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Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther #1
Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther, Vol. 1
Collected for the first time ever, the MARVEL MASTERWORKS bring you the ground-breaking, trend-setting Black Panther from JUNGLE ACTION! In 1973 comics' first African super hero took the headlining slot in an ambitious ongoing series, beginning a 13-issue epic unprecedented in its time. Writer Don McGregor teamed with artists Rich Buckler and Billy Graham to tell "Panther's Rage," a story so huge it ranges across the savannah, into the deepest jungles and up to the snow-topped mountains of Wakanda. Over its course McGregor & Co. would define T'Challa, give full depth and life to the Wakandas and their culture, while pitting the Panther against the murderous Erik Killmonger for control of the kingdom. Not one to rest on his laurels, McGregor then set out to raise the bar once again, sending T'Challa to the American South to investigate the murder of Angela Lynne and its connection to the Klan and the history of the Soul Strangler. A challenging storyline by a challenging storyteller, you'll read it and so much more in this much anticipated hardcover classic! Collecting JUNGLE ACTION #6-24.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2010
66 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Don McGregor
370 books14 followersDonald Francis McGregor is an American comic book writer best known for his work for Marvel Comics, and the author of one of their first graphic novels.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 14, 2025
I really love the Marvel Masterworks collections. They're the most affordable way to read the entire Marvel Comic Book library, which is extremely extensive, and sometimes includes hard-to-find storylines that you didn't even know you wanted (needed) to read. The Panther's Rage story arc, quickly followed by the Black Panther facing off versus the Ku Klux Klan are some of the most visceral stories ever told by Marvel.
Kudos to Don McGregor for his writing, but the artwork is definitely the star to this show. The Rich Buckler stuff was pretty good, but when Billy Graham took over, the book hit a stride that was almost unmatched. Klaus Jansen and Bob McLeod helped with that. The artwork conveys a mood heavy with pathos and ire. It's probably the best work that any of them has ever done.
The entire 13 issue run of "Rage," shows T'Challa fighting Killmonger, and a host of villains that put Panther through his paces to the point that his costume is destroyed in practically every issue. He is bloodied and bruised in the most brutally violent fight scenes. I was nauseated at what I believed was going too far for the 70s, but let's be honest. The world is pretty violent as it is.
This year, I will try to add twelve stories to my "black voices, black stories" shelf. Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther, Vol. 1 is the second of those twelve books.
Kudos to Don McGregor for his writing, but the artwork is definitely the star to this show. The Rich Buckler stuff was pretty good, but when Billy Graham took over, the book hit a stride that was almost unmatched. Klaus Jansen and Bob McLeod helped with that. The artwork conveys a mood heavy with pathos and ire. It's probably the best work that any of them has ever done.
The entire 13 issue run of "Rage," shows T'Challa fighting Killmonger, and a host of villains that put Panther through his paces to the point that his costume is destroyed in practically every issue. He is bloodied and bruised in the most brutally violent fight scenes. I was nauseated at what I believed was going too far for the 70s, but let's be honest. The world is pretty violent as it is.
This year, I will try to add twelve stories to my "black voices, black stories" shelf. Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther, Vol. 1 is the second of those twelve books.
June 14, 2021
There’s no question that the epic, thirteen-part Panther’s Rage story-arc (which makes up most of this book) was groundbreaking at the time. We’re used to multi-part stories being the norm these days but a story of this length was practically unheard of in those days.
What about the quality, though? Well, the artwork was good. There were a couple of artist changes at the start of the story but once ‘Irreverent’ Billy Graham takes over as regular penciller the book maintains a definitive look, helped by inkers extraordinaire Klaus Janson and Bob McLeod. (One side note about the art: it always amazes me that otherwise great artists can’t draw a dinosaur to save their lives…)
The story is definitely compelling. Writer Don McGregor basically puts T’Challa through every meat grinder he can think of for eighteen issues (including the post-Panther’s Rage issues included here). Rarely have I seen a superhero put through the wringer like this; it’s definitely visceral. My main issues with the storytelling are threefold:
1. There is a continual feeling of disconnection between issues; every time a new issue started I was left feeling like I’d missed an issue.
2. McGregor is extremely over-wordy. Somebody should have told him he was writing a comicbook and not a novel. Every spare millimetre of each panel is full to the bursting with narration. A good comicbook writer trusts the artist to pull their weight. McGregor writes as though there are no pictures.
