Comprehensive Reading Order

Origin Story

• Fantastic Four #52-53

Panther's Rage

• Jungle Action #6-18

Kirby Run

• 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)

Gillis Run

• Gillis (Black Panther, vol 2, #1-4)

Priest Run 

• 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)

Avengers 

• Red Zone (Avengers, vol 3, #65-70)

Hudlin Run 

• 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)
• See Wakanda and Die/Secret Invasion (Black Panther, vol 4, #39-41)

Fantastic Four

• The New Fantastic Four #544-550

Hudlin/Mayberry Run

• Deadliest of the Species (Black Panther, vol 5, #1-6)
• Power (Black Panther, vol 5, #7-11)
• Doom War #1-6

Liss Run

• 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)

Re-Powered

• Fantastic Four #607-608

Avengers vs X-Men

• Avenger vs X-Men #8-9
• AvX Vs #5
• AvX: Consequences #1
• A+X #3

Hickman/New Avengers Run

• Avengers, vol 5, #1
• Everything Dies (New Avengers, vol 3, #1-6)
• Infinity #1-6
• Infinity (New Avengers, vol 3, #7-12)
• Avengers, vol 5, #28 
• Other Worlds (New Avengers, vol 3, #13.INH-17)
• Avengers, vol 5, #29
• Avengers, vol 5, #34
• Perfect World (New Avengers, vol 3, #18-23)
• Time Runs Out Vol 1 (Avengers, vol 5, #35-37; New Avengers, vol 3, #24-25) [not in NA #24, Av #36]
• Time Runs Out Vol 2 (Avengers, vol 5, #38-39; New Avengers, vol 3, #26-28)
• Time Runs Out Vol 3 (Avengers, vol 5, #40-42; New Avengers, vol 3, #29-30)
• Time Runs Out Vol 4 (Avengers, vol 5, #43-44; New Avengers, vol 3, #31-33)
• Secret Wars #1-9

Coates Run Vol 6

• A Nation Under Our Feet (Black Panther, vol 6, #1-12)
• Avengers of the New World (Black Panther, vol 6, #13-18, #166-171)
• 
  

Ultimates

• Ultimates: Omniversal (#1-6)
• Ultimates: Omniversal Vol 2- Civil War II (#7-12)
• Ultimates²: Troubleshooters (#1-6)
• Ultimates²: Eternity War (#7-11, #100)

Minis

• Rise of the Black Panther #1-6
• Black Panther vs Deadpool #1-5

Coates Run Vol 7

• The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda (Black Panther, vol 7, #1-current)

Avengers

• Avengers, vol 8, #1-current

Essential Black Panther Reading Order

TLDR Summary

• Fantastic Four #52-53
• Panther's Rage
• Priest Run, volume 3
• Hudlin Run, volume 4 and 5
• Doom War
• Liss Run, Man Without Fear/Most Dangerous Man Alive
• Fantastic Four #607-608
• Hickman's New Avengers, Infinity, Time Run's Out, Secret Wars
• Coates Run, volume 6 and 7

Detailed Reading Order

Origin Story

• Fantastic Four #52-53

Panther's Rage

• Jungle Action #6-18

Priest Run 

• 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)

Hudlin Run 

• 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)
• See Wakanda and Die/Secret Invasion (Black Panther, vol 4, #39-41)

Hudlin/Mayberry Run

• Deadliest of the Species (Black Panther, vol 5, #1-6)
• Power (Black Panther, vol 5, #7-11)
• Doom War #1-6

Liss Run

• 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)

Re-Powered

• Fantastic Four #607-608

Hickman/New Avengers Run

• Avengers, vol 5, #1
• Everything Dies (New Avengers, vol 3, #1-6)
• Infinity #1-6
• Infinity (New Avengers, vol 3, #7-12)
• Avengers, vol 5, #28 
• Other Worlds (New Avengers, vol 3, #13.INH-17)
• Avengers, vol 5, #29
• Avengers, vol 5, #34
• Perfect World (New Avengers, vol 3, #18-23)
• Time Runs Out Vol 1 (Avengers, vol 5, #35-37; New Avengers, vol 3, #24-25) [not in NA #24, Av #36]
• Time Runs Out Vol 2 (Avengers, vol 5, #38-39; New Avengers, vol 3, #26-28)
• Time Runs Out Vol 3 (Avengers, vol 5, #40-42; New Avengers, vol 3, #29-30)
• Time Runs Out Vol 4 (Avengers, vol 5, #43-44; New Avengers, vol 3, #31-33)
• Secret Wars #1-9

Coates Run

• A Nation Under Our Feet (Black Panther, vol 6, #1-12)
• Avengers of the New World (Black Panther, vol 6, #13-18, #166-171)

Wakanda Has A Galactic Empire Now

And before you get too excited, this was Coates idea. Not Aarons or someone with imagination.

