REVIEW: Early Origins in Marvel Legends: Black Panther #1
In Marvel Legends: Black Panther #1 by Tochi Onyebuchi, Setor Fiadzigbey, Paris Alleyne, and Joe Sabino, with a main cover by Fiadzigbey, we get a story that takes place early-on in T’Challa’s life, when he was still a child. Drawing on preexisting Black Panther stories, this issue presents the earliest adventures in T’Challa’s life in a way that will be accessible to readers of all ages.
Marvel Legends: Black Panther. Photo: Marvel Comics
Marvel Legends
It’s clear from the recap page that this issue knows its Black Panther lore! I especially appreciated that the opening lines of the first page had details about the character’s publication history, including his first appearance in Fantastic Four #52 (1966) and his becoming an official member of the Avengers in 1968 before he got his own standalone series in 1977.
Fantastic Four (1961) #52. Photo: Marvel Comics
This story takes place when T’Challa is still a child, and living in Wakanda with his White adopted brother, Hunter. The two seem to be in perfect harmony until the family takes a trip to South Africa.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Under Aparatheid, segregation was in full swing in South Africa, and this comic chooses to depict those injustices as they occurred. We see the family be split apart because of the color of their skin, with Hunter being separated from T’Chaka, T’Challa, and Ramonda.
Photo: Marvel Comics
However, this is not an arbitrary inclusion: it informs the way that T’Challa sees the world, and helps explain why he will become the leader he is destined to be.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Plus: an appearance by Klaue promises plenty of drama in future issues!
Photo: Marvel Comics
Black Panther
If you have a young reader who is dying to learn more about Black Panther and Wakanda, this series is ideal, and if you’re an older reader who is just interested in reading more about T’Challa, this issue will fulfill that desire, as well!
Have you had a chance to pick up Marvel Legends: Black Panther #1 at your local comic shop (LCS)? We want to know what you thought! Let us know in the comment section, Marvel Blog True Believers!
