Take an engrossing deep dive into the cultural influences of Black Panther, from the development of the Marvel Comics character in the 1960s to his current worldwide renown.
Black Panther was created in 1966 by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the midst of the civil rights movement and just before the birth of the Black Panther Party. Subsequent creators have drawn from global history and the ever-evolving Black experience to breathe new life into the character, weaving in stories of both oppression and triumph. The Black Panther mythos has had an enormous impact on both comic creators and the people who have helped shape Afrofuturism.
Black A Cultural Exploration delves into the compelling backstory,
Connecting the world of Black Panther with cultural and historical touchpoints and the community of readers whose lives were shaped by the character and his comics, Black A Cultural Exploration explores the worlds, myths, music, and histories that contributed to the comic’s evolution. Wakanda forever!
I thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author of this book for providing me an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.
Black Panther's part in the history of super heroes has been one of utmost importance and the opportunity to explore the cultural history was something I wouldn't like to miss.
This book had all the elements that I had expected with details and snippets of the history, its impact then in 1966 and now when the world has changed. The inspirations behind its creation and what it meant to successive generations of people of African descent in America and across the world as they made their way in continents outside Africa. We also find out about the artists & designers who developed and designed the character. Womack tells us how the Panther was launched a zillion times always with gaps of time unrelated to its success and how from its earliest issue it resonated with the community and Wakanda became the new el dorado and the ultimate aspiration and the ultimate screen/book hero. The snippets about how this was a role model during a time of great upheaval in the American society for the Black community (i.e. the Afro-American). How the Panther and the comics adapted to the changing world and Wakanda reflected the society. The worldwide success of the movies both at the box office and amongst critics is a testament to the importance of the character to the super-hero pantheon. This book by Womack is a treasure trove of information packed into a short book and is blockbuster material for all fans and people who would like to know the origins, history and its impact to and from society by Black Panther. Solid recommended reading.
This is such a wonderful, informative, interesting piece of cultural exploration that means so much.
Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration does a lot of heavy lifting, spanning the decades between the creation of Black Panther as a character and the character we know from today's Marvel movies. Tied in with the history of T'Challa as a character is a history of Black America, and how various cultural movements and moments helped inform the writing of T'Challa and the path that the Black Panther comics would eventually take.
I've always enjoyed Marvel Comics - first via cartoons as a child, and then via the actual comics as an adult - and how they reflect modern culture in their own way. I never actually read older Black Panther comics, but this book has inspired me to start doing so.
As a non-fiction book, this is a very easy read, and it looks beautiful. I can't wait to see what the physical version will look like, it could make for a gorgeous coffee table read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC. Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration will be released on October 3rd, and is a perfect gift for any Marvel fan.
An incredibly engaging, informative and fascinating look at the history of Marvel Comics Black Panther that also shows how the character, and his world has both shaped and in turn been shaped by mythology, society and history.
Special thanks to Quarto Publishing Group, becker&mayer! books and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
This is an awesome collection of all the facts about the Black Panther comic. I feel like I learned so much about this comic and the people behind it. For example, 2023 is the first year that a female comic artist is lead for Black Panther. Black Panther was almost called Coal Tiger. One of my favorite authors wrote a few of the comics: Ta-Nehisi Coates and made some social commentary while maintaining a great story line. If you want some in-depth background on this comic, this is the ultimate collection.
What I loved most: the sections, the images and examples from the different comics - it was awesome to see the evolution of the comic.
An in depth exploration of both the film but more importantly the culture that this film is highlighting. With brief introductions to the Civil rights movement and an chapter on the various women characters in the film and who they can represent, this is an interesting deep dive into the images and history behind this film. Love how we are getting more diverse film writers.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love this book and really want to get it physically. I loved being able to track the history of this story, what it meant to people throughout the years. I also really loved getting to see how the creators were influenced by the world and history around them and how they expressed it in these works. It definitely makes me want to read more Black Panther comics, as well as look into more history and behind the scenes of different artistic works. I'm so glad I got to read this.
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Quarto Publishing Group for an advance copy of this history of one of the most royal of characters in the Marvel Universe. A King, a husband, an Avenger, a diplomat, a brother, a son, and most important of all a hero, the Black Panther.