3. What is otherwise a hard-edged, blood ‘n’ guts battle to the death with Killmonger gets tonally muddled when they introduce bizarre elements like dinosaurs and a villain with a head like a puffer fish out of nowhere.
These complaints aside, though, this book is pretty darned good overall, especially for the time it was first published. The last few issues, where T’Challa and Monica Lynne return to the States only to fall foul of the Ku Klux Klan, are very good, too. It’s a shame that Jack Kirby just ignored these issues when he took over the book with the next volume but that’s Kirby for you.
My next book: Mr. Happy
What about the quality, though? Well, the artwork was good. There were a couple of artist changes at the start of the story but once ‘Irreverent’ Billy Graham takes over as regular penciller the book maintains a definitive look, helped by inkers extraordinaire Klaus Janson and Bob McLeod. (One side note about the art: it always amazes me that otherwise great artists can’t draw a dinosaur to save their lives…)
The story is definitely compelling. Writer Don McGregor basically puts T’Challa through every meat grinder he can think of for eighteen issues (including the post-Panther’s Rage issues included here). Rarely have I seen a superhero put through the wringer like this; it’s definitely visceral. My main issues with the storytelling are threefold:
1. There is a continual feeling of disconnection between issues; every time a new issue started I was left feeling like I’d missed an issue.
2. McGregor is extremely over-wordy. Somebody should have told him he was writing a comicbook and not a novel. Every spare millimetre of each panel is full to the bursting with narration. A good comicbook writer trusts the artist to pull their weight. McGregor writes as though there are no pictures.
3. What is otherwise a hard-edged, blood ‘n’ guts battle to the death with Killmonger gets tonally muddled when they introduce bizarre elements like dinosaurs and a villain with a head like a puffer fish out of nowhere.
These complaints aside, though, this book is pretty darned good overall, especially for the time it was first published. The last few issues, where T’Challa and Monica Lynne return to the States only to fall foul of the Ku Klux Klan, are very good, too. It’s a shame that Jack Kirby just ignored these issues when he took over the book with the next volume but that’s Kirby for you.
My next book: Mr. Happy
October 17, 2015
This is generally considered one of Marvel's 1970s triumphs and a predecessor of the modern graphic novel. While it has some flaws, it's absolutely fascinating and contains some of the best comic art I've ever seen.
Of the two artists, Billy Graham is the better. But some of Rich Buckler's work is just as incredible. While the art of both is in the Marvel house style, both do work with layouts that are just mind blowing. The way that Graham both uses and ignores panels to create a sense of movement and tension is unlike anything I've seen. Graham also draws some amazing action scenes that are coherent and thrilling. Buckler, on the other hand, has a title page that just knocked my socks off. I put some example of both at the bottom of this review.
The story Don McGregor is good, but very 1970s. The overall arc of the meaning of revolution and what it means to rule is compelling, as is the palace intrigue. The characters are well rounded and the stakes feel very real. But something about it just didn't make me want to blast gleefully through each issue. Maybe it's pacing? The cuts between locations and storylines were a bit awkward and jarring. It's also fairly decompressed, like modern comics, but with lots of text, like Silver Age. Which makes for an odd (and slow) read. However, I think the biggest weakness is that the prose can be so purple that, at times, it defies comprehension.
After the main Panther's Rage arc (issues 6-18), the story jumps the United States where the Black Panther fights the Ku Klux Klan. Which should be amazing, but doesn't quite work. It's overstuffed (a murder mystery, two competing Klans, a reunion with T'Challa's girlfriend's parents, shady land deals, etc.) which makes it a bit of a slog. But there are a few great action scenes. However, there's also a legitimately bad issue (#22) which tells a story of Reconstruction era harassment of freed slaves by a Klan leader called the Soul Stealer. However, it tells the story twice in parallel: once the way it happened; once as a fantasy with T'Challa there to save the day. It's both eye-rolling and kind of icky in that "If I lived back then, I would totally have killed Hitler!" kind of way.
Anyway, after that they introduce more over complicated shenanigans, including a super powered character with no motivations named Wind Eagle. Then it got cancelled and replaced with a totally bonkers Jack Kirby Black Panther series. A few years later, after Kirby got fired, some other writers come back and try to pick up McGregor's threads and weave them in to Kirby's goofy-ass adventures. It works better than you'd expect.
