What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Panther (2016) (Single Issues) #1-4
Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet
A new era begins for the Black Panther! MacArthur Genius and National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates (
Between the World and Me
)takes the helm, confronting T'Challa with a dramatic upheaval in Wakanda that will make leading the African nation tougher than ever before. When a superhuman terrorist group that calls itself The People sparks a violent uprising, the land famed for its incredible technology and proud warrior traditions will be thrown into turmoil. If Wakanda is to survive, it must adapt--but can its monarch, one in a long line of Black Panthers, survive the necessary change? Heavy lies the head that wears the cowl!
Collecting: Black Panther 1-4, Fantastic Four 52
Collecting: Black Panther 1-4, Fantastic Four 52
116 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2016
1 person is currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Ta-Nehisi Coates
283 books17.5k followersTa-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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 8, 2017
I'm at least as familiar with comic books as the next chap, but this new series jumped right in with a load of back story that was all news to me. I don't mind having to catch us as we go, but this was more difficult to follow than most. Also there were only four issues. Didn't collections used to cover six issues? The bonus reprint of FF #52 was OK, but there wasn't enough here to get me excited and I'm not so committed that I can't just give it up. Shame.
March 31, 2022
I taught this in my superhero class. There’s so much here we could discuss, but this semester I’m look at Colonialism, Industrialism vs. Natural Resources, and representation of women.
October 4, 2018
I like it even though that I feel like that I'm missing a lot of backstory (what with only starting to tip my toes into comics and only knowing the movies) in order to understand some motivations of some characters.
While I like the story, I'm also a bit "Hmm" because I wanted Wakanda to be a country in which such issues don't exist. :/ But, we will see how it goes on in the next parts.
I love, love, love the art. <3
While I like the story, I'm also a bit "Hmm" because I wanted Wakanda to be a country in which such issues don't exist. :/ But, we will see how it goes on in the next parts.
I love, love, love the art. <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2019
This was fine, but kind-of disappointing given its provenance. Coates seems perhaps out of touch with the contemporary comics zeitgeist; there are some interesting themes, and this really might be/have been a step forward for Marvel books, but it feels behind the curve compared to even super mainstream "indie" titles in terms of the exploration of current cultural narratives. Obviously it's a little apples-to-oranges issues and ideas-wise, but it's maybe telling about the kind of limitations Coates was placed under or that he placed upon himself that just two years later the blockbuster Black Panther movie did a way more forthright job dealing with the moral ambiguities of T'Challa's rule and the ramifications of being a sovereign monarch in a globalized, colonized world.
Maybe this run keeps getting better; it's hard to know since it's a Marvel trade so it's only four issues.
Maybe this run keeps getting better; it's hard to know since it's a Marvel trade so it's only four issues.
January 31, 2017
Prendete uno dei più quotati giornalisti e scrittori americani, Ta-Nehisi Coates, affidategli un personaggio ricco di fascino come Pantera Nera e fate disegnare il tutto da Stelfreeze (con i colori della bravissima Laura Martin). Il risultato? Una delle migliori serie Marvel in circolazione. Consigliatissimo, specie a quelli che "una volta sì che c'erano bei fumetti".
September 4, 2018
There was a lot of hit and miss in this, the main problem being is that it moves slowly, which isn't always a bad thing but Ta-Nehisi Coates' background in novels perhaps messed with his structure. This is one story but the structure doesn't really allow for something to happen when you want it to.
On to the good, Coates has some fantastic ideas. People are doubting T'Challa's leadership after neglecting his country in his other adventures and the country being invaded by the likes of Doctor Doom and Thanos, revolution is starting with two factions rising up against the Black Panther, one being a lot more harmful than the other. There was also mention of how T'Challa is growing frustrated because he has given things for his country but is challenged that he has lost things for his country but never willingly given anything. I also loved Brian Stelfreeze's artwork, it really embraces afrofuturism and has plenty of images that could only exist in this part of the Marvel Universe, showing the unique technology, environments and supernatural elements of Wakanda, really giving you a sense of the culture.
On to the good, Coates has some fantastic ideas. People are doubting T'Challa's leadership after neglecting his country in his other adventures and the country being invaded by the likes of Doctor Doom and Thanos, revolution is starting with two factions rising up against the Black Panther, one being a lot more harmful than the other. There was also mention of how T'Challa is growing frustrated because he has given things for his country but is challenged that he has lost things for his country but never willingly given anything. I also loved Brian Stelfreeze's artwork, it really embraces afrofuturism and has plenty of images that could only exist in this part of the Marvel Universe, showing the unique technology, environments and supernatural elements of Wakanda, really giving you a sense of the culture.