The advent of the Marvel universe had opened the world of comics to a lot of new ideas. Characters had flaws, sometimes they failed even when they won. The world still thought of them as losers, or freaks, even as the world was still breathing from these heroes actions. Success has many owners but in the year 1966 Stan Lee and Jack Kirby decided to add a new character to their new pantheon. The character was Black Panther, and this character has been a member of the Avengers and other super groups from the beginning, though there might be some years that bad writing and bad ideas kept him from the main stage. Black Panther opened the door slightly for more black heroes, but more importantly he gave people who looked like him a chance to relate, and more importantly to dream. Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration by filmmaker, dancer, futurist and writer Ytasha Womack is a look at this important character from his beginnings to the billion dollar movies of today, with looks at history, philosophy and cultural representation.
Black Panther appeared on the Marvel scene in 1966, in an issue of Fantastic Four, where he challenges the First Family of Comics to a duel of wits, strength and ingenuity, to test himself and to test them for the trials of being superheores. Created by Stan Lee writer and editor and artist/writer Jack Kirby T'Challa aka Black Panther was the king of the nation Wakanda, a nation that was technically ahead of most nations on Earth, all powered by the metal Vibranium. T'Challa was the first black comic book hero, that actually had superpowers, and was the first in quite awhile. T'Challa was followed by other black heroes, Falcon, Blade and Power Man, all characters who continue to sell comics and movies for Marvel. Over the decades there have been some different origins for T'Challa, different names, even different people filling in. It was not until Christopher Priest, one of the few African Americans working in comics, took over that the T'Challa we know now came to the forefront. The book looks at all these runs, the odd decisions, and writing, along with the cast that has grown to be quite diverse, and very popular. The author also looks at the cultural impact of Black Panther, the movies and the history that some story lines are based on.
Not the book that I expected at all. I had thought this would be an expanded Official Mavel Handbook- like book, only stretched out. I was wrong, and happy to be wrong. Instead this looks at Black Panther, Afro futurism, history, lost history, behind the scene information on the movies and much more. Womack has done an incredible job bringing everything together, and never losing the narrative which is quite easy in books like this. There are lavish illustrations, sidebars loaded with information and lots of blurbs from the famous and not so famous on the allure and heroism of the character, with a lot of looks at T'Challa's actions as King, and the role of monarchy in a growing society. The writing if very good, and very interesting, with a deep grasp of the subject and much of what Womack includes is information one would not expect to attach to comic book research. One of the best character guides I have ever read.
Recommended for fans of course, but also for fans of Afrofuturism, comic book history, and race history in comics and society. I book I cant wait to add to my comic reference library.
Way back in the 1960s Marvel Comics’ Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced a character in The Fantastic Four comic book.
Dressed in solid black, a full face mask and possessing amazing strength. speed, cunning and fighting prowess it was revealed that the man behind the mask was a black man.
“Big deal!’ you say. Yes it was. The 1960s was time of cultural upheaval in United States. The Black/African American citizens were standing up for their rights, fighting against racial injustice and beginning to have a heavy influence on American culture and society.
The 1960s was decade of The Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., race riots and an upheaval of the status quo.
While there had been Black characters in comic books before, the Black Panther was the first to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all the other superheroes.
Even more fascinating is that although he came from Africa, he was the king of a highly advanced tribal nation: Wakanda. Futuristic technology, an almost Utopian environment and powerful government and military made Wakanda a force and society to be reckoned with.
In Black Panther A Cultural Exploration, author Ytasha L. Womack and publisher Epic Ink, trace the history of the Black Panther from his first appearance to his legacy through the decades since then,
Intertwining art from his Marvel Comic book appearances and historical and cultural events through the decades the book is not just about a fictional comic book character but of Black history from around the globe.
Learn how the character evolved, his supporting cast and what real life events and people inspired stories by a group of writers and artists.
The stunning hardbound book is filled with photos, art and more dedicated to the Black Panther and those people and events that inspired stories throughout the decades.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." — Colossians 4:2
Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration, by Ytasha Womack, looks not only at the texts themselves but at the worlds they responded to and the worlds they have helped to create (now and in the future).
I know many people may be tempted to get this book simply because they love the recent movies and this volume is beautiful. By all means do so but read it closely as well. You'll learn about the writers and illustrators from the early years as well as those who brought the character and the story into our present. Most important you'll read about the social context within which the character was created and the changes in both society and popular culture that makes the story so powerful.
In making this journey you will, if you haven't already done so, be introduced to Afrofuturism. If this is an introduction for you, it will be a good one, though I still recommend reading some of the many wonderful books on the topic in literature and music as well as the fandoms. Like any speculative science fiction, though perhaps even more so with works within Afrofuturism, you have to look back to see how we got to where we are, then respond to that. This volume takes us on that trip, both within the publishing world and the society as a whole.
I would recommend this not only to those who are fans of Black Panther (isn't that just about everyone?) but also those who enjoy that area where fiction and real life come into discourse. That dynamic is made clear and understandable in this work.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for an e-ARC of this book for review.
