Black Panther became the first comic-book superhero of African descent. His real name is T’Challa. He wears a dark-colored costume that resembles the big cat for which he is named. The Black Panther gained his superpowers from a mysterious plant known as the “heart-shaped herb.” These powers include increased strength and agility (ability to move quickly and easily) and heightened senses. The Black Panther also is a scientific genius who relies on advanced technology. His costume incorporates technology that makes him invulnerable (impossible to harm) and enables him to move about stealthily (without being seen).
The Black Panther was created by Stan Lee, an American comic-book writer and editor, and Jack Kirby, an American comic-book artist and writer. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #52, a comic book published by Marvel Comics in 1966. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the Black Panther also appeared in Marvel’s “The Avengers” and “Jungle Action” comic-book series. From 1977 to 1979, he was the title character of Marvel’s “Black Panther” series, written and drawn mostly by Kirby. Since then, there have been several “Black Panther” series by different creators, including the African American journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates.
In the comics, T’Challa is from Wakanda, a fictional country in Africa. Many centuries ago, a meteorite containing an imaginary metal called vibranium crashed to Earth in Wakanda. Vibranium has many special properties that allowed Wakanda to achieve technological superiority. Afraid that vibranium would be misused by others, the rulers of Wakanda decided to hide their existence and power from the rest of the world.
The name Black Panther is a ceremonial title used by generations of Wakandan kings, including T’Challa’s father, T’Chaka. T’Challa became king and Black Panther after T’Chaka was murdered by the villain Ulysses Klaw, who was trying to steal vibranium. These events led to Wakanda’s gradual emergence from secrecy to become a world power. For a brief period after T’Challa is injured in a battle, his younger sister Shuri assumes the role of the Black Panther. Wakanda’s king is protected by a group of women warriors called the Dora Milaje (Adored Ones). Besides Klaw, other villains in the Black Panther comics include Erik Killmonger, the Man-Ape, and the Sons of the Serpent.
The Black Panther has appeared as a character in many animated television series. Played by the American actor Chadwick Boseman, he made his first live-action motion-picture appearance in Captain America: Civil War (2016). Black Panther (2018), starring Boseman, was the first movie dedicated to the character. It won three Academy Awards and was noted for its positive representation of Black culture. The sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released in 2022.
