Black Panther: World of Wakanda #2- Thoughts and Spoilers

Quick Spoilers...

- We start post-flooding, as the Dora's are cleaning up the dead in the Golden City. We get to see Ayo's temper and such and some romance angst.

- Then to the preview, with the guy seemingly trying to get to Shuri and the Dora's take him down. During interogation, we learn he was just grieving about his wife dying in the floods.

- Ayo and Aneka bone. They are then re-assigned to T'challa in Necropolis.

- T'challa tells them about Namor. Ayo and Aneka protest but do their job.

- Cut to post Infinity War.

- Cut to when the Dora's break from T'challa in Hickman's run.

- Then to more romance stuff.


Thoughts...

- This book continues to be the "trash T'challa, the character that people actually like" fest. But, that is simply the premise of the book I guess.

- The "romance" stuff doesn't work for me at all. But, I don't think that I am the target audience for it so I won't dwell on that aspect.

- How many times do Gay need to drop the "serve him in all ways" bullshit? Just come out and say it instead of making something up to fit some ridiculous agenda.

- The thought balloons have. got. to go.

- The issue jumped around so quickly time wise. These first two issues feel pointless. It could have been told in all of 2 pages in a flashback if they wanted to. I just do not know why this book actually exists. Maybe it will get more interesting as we go along but I thought it existed to flesh out what was going on but it jumps too much to flesh out anything.

- The art is average. The writing is below average. And the trashing of T'challa is a travesty.

- This really, really should have been a book about Shuri, going over what her and Wakanda were going through post T'challa's banishment. THAT would have been interesting and the Dora's could have been the supporting cast. Instead we are getting a mediocre book from a novice writer that is accomplishing nothing at all.

- Also, one more thing... the continuity in this book is horrid. Saying T'challa wasn't there to help rebuild, when there are direct scans showing him cleaning up right before he annulled the marriage and scans stating the Avengers were coming back to help as well. Or the fact they changed the "break up scene" to leave out the HZ, thus making it a pure, petty gender issue instead of an nationalistic issue.


JUDGEMENT: Hard pass. 

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.

Predator Panther

Poor Clint

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.