Rich Buckler's Title Page from Jungle Action #8"
Billy Graham's art on page 26 of Jungle Action #11
Of the two artists, Billy Graham is the better. But some of Rich Buckler's work is just as incredible. While the art of both is in the Marvel house style, both do work with layouts that are just mind blowing. The way that Graham both uses and ignores panels to create a sense of movement and tension is unlike anything I've seen. Graham also draws some amazing action scenes that are coherent and thrilling. Buckler, on the other hand, has a title page that just knocked my socks off. I put some example of both at the bottom of this review.
The story Don McGregor is good, but very 1970s. The overall arc of the meaning of revolution and what it means to rule is compelling, as is the palace intrigue. The characters are well rounded and the stakes feel very real. But something about it just didn't make me want to blast gleefully through each issue. Maybe it's pacing? The cuts between locations and storylines were a bit awkward and jarring. It's also fairly decompressed, like modern comics, but with lots of text, like Silver Age. Which makes for an odd (and slow) read. However, I think the biggest weakness is that the prose can be so purple that, at times, it defies comprehension.
After the main Panther's Rage arc (issues 6-18), the story jumps the United States where the Black Panther fights the Ku Klux Klan. Which should be amazing, but doesn't quite work. It's overstuffed (a murder mystery, two competing Klans, a reunion with T'Challa's girlfriend's parents, shady land deals, etc.) which makes it a bit of a slog. But there are a few great action scenes. However, there's also a legitimately bad issue (#22) which tells a story of Reconstruction era harassment of freed slaves by a Klan leader called the Soul Stealer. However, it tells the story twice in parallel: once the way it happened; once as a fantasy with T'Challa there to save the day. It's both eye-rolling and kind of icky in that "If I lived back then, I would totally have killed Hitler!" kind of way.
Anyway, after that they introduce more over complicated shenanigans, including a super powered character with no motivations named Wind Eagle. Then it got cancelled and replaced with a totally bonkers Jack Kirby Black Panther series. A few years later, after Kirby got fired, some other writers come back and try to pick up McGregor's threads and weave them in to Kirby's goofy-ass adventures. It works better than you'd expect.
Rich Buckler's Title Page from Jungle Action #8"
Billy Graham's art on page 26 of Jungle Action #11
June 21, 2017
Not all 70's comics have aged well. This one, however, has. Don't get me wrong, there are some real chuckle-worthy moments, but overall good stuff. Equally good is the backstory behind the book itself. I had missed these during their original run in the 70's but am very glad to have caught up.
July 19, 2016
This volume reprints JUNGLE ACTION #s 6-22 and 24 (Issue #23 contained a reprint and no original material.), originally published in 1973-1976. There are two stories: “Panther’s Rage” (from JUNGLE ACTION #s 6-18) and “The Panther vs. the Klan” (from JUNGLE ACTION #s 19-22 and 24).
The first and longest story, “Panther’s Rage,” is also the best. It’s set entirely in the Panther’s fictional African country, Wakanda, and contains only one Caucasian character (a Panther antagonist named “Venomm.”). In this volume’s introduction, McGregor notes how unusual this was for the time (Heck, it would be unusual NOW.), and states that editorial pressured him to add more white characters. McGregor didn’t, and in the aforementioned introduction, he explains that he also wrote two other characters as homosexual. Of course, under the Comic s Code of the 1970s, he couldn’t openly identify them as such, and if I hadn’t read McGregor’s introduction to this volume, I’m not sure that I would have gleaned that intent. Regardless, I give McGregor props for attempting diversity.
As a writer, McGregor has some weaknesses, but for the most part, they’re typical among comic writers of his generation. Like many of his contemporaries, McGregor is overly verbose and tends to stuff his stories with an abundance of captions. While the captions can be distracting, I will grudgingly admit that some of his prose was quite poetic, and I ended up admiring much of it. I don’t know if McGregor wrote any novels, but you can see his talents as a novelist. In fact, “Panther’s Rage” is a very novelistic work, with individual chapters that are enjoyable on their own and become even more impressive as parts of a whole. You might wonder if McGregor wasn’t a frustrated prose writer unhappy about writing super hero comics, but…his love for the genre is actually pretty apparent. Black Panther wears his super hero costume at virtually all times (He belongs to the Panther Cult, and the garb is an important part of his religious views.), and he fights plenty of super villains, as well as wild African animals and, of course, dinosaurs. There’s also a bit of world building here, as McGregor designed maps of the fictional Wakanda and makes his stories consistent with the maps.
