Black Panther (2016-2018) #2

Black Panther (2016) (Single Issues)

by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brian Stelfreeze (Artist)

The darkest chapter of the Black Panther mythos continues as Wakanda crumbles from within. The Midnight Angels! Two mysterious women leading the citizen revolt against the current regime of Wakanda, challenging not only T’Challa’s politics but also his resolve. But will their rage provide more for the people than the royal family has thus far?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Fiction, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2016

About the author

Ta-Nehisi Coates is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Between the World and Me, a finalist for the National Book Award. A MacArthur "Genius Grant" fellow, Coates has received the National Magazine Award, the Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism, and the George Polk Award for his Atlantic cover story "The Case for Reparations." He lives in New York with his wife and son.

Reviews

[Terence · Rating 4 out of 5]

T'Challa seeks to find and stop the person who is psychically influencing the minds of the people.

Meanwhile the Midnight Angel's are rescuing Wakanda subjects whose plights go unnoticed by the King and his inner circle.


I wasn't sure how Black Panther #2 would go because I wasn't thrilled with #1. This issue tackles larger concerns of any populace. The Midnight Angel's represent the same thing that the vigilante like heroes of the Marvel Universe. They are stepping out and helping the forgotten and ignored regardless of person cost to them. These women while disobeying the crown of Wakanda are surely heroes to those they've rescued and a nuisance to those whose actions have gone on unchecked for so long.

T'Challa addresses the true power of a King that he learned from his Uncle who was King before him.

The thoughts T'Challa shares are insightful to just how thoughtful he is and how helpless he feels. T'Challa seeks to do what is right, but that line is increasingly being blurred in Wakanda.

Black Panther #2 was a good story and I look forward to more stories along such a line.

[CS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bullet Review:

I know the rule is "It takes 3 issues for a comic to hit it's stride" (at least according to the letters section in this issue), but I think if I read anymore, it'll be the full volume borrowed from the library. Nothing wrong, maybe a little confusing, but it just isn't hitting all those right spots for me.

Good luck, Black Panther. Deuces.

[Keisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much, MUCH better...very fluid dialogue, and wonderful, attention-grabbing segment endings. I'm now curious about T'Challa vs Zenzi; and the story of Tetu and his Baba.

I almost didn't continue, but I'm glad to see that I was right to not judge by issue #1 alone.

[Mitch Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as issue #1. Coates introduces a lot of material here. I'm a little lost as to what's happening--this series has introduced me to Black Panther, so maybe I'm just missing some vital history and backstory. I look forward to seeing where the story goes, though.

[Seno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first volume.

[Ericka Clou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still don’t completely understand what’s going on, but I am completely love with Aneka, Ayo, and the political philosophy professor (Baba? Does Baba just mean grandfather?).

[Tricia]

T'Challa's inner dialogue has some gems that compel me to drop into each local comic shop I cross paths with. The moments that Ta-Nehisi Coates examines a leader reflecting on the juxtaposition of personal ideology with political and societal conditions tells a truth seeking story. The indignation of women, antiquated values of a family legacy, conflict among people lacking basic resources, the rage of disenfranchised people are true stories that deserve attention and careful consideration beyond media coverage. Graphically exploring these big ideas in the pages of a comic is wonderful, because discussing fiction feels safer than trying to tackle current events or recent history.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 2 out of 5]

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet (1-4)  
 
I read this comic book series for my graphic novel class. I went into it knowing nothing about the Black Panther except having seen him in an Avenger's movie I think. I found this series of comic books more than a bit confusing. So many characters to keep track of and so many story lines that I didn't really understand. But, the main story is good, and if you know the backstory, maybe it will be easier to follow and understand.

[Harper Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, the art in this issue is crazy pants! SO GOOD!!! Slowly gaining traction with T'Challa. Definitely left a better impression than issue one but all good things take time. The fight scenes alone were worth it for me. I'm so curious about Ayo and Aneka. Hoping to get a lot more of their story in upcoming issues. Overall, good job!