As well as providing background on Black Panther as a character and both their development through comics and the movies, we see what a cultural affect they had on the POC community especially in the African American community.
Not only could young black men see them selves as a main supper hero but also black woman. Both groups often been seen as side characters or baddies prier to Black Panther.
Even the animal it's self is discussed in the book. Its habitat and why the name suits the character so well. For readers who are interested in the history of the comic its self there is tons of information about the artists and writers. Including information about the female writers who work together to bring the female Black Panther to life.
I learned a lot from this book not just Black Panther had FIVE children with Xmen's Storm, I didn't even knew they were married/ Or that Roxanne Gay wrote for the comic. I learned historical facts about how the Black Rights Movement in the US influenced the comic and vise versa.
While I probably will continue to stick to the movies I think this book is worth buying. I think there is a lot of information worth having.
My only suggestion is that a physical copy is probably better. I think there was something lost with an e copy.
Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration is all about the history behind the Black Panther comics and what they meant to society in the time they came out. I really enjoyed reading this as I loved the Black Panther movies (especially Shuri!) and wanted to learn more about the history and culture surrounding the comics, especially in the early days, where comics like this allowed Black people to be represented and feel seen in media, which is, of course, extremely important. I loved reading about the different takes on Black Panther comics and the various adventures the characters went on, and how different elements were added to the canon over the years. I enjoyed learning more about Black history and culture and what these characters meant to people, who were able to see themselves as heroes and not stereotypical representations, and how this was a bold move at the time because it broke these stereotypes. It was a fantastic read and I would love to get a physical copy because I loved reading all about both real life Black history and the history of the fictional world Wakanda, home of T’Challa, the Black Panther. I thought the balance of real life and fiction was managed very well and I would definitely recommend this to Marvel fans and anyone looking to learn more about Black history and diversify their reading!
This is the most serious, well-researched, and well-presented book about a superhero that I've ever read. Womack didn't just rehash the basic story of how Black Panther came to be and rose to international popularity, she went all in on presenting every possible aspect of him. Yes, this book talks about the influences that led to the creation of Black Panther, Wakanda, and all the characters that inhabit his world, but it also does a deep-dive exploration of all the ways that the character has changed and inspired things in the real world. And it's not just the movies, it's the comics from the very beginning and his first appearance in Fantastic Four. The one tiny nitpick I have is that I wish there were a few more images. When you're talking about something as visual as a comic book character, it would be great to get as many images in there as possible. I get why there aren't that many and I applaud the excellent layout design with the images that are there, but a wider range of images would have made this even better.
Happy thanks to NetGalley and becker&mayer! books for the educational read!
I wasn't expecting this when I started on this book, and I was very surprised, in a good way.
This is a detailed and engaging deep dive into the history of Black Panther, from what first inspired the creation of the character to all its adventure, from the 60s until today. Ytasha Womack also introduces the different Marvel designers and artists who got to create the different styles throughout this time period. He then dives into the cultural influences that helped shape the character and that inspired some of his well-known and less-known adventures.
I would it very interesting and engaging. The language is very easy to follow and the style is quite direct and concise. I found the description and history of Afrofuturism fascinating, along with how famous black people through history shaped this hero and its story.
A compelling backstory of a beloved character that every fan should have in their collection.
To many, the Black Panther is a modern hero, but he has been changing lives since the 1960's when he was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration gives the reader a deeper appreciation for the hero of generations past and future.
This book is clearly a labour of love for the author as she delves into the history of not only the character of Black panther but of the inspirations that shaped his world and influenced many. It’s worthy of your time as you learn so much about what T’Challa means to generations of Americans who were disenfranchised by a society who now scream ‘Wakanda Forever’
As someone who is a big Marvel fan and has read a lot of the graphic novels discussed in this book, I discovered new & interesting facts that have made me appreciate the stories even more.
I received an early copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Lo que conocía de Black Panther era por las películas ya que los cómics no los leí. Supuse que este personaje tenía un gran significado y peso a nivel social pero no tanto como este libro nos logra transmitir.
Acá vemos el origen y cómo fue la historia de Black Panther a lo largo de los años, es increíble la cantidad de cómics de Marvel que hay. Creo que nunca se terminará de mostrar todo lo que se ha escrito y dibujado. Por eso me encantaría, de a poco, ir leyendo todo. Aunque lo veo muy complicado.
Volviendo a este libro en específico, todo lo que nos cuenta del trasfondo de este personaje es realmente interesa y hace que tenga un valor mucho más alto. Me gustaría haber sabido estas cosas antes.