January 10, 2019
There's an innate challenge on Volume 1's of a series. It needs to set the tone, introduce the characters, set the conflict, and do it all while still being entertaining. It's a hard challenge for any writer; a first-time comic-book writer has a huge learning curve going into it, especially if it's on a big name series like Black Panther is, especially at the time of this book's release. And unfortunately, this book isn't able to pull it all off.
It's not bad; Coates brings up some big questions about governing versus leading, and there are some good action sequences. But there are a lot of plots being juggled, and several of them are carry-overs from previous series that don't get much in the way of introduction (the Midnight Angels) or resolution (Shuri's absence and mysterious journey). It tries to do too much and ends up not giving enough attention to any of its myriad plots. Perhaps it gets better in later volumes, but I can't imagine any readers finding this a good place to start, no matter the quality of Coates' actualy writing.
It's not bad; Coates brings up some big questions about governing versus leading, and there are some good action sequences. But there are a lot of plots being juggled, and several of them are carry-overs from previous series that don't get much in the way of introduction (the Midnight Angels) or resolution (Shuri's absence and mysterious journey). It tries to do too much and ends up not giving enough attention to any of its myriad plots. Perhaps it gets better in later volumes, but I can't imagine any readers finding this a good place to start, no matter the quality of Coates' actualy writing.
September 17, 2019
Lo mejor es el dibujo de Brian Steelfreze. La historia avanza a cámara lenta y los villanos reflejan muy bien la realidad de un gobierno en crisis cuestionado por sus fallas: una parte se quiere aprovechar para ahora ser ellos los que tengan el poder para ahora ser ellos los que hagan estropicios, mientras otra parte va con la bandera de idealista también cometiendo abusos. Se acabó el libro y yo esperando que T'Challa aplastara a ambas partes...
(Por cierto... jamás se explican los poderes de los villanos, pero derrotan a Panther con la mano en la cintura y lo dejan en ridículo, casi como en la peli).
(Por cierto... jamás se explican los poderes de los villanos, pero derrotan a Panther con la mano en la cintura y lo dejan en ridículo, casi como en la peli).
May 28, 2020
PolitThriller ohne üblichen SuperheldenFun (wer Action à la Kinofilm erwartet ist hier falsch)
Der Black Panther König T'Challa ist in Bedrängnis und das nicht von weltraumgroßen Schurken, sondern vom unzufriedenen Volk. Verbündete Dora Milaje wenden sich ab, Schwester Shuri ist (noch) tot, paar Gegner intrigieren, doch nicht partout bösartig, vielmehr mit dem Anliegen etwas zum Besseren zu verändern.
der erste Band ist ein gemächlich-langsamer Auftakt zu anstehenden Reformen und Paradigmenwechseln und Situierung der Misere, nachdenklich und zeichnungsgleich politdüsterschattig
Der Black Panther König T'Challa ist in Bedrängnis und das nicht von weltraumgroßen Schurken, sondern vom unzufriedenen Volk. Verbündete Dora Milaje wenden sich ab, Schwester Shuri ist (noch) tot, paar Gegner intrigieren, doch nicht partout bösartig, vielmehr mit dem Anliegen etwas zum Besseren zu verändern.
der erste Band ist ein gemächlich-langsamer Auftakt zu anstehenden Reformen und Paradigmenwechseln und Situierung der Misere, nachdenklich und zeichnungsgleich politdüsterschattig
May 23, 2017
Nice peek into Wakanda and this is literally the first Panther book I've ever read. Ta-nehisi Coates weaves a complex tale on power, monarchy and democracy. The art is pretty great as well. Where I think it lost two stars for me was a) in a somewhat predictable unfolding of the story and b) the vague nature of the threat/ carrier of unrest. I'm probably missing the backstory and context but hey ho. My initial reaction was 3 stars
November 25, 2024
This series explores T'Challa’s return to Wakanda, where political unrest and rebellion threaten the nation’s stability. Coates’ writing delves into the complexities of leadership, legacy, and nation-building, offering a nuanced portrayal of Black Panther. Stelfreeze’s artwork is rich in detail and vibrantly captures the culture and landscape of Wakanda.
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely—it’s a smart, thought-provoking story that expands the Black Panther mythos.
– George B
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely—it’s a smart, thought-provoking story that expands the Black Panther mythos.
