Banished from the throne and a fugitive in his own homelands, T’Challa still can’t leave Wakanda without its sworn protector. A king without a crown, he finds new purpose lurking the streets and shadows of the Wakandan city that bears his father’s name, Birnin T’Chaka. Black Panther #1 kicks off a whole new volume that grounds the character delivering new opportunities.

Written by Eve L. Ewing, Black Panther #1 picks up on the previous volume which stripped the hero of so much of his identity. He’s no longer a king, he’s a fugitive and wanted, his relationship with other heroes is strained. T’Challa’s status is twisted bringing a take on the character that’s more in common with his brief run as Daredevil than it does with Black Panther stories of the past.

Ewing presents the character more as a shadow, stalking a city and making his presence barely known. It’s a take on the character that makes him feel more like Batman than anything else but it’s a take that’s entertaining and interesting. He no longer has all of the wealth, support, tools, tech, and well… an army and nation, to support him. With a new costume and his intelligence, it’s a different take on the character that feels more “street level” than the globe-trotting or nation level stories of the past.

And Ewing does it all with a nice introduction. Whether you’ve read the series for years or start with this issue, you’ll quickly catch up and understand the status-quo, at least what you need to. While the specifics are glossed over, the major details are there allowing for new readers to easily dive in.

The art is stunning. Chris Allen does a fantastic job with inks by Allen and Craig Yeung, color by Jesus Aburtov, and lettering by Joe Sabino. There’s an attention to detail here that makes the comic more immersive in its Wakandan setting. Without it, something would feel missing from the comic. There’s page layouts and panel focuses that make it all a visual treat and will have readers lingering on the pages soaking up the art.

Black Panther #1 is an intriguing start that sets the character off in a new direction. Add in amazing art and you have a debut that can’t be missed and worthy of a (former) king.

Story: Eve L. Ewing Art: Chris Allen
Ink: Chris Allen, Craig Yeung Color: Jesus Aburtov Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 8.25 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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