Black Panther Appreciation VII: "Return of the King"

[Mr MajestiK]

Speaking on the whole de-powered and watered down T'Challa thing will hopefully be a thing of the past if Hickman's take on the iconic character follows the same path as his work on the SHIELD, FF/FF and Secret Warriors books.

With or without ESP, T'Challa remains a supremely formidable character blessed with the kind of characteristics and overall abilities that suit Hickman's penchant for developing highly conceptualized science fiction based storylines of great substance.

As Umbra has pointed out on many an occasion, Hickman's take on the Gorgon and Leviathan was solidly entertaining work that captivated ones attention so I'd like to believe that with him possibly helming an Avengers book (or two) T'Challa will be in good hands.

[Umbra]

Speaking on the whole de-powered and watered down T'Challa thing will hopefully be a thing of the past if Hickman's take on the iconic character follows the same path as his work on the SHIELD, FF/FF and Secret Warriors books.

With or without ESP, T'Challa remains a supremely formidable character blessed with the kind of characteristics and overall abilities that suit Hickman's penchant for developing highly conceptualized science fiction based storylines of great substance.

As Umbra has pointed out on many an occasion, Hickman's take on the Gorgon and Leviathan was solidly entertaining work that captivated ones attention so I'd like to believe that with him possibly helming an Avengers book (or two) T'Challa will be in good hands.

Hopefully his take on on the character is like that. Especially the Gorgon, which would eliminate him being marginalized in other areas when he appears with the "Big 6"...and heroes like them. I find it fascinating, the logic when it comes to a characters like Ironman...but the different take when it comes to a character like T'challa.

To me, either they finally get it...or they don't. Mr. Yost seems to get it...his Ironman: AA and Avengers:EMH are both great...especially the Line of Fire Episode, with T'challa acting like a King..who does not need to answer or back down from others and flashing the Prowess and Skill that would make him formidable against anyone. Not just a guy who jumps out if the way.

Just my opinion.

[dbcb314]

Hopefully his take on on the character is like that. Especially the Gorgon, which would eliminate him being marginalized in other areas when he appears with the "Big 6"...and heroes like them. I find it fascinating, the logic when it comes to a characters like Ironman...but the different take when it comes to a character like T'challa.

To me, either they finally get it...or they don't. Mr. Yost seems to get it...his Ironman: AA and Avengers:EMH are both great...especially the Line of Fire Episode, with T'challa acting like a King..who does not need to answer or back down from others and flashing the Prowess and Skill that would make him formidable against anyone. Not just a guy who jumps out if the way.

Just my opinion.

That is the thing with BP in EMH... it isn't even the "kick butt" part of T'challa that is so great. It is just that they NAILED his attitude and his intellect IMO. I mean, with his first appearance he got into the Avengers mansion and hacked Starks computer. Just awesome all around.

He isn't just a genius on that show, he is incredibly wise as well.

[Umbra]

That is the thing with BP in EMH... it isn't even the "kick butt" part of T'challa that is so great. It is just that they NAILED his attitude and his intellect IMO. I mean, with his first appearance he got into the Avengers mansion and hacked Starks computer. Just awesome all around.

He isn't just a genius on that show, he is incredibly wise as well.

Yes, he is..I still like the Line of Fire better. Both over seen by Yost...but that one was pure Priest...how talked down Fury and put him in his place. Dude is a king...Marvel doesn't show it enough.

Edit:
He's also clearly the most skilled person on the Avengers. He's literally a powerhouse in his own way. Not brute strength, but his skill. And even the villains see this...widow blaming things on him...being able to take down teams...616 Avengers never bothered to show this...they always watered him down...to make others look good.

[marvell2100]

I just... don't understand.

Logan explained to his school what he was doing. He said protect the school at all costs.

So errr.. why is his team fighting the Avengers? Just. Don't. Understand.

And I thought T'challa and Iron Fist were headed to Wakanda.....


my head hurts

I'll explain:

Wolverine's team is attacking the Avengers because they're mad that the Avengers movie is going to be blockbuster and that clunker, X-Men:The Last Stand is still out there. T'Challa and Danny were headed to Wakanda but had to pick up an order of General Tso's Chicken w/House Special Rice for Cap.

