Black Panther #7 Review

Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates // Artist: Kev Walker // Publisher: Marvel “Empires do not enlighten. They plunder.” The Maroons finally go on the offensive with T’Challa back amongst their ranks after his time in exile.  In “Book 2: The Gathering of My Names,” both the Maroons and Emperor N’jadaka advance toward their inevitable collision. As N’Jadaka prepares grooming his daughter Zenzi for a role in the Empire, the Maroons abduct a key imperial Technologist. For this chapter in the arc, Coates is joined by new artist Kev Walker. Whereas Coates and Acuüna created a “THX1138” meets “Battle of Algiers” vibe, Walker and Coates’ collaboration feels like a “Cowboy Bebop” remix.

Following his betrayal of the priestess of Bast, Killmonger turns to his domestic life on the Wakandan home planet. His daughter Zenzi (!!!) shows interest in the affairs of the kingdom, and also signs of mystical or mutant abilities (Note: In the normal BP reality, Zenzi was instrumental in manipulating the citizens of Wakanda for the popular uprising in Coates’ debut storyline).  When she comes into contact with Killmonger’s top assassin Manifold, Zenzi appears to even have some control over him. Meanwhile, T’Challa and M’Baku use cloaking technology gleaned from M’kraan crystal shards to hijack an illegal “pleasure ship.” Their target, Koji, works as lead technologist of the Imperial Archive.  Using a ‘honey pot’ and chameleon trap, they abduct Koji for a raid on the Empire’s true wealth: stolen information …