Rise of the Black Panther #1 Explores How Brilliantly Badass T’Challa’s Parents Are

Writer: Evan Narcisse / Consultant: Ta-Nehisi Coates / Artist: Paul Renaud / Marvel Comics There’s a deep, rich history to the Black Panther legacy that many don’t know about, and what makes Rise of the Black Panther #1 so fascinating is the care and attention to detail that Evan Narcisse and Ta-Nehisi Coates put into retelling that history. Page after page, the first issue treats readers to a time before T’Challa, carefully stringing together moments from the works of Christopher Priest, James Hudlin and more. There’s one word I have for newcomer Narcisse and veteran Coates: respect.

If you’ve read Coates Black Panther run before, you can immediately feel his influence all over this book. Just like his main Black Panther run, Coates is great at bringing out the voice of the people. Both he and Narcisse masterfully portray the internal strive that often comes with a monarchy. Wakanda is glorious and fearsome but it’s not without its faults. The burden of kings – to protect what is precious yet move their kingdom forward despite dissension – is felt. The best part about this first issue is the beautiful narration and well-crafted storytelling. It’s personal, told with the love and fear that only comes from a mother. More than anything, this a story of the women who were closest to the king, as they stood witness to everything Wakanda has been through and played an integral part in maintaining its legacy. Their story is a testament to why Wakanda is so great, and it’s a time w…