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. 

SOURCE: New Black Panther Footage Shows Off Suit’s Abilities by Justin Carter

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.