[Shadey10]

If Hickman does take over the panther book lets list some things we think he has to do and what we think he'll do to make BP a huge character.

[Umbra]

I'll explain:

Wolverine's team is attacking the Avengers because they're mad that the Avengers movie is going to be blockbuster and that clunker, X-Men:The Last Stand is still out there. T'Challa and Danny were headed to Wakanda but had to pick up an order of General Tso's Chicken w/House Special Rice for Cap.

Lmao....that about sums it up.

[marvell2100]

If Hickman does take over the panther book lets list some things we think he has to do and what we think he'll do to make BP a huge character.

Return of the King and Queen in their proper roles.
Wakanda is a major player again.
Shadow Physics and No Where Room further explored.
Shuri joins Future Foundation. Links BP and Fantastic Four together.
New, powerful and smart villains for BP

[Umbra]

If Hickman does take over the panther book lets list some things we think he has to do and what we think he'll do to make BP a huge character.

I'm torn about a solo title. Selfishly I would love it, but I still don't think it's the right move.

I'm hoping that maybe T'challa and crew are tied to the Avengers, T'challa takes over the Secret Avengers, and he plays a active role in SHIELD. Then maybe off-shoot to a solo written by him. But I hope he takes over the Avengers with T'challa on it...then The Secret Avengers..which would act like Young Justice Team...but based in Wakanda. Since he's leaving both the FF and F4, I'm guessing he's headed to the Avengers..and he's shown being on that team for assembled book.

That's a wish, not what I think he will do. He's going to bring the Sci-fi out big time...and in very intelligent way too. We will probably get focus on the Mythos and Wakandan society.

It would like to see T'challa lead a Avengers team. Like Secret. That perfect for him.
He has to be a mover and shaker. Bring the tone from Priest, but this time it's not ignored and reflected in other books.

It want all the Wakandan technology explored. The military units, the different locations, animals like dinos being there and why.

I would like to see all his perks shown and not watered down at all. The super-genius-master combat-super/enhanced prowess needs to be shown. Like it is on the Yost shows or how he writes Gorgon.

And the King and Queen shown correctly.

[Genki Sudo]

I don't think it that clear cut. It said there will be a lot of shifting alliances. So it's better just not to think about it. Lol

And let's not forget Avengers Academy is locking up the mutants on their team as covers suggest

[marvell2100]

I'm torn about a solo title. Selfishly I would love it, but I still don't think it's the right move.

I'm hoping that maybe T'challa and crew are tied to the Avengers, T'challa takes over the Secret Avengers, and he plays a active role in SHIELD. Then maybe off-shoot to a solo written by him. But I hope he takes over the Avengers with T'challa on it...then The Secret Avengers..which would act like Young Justice Team...but based in Wakanda. Since he's leaving both the FF and F4, I'm guessing he's headed to the Avengers..and he's shown being on that team for assembled book.

That's a wish, not what I think he will do. He's going to bring the Sci-fi out big time...and in very intelligent way too. We will probably get focus on the Mythos and Wakandan society.

It would like to see T'challa lead a Avengers team. Like Secret. That perfect for him.
He has to be a mover and shaker. Bring the tone from Priest, but this time it's not ignored and reflected in other books.
It want all the Wakandan technology explored. The military units, the different locations, animals like dinos being there and way.
I would like to see all his perks shown and not watered down at all. The super-genius-master combat-super/enhanced prowess needs to be shown. Like it is on the Yost shows or how he writes Gorgon.

And the King and Queen shown correctly.

The only way a solo would work under current Marvel is to have T'Challa lead an Avengers team like you said and have the story arcs run through both titles. And Having Storm(X-Men) and Shuri(Future Foundation) in the solo gives the BP solo title a connection to the other big titles in the MU. Also having a Wakandan working at Horizon Labs in ASM just broadens his exposure. He has to be connected to the MU on lots of different levels.