Surprisingly, McGregor abandons this world in “The Panther vs. the Klan,” set in the American south. He takes a similar novelistic approach in this tale, and in fact, it reads like a second novel featuring the same lead character, rather than a continuation of a monthly adventure serial. “The Panther vs. the Klan” is a weaker story than “Panther’s Rage” for several reasons – not the least of which is that the series was cancelled before McGregor could finish it (I understand that other writers finished it later, but this volume only includes McGregor’s original installments from JUNGLE ACTION.). The Wakanda setting also served McGregor better for at least one slightly odd reason: His characters tend to be “natural philosopher types” who speak in unnatural dialogue, and that dialogue seemed more believable when spoken by the characters from a fictional country. On the plus side, McGregor does imbue his supporting characters with some charm, and I acknowledge that his new American characters eventually won me over. I was also somewhat willing to overlook the stilted dialogue when McGregor had his characters make an interesting point or provide an interesting perspective. For comics, the 1970s was a time of “social relevance,” and while I suspect that McGregor does hold progressive views (and you can’t expect a story titled “The Panther vs. the Klan” to be exactly subtle), he does largely eschew the preachiness that we saw in contemporary series such as Denny O’Neal and Neal Adams’ GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW (the poster child book of the “relevance era.”).
I have not yet mentioned the artwork. The two main artists are Rich Buckler and Billy Graham. Both are quite good, although I like Graham better – largely for his dynamic and interesting page layouts and design. Unfortunately, there are a number of different inkers, resulting in some inconsistency of product. When Graham is matched with the right inker, his work looks very nice, and I think that the two best inkers here are Bob McLeod and Graham himself.
Admittedly, though, I’m more into comics for the stories, and it’s the writing here that impressed me the most. I had read little of McGregor’s work until now, but I suspect that I’ll be looking for more of it. Congratulations, Mr. McGregor – you’ve got my attention.
The first and longest story, “Panther’s Rage,” is also the best. It’s set entirely in the Panther’s fictional African country, Wakanda, and contains only one Caucasian character (a Panther antagonist named “Venomm.”). In this volume’s introduction, McGregor notes how unusual this was for the time (Heck, it would be unusual NOW.), and states that editorial pressured him to add more white characters. McGregor didn’t, and in the aforementioned introduction, he explains that he also wrote two other characters as homosexual. Of course, under the Comic s Code of the 1970s, he couldn’t openly identify them as such, and if I hadn’t read McGregor’s introduction to this volume, I’m not sure that I would have gleaned that intent. Regardless, I give McGregor props for attempting diversity.
As a writer, McGregor has some weaknesses, but for the most part, they’re typical among comic writers of his generation. Like many of his contemporaries, McGregor is overly verbose and tends to stuff his stories with an abundance of captions. While the captions can be distracting, I will grudgingly admit that some of his prose was quite poetic, and I ended up admiring much of it. I don’t know if McGregor wrote any novels, but you can see his talents as a novelist. In fact, “Panther’s Rage” is a very novelistic work, with individual chapters that are enjoyable on their own and become even more impressive as parts of a whole. You might wonder if McGregor wasn’t a frustrated prose writer unhappy about writing super hero comics, but…his love for the genre is actually pretty apparent. Black Panther wears his super hero costume at virtually all times (He belongs to the Panther Cult, and the garb is an important part of his religious views.), and he fights plenty of super villains, as well as wild African animals and, of course, dinosaurs. There’s also a bit of world building here, as McGregor designed maps of the fictional Wakanda and makes his stories consistent with the maps.
Surprisingly, McGregor abandons this world in “The Panther vs. the Klan,” set in the American south. He takes a similar novelistic approach in this tale, and in fact, it reads like a second novel featuring the same lead character, rather than a continuation of a monthly adventure serial. “The Panther vs. the Klan” is a weaker story than “Panther’s Rage” for several reasons – not the least of which is that the series was cancelled before McGregor could finish it (I understand that other writers finished it later, but this volume only includes McGregor’s original installments from JUNGLE ACTION.). The Wakanda setting also served McGregor better for at least one slightly odd reason: His characters tend to be “natural philosopher types” who speak in unnatural dialogue, and that dialogue seemed more believable when spoken by the characters from a fictional country. On the plus side, McGregor does imbue his supporting characters with some charm, and I acknowledge that his new American characters eventually won me over. I was also somewhat willing to overlook the stilted dialogue when McGregor had his characters make an interesting point or provide an interesting perspective. For comics, the 1970s was a time of “social relevance,” and while I suspect that McGregor does hold progressive views (and you can’t expect a story titled “The Panther vs. the Klan” to be exactly subtle), he does largely eschew the preachiness that we saw in contemporary series such as Denny O’Neal and Neal Adams’ GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW (the poster child book of the “relevance era.”).
