TPB Reading Order

Here is the list, in order, of all the trades and collected editions for reading the saga of T'challa, the Black Panther. 

Black Panther Epic Collection: Panther's Rage

• Fantastic Four #52-53
• Panther's Rage (Jungle Action #6-18)
• Panther vs the KKK (Jungle Action #19-24)

- The F4 story is T'challa first appearance in the comics and a general must read for any hardcore BP fan as it shows you Lee and Kirby's original idea for the character. 

McGregor's Black Panther stuff is either praised or dismissed by the BP fandom. It is a much different T'challa from the modern version but there is a lot of world building which is generally appreciated. Panther's Rage is his best story by far and features the introduction of Killmonger. Readers used to older style comics will likely enjoy Panther's Rage. Panther vs the KKK is generally not seen as a good story. 

Black Panther Epic Collection: Revenge of the Black Panther

• Black Panther, vol 1,  #1-15 
• Marvel Premier #51-53
• Marvel Team-Up #100
• Black Panther, vol 2, #1-4

- Kirby's run (vol 1) on the character is a complete hit or miss. If you like Kirby and his style, you might enjoy it. Otherwise, I would skip it altogether. 

The Marvel Premier story is a story connecting to the Panther vs the KKK story line, so you will need to read McGregor's original story to really understand it. The Marvel Team Up story is the first appearance of Storm and BP in the same book. Neither are essential readings. 

Gilli's short run (vol 2) is a very, very underrated story and one of my personal favorites. In fact, I will be buying this trade just to have those four issues collected.

Black Panther: Panther's Quest

• Marvel Comics Presents #13-37

- Unless you are a hardcore Black Panther fan, a completionist, or love Don McGregor, I would probably skip this story. It tells the story of T'challa's trip to South Africa to rescue Ramonda. I am not even sure this is canon anymore. 

Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 1

• 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)

- Priest is credited for molding T'challa into a household name. Many of the things you see in today's Black Panther and Wakanda are because of Priest. 

The Client and Enemy of the State are considered two of the best BP stories ever. 

Even people are are not pure Black Panther fans will likely enjoy Priest's story just due to how well Priest can tell a story. His run ends up on many "classic run" comic lists. 

Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 2

• 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)
• Deadpool #44

- This continues Priest's epic run. This volume brings in classic Black Panther rogues such is Killmonger and M'baku while also continuing MCU certified Nakia's story. Sturm Und Drang is on many peoples "best BP story ever" list. 

The Deadpool issue connects to the Killmonger part of the story. 

Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 3

• 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)
• Coming to America (Black Panther, vol 3, #57-58)
• Incredible Hulk, vol 2, #33
• Thor #370
• Marvel Double Shot #2

- Enemy of the State II is considered one of the best BP stories ever by many people. The three random stories at the end were stories written by Priest. The Hulk story involves Queen Divine Justice and Wakanda, but is not connected to Black Panther.

Ultron Unlimited

• Avengers,vol 3, #19-22

- This is a rather popular Ultron story that T'challa was part of the Avenger's roster. While he didn't have as much of a role as the next trade on the list, this is still a worthy inclusion just based on the strength of the story. 

Avengers: Red Zone

• Avengers, vol 3, #65-70

- This is likely the best Avenger's story that Black Panther has been involved in. It is one of the few times that Priest's version of the character crossed over to other books. It involves the much linked and iconic fight between T'challa and the Red Skull. I highly recommend the story but it is not essential reading. 

Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 4

• Black and White (Black Panther, vol 3, #50-56)
• Ascension (Black Panther, vol 3, #59-62)
• The Crew #1-7

- This is actually the story of Kasper Cole. T'challa does make his presence known in this book, but it is NOT a Black Panther story. In my opinion, it is not essential reading for T'challa. Kasper was recently reintroduced to the mythos in World of Wakanda #6, so if you want a background of that character, then knock yourself out with this volume. 

The Crew book has nothing to do with Black Panther. 

Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Volume 1

• Black Panther: Who is the Black Panther (Black Panther, vol 4, #1-6)
• X-Men/Black Panther: Wild Kingdom (X-Men #175-176, Black Panther, vol 4, #8-9)
• Black Panther: Bad Mutha (Black Panther, vol 4, #10-13)
• Black Panther: The Bride (Black Panther, vol 4, #14-18)

- Hudlin's run on the character is completely different from Priest. No one but Priest can write like Priest and Hudlin didn't try to copy. It is much more straight forward and action packed and some would say it is "Saturday cartoon" like. 

Who is the Black Panther is one of the best and most widely read BP stories, even so far to be adapted into a cartoon. The canon WILL NOT mesh well with Priest's or any other previous run as it was envisioned as a stand alone "other" story that was so successful it got adopted as the new canon. Ignore the continuity aspects and focus on the book and enjoy yourself. It is a great story for people new to the Black Panther mythos as well. 

From the remaining stories, Bad Mutha is considered a fan favorite. The Bride starts the road to the Wedding of the Century. 

Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Volume 2

• Black Panther: Civil War (Black Panther, vol 4, #19-25)
• Black Panther: Four the Hard Way (Black Panther, vol 4, #26-30)
• Black Panther: Little Green Men (Black Panther, vol 4, #31-34)
• Black Panther Annual #1

- This volume has a ton of guest appearances. T'challa and Storm end up joining the Fantastic Four with Ben and Johnny following the aftermath of Civil War. The two stories after Civil War actually take part off world/dimension. 

The annual is a non-canon, future story about Wakanda. 

The New Fantastic Four 

• Fantastic Four #544-550

- Following the events of Civil War, Black Panther and Storm join the Fantastic Four while Reed and Sue take a break/second honeymoon. 

Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Volume 3

• Black Panther: Back To Africa (Black Panther, vol 4, #35-38)
• Secret Invasion: Black Panther (Black Panther, vol 4, #39-41)
• Black Panther: The Deadliest of the Species (Black Panther, vol 5, #1-6)
• Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of our Fathers #1-4
• Black Panther Saga

- Back to Africa features the last appearance of Killmonger. Secret Invasion is generally known as See Wakanda and Die and is literally my favorite story in all of comics ever. Deadliest of the Species chronicles Shuri's rise to power as she becomes the Black Panther. 

Flags of our Fathers is a story that takes place in the past, involving Captain America and Azarri, grandfather of T'challa. I highly recommend this story. Black Panther Saga is basically a history book. 

Black Panther: Doomwar

• Black Panther: Power (Black Panther, vol 5, #7-11)
• Doom War #1-6 
• Klaws of the Panther #1-4
• Age of Heroes #4

- Power and Doom War heavily involve Shuri is the Black Panther, however T'challa is present throughout. Doom War is a terrible story for any Black Panther fan but it is integral to future stories. 

Klaws of the Panther and Age of Heroes are 100% Shuri focused and have no bearing on T'challa.

Black Panther: The Man Without Fear - The Complete Collection

• Black Panther: The Man Without Fear (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #513-518)
• Black Panther: The Man Without Fear: Fear Itself (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #519-523, Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #524)
• Black Panther - The Most Dangerous Man Alive: The Kingpin of Wakanda (Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #523.1, 525-529)

- Following the events of Doom War and Shadowland, T'challa takes over defense of Hell's Kitchen for Daredevil in order to "prove himself." Honestly, the premise of the story is stupid as hell... but Liss really made it work. It is a street level Black Panther with no vibranium, tech, or his Black Panther powers. The Kingpin of Wakanda arc is an especially great story. 

Fantastic Four, Vol. 6

• Fantastic Four #605.1, 605-611

- This is one here only for issues #607-608, which take place in Wakanda. They are rather essential issues that give T'challa back his powers while also foreshadowing future events but you can always just read a synopsis if you do not want to purchase an unrealted trade for two issues. 

Avengers vs. X-Men 

• Avengers vs. X-Men #0-12, Point One

- Wakanda, Black Panther, and Storm got stuck right in the middle of this event. While the story doesn't centralize around Black Panther, the events that take place in Wakanda are essential to understanding much of the drama of the Hickman's New Avengers. 

New Avengers Vol. 1: Everything Dies (New Avengers, vol 3, #1-6)

Infinity (Infinity #1-6, New Avengers, vol 3, #7-12, Avengers, vol 5, #14-23)

New Avengers Vol. 3: Other Worlds (New Avengers, vol 3, #13-17)

New Avengers Vol. 4: A Perfect World (New Avengers, vol 3, #18-23)

Avengers: Time Runs Out Vol 1 (Avengers, vol 5, #35-37; New Avengers, vol 3, #24-25)

Avengers: Time Runs Out Vol 2 (Avengers, vol 5, #38-39; New Avengers, vol 3, #26-28)

Avengers: Time Runs Out Vol 3 (Avengers, vol 5, #40-42; New Avengers, vol 3, #29-30)

Avengers: Time Runs Out Vol 4 (Avengers, vol 5, #43-44; New Avengers, vol 3, #31-33)

Secret Wars (Secret Wars #1-9, Free Comic Book Day 2015 Secret Wars #0)


- Hickman's Avengers/New Avengers Incursion saga gravitates around Black Panther, who starts and ends 4 years worth of books. 

Ultimates: Omniversal (#1-6)

Ultimates: Omniversal Vol 2- Civil War II (#7-12)

- T'challa formed/joined the Ultimates following Secret Wars. Chronologically, these events happen before his solo book so that is why it is listed first. T'challa has a couple cool moments, but I would not call this essential reading at all. He isn't in the book too much as it has a high concept science-fiction focus instead of a "team members" focus. 

Black Panther and the Crew: We are the Streets

• Black Panther and the Crew #1-6

- In Marvel time, this team up appears before the events of Volume 6. This is not an essential read AT ALL. Despite his name being on the cover, he is barely a factor in the book and likely gets the least amount of panel time on the team and does nothing interesting at all. 

A Nation Under Our Feet 

• Black Panther, vol 6, #1-12

- Ta-Nehisi Coates run starts here. While technically there are three trades, it is 100% useless to read them separately as this is one, 12 issue story. You have to go all in here if you have any interest at all.  

Ultimates²: Vol 1-Troubleshooters (#1-6)

Ultimates²: Vol 2- Eternity War (#7-11, #100)

- These trades conclude T'challa's Ultimates run as it finally ends the "Who chained Eternity" thing way back in the first trade. T'challa doesn't get much character development out of it but he does get a couple very high end feats. Whether it is worth it is up to you. 

Avengers of the New World

• Black Panther, vol 6, #13-18, #166-171

- Same as the first story of Coates' run, you have to read the whole complete collection in order to get the whole story. Single trades won't work.

Rise of the Black Panther 

- This book served as a succinct origin story for T'challa, that updated the origin to merge the two predominant origin produced by Kirby and Hudlin. It was essentially designed for new MCU fans but it ended up being a solid story, lots of easter eggs for old fans, pretty art, and a pretty good book. I recommend it. 

Black Panther vs. Deadpool

- Fun little mini about... well, T'challa vs Wade. Funky art, but highly enjoyable. 

Last update: 05-04-2019