[Umbra]

The only way a solo would work under current Marvel is to have T'Challa lead an Avengers team like you said and have the story arcs run through both titles. And Having Storm(X-Men) and Shuri(Future Foundation) in the solo gives the BP solo title a connection to the other big titles in the MU. Also having a Wakandan working at Horizon Labs in ASM just broadens his exposure. He has to be connected to the MU on lots of different levels.

Shuri would be good there...she could train them in combat...and I would like to see Shrui work with Shield for some reason.

[Umbra]

And let's not forget Avengers Academy is locking up the mutants on their team as covers suggest

Isnt there a preview for that?

The best thing about this event is the questions raised by fans...on differing sides...other then that...it's a typical event.

[SilverZeal]

BP in the newest EMH:

- nothing. This was a heroes for hire, pym, and lang episode. No avengers except for was for 2 mins were in it


Cage and Fish were bad asses though. If I can't get top two characters on there (BP and Thor) trhen I will take number three (Cage). Althought I still haven't got my Thor fix this season.. guess the movie will have to do :)

Also in ultimate spidey, it mentioned white tiger has steal claws, not vibranium thankfully

Thanx...we/sz always luk out 4 ur ep recaps since we r unable 2 watch current season of AEMH.

Pls keep dem cuming, we really appreciate it.

Hey, everyone. I was looking at a site featuring public domain characters from the Golden Age of comics, and I stumbled upon Lion Man, whose first and only appearance was in All-Negro Comics, an anthology comic featuring stories written, illustrated, etc. by African American creators. Although he was born in America and doesn't wear a cat costume, Lion Man struck me as very similar to T'Challa in several ways. Below is Lion Man's profile, taken from Comicvine and a wiki page:

This Tarzan-esque adventure story begins with this foreword: “American-born, college educated, Lion Man is a young scientist, sent by the United Nations to watch over the fearsome ‘Magic Mountain’ of the African Gold Coast. Within its crater lies the world’s largest deposit of Uranium – enough to make an atom bomb that could destroy the world. Lion Man’s job is to report on the doings of any treacherous nation that might seek to carry away any of the lethal stuff for the purpose of war." Also a member of the Zulu Tribe, he was known only as the Lion, or Lion Man.
In his single published adventure, Lion Man was joined by the young orphan Bubba in protecting the uranium from the villainous Dr. Blut Sangro and his henchman Brosser. Lion Man's detective skills made him aware of their presence, and equipment in his laboratory helped track them. Lion Man made short work of the pair. Though Bubba killed Brosser with machine gun fire, Dr. Sangro escaped to swear vengeance.
Lion man possessed peak human strength, speed agility and athleticism.
Genius level intellect in the areas of physics, biology, and engineering.

One wonders if Lee or Kirby ever saw All-Negro Comics and were inspired two decades later. Now since he's in the public domain, Marvel could probably make use of him in their stories if they wanted to. Imagine Lion Man teaming up with Azziri the wise taking out Nazis, Italians, and other threats.

Hindsight lad

Wouldnt it b awesome if Milestone comix purchased ownership of d xcter? We think so & yes u r probably right abt Lee & kirby's inspiration 4 creating BP.

[Mr MajestiK]

Hopefully his take on on the character is like that. Especially the Gorgon, which would eliminate him being marginalized in other areas when he appears with the "Big 6"...and heroes like them. I find it fascinating, the logic when it comes to a characters like Ironman...but the different take when it comes to a character like T'challa.

To me, either they finally get it...or they don't. Mr. Yost seems to get it...his Ironman: AA and Avengers:EMH are both great...especially the Line of Fire Episode, with T'challa acting like a King..who does not need to answer or back down from others and flashing the Prowess and Skill that would make him formidable against anyone. Not just a guy who jumps out if the way.

Just my opinion.

Agreed 100%.

It's not as if T'Challa fans are being unreasonable in their desire to see him treated with the same level of professionalism as is the case for other characters.

I don't expect to see T'Challa punching out the Red Hulk at the drop of a hat but I would expect to see him using his formidable intellect to devise a Shadow Physics infused gauntlet to at least break Rulk's jaw before shunting him into the No-where Room on a one way trip to the centre of the sun.