– George B
November 6, 2019
Some really great, profound, and deep narrative and dialogue- all I would expect from Coates. With that you lose the flow of the story being told though, making it a bit harder to piece together. He also takes you right into the deep end with Black Panther lore/history so you have to work to keep up
January 28, 2022
https://labooktillaise.wordpress.com/...
Une lecture vraiment VRAIMENT sombre. Malgré la couverture et le résumé, je ne m’y attendais pas. T’Challa, La panthère noire. Héros du Wakanda mais aussi au-delà, s’est battu fièrement auprès d’autres grandes figures héroïques du mcu.
Mais peut-être que partir n’était pas la bonne chose à faire parce qu’en revenant, T’Challa semble avoir beaucoup perdus. En plus de certains proche, c’est la paix dans son pays qui est sa pire perte. La guerre ravage le Wakanda. Le peuple n’a plus d’espoir. Un groupe » extrémiste » s’est apparemment emparé du territoire. Voulant le libérer afin de rendre au Wakanda sa gloire d’antan. Ou bien plutôt pour repartir sur de bonnes bases
Certains proches de T’Challa se sont détournés de lui, dont une Dora Milaje plutôt célèbre, qui, avec sa petite amie, va mener une révolution. Non pas seulement contre T’Challa mais contre les hommes. Pour les femmes. Pour leurs libertés.
NO MORE MAN. C’est ce qu’elles écrivent partout où elles passent.
T’Challa est perdu. Il ne sait plus quoi faire. Il essaye de faire de son mieux mais ses ennemis sont de plus en plus nombreux. Il veut aider et protéger son peuple mais comment faite face à tout ce feu et ce sang. Le Wakanda est censé être le plus le plus avancé au monde, autant sur le plan technologique que philosophique et il ne devrait pas se retrouver en ruine et pourtant…
Et après avoir donné une bonne partie de sa vie à son peuple, T’Challa essaye de lui donner son cœur. Mais ça ne fonctionne pas comme prévu Une lecture assez particulière pour moi. Je trouve que le scénario est écrit d’une façon particulière et ce n’est pas un coup de cœur, je n’ai pas détesté non plus.
C’est entre les deux. En tout cas, les illustrations sont MAGNIFIQUES !!! et le message et les sujets abordés sont intéressants.
Une lecture vraiment VRAIMENT sombre. Malgré la couverture et le résumé, je ne m’y attendais pas. T’Challa, La panthère noire. Héros du Wakanda mais aussi au-delà, s’est battu fièrement auprès d’autres grandes figures héroïques du mcu.
Mais peut-être que partir n’était pas la bonne chose à faire parce qu’en revenant, T’Challa semble avoir beaucoup perdus. En plus de certains proche, c’est la paix dans son pays qui est sa pire perte. La guerre ravage le Wakanda. Le peuple n’a plus d’espoir. Un groupe » extrémiste » s’est apparemment emparé du territoire. Voulant le libérer afin de rendre au Wakanda sa gloire d’antan. Ou bien plutôt pour repartir sur de bonnes bases
Certains proches de T’Challa se sont détournés de lui, dont une Dora Milaje plutôt célèbre, qui, avec sa petite amie, va mener une révolution. Non pas seulement contre T’Challa mais contre les hommes. Pour les femmes. Pour leurs libertés.
NO MORE MAN. C’est ce qu’elles écrivent partout où elles passent.
T’Challa est perdu. Il ne sait plus quoi faire. Il essaye de faire de son mieux mais ses ennemis sont de plus en plus nombreux. Il veut aider et protéger son peuple mais comment faite face à tout ce feu et ce sang. Le Wakanda est censé être le plus le plus avancé au monde, autant sur le plan technologique que philosophique et il ne devrait pas se retrouver en ruine et pourtant…
Et après avoir donné une bonne partie de sa vie à son peuple, T’Challa essaye de lui donner son cœur. Mais ça ne fonctionne pas comme prévu Une lecture assez particulière pour moi. Je trouve que le scénario est écrit d’une façon particulière et ce n’est pas un coup de cœur, je n’ai pas détesté non plus.
C’est entre les deux. En tout cas, les illustrations sont MAGNIFIQUES !!! et le message et les sujets abordés sont intéressants.
April 6, 2018
wasn't particularly impressed by this one. lots of politics and talking, which can be especially boring for anyone not too familiar with the character or their background. it seems like some set up for greater things and we'll see how the next volumes will go
July 27, 2018
You should know some BP history to really enjoy this, great stuff
April 28, 2019
1.5/5
I did not like it, but the designs and the colors are beautiful.
I loved the movie, but I don’t think I’ll continue the comics.
I did not like it, but the designs and the colors are beautiful.
