregor- comics
  • Roy Thomas- comics
  • Gillis- comics
  • Priest- comics
  • Hudlin- comics
  • Mayberry- comics
  • Liss- comics
  • Coates- comics
  • Hickman- comics
  • McDuffie- comics
  • Ewing- comics
  • Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes- animated
  • Avengers Assemble- animated
  • Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther- animated
  • Iron Man: Armored Adventures- animated
  • Captain America: Civil War- MCU

11. Favorite Priest Story (pick top 3, in order)
  • The Client (Black Panther, vol 3, #1-5)
  • Enemy of the State (Black Panther, vol 3, #6-12)
  • The End (Black Panther, vol 3, #13-15)
  • Uptown (Black Panther, vol 3, #16-17)
  • Killmonger's Rage (Black Panther, vol 3, #18-20)
  • Killmonger's Reign (Black Panther, vol 3, #21-25)
  • Sturm Und Drang (Black Panther, vol 3, #26-30)
  • Seduction of the Innocent (Black Panther, vol 3, #31-33)
  • Gorilla Warfare (Black Panther, vol 3, #34-35)
  • The Once and Future King (Black Panther, vol 3, #36-37)
  • Return of the Dragon (Black Panther, vol 3, #38-40)
  • Enemy of the State II (Black Panther, vol 3, #41-45)
  • Saddles Ablaze (Black Panther, vol 3, #46-47)
  • The King is Dead (Black Panther, vol 3, #48-49)
  • Black and White (Black Panther, vol 3, #50-56)
  • Coming to America (Black Panther, vol 3, #57-58)
  • Ascension (Black Panther, vol 3, #59-62)

12. Favorite Hudlin Story (pick top 3, in order)
  • Who is the Black Panther (Black Panther, vol 4, #1-6)
  • House of M (Black Panther,vol 4, #7)
  • Wild Kingdom (X-Men #175-176, Black Panther, vol 4, #8-9)
  • Bad Mutha (Black Panther, vol 4, #10-13)
  • Bride of the Panther (Black Panther, vol 4, #14-18)
  • Civil War (Black Panther, vol 4, #19-25)
  • Four the Hard Way (Black Panther, vol 4, #26-30)
  • Little Green Men (Black Panther, vol 4, #31-34)
  • Back to Africa (Black Panther, vol 4, #35-38)
  • Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers #1-4
  • Deadliest of the Species (Black Panther, vol 5, #1-6)

13. Favorite "Other" Story (pick top 5-10, in order)
  • Fantastic Four #52-53
  • Panther's Rage (Jungle Action #6-18)
  • Panther vs the KKK (Jungle Action #19-24)
  • King Solomon's Frogs (Black Panther, vol 1, #1-7)
  • Jakarra (Black Panther, vol 1, #8-10)
  • Kiber the Cruel (Black Panther, vol 1, #11-13)
  • Ulysses Klaw (Black Panther, vol 1, #14-15)
  • Marvel Premier #51-53
  • Iron Man Annual #5
  • Gillis (Black Panther, vol 2, #1-4)
  • Panther's Quest (Marvel Comics Presents #13-37)
  • Panthers Prey #1-4
  • Red Zone (Avengers, vol 3, #65-70)
  • The New Fantastic Four #544-550
  • See Wakanda and Die/Secret Invasion (Black Panther, vol 4, #39-41)
  • Doom War #1-6
  • The Man Without Fear (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #513-518)
  • The Man Without Fear: Fear Itself (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #519-524)
  • The Kingpin of Wakanda (Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #525-529)
  • Hickman's New Avengers/Incursion/Secret Wars
  • A Nation Under Our Feet (Black Panther, vol 6, #1-12)
  • Ewing's The Ultimates
  • Black Panther and the Crew

Thursday, January 4, 2018

The Wakanda/Atlantis War Part 1.6: Civil War

[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 1.6, we look at Civil War]



Post marriage and during T'challa's and Storm's honeymoon tour, the royal couple visited Namor in Atlantis in the middle of the American superhero Civil War. In short, Namor wanted to meet about the possible response from non-American countries and wanted T'challa to lead the group.

Scans are pretty self explanatory...








T'challa and Storm talk in private about it. They both agree T'challa is the best man for the job under one condition:



Black Panther, vol 4, #21

This issue mostly shows the enormous amount of respect Namor has for T'challa. To show him gratitude for leaving the Illuminati and humbling himself enough to ask for help (not a Namor trait) and submit a bit to T'challa (not a Namor trait) is something you really don't see from Namor.