Gracias Quarto Publishing Group por el ARC que leí en NetGalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.
I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion.
Wow, this was such an interesting read! I loved the deep dive into culture and history and how both influenced the comic (and storytelling in general) and how the comics influenced culture, history and minds as well. I learned quite a lot during this, but also recognized many topics I had learned about before. The book is written very accessibly, with lots of images supporting the text. It can teach everyone a lot, and Black Panther, who has now become a symbol of pop culture as well, may make this knowledge more accessible to everyone, which is great and important.
I would recommend reading this book in print though, not digitally/as an ebook.
I did not read the blurb as closely as I could have, and I was hoping that this book would be more graphic novel than graphic information book, and would appeal to my Marvel-crazy almost 7 year old. However, that is not what this is. From an adult standpoint, though, this book gives good information about where the Black Panther character came from and other comics and real life people behind the movement.
I received an advanced e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
As a Marvel and Black Panther fan, this book about the cultural significance of the Black Panther comics and MCU films is absolutely fantastic.
It is packed full of gorgeous photos and highly informative history. It would look stunning in print and any Wakanda lover could easily have this book in their collection on a shelf or even on their coffee table.
Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group, and becker&mayer! for an e-ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a comprehensive look into Black Panther, its origins and ties to the Black Panther Movement. Ms. Womack does an excellent job sharing details and insights into how the comic aligns with real life. You will get a history lesson as well as a look into the minds of the creator. An excellent addition to any Marvel fan's collection.
Black panther was one of my favourite movies and it killed me when I got to know about the actor. This book gives you a unique insight into Black panther Universe. As someone who followed all comics and Marvel movies, it's an amazing angle to see for one of your favourite movies.
This book was very informative and interesting. It is a history of Marvel's Black Panther and of Wakanda, the context in which they were created, and the effects they had on the readers, other works of fiction, and pretty much the whole world. It references a lot of interviews with the people involved in the Black Panther comics throughout time, with artists involved in the 2018 movie, but also other writers and artists that were influenced by the character and the comics. It touched on Afrofuturism as a genre and the relationship between it and these comics.
I have to mention that the writing felt very dry, and reading the book I was constantly feeling like something was missing.
Fantastic. Great for Marvel fans, particularly those who enjoy the comics. Starting with Black Panther's debut in 1966 in Fantastic Four to his very own first self-titled comic in 1977.
The histories of Black and Egyptian cultures, the vision of Wakanda and the mythology of big cats is all very interesting.
*Temporary access to e-copy received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A special thank you to Quarto Publishing Group -- becker & mayer! and NetGalley for this gifted copy.
What a stunning collection of images and thorough cultural explanation of the history of the Black Panther from its origin to now. Just before the birth of the Black Panther Party, The Black Panther was created in 1966 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Therefore the Black Panther origin story began alongside of the civil rights movement.
The Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration pays homage to the legends and myths of this huge icon, the cultural moments that happened to help inform the comic, and the fan base that has grown magnificently along the way. It is definitely worth picking up. Much of it was history that I knew from being a fan, some of it was new as it relates to fiction meeting reality. It is the ultimate backstory!
A Black Panther: A Cultural Explanation releases on 10/3/23.
This is an interesting guide to the creation of the world of Black Panther. It details everything from costumes to the real world inspirations for Wakanda. It's a lovely reference and accompaniment to the original comics and now-famous Marvel films.
As a Marvel fan, I was thrilled for the opportunity to read a review copy in advance of the October release date. Like many Marvel fans today, my exposure to Marvel heroes comes from the movies rather than the comic books. This book explores how our culture contributed to the origins of the Black Panther comic book character, influenced many of its elements, and in turn how the character became an icon for real life cultural change. It traces Black Panther from T’Challa’s first appearance as a character in the 1966 Fantastic Four issue #52 through nearly sixty years to the recent movie Wakanda Forever Shuri his sister Shuri takes over the Black Panther mantel. It discusses the influence of the black political influences of the 60’s and how they were represented in this fictional universe. It includes stories about many of the creators involved who created and recreated the character over the years. Every page has at least one photo of a comic issue cover, a Marvel contributor or a political figure.
There are many quotes from people who were influenced by Black Panther, the ideal of Wakanda, Shuri as a Scientist, or strength portrayed by the women in the all-female Dora Milaje army. There is no question that Black Panther provided one of the few positive black role models at the time of its onset and continues to do so now.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from Quarto Publishing Group – Becker & Mayer! And NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this unbiased review are entirely my own.