Most interesting part is that it is called Birnin T'challa.

Hmmm

T'challa is Savage

Avengers #175

Black Panther Trade 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. Luckily for newcomers, a lot of these collections are brand new, or they are coming in the next 6 months, thanks to the Black Panther's appearance in the movie universe.

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. 

Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther Volume 2

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

- 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. It is not essential reading and this is difficult to find compared to the other trades. 

The Marvel Premier story is a story connecting to the Panther vs the KKK story line. The Marvel Team Up story is the first appearance of Storm and BP in the same book. Neither are essential readings. 

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.

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)

- This complete collection will be available November 2017. If you do not want to wait for the complete collection, you can find each of these arcs as individual trades. 

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 complete collection will be available January 2018. If you do not want to wait for the complete collection, you can find each of these arcs as individual trades. The only exception is the Black Panther Annual, which is found in the Back to Africa trade. 

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)

- This complete collection will be available February 2018. However, the Amazon information is wrong (it is using information from volume 2). Judging by what has already been released, it will likely cover the trades listed above. Either way, you can get those stories as individual trades if that is how you prefer. I will update when the information becomes available. 

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. 

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)

- This complete collection will be available January 2018. If you do not want to wait for the complete collection, you can find each of these arcs as individual trades.

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. 

A Nation Under Our Feet Book 1 (Black Panther, vol 6, #1-4)

A Nation Under Our Feet Book 2 (Black Panther, vol 6, #5-8)

A Nation Under Our Feet Book 3 (Black Panther, vol 6, #9-12)


- Ta-Nehisi Coates run starts here. You need to go all-in though... you have to buy all three trades or buy nothing at all. The one story spans all three trades, there are no mini arcs here.


Last update: 07-18-2017

The Crew Will Be Cancelled at #6: Some Thoughts...

It was announced over the weekend that Black Panther and the Crew will end at issue #6. What was slightly shocking was the fact that they announced it so early... what wasn't shocking was that it was cancelled.

I had mentioned on more than one occasion online that the sales for #1 were so bad, both on Diamond charts and Comixiology rankings, that this would likely be cancelled at #6. World of Wakanda sold MUCH better at #1 and was still gone by #6. The book simply sold like dog shit from the get go.


A few thoughts about this...

- This book never had a chance in the direct market from the get-go due to the racially charged themes of the book and the fact the whole team was black. You will immediately lose a large chunk of comic buyers who want no part of it without a single preview coming out (yes, white readers). You will also lose a chunk of minorities who are simply sick of social issues permeating every single book focused on people of color. It is tiring. It is like slave movies at this point. Escapism is real.

So, if the direct market is your indicator for keeping a book alive... why was this book made in the first place? Your target audience isn't the typical Wednesday warrior, and those people are going to be trade buyers.

- Marvel missed two hot times to make this book. One was when BLM and the like were actually in the news. When was the last time you saw an uproar over a killer cop? Do you really think they stopped killing? No, news stations got bored and moved on. Captain America: Sam Wilson took advatage of that (and the sales were still meh... but it was Sam Wilson so not bad).

The second "hot time" for this book was in the middle of the solo run... when World of Wakanda came out. If Black Panther and the Crew was released then, the "Coates Fans" may have moved over much more rapidly, like they did with WoW.

Instead, Marvel released this book when Black Panther ain't so lit and no one cares about killer cops. Oh... and a couple months before Bendis releases his street level book.

- The "Coates Twitter Fan" as forums often joke about are gone now (from direct market anyway). Black Panther sales are now in "normal" range and the Crew book never got off the ground. These fans either moved purely to trade waiting (which is fine) or they have moved on to whatever is cool this month. The real question is, how many of them became long term comic readers because of Coates? Time will tell but judging from The Crew and the sales of BP #13... not a ton.

- Making a murder mystery book about a brand new character was an odd choice to entice readers with. Why should we care? This book just had no "hook." The entire hook is centered on "Who is Ezrya Miller?" What if that answer is, "maybe I'll wait until you tell me who he is before I buy the book?"