I have not yet mentioned the artwork. The two main artists are Rich Buckler and Billy Graham. Both are quite good, although I like Graham better – largely for his dynamic and interesting page layouts and design. Unfortunately, there are a number of different inkers, resulting in some inconsistency of product. When Graham is matched with the right inker, his work looks very nice, and I think that the two best inkers here are Bob McLeod and Graham himself.
Admittedly, though, I’m more into comics for the stories, and it’s the writing here that impressed me the most. I had read little of McGregor’s work until now, but I suspect that I’ll be looking for more of it. Congratulations, Mr. McGregor – you’ve got my attention.
October 10, 2016
Thick volume of collected Blank Panther adventures from the 1970s includes the much-ballyhooed "Panther's Rage" saga (an arc that spanned over a year and traced T'Challa's efforts to stave off a coup in his native Wakanda; I found it a bit repetitive) and the even better Panther vs. the KKK issues. The latter is innovative in its writing, even if its engagement with white supremacist violence is a little bit predictable and on the nose. In any case, these were worth reading as a lead up to the Ta-Nehisi Coates reboot.
May 15, 2014
It's hard to believe that Marvel was publishing these stories at the same time that other lesser stories were flourishing. Everything is so dynamic. I admit that I felt fairly confused at the beginning as I've never been a big Black Panther fan. Also, nothing here ties into other Marvel lore. That having been said, I was wowed. What a gem.
April 20, 2018
Just loved it. Yes there are times when you feel the authors are just dragging the story along, especially the panther's fight with Killmonger. But what I enjoyed most was the Panther battling the Klan. Wish they had brought the story to a conclusion though. Still loved reading the old comic book. Old comic books have a charm which are hard to find in new ones.
June 29, 2024
The Black Panther is a historically significant character, in that he was the first black superhero to appear in mainstream comic books that was not a caricature of black stereotypes, back in the pages of Fantastic Four #52 in 1966. He then went on for a stint in the Avengers before getting a shot at a solo title, taking over the previously all-reprint Jungle Action. Many people have raved about Writer Don McGregor's 13 part epic, Panther's Rage (JA 6-18). The story is an extremely slow burner, building in intensity as it went along. For the first 120 or so pages I was thinking "Is this going anywhere?" and "Man, McGregor's ambitions clearly exceed his ability". This is super dense, text heavy comic book reading, people. Whereas many modern comic book writers rely on the picture to tell more of the story, I suspect that one could read only the dialogue and narrative and get a clear understanding as to what's going on without the pictures. Once you finish the entirety of Panther's Rage and flip back through it, you get it. Ooohhhhh, this really was something huge. Don McGregor did things that were not commonplace in comic books in the mid-70s, putting his art ahead of a more commercially acceptable type of superhero comic.
The thing that held this story back in the beginning in my opinion was Rich Buckler's uneven artwork. His character designs were downright dreadful. Things get cooking once Billy Graham takes over the art duties. Later on in the book we are treated to the art team of Billy Graham (Pencils) and Bob McLeod (Inker), and what a team they are. McLeod is one of those guys that nobody puts in their top five favorites, but is a solid craftsmen who deserves a shout out for his clear, concise artwork. He really helps Graham lift the artwork to another level.
In the introduction by McGregor, he recounts how Marvel's editors kept pressuring him to put some white people in the series (there were none until Issue 19). McGregor finally bowed to the pressure, and put lots of white people in the title...as villains! The Ku Klux Klan are the Panther's nemesis in an extremely powerful tale about racism. Issue 23 was a reprint of an issue of Daredevil where the Black Panther guest starred, so it was omitted here, ditto Issue 5, which reprinted an issue of the Avengers with the Black Panther. Several unfinished pages from the aborted issue 25 are included, and one can only wonder what might have been had Marvel not cancelled the series. This book takes a great deal of investment of time and thought, but there is a tremendous payoff if one has the patience and can overlook some of the dated aspects of this series. This was pretty avant garde stuff for the time, and as long as one keeps this in the perspective of other titles on the racks at this time, then you will see what I'm talking about.
The thing that held this story back in the beginning in my opinion was Rich Buckler's uneven artwork. His character designs were downright dreadful. Things get cooking once Billy Graham takes over the art duties. Later on in the book we are treated to the art team of Billy Graham (Pencils) and Bob McLeod (Inker), and what a team they are. McLeod is one of those guys that nobody puts in their top five favorites, but is a solid craftsmen who deserves a shout out for his clear, concise artwork. He really helps Graham lift the artwork to another level.
