Wakanda Forever!
Black Panther has leaped to the top of the international box office in a single bound! The hotly anticipated superhero adventure is a landmark in what is already a milestone year for the lucrative Marvel Cinematic Universe. Is it a vibranium anniversary and not an aluminum one if we’re celebrating ten years of Marvel movies?
A welcome departure from the cultural homogeneity of most blockbuster films, "Black Panther" gives us splendid displays of colour both onscreen and behind the scenes. Comic book adaptations have taken audiences to outer space, the quantum realm and the Dark Dimension, and now we finally have the opportunity to visit the world of Wakanda! Free from the confines of colonialism, the African country secretly flourished into the most technologically advanced nation on Earth. It thrives under the watchful eye of its king and protector T’Challa, who bears the title of the Black Panther. Since the character made his comics debut in 1966, many writers and artists have contributed to telling his amazing story, and that of his family… and enemies. Here are a few graphic novels:
A Nation Under Our Feet by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brian Stelfreeze
Heavy lies the head that wears the crown… and the cowl! National Book Award winner Coates explores the responsibilities and consequences of kingship.
Who is the Black Panther? by Reginald Hudlin, John Romita Jr.
An origin story penned by Hudlin, a director and producer who served as president of Black Entertainment Television. He also created the character of Shuri, T’Challa’s brilliant younger sister.
World of Wakanda by Roxane Gay, Yona Harvey, Alitha Martinez, Afua Richardson
A spinoff focusing on the warrior women of the Dora Milaje, the elite bodyguards of the royal family.
If you’re interested in taking a closer look at topics such as identity and representation in genre fiction, check out these books!
3 thoughts on “Wakanda Forever!”
I just saw this movie on opening night last Friday which I don’t normally do, but it was so worth it! It was the best movie I’ve seen in a long time and for sure the best Marvel movie I’ve ever seen. I’m reading the first book – A Nation under our feet now. Thank you for all the other wonderful suggestions Andrea!
Just finished “We Were Eight Years in Power” – highly recommended. I [ahem] am old enough to remember the first issue featuring The Black Panther – awesome that he’s a lead now in the Marvel universe. Great recommendations, Andrea!
Great read about Black Panther and the culture aspect of it. It was such a great movie, and really addressed some serious political issues: https://mindfray.com/debate/right-message-political-analysis-of-black-panthers-killmonger/