- Your first cover had Misty Knight right in front. Misty has no comic buying fans.

- Your first preview had Misty and Storm. Misty and Storm have no comic buying fans.

- Only one character in the roster has any history of selling solo... Black Panther. So you put his name in front of the Crew. And then barely talked about him in interviews and he was non-existent in 2 issues of the book. Who thought that was a great idea? People are not that dumb to buy a book just because you put his name first... especially not after Black Panther: World of Wakanda.



Sadly, nothing I just said has anything to do with the quality of the book. Unfortunately, the comic business is first built on hype... quality is a distant distant second when it comes to sales. It doesn't matter how good the book its if you can't get anyone to try it. Or, in reality, create a pull list at a comic shop or buy digital the day of.

Black Panther in New Promo for "Secret Empire"

Secret Empire is the newest Marvel event post Monster Unleashed and IvX and whatever other events are going on right now (lol).

Black Panther joins the other Marvel Comics titans (plus Carol... lol) on this cover.

Let's hope T'challa stays far, far, far away from Hydra Cap though. Dude doesn't play.

Black Panther and the Crew Ongoing Announced!

This didn't catch any Black Panther fan off guard at all, as many of us have been speculating Coates had this up his sleeve as soon as the new Crew appeared in Black Panther. Yona Harvey of "Zenzi back up" fame is co-writing. I liked the Zenzi back up story so that's cool.

This is a weird premise, considering Defenders is going on at the exact same time (and makes more sense). But, i'd rather see street level T'challa than giant cosmic heads T'challa so, I will roll with it.

Part of me is cautiously optimistic. Luke Cage is my 3rd favorite hero so that's awesome. This should be more in Coates wheelhouse as it is more "real" than Wakanda. And Black Panther got top billing so that's awesome.

But... so far, Black Panther has been third fiddle in two books with his name on it, in Ultimates he doesn't really do anything, and I am not confident that Coates didn't just put him in this book for sales.

So, we will see.

Here is an interview about the book: http://time.com/4639911/ta-nehisi-coates-is-expanding-the-black-panther-universe-with-the-crew/

[Yes, I need to do reviews for World of Wakanda and Ultimates but they were so disappointing that this took precedence. -- Shadow]

Panthers Powers Part 2: The Role of Bast, the Panther God

[This is Part 2 of a multiple post series going over the details and intricacies of the multiple sources of superpowers in Wakanda and how they have changed over the years. 

In Part 2, we turn to the Panther Goddess Bast and her role in granting her champions superpowers.]


Bast, the Panther God, has had an interesting connection to Wakanda and the Black Panther's in particular. She is a God that rarely intervenes in day-to-day activities, but at the same time controls marriages, guards the Vibranium mound, and, in the end, decides who is worthy of holding the title of Black Panther.

For the purposes of this article, we are going to focus on her ability to empower those chosen to defend Wakanda.

The first mention of the Panther God I could find was in T'challa's first origin story in Avengers, vol 1 #87, where he had to have a night of vigil in the temple of the Panther God during his Rite of Ascension.

This first time we actually saw the Panther God was also the first time we saw her role in giving the Black Panther his super powers: Gillis's four issue mini series in 1988. In this mini, the spirit of the Panther God actually left T'challa and inhabited a man from Azania. T'challa was left depowered while the Panther God went on a rampage, killing those who held down the black Azania citizens.

Gillis #4 of 4

Despite the HSH previously being shown as the power source for T'challa's powers, Gillis outright showed that without the Panther God and her blessing, there were no powers. After T'challa and the Panther God's fight and have a heated discussion, they came to a mutual understanding, they reformed, and T'challa's powers returned.

Gillis #1 of 4

Gillis #1 of 4

Gillis #2 of 4

After that, Bast wasn't outright mentioned for a very, very long time, until Priest's run during The Client arc in 1999. In McGregor's Panther's Prey however, T'challa stated that his enhanced physical strength actually come from his enhanced spiritual strength. Considering Bast is his God, you could reasonably assume this to be a subtle way of saying Bast was directly responsible for the strength the HSH gave him.

Panther's Prey #3

In Priest #5, T'challa narrated his origin story to Mephisto, mentioning that the HSH connected his spirit to the Panther God and, just as important, mentioned how all the Black Panther's before him did the same thing.

Priest #5

Hudlin took this concept of the Panther spirit powering the Black Panthers and upped the ante a bit. In Deadliest of the Species arc, he showed us explicitly that Bast WAS the source of the Black Panther powers, not the HSH. The HSH acted only as a gateway to come before Bast to be judged.

