Essential Black Panther, Vol. 1 by Don McGregor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've always had a warm spot for the Black Panther from his appearances in animated films and TV shows, as well as a guest comic I read from Marvel Team Up. So, I was glad to check this book out from my library.

This book is different from other Essential volumes I've read due to the Panthers inability to enjoy a long run. This collects two separate runs. First from Jungle Action 6-22 and 24 from 1973-76 by Don McGregor and then the first 10 issues of Blank Panther's self-titled series in 1977, written by Jack Kirby.

The McGregor stories take up for the first 60% of the book and were fairly dark for the time. The story of Panther Rage occurs over 13 Issues of Jungle Action (including the Epilogue) as T'Challa fights off a revolution led by Erik Killmonger. MacGregor creates a Wakandan rogues gallery of truly stunning and memorable foes. However, more than that, the story is a somewhat moody meditation on the meaning of life, war, and human tragedy. The art by Billy Graham (no relation to the evangelist) is highly stylized and very different for the time, usually eschewing the use of panels. It's groundbreaking art.

The writing continues into the next story of the Black Panther v. the Clan which ends up unresolved when Jungle Action was cancelled.

Kirby returned to Marvel after having gone to DC and took over the Black Panther title. He took the series in an entirely different direction, abandoning the moodier tone of McGregor as well as all the supporting cast. The stories took on a more retro feel, like a 1940s Adventure Sci-Fi serial as T'Challa meets up with collectors who are collecting some dangerous objects that threaten to destroy the world. Meanwhile, a problem is arising back in Wakunda that leaves the Panther's hapless ruling family to pick up the slack in comic relief.

While Kirby essentially chucked McGregor's continuity, the two seem to agree that all things considered, it may not be a good idea for a head of state to leave the country to play superhero.

Overall, this books offer at two very different approaches to the character by MacGregor and Kirby, and great art by Graham and Kirby. It's a worthwhile artistic effort, but not as fun as many other Marvel Essential books.



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