[Mr. Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is where it's at. Totally contemporary. Africa is a place that truly needs superheroes and this book hopefully appeals to those going through some of the same hardships. I love how T'Challa is presented with a true conflict. I hope he doesn't get too broody, but the secondary cast of characters are all done exquisitely well. Good read indeed

[Marisa Carpico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first. I still think Coates is trying to do too much in each issue, but at least I'm starting to get a handle on the story now. Oddly, T'Challa is still the weakest element, but I like the nation as allegory stuff and the vengeful lesbian warrior plot enough to want to keep going.

[Simon Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying this run so far - looks great, and there are lots of pieces in play already, only two issues into the story. Great stuff.

[Vincent Stoessel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little confused with this story but I think it has to do with the fact that I'm not up to speed with recent history. The parts I do get, I'm enjoying though

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying the politics involved.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art, interesting characters; the plot needs some clarification that I hoped would come in this issue but perhaps in issue 3!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay now I'm into it.

[Solace Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure how I feel about this. Too many storylines starting at the same time, and they could all be intriguing, but instead they are all falling flat.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like a 3.5, or hell, even a 4. Much better than the first issue and equally stunning. It remains a bit confusing for me, but I'm excited to continue reading T'Challa's story.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So excited to see more of this story, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here!

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A revolution is brewing in Wakanda as this whole "hereditary monarchy" thing is starting to feel a little stale to the people...especially as they keep getting killed. Two of BP's female bodyguards rebel, stealing prototype flying armor and start taking their country back, one corrupt chieftain at a type.

[Arun Divakar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not there yet, two volumes down and I am yet to get to the full rhythm of what it all means for the Wakandans and their King. Only fragments of what is going on has been revealed and that is just not enough to fully gauge the goings on.

Until volume #3.

[Litsplaining · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm just not feeling the narrative in this comic series. I was expecting to love the series because I loved the cameo of Black Panther in Avengers: Civil War, but this series makes me feel like I've been thrown into the middle of a plot and Coates, et. al aren't allowing me enough time to play catch up or even giving me as a reader adequate time to get situated in the narrative before they haul me on over to the next action point.

[adeservingporcupine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This definitely has what I love best about a well-written comic: characters who are fighting more with themselves than with outside forces. Also, I don't actually understand what is happening in the story, which I find fun. Still not rooting for T'Challa.

[Sean Camoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, but starting to see a lack of clarity in the storytelling. First issue I thought it was intentional to set a mood and create suspense or mystery, but now I'm wondering if Coates is just a bit lost. Hopefully not, still worth reading.

[Chris Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It tries to do too many things at once, and in doing so, it loses potency. Ultimately, there's far too much explaining style dialogue happening here.

[Kenya | Reviews May Vary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find these earlier issues of this series a little hard to follow without the larger context. I wish I had gotten them in trade paper back rather than as singles.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whatever it is, it’s very well-written and the art is pleasant. The pacing is nice and slow. I still have no idea what is happening though. 2 books and we’re still in the prologue. Everyone hates T’Challa for some reason. Something happened to Shuri and it’s driving T’Challa crazy, but we don’t know what. He says she was queen at some point and he left her to die. But she’s neither dead nor alive. The country is having some kind of crisis, but we’re not told what it is or what started it. I’m sure we’ll find out in time but it’s going to take a lot of exposition. For now there’s nothing to anchor me to the story. It’s a light show with some pretty paragraphs. But it’s not an unpleasant read ^_^.

[Joshua Flanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Two men are forever warring within me - the man I am called to be, and the man I truly am." Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Black Panther" deals with warring factions within Wakanda as the citizens are turned against Black Panther, their leader, and rebellion reigns in their country. This comic deals with politics, family and the role of citizens in determining what is right. Plus, it's got Storm, Luke Cage and Misty Knight so there's plenty of butt-kicking action to go along with all the talking, and dozens upon dozens of names and stories, this feels like much more than a comic. And what else would you expect from Coates?

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I'm very confused. In looking to see where I was in this series, I discovered that I already bought this one. Back in March. And Comixology tells me that I read it. I skimmed it over, and it looks familiar, but I can't figure out why I wouldn't have added it to GR upon finishing. That's not like me at all. Estimated dates based on purchasing history.)

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I believed his happiness a mask for intrigue and scheme. Only with the crown upon my head did I come to understand. 'Heavy is the head,' they say. The proverb does no justice to the weight of the nation, of its peoples, its history, its traditions." So much to explore and discuss in this remarkable iteration of Black Panther.