I loved the movie, but I don’t think I’ll continue the comics.
July 2, 2019
Beurtiful story. The plot makes so much sense. The artwork in fenominal.
Hope to see more from a-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze.
Hope to see more from a-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze.
December 22, 2019
Already picked up the follow up. Enjoyed that he brought his advanced vocabulary to the tale.
March 2, 2020
The Illustrations were beautiful but I guess I just didn't know enough background info on the Black Panther to follow the story.
January 11, 2017
I'm reading the graphic novels shortlisted for the Stan Lee/Excelsior prize. I didn't enjoy this. I'm not a regular reader of GN, and perhaps I just don't understand them. I certainly found it hard to follow, and the predominance of speech over written narrative makes the story seem thin and unfleshed out to me. Obviously, the pictures are supposed to carry the narrative along in this genre : they don't do it for me, mostly I couldn't tell,what was going on, although I found some of the images quite arresting.
The tale takes place in Wakanda, an African kingdom where the civilisation that has produced advanced technology seems to be fighting for control of the country through the person of the King - the Black Panther,who is a sort of tech superhero. He is opposed by people who espouse more traditional values. Although he talks about being his people's spiritual leader, T'Challa is willing to kill them when they rebel, and then he agonises about it.
The main story is followed by an episode of the Fantastic Four, where the 4 characters and their friend are lured to Wakanda, and find T'Challa wants to fight them to prove that he's the best. This is so completely unlike the rest of the book that I assume it's some sort of in joke - it reads like a much older version, and the art is retro as well.
Apologies to any actual fans - I just don't get it at all.
The tale takes place in Wakanda, an African kingdom where the civilisation that has produced advanced technology seems to be fighting for control of the country through the person of the King - the Black Panther,who is a sort of tech superhero. He is opposed by people who espouse more traditional values. Although he talks about being his people's spiritual leader, T'Challa is willing to kill them when they rebel, and then he agonises about it.
The main story is followed by an episode of the Fantastic Four, where the 4 characters and their friend are lured to Wakanda, and find T'Challa wants to fight them to prove that he's the best. This is so completely unlike the rest of the book that I assume it's some sort of in joke - it reads like a much older version, and the art is retro as well.
Apologies to any actual fans - I just don't get it at all.
June 29, 2018
Nojaa. Coatesin T’Challa on konservationistinen (joskin valistunut) monarkki, joka lähinnä yrittää pitää antirojalistista vallankumousta aisoissa, kuin mikäkin vibraniumiin puettu afrikkalainen Ferdinand I. Toisin sanottuna jotenkin todella omituinen sankari vuonna 2018.
Lähinnä siis tässä syvennetään sitä Black Pantherissa selvimmin epämiellyttävää ongelmaa, jossa kaikkivaltias monarkki on myös valtion väkivaltakoneiston ykkösnyrkki. Hahmosta on todella vaikea pitää ja kuten elokuvan Killmonger, moraalisen argumentin voittavat valtion viholliset. Lopussa kuningas haluaa verta, omien alamaistensa. Paska sankari.
Tarina hyppii ja pomppii sekavasti ja jäsentelemättömän tuntuisesti.
Piirrokset on tavanomaista supersankarihommaab. Yhtään oikeasti komeaa ruutua tähän ei mahdu. Siirryn seuraavaksi perumaan seuraavien kahden osan varaukset kirjastosta. Sääli. Coates osaisi kirjoittaa kauniisti mutta suuremmat teemat kehystetään jotenkin kömpelösti.
Lähinnä siis tässä syvennetään sitä Black Pantherissa selvimmin epämiellyttävää ongelmaa, jossa kaikkivaltias monarkki on myös valtion väkivaltakoneiston ykkösnyrkki. Hahmosta on todella vaikea pitää ja kuten elokuvan Killmonger, moraalisen argumentin voittavat valtion viholliset. Lopussa kuningas haluaa verta, omien alamaistensa. Paska sankari.
Tarina hyppii ja pomppii sekavasti ja jäsentelemättömän tuntuisesti.
Piirrokset on tavanomaista supersankarihommaab. Yhtään oikeasti komeaa ruutua tähän ei mahdu. Siirryn seuraavaksi perumaan seuraavien kahden osan varaukset kirjastosta. Sääli. Coates osaisi kirjoittaa kauniisti mutta suuremmat teemat kehystetään jotenkin kömpelösti.
April 16, 2020
riuscito in larga parte, anche se forse Coates fa diventare il disimpegno fumettistico "troppo" intellectualize my blackness
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews