NEW CREATIVE TEAM, NEW DIRECTION – “THE LONG SHADOW” STARTS HERE! Academy Award-winning writer John Ridley and Stormbreaker artist Juann Cabal launch an all-new BLACK PANTHER series with an action-packed espionage story that will upend everything in T’Challa’s life and have ramifications for the entire Marvel Universe! Secrets from T’Challa’s past have come back to haunt him! Fresh from returning from his travels in space, Black Panther receives an unexpected and urgent message from a Wakandan secret agent! Now T’Challa must race the clock not only to save his agent, but also to keep his true agenda under wraps. Because if the truth comes out, it could cost T’Challa everything…
What I thought
T’challa vs Hunter- A central premise of the Priest run was that Hunter was an extremist who would do anything to protect Wakanda. T’challa meanwhile was a nationalist yes but not at the expense of the world. This was even more poignant during the Hickman era. Here we find T’challa doing things that seem more up the alley of Hunter. Sure he joined the Avengers to spy on them but he has moved way past that characterization in the years since.
Democracy in Wakanda– As a long time reader of Black Panther comics I find it interesting that this is where we have arrived. Coates run was littered with the questions of whether an absolute monarchy was needed in a country like Wakanda. The entire premise for Black Panther Vol. where Shuri took over the mantle and the later Doomwar crossover was because there was a section of Wakandan’s (The Desturi) who disagreed with their leader gallivanting all over the world instead of dealing with matter of state. Zenzi and Tatu also had issue with the ruling monarchy as did the Midnight Angels who broke away from them. This is a logical conclusion. T’challa’ analogy of the need to dig a drain but instead of just getting to the task we debate and talk about the ways we can go about digging said hole being counterproductive. That is true, but democracy allows people to feel like their voices are being heard. This is an interesting exchange to have because while democracy has been touted as the best type of rule we know all too well of its pitfalls. Just look at places like the United States. The champions of Democracy voted in Donald Trump. Now the African American voters are complaining that the current president seems to not be doing anything for them. Meanwhile we have the debate about what’s happening in Cuba, but they are world leaders in healthcare. China can also be pulled into the conversation as they are reaping the benefits not being democratic in any way. No system is perfect, and in different affairs autocracy is better than democracy. Those are just the facts!
New characters- Prime Minister Folosade is an interesting design choice with her ½ shaved head with lines run on the shaved side and an afro on the other side. Very Afrocentric, very sexy, very now. We also get introduced to Olo
Hatut Zeraz – When since is Akili the head of the Hatut Zeraze which was once run by T’challa’s adopted brother Hunter? I know in the recent series Black Panther Legends we have a de-aged and S’yan appointed Hunter to the Hatut Zeraz but it was long established that T’chaka had placed him in that capacity. What are the implications of this new leadership? When did it occur? What is the nature of the relationship between Hunter and Akili? I have so many questions!
New direction- When Priest took over and modernized the Panther he made him Batman from Africa with female sidekicks (yea I know that’s an oversimplification), It was fun. Hudlin made the title of King central to the character and established his romance and marriage to Storm. Maberry established the Desturi and lead to the Doomwar event which saw T’challa leave Wakanda. The man without fear/Most Dangerous Man alive series found T’challa operating as a low budget vigilante and taking on the Kingpin. In transition Hickman made him a badass member of the Illuminati who was central to the Secret Wars event. Coates run was highly political and established the Galactic Empire of Wakanda and made all the black heroes of Marvel T’challa’s go to friends. This series opens with T’challa back with the Avengers instead of his black hero crew. The tone is somewhere between Priest and Hickman’s. It will surely have its fans and detractors. Let’s see where this rabbit hole goes.
Overall this was a good start. Will it live up to expectations? Only time will tell. John Ridley + Juan Cabal + Black Panther= Something great! 3/5 Stars
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