In the introduction by McGregor, he recounts how Marvel's editors kept pressuring him to put some white people in the series (there were none until Issue 19). McGregor finally bowed to the pressure, and put lots of white people in the title...as villains! The Ku Klux Klan are the Panther's nemesis in an extremely powerful tale about racism. Issue 23 was a reprint of an issue of Daredevil where the Black Panther guest starred, so it was omitted here, ditto Issue 5, which reprinted an issue of the Avengers with the Black Panther. Several unfinished pages from the aborted issue 25 are included, and one can only wonder what might have been had Marvel not cancelled the series. This book takes a great deal of investment of time and thought, but there is a tremendous payoff if one has the patience and can overlook some of the dated aspects of this series. This was pretty avant garde stuff for the time, and as long as one keeps this in the perspective of other titles on the racks at this time, then you will see what I'm talking about.
July 30, 2022
I generally don’t read a lot of vintage comic books before my time, but this from the late great DWAYNE MCDUFFIE (look him up) convinced me to read this volume.
“This overlooked and underrated classic is arguably the most tightly written multi-part superhero epic ever. If you can get your hands on it ... sit down and read the whole thing. It's damn-near flawless, every issue, every scene, a functional, necessary part of the whole.”
Of course he was absolutely right!
I didn’t know much about the Black Panther besides he was a Black superhero. There was renewed interest in the character circa 2015 with a new Black Panther series written by TA-NEHISI COATES and drawn by BRIAN STELFREEZE launching in 2016 and of course the character’s entrance into cinema in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ also in 2016.
I wanted to read more about the original run of the character and Mr. McDuffie’s recommendation was perfect.
I can’t say it any better than McDuffie when he said the comic was “seamlessly integrated words and pictures; clearly introduced characters and situations; a concise recap; beautifully developed character relationships; at least one cool new villain; a stunning action set piece to test our hero's skills and resolve; and a story that is always moving forward towards a definite and satisfying conclusion. “
T’CHALLA was so great in these comics. Majestic and suave. He was a top notch warrior/superhero and he knew it. He definitely had SWAGGER!
I can see why this run on the comics are held in high regard. The writer DON McGREGOR and the artists (aka “pencilers”) RICH BUCKLER, BILLY GRAHAM (not the evangelist) & GIL KANE did terrific jobs bringing these stories to life! I totally enjoyed these issues originally published almost fifty (50) years ago.
“This overlooked and underrated classic is arguably the most tightly written multi-part superhero epic ever. If you can get your hands on it ... sit down and read the whole thing. It's damn-near flawless, every issue, every scene, a functional, necessary part of the whole.”
Of course he was absolutely right!
I didn’t know much about the Black Panther besides he was a Black superhero. There was renewed interest in the character circa 2015 with a new Black Panther series written by TA-NEHISI COATES and drawn by BRIAN STELFREEZE launching in 2016 and of course the character’s entrance into cinema in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ also in 2016.
I wanted to read more about the original run of the character and Mr. McDuffie’s recommendation was perfect.
I can’t say it any better than McDuffie when he said the comic was “seamlessly integrated words and pictures; clearly introduced characters and situations; a concise recap; beautifully developed character relationships; at least one cool new villain; a stunning action set piece to test our hero's skills and resolve; and a story that is always moving forward towards a definite and satisfying conclusion. “
T’CHALLA was so great in these comics. Majestic and suave. He was a top notch warrior/superhero and he knew it. He definitely had SWAGGER!
I can see why this run on the comics are held in high regard. The writer DON McGREGOR and the artists (aka “pencilers”) RICH BUCKLER, BILLY GRAHAM (not the evangelist) & GIL KANE did terrific jobs bringing these stories to life! I totally enjoyed these issues originally published almost fifty (50) years ago.
July 22, 2017
T'challa, the Black Panther (who simply looks like Batman sans the cape), has returned to his African country of Wakanda in this collection. He's brought along his American girlfriend, Monica Lynne. Her main purpose in the story seems to be wringing her hands and waiting for her man to come home after he goes out and does his thing.
T'challa's country is under attack from Erik Killmonger and his unsubtly named cohorts (Malice, King Cadaver, Lord Karnaj, etc.) as they ride in on the backs of dinosaurs.
