The Graphic Library
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Review List by Author
  • Terminology
  • Info Postings
  • About Me
  • Other Resources
    • Research
    • Collection Development

Black Panther vol 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates

10/15/2020

0 Comments

 
Cover of Black Panther vol 1
Vol 1: A Nation Under our Feet part 1, illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze, lettered by Joe Sabino

T'Challa tries to settle the unrest that is sparking across his nation, including within the vibranium mines, in border cities, and elsewhere.  A disgraced Dora Milaje is sentenced to death, but her lover breaks her free, and the two don special armor and fight to free oppressed women and children in camps at the border.  A student of Killmonger who can control mens' psyche is also wrecking havoc and seeding the unrest against the king.  T'Challa must balance his life as the Panther with his responsibilities as king, and try not to get himself hurt or killed in the process.  As a bonus, the first appearance of the Black Panther is included as the last chapter.

This volume has been billed as a good place for readers to jump in to the Black Panther storyline.  This is not true at all.  The unrest, the trial of the Dora Milaje, and Killmonger's protégé are all leftovers from the events of Ultimates: Omniversal vols 1 and 2.  Unlike older Marvel comics, this one does not come with a lot of context cues in the form of editor notes, so readers will just have to figure it out through slogging through the storyline. 

All this aside, Coates' approach to Black Panther is inventive and intriguing.  In his run, Wakanda is treated almost like another character, and T'Challa is less the main focus of the story.  There are other well-rounded characters to root for or hate.  In this story, Coates explores how a nation would really react if its leader was always off fighting off bad guys for other countries, how neglected to populace would feel, even though those fights are generally to save the entire world.  I expect this run to place Black Panther more so in Wakanda and less in other parts of the world, and other heroes will have to come to him to be involved in the story.

The art of this story beautifully juxtaposes the advanced Golden City, the capital of Birnin Zana, with the African savannas and jungles in the wilds of Wakanda.  

Marvel rates this for Teen - the violence and seriousness of subjects like patriotism, loyalty, and duty, make this rating appropriate.

Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Rating: Grades 9-12

Tags: Rating: 7/10, Suitability: High School, Comicbooks, Superheroes, Action Adventure, 

Never miss a review! Subscribe and get the best delivered to your inbox.

* indicates required
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About Me

    I've been reading Manga and comicbooks for years.  Now, it's time to share my knowledge with you.

    Read More

    Search this site


    Picture

    Never miss a review! Subscribe and get the best delivered to your inbox.

    * indicates required

    Ratings, Audience, and Subject Tags

    All
    Action Adventure
    Adaptations
    Animals
    Autobiography
    Biography
    Comicbooks
    CSLA 2021
    Culinary
    Demons
    Dystopian
    Family
    Fantasy
    Farming
    Folklore
    Friendship
    Graphic Literature
    Graphic Nonfiction
    Grief
    Historical Fiction
    History
    Horror
    Humor
    Isekai
    LGBTQ+
    Magic
    Magical Girl
    Manga
    Mecha
    Memoir
    Mental Health
    Music
    Mystery
    Mythology
    Native American
    Paranormal
    Race Relations
    Rating: 10/10
    Rating: 3/10
    Rating: 4/10
    Rating: 5/10
    Rating: 6/10
    Rating: 7/10
    Rating: 8/10
    Rating: 9/10
    Realistic Fiction
    Romance
    School Age
    Science
    Science Fiction
    Slice Of Life
    Sports
    Steampunk
    Suitability: Adult
    Suitability: Elementary School
    Suitability: High School
    Suitability: Middle School
    Superheroes
    Supernatural
    Surrealism
    Survival
    Theater
    Video Games
    War
    Western

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018


​Follow Me

Picture
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Review List by Author
  • Terminology
  • Info Postings
  • About Me
  • Other Resources
    • Research
    • Collection Development