Deadliest of the Species #4

In this same story, we heard that if Bast judges you as unworthy, your soul is consumed.

Deadliest of the Species #4

Deadliest of the Species #6

Shuri came directly in front of Bast, to declare her worthiness and ask for her blessing to take up the mantle of Black Panther. Bast remarked that all of her ancestors have done the same for 10,000 years, once again confirming that Bast has been there from the beginning of Wakanda's history.

Deadliest of the Species #4

What is very important about this interaction is that, despite Bast declaring Shuri unworthy... her soul was not consumed. She lived and was in fact worthy after she decided to combat Morlun anyway in a suicide mission in order to save Wakanda. This shows us that Bast is not black and white. Her decisions are not one way or another. She is a mysterious God that nudges and hints more than outright tells you what you need to do.

Deadliest of the Species #6

Once Shuri had the Black Panther powers, T'challa lost his. He first turned to Alchemy to regain some powers but later went to Hell's Kitchen to combat criminals without the powers of the Black Panther. There seemingly could only be one true Black Panther at one time.

Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #519

Hickman continued showing Bast's explicit role in powering her champions during his Wakandan Fantastic Four arc. After seeing T'challa desired to be the Panther once again, Bast offered to restore him his powers and give him back his throne, as he was the "most favored son." This would have resulted in Bast taking the powers and throne from Shuri.

Fantastic 4 #608

However, she had another need at that time (which we learned to be the incursions), and T'challa accepted becoming King of the Dead, Lord of Necropolis and was re-powered to his previous state by Bast.

Fantastic 4 #608

So, in conclusion, while the concept of Bast being the source of the Black Panther powers was introduced way back in 1988, it has been re-introduced and reinforced in the last decade by Hudlin and Hickman that Bast is the true source of the Black Panther powers, and not the HSH. The HSH simply acts as a gateway of sorts to Bast and the Black Panther powers.

In the next installment of this series, we are going to learn what potential Black Panthers must go through in order to get access to the HSH and Bast: Tournaments, Tribal Challenges, and the Rite of Ascension.

Panther Powers Part 1: History of the Heart Shaped Herb

[This is Part 1 of a multiple post series going over the details and intricacies of the multiple sources of superpowers in Wakanda and how they have changed over the years. 

In Part 1, we start with one of the most recognizable aspects of the Black Panther mythos: The Heart Shaped Herb]

The sacred Heart Shaped Herb (HSH) has been apart of the Black Panther mythos since it was first mentioned in his second appearance in Fantastic Four #53 and first visualized in Avengers, vol 1 #87. It is essentially Black Panther's "super soldier serum," as it provides the Black Panther many powers, including enhanced speed, quickness, strength, and senses.

Fantastic 4 #53

But that is HSH 101, just the basics you can find in any rudimentary Google search that will point you to a poorly researched article. Let's dive a bit deeper into this mysterious plant and all of its comic appearances to get a better idea of what it is and what it actually does.

Physical Appearance

The HSH has been depicted in numerous ways and its depiction has evolved over the years.

It was classically depicted as a leafy, green, heart-shaped plant that was eaten raw.

Avengers, vol #87

This same plant was then later used to create of poultice/goop that was placed on the skin rather than eaten during McGregor's various runs.

Panther's Prey #2

In Priest's popular run, it was depicted as more of a root or tuber and was once again just eaten raw. 

Priest #5

Priest #24

It was switched back to the classical look once again under Hudlin's pen and once again eaten raw rather than absorbed poultice form.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2

Deadliest of the Species #3

Location

The HSH is found only in Wakanda, at the outer regions of the country. It is typically portrayed to be on the "Great Plateau" or on some sort of mountain. It is apparently in a place that is hard to get to and requires rigorous physical conditioning to reach. In fact, it took T'challa six days to find the HSH and he was nearly dead when he got there. In its latest iterations, the HSH was guarded by a pride of Panthers as well. The HSH has been stated to blossom annually.

Panther's Prey #3

Panther's Prey #2

Avengers, vol 1 #87

Avengers, vol 1 #87

Priest #60

Deadliest of the Species #3

Deadliest of the Species #3

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Who can ingest it?

The only person allowed to ingest the HSH is the chieftain, the Black Panther of Wakanda. It has been shown on multiple occasions to be heavily protected by the tribal elders and considered sacred. In fact, in Panther's Prey, the poultice was sneaked out of Wakanda to scientists and it was implied the chief herbalist Mendinao would whoop that persons's ass and expel them from the Rites if he found out who it was. Killmonger mentioned the Tribal Council cared about the true HSH, and not about his synthetic version.

Panther's Prey #3

Priest #61

To become chieftain, one must inherit the opportunity through death of the previous Black Panther or defeat the current Black Panther in a Tribal Challenge or at the annual tournament, and then complete the Rites of Ascension. This will be covered in more detail in a future segment of this series.

While anyone that completes the Rites can ingest the HSH, it has been stated on panel that it is potentially toxic outside the Line of Bashenga. It has also been stated that those who are unworthy of the herb could be devoured by Bast herself. We will go into much more detail about both claims in later segments of this series.

There have been two notable exceptions to Rite of Ascension and Tribal Tournaments. A minor Wakandan warrior named Zawadi of Monster Hunter fame has apparently taken the HSH, although I cannot find on panel supporting that fact. Peter Parker is the most notable exception, as he took the HSH during a story penned by Hudlin in which he was dying and T'challa gave him the HSH to try and save him.

The Monster Hunters in Marvel Universe

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2

What does it do?

Enhanced Strength, Speed, Agility, and Senses: These are the prototypical Panther powers and in fact, in the beginning, they basically said it gave you the "strength and agility of the Great Cat.". You can find specific, high-end feats demonstrating these abilities HERE.

Avengers, vol 1 #87

Priest #5

Priest #24

Klaws of the Panther #1

Increased Durability and Healing: One of the lesser known powers the Black Panther possess is increased durability and healing. McGregor loved to take advantage of that fact but routinely having the crud beat out of T'challa in his stories, only for T'challa to bounce back quickly. But this aspect was established well before Panther's Rage in T'challa's first origin story. You can find specific, high-end feats demonstrating these abilities HERE.

Avengers, vol 1 #87

Panther's Prey #1

Panther's Prey #2

Connection to the Panther God: The Black Panthers connection to the Panther God Bast was established way back in Gillis's limited series, where T'challa lost his powers when the Panther Spirit abandoned him. McGregor in Panther's Prey mentioned T'challa's physical prowess was in fact due to his spiritual strength. Priest established that connection once more during The Client, as T'challa used this connection to the Panther God and all the previous Black Panther spirits to trick and defeat Mephisto. Hudlin took this connection and added to it, showing that the HSH puts you in direct contact with Bast herself to have your worthiness to become the Black Panther judged.

Gillis #1

Panthers Prey #3

Priest #5

Deadliest of the Species #4

How does it work?

McGregor went into some insane detail on how the HSH actually works instead of just going "because comic books." In Panther's Prey #3, he produced the following quote on how the HSH works. I would post the scan, but it is much more simple and efficient to type it out:

“The poultice stimulated and accentuated the human being’s kinesthetic sense. The kinesthetic sense is the subliminal perception that allows human beings to close their eyes, yet know where the different parts of their bodies are. If you didn’t have this sense, you couldn’t pick your nose or wash your hair if your eyes weren’t open. 

The poultice, plus the stimuli of rigorous theological and physical training, heightened your kinesthetic sense. It heightens the proprioceptors and perceptions in your body. That is how you sense where a tree limb or a building edge is, know exactly where it is and never have a moment’s doubt that your fingers will close about 

The sacred anointment poultice has a second effect on your muscles and ligaments, specifically on the joints where bones connect and swivel, mesh and respond. There are receptors in these joints called the Pacinian corpuscles that carry the signal to the brain to fulfill proper movement. Somehow the poultice is absorbed into those receptors and makes them especially sensitive…This is what enables you to twist and dodge with unparalleled grace.”

T'challa had a simpler explanation for his powers. He stated that the HSH increased his spiritual strength which enhanced his physical strength. Although I doubt it was his intention, but McGregor may have actually hinted Bast's role with that quote.

Panthers Prey #3

However, things have changed through the years, as Bast has been shown more explicitly to be the true source of the Black Panther powers while the HSH nearly acts as a gateway to request her blessing. This was shown way back in Gillis mini series, in Deadliest of the Species, and with T'challa's King of the Dead powers. This will be touched on in a future installment in more detail.

Deadliest of the Species #4

In the next installment of this series, we are going to go dive deeper in Bast, the Panther God, and her involvement with the Panther Powers.