I will admit there is plenty of action. Black Panther is always getting his outfit ripped to shreds as he battles tons of bad guys and animals. He kills a lot of animals in this comic. I don't believe this book will make PETA's recommended reading list. What my main complaint is has to do with the pages being junked up by pseudo-intellectual verbiage that dissolves into a deep hue of Purple Prose.
Wha...?
Wha...?
Wha...?
Just tell the damn story!
T'challa's country is under attack from Erik Killmonger and his unsubtly named cohorts (Malice, King Cadaver, Lord Karnaj, etc.) as they ride in on the backs of dinosaurs.
I will admit there is plenty of action. Black Panther is always getting his outfit ripped to shreds as he battles tons of bad guys and animals. He kills a lot of animals in this comic. I don't believe this book will make PETA's recommended reading list. What my main complaint is has to do with the pages being junked up by pseudo-intellectual verbiage that dissolves into a deep hue of Purple Prose.
Pain births insanity within his mind... and desperation is the midwife.
Wha...?
Eyes and mouth working toward one purpose, the eyes stealing across ego valleys, ID centers, and super-ego reservoirs.
Wha...?
A sound like tattered curtains monotonously playing eternal chants for days when they were whole.
Wha...?
Just tell the damn story!
May 11, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I think a while ago someone told me all old comics were racist and sexist and no worth our time, but whoever that was had obviously never actually read Black Panther comics (or Luke Cage for that matter). While I won't say these comics are perfect, and its a shame Marvel didn't hire a Black writer back in the day, the anti-racist intent is clear, sensitive issues are handled with care, and many of the comics in the latter half of this collection deal directly with real issues African Americans face. T'Challa is complex, and he is surrounded by a fascinating cast of characters. These comics also introduce Venomm (Horatio) and Taku, one of marvel's first gay couples (it was the intention, clearly threaded in the subtext, and confirmed once censorship allowed, so I think they count. I love them.)
If you want to get into comics, not know how to start, but are interested in the social and political commentary they explore, this would definitely be a great read.
If you want to get into comics, not know how to start, but are interested in the social and political commentary they explore, this would definitely be a great read.
July 27, 2022
The iconic introduction of the Black Panther.
It's amazing how close the movie stuck to some of these events in T'Challa's war with Killmonger. There were some truly gorgeous art panels in this book. Some page layouts that are quite amazing for a comic made in the 70s.
There are some of my usual pet peeves with classic comics - pausing the main, more interesting arc to have the hero just fight random animals to prove his strength. Also, some casual handling of domestic violence that made me uncomfortable.
Anyway, if you're curious about T'Challa's origin, this is one of the more entertaining classic Marvel comics I've read.
It's amazing how close the movie stuck to some of these events in T'Challa's war with Killmonger. There were some truly gorgeous art panels in this book. Some page layouts that are quite amazing for a comic made in the 70s.
There are some of my usual pet peeves with classic comics - pausing the main, more interesting arc to have the hero just fight random animals to prove his strength. Also, some casual handling of domestic violence that made me uncomfortable.
Anyway, if you're curious about T'Challa's origin, this is one of the more entertaining classic Marvel comics I've read.
April 10, 2019
For a comic written entirely by white people in the 70s, this was shockingly culturally sensitive and well-written. There were a few plot constructs that I could have done without, but given what it could have been, I was pleasantly surprised by this first solo Black Panther series. At times, the art was phenomenal. And there was some truly excellent visual storytelling throughout. I would have liked a better paced story and smoother transitions showing the passage of time, but otherwise well done.
November 24, 2020
A great read and a great way to get to know The Black Panther. The supporting characters were also well written, surprisingly so.
Poor Black Panther sure does take some punishment throughout these issues but it is rather rewarding to see him push through trial after trial and keep coming back for more.
That art was sure something as well. I generally prefer basic layouts and 9 panel grids but they were impressive enough that they really earned the right to do whatever they wanted. The title pages alone were something to behold!
Poor Black Panther sure does take some punishment throughout these issues but it is rather rewarding to see him push through trial after trial and keep coming back for more.
That art was sure something as well. I generally prefer basic layouts and 9 panel grids but they were impressive enough that they really earned the right to do whatever they wanted. The title pages alone were something to behold!
July 9, 2023
This is, of course, comics history. If you loved the Marvel films, you can definitely see where the source material grew into its own here. The multi-part story that fills its pages is well-thought out, splendidly written and drawn, and has an air of danger throughout.
