Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther, Vol. 2

Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther #2

by Jack Kirby (Writer, Artist), Ed Hannigan (Writer), Jim Shooter (Writer)

Jack “King” Kirby returns to the character with whom he made history as the Marvel Masterworks presents Kirby’s complete Black Panther series and its never-before-reprinted conclusion in one massive volume! Kirby’s limitless imagination unfurls before you as T’Challa unlocks the secret of King Solomon’s frog, encounters alien races, battles eternal samurai warriors and more! The history of the Wakandans, their majestic city and their amazing technology, and the origins of Vibranium, are all explored with a power and passion that only Kirby can offer. Then, Ed Hannigan and Jerry Bingham present an epic battle between the Black Panther, the Avengers and Panther’s nemesis, Ulysses Klaw! And finally, T’Challa returns to the American South to root out the evil Soul Strangler’s cult!

Collectin: Black Panther 1-15, Marvel Premiere 51-53, & material from Marvel Team-Up 100

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Comic Book, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Crime

333 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2016

About the author

Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching back to the earliest days of the medium. He was also a comic book writer and editor. His most common nickname is "The King."

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Marvel Masterworks collections, where Marvel Comics takes aspects of its vast library, collects, edits, and reprints in easily accessible chunks the complete published history of its stable of characters. Clearly, the Black Panther is the subject of this compilation (Volume 2, also Marvel Masterworks #237 of the HC/TPB series.) The book collects Black Panther (1977) #1-15; Marvel Premiere (1972) #51-53 and material from Marvel Team-Up (1972) #100.

Legendary Jack Kirby initiates the stories for the Black Panther title begun in 1977 after demonstrating limited success in the Jungle Stories title. Kirby's trademark artwork gave the book the classic flair and imagery Kirby was known for along with his penchant for big storytelling and beautiful panel design. The full-page splashes are breathtaking studies in movement.

T'Challa explains some of the secret lore of the Wakandan society as little-by-little it is introduced to the world at large. Of course, there is resistance as the nation becomes known along with its primary export of vibranium. When Kirby retires, Ed Hannigan and Jerry Bingham take up the reins with an epic story that involves the Avengers and Ulysses Klaw.

Good stories that explore this fascinating hero, are laid out by some seriously good talent. In addition, this year, I have decided to add twelve stories to my "black voices, black stories" shelf. Marvel Masterworks: The Black Panther, Vol. 2 is the third of those twelve books.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Kirby art and one of the coolest Marvel heroes, what more can you ask for. Great classic read. Recommended

[David]

Kirby left Marvel after a falling out with Stan Lee in the early 70's and he went to work for DC Comics for a couple of years. When he returned to Marvel, some - perhaps most - say that he never regained his peak performance, creatively. I stridently beg to differ. I think the work he did upon his return to Marvel is some of his loosest, craziest and most wonderful of any to be had - from any point in his career.

Marvel Masterworks Black Panther Vol. 2 collect said material. If you're even slightly a Kirby fan, you must buy a copy now. Hell, buy two. Easily this will be one of the most collectible Masterworks yet printed. Collectibility aside, you have to read this loony beautiful works of art. From one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not my favorite of Kirby's work, but it's enjoyable. After Kirby, Ed Hannigan took over, and I was impressed with the effort he made to finish an older unfinished story arc and still try to integrate Kirby's run into it. It didn't completely work, but I had fun with it.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Los cómics en los setenta eran algo distinto. La construcción mundial y el desarrollo del personaje eran algo que ocurre naturalmente y generalmente por accidente. No digo que los escritores de antes no tenían la capacidad para ello, sino que la prioridad no era esa. El punto de todo era vender los libros. Hoy en día sigue siendo lo mismo pero lo enmascaran con alto concepto y deconstrucciones insípidas del género.

El Pantera como lo tenía Kirby era un aventurero. Una especie de James Bond en la que algo emocionante le sucedía cada segundo de su vida. Desarrollar el concepto de Wakanda aún estaba en su infancia y se experimentó de formas creativas con este. Hay muchos elementos de la Pantera de Kirby que no recuerdo haber visto cuando leí la serie de Hudlin o Priest.

Cuando cambió de manos, se notó lo poderoso que era el dibujo de Kirby. Él dibujaba a los héroes como dioses. Músculos y huesos extremadamente sobrehumanos, pero con un encanto inimitable. El dibujo de Jerry Bigham fue excelente, anatómicamente correcto y sus enfoques son comparables con el diseño gráfico de hoy en dia. Pero no es memorable. Ed Hannigan terminó el último arco narrativo de Kirby (el de Kiber) de manera emocionante, pero parece que el escritor no se sintió capaz de experimentar como Kirby, y se fue a lo seguro, Nueva York. Este arco fue disfrutable, pero al menos cuando yo leo Pantera Negra, no es para leer a otro héroe callejero de la gran manzana, pues de ellos hay decenas, incluso en esos tiempos.

El próximo arco narrativo, comprendido por Marvel Première, introduce un misterio ahí mismo luego de terminar el anterior. Los superhéroes no descansan. La trama es interesante. Mi problema con este es la excesiva prosa. El dibujo se vuelve completamente inútil cuando el escritor no le da espacio al diseñador para poner de su parte al servicio de la historia. Hubo algunas excepciones, fue casi al final. Está parte me empezó a aburrir antes que terminara y no sabía lo mucho que iba a extrañar a Kirby, él tenía texto pero no era tan pesado como este.

En la miniserie de 1988, se tocan temas más serios en la política sudafricana. Casi no parece un cómic de superhéroes con todo lo que sucede. Pero le doy la bienvenida, como jefe de Estado, es lógico que el pantera se vaya a involucrar en el teatro internacional. Es una batalla por el alma de Wakanda y lo que significa ser el pantera para su pueblo. La pelea contra los supremacistas fue divertida, es como ver a Pantera Negra contra la Liga de la Justicia. Fue interesante ver cuándo se exploró por primera vez el lugar de Wakanda en la política global y cómo esta trama se usará una y otra vez en títulos en el futuro y hasta en la película.

En general, esta colección fue decente. Pero solo lo recomiendo para quienes quieren conocer o estudiar el canon del personaje.

[ISMOTU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirby-tastic adventures of the King of Wakanda. Big and boisterous, these issues are Kirby pretty much totally unleashed. Lots of fun. The post-Kirby issues pick up where Don McGregor left off and have T'Challa finally go up against the Klan. Rounding out the volume is the innocuous-at-the-time-but-super-significant later story of T'Challa's first meeting with Storm. Entertaining comics all 'round.

[Kevin Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting going back to old comics, and that's not always a good thing.

This collection includes 4 arcs, the first one being the weakest. In the following arcs we get to witness the beginning development of Black Panther going from crime fighter to super human.

All in all, a great collection

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Luiz Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crítica | Pantera Negra de Jack Kirby (Black Panther #1 a 13)
http://www.planocritico.com/critica-p...

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a weird collection this is. The Jack Kirby stuff is for Kirby fans only. It's completely disconnected from what happens before and after. Also, it's more satisfying to read these in the Black Panther Epic Collections because you get a more full picture.

For more on this, tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZxDU...

[John Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated but interesting to see the original run for this character.