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Here Be Dragons co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless - opens 13 July. Admission included with ticket to the Galleries

1001 Stories Collection

Black Panther

1001 blackpanther
Added on 09th July 2020

Creator Stan Lee
First published 1966
Publisher Marvel

Action and adventure
1001

The first black comic book superhero demonstrates a fierce loyalty to his homeland and its people.

Story

Wakanda is a tiny, extremely wealthy, fictional country in Africa thanks to its valuable natural resources. Black Panther is the title held by the King of the Wakandan Clan and through an ancient ritual involving eating a special heart-shaped herb he gains superhuman senses, strength, speed, agility, stamina, healing and reflexes. Despite that, his real strength is shown in his excellent intelligence, bravery and skill. Wakandan’s are traditionally reluctant to involve themselves in the outside world to protect their natural resources but the Black Panther becomes involved with the Fantastic Four and for a time is one of The Avengers, as well as working with several other Marvel Heroes to defeat their enemies and save the world.

Why we chose it

Black Panther is the first black superhero in mainstream American comics. The Black Panther film in 2018 was widely regarded as a huge positive step towards much needed diversity in movies, made by and starring primarily black actors.

The story has an enormous cultural significance for black communities and is seen as a strong positive role model for young black people and an example against racial stereotypes.

Where it came from

Black Panther’s first appearance was in an edition of the Fantastic Four in 1966 and he has since appeared in numerous comics, animations, TV shows and video games. He was created by Stan Lee as a deliberate attempt to introduce more African American characters into Marvel Comics, drawing on historical influences for inspiration.

Where it went next

Black Panther appeared for several years in The Avengers comic series, before starring in his own storylines in a wide range of comic compilations and several of his own, Black Panther series. In the 2018 Black Panther film T’Challa is crowned King of Wakanda after his father’s death but he is challenged by Killmonger who wants to abandon the country’s isolationist policies and begin a global war against black repression.

Associated stories

Black Panther has appeared in numerous Marvel Comic series including Daredevil, The Avengers, Captain America and a new series Black Panther and The Winter Soldier is due to be released in 2020.

Added on 09th July 2020

Creator Stan Lee
First published 1966
Publisher Marvel

Action and adventure
1001