That said, it is awfully wordy (sometimes getting in the way of the art) and does have some head scratching moments (Black Panther wears his costume to the grocery store, for one). Don't let that deter you from reading this, however. It is good stuff.
That said, it is awfully wordy (sometimes getting in the way of the art) and does have some head scratching moments (Black Panther wears his costume to the grocery store, for one). Don't let that deter you from reading this, however. It is good stuff.
August 7, 2019
Meh
The art is fantastic. The dialog is hard to get through and the plots tedious and at times defy logic. I liked Panther in FF; in this book he is far weaker and loses as often as he wins. The book ends without closure, a final disappointment.
The art is fantastic. The dialog is hard to get through and the plots tedious and at times defy logic. I liked Panther in FF; in this book he is far weaker and loses as often as he wins. The book ends without closure, a final disappointment.
May 16, 2018
Crítica | Pantera Negra de Ed Hannigan e Jerry Bingham
http://www.planocritico.com/critica-p...
http://www.planocritico.com/critica-p...
November 16, 2018
So much awesome. I hope the Panther kicks the shit or if the Klan in the next movie.
July 30, 2020
Going by McGregor's introduction, Marvel in the mid-1970s sounds like a shitty place to work.
November 2, 2023
Innovative for its time but also a product of its time. Panther's Rage arc is way better than the second one.
August 31, 2020
The Jungle Action stories were intense! I haven't read anything else like it. Definitely a necessary read for fans of Black Panther.
As far as a collections go, you are better of reading the 2 Epic Collections vs. these Masterwork volumes. The epics are more complete.
For more on this run tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikuP...
As far as a collections go, you are better of reading the 2 Epic Collections vs. these Masterwork volumes. The epics are more complete.
For more on this run tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikuP...
March 24, 2024
Jungle Action #6-18 - Featuring the groundbreaking and epic Panther’s Rage story that sets the stage of a generation of Black Panther stories. But it’s also the epitome of the hero’s journey as conceptualized by Joseph Campbell but here it is reimagined by Don McGregor. But it doesn’t stop with a remarkable narrative that takes our beloved Wakandan King on a torturous road trip all over the mythical African kingdom, the art from Rich Buckler and then Billy Graham (no, not the evangelical) is as groundbreaking as the story, both artist really pushed the limits of visual storytelling and layout design as much as they could get away with. This is a masterpiece of Marvel storytelling from the 1970s. This not only took T’Challa through a series of trials that would task Hercules, but it also developed the people of Wakanda into personal individuals and interesting as more than just loyal subject of the superhero king (5/5).
Jungle Action #19-24 - The next story arc was even more ambitious. The one was pitted The Panther vs. the Klan. Let that sink in. Here was a comic that was tackling the KKK as the racist, evil homegrown terrorists that they have always been and it wasn’t pulling any punches. Unfortunately … it never got properly finished. Nonetheless, this tale from McGregor and Graham delivers another torturous trail as T’Challa tackles one trial after another. Sadly this murder mystery that developed Monica Lynne and her familial background never got finished in the pages of Jungle Action and us fans would have to wait for several years before we would finally get some closure in the pages of Marvel Premiere. So as this is unfinished, I can’t give it the full 5 out of 5 (4/5).
Jungle Action #19-24 - The next story arc was even more ambitious. The one was pitted The Panther vs. the Klan. Let that sink in. Here was a comic that was tackling the KKK as the racist, evil homegrown terrorists that they have always been and it wasn’t pulling any punches. Unfortunately … it never got properly finished. Nonetheless, this tale from McGregor and Graham delivers another torturous trail as T’Challa tackles one trial after another. Sadly this murder mystery that developed Monica Lynne and her familial background never got finished in the pages of Jungle Action and us fans would have to wait for several years before we would finally get some closure in the pages of Marvel Premiere. So as this is unfinished, I can’t give it the full 5 out of 5 (4/5).
February 1, 2015
A quick read. Good but doesn't really make me want to pick up more Black Panther.
March 26, 2017
Jungle Action
Jungle Action featuring the Black Panther is a lengthy read.. three fourths of it is an epic series that involves T'challa against Killmonger, set in Wakanda.. the final part of the collection is somewhat anti-climactic and IMO could have been placed in another collection..
Jungle Action featuring the Black Panther is a lengthy read.. three fourths of it is an epic series that involves T'challa against Killmonger, set in Wakanda.. the final part of the collection is somewhat anti-climactic and IMO could have been placed in another collection..
March 26, 2018
Uneven but still riveting in spots with some fantastic layouts & art.
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