New York Times Bestselling Author Ta-Nehisi Coates Pens BLACK PANTHER #1

The announcement many on my Twitter timeline have been waiting for is finally here!  Marvel has announced a new Black Panther ongoing comic for All-New, All-Different Marvel.  Writing the series will be first-time comic book contributor Ta-Nehisi Coates.  He is a renowned writer for his work at The Atlantic, touching on many topics from politics to race to social issues.

Many feared that Marvel wouldn’t hire a Black writer for Black Panther, but I never doubted they would do the right thing.  Plus, while Coates is not a known name in comic book circles, his resume of work reaches a larger community than just comics.  Which is a good thing.  He will bring new fans to not only Black Panther, but also Marvel comics.

Three quick thoughts from the initial announcement yesterday:

1. Wil Moss is the editor.  I have been loving many of the comics under his leadership.  He has helped launch the new Thor with Jane Foster (and the soon-to-arrive The Mighty Thor), Ant-Man/The Astonishing Ant-Man, and the just-ended Loki: Agent of Asgard.

2. The opening storyline, “A Nation Under Our Feet”, is quoted as lasting a year.  So we are guaranteed at 12-issue+ run of Black Panther.

3. T’Challa’s teammates in The Ultimates are set to make an appearance.  Some synergy between the two books can only benefit both going forward.


 

MARVEL COMICS’ BLACK PANTHER #1 HELMED BY TA-NEHISI COATES
New York Times Bestselling Author Takes on T’Challa, a.k.a. the Black Panther

New York, NY—September 23rd, 2015— Marvel is excited to announce that next spring, one of the most thought-provoking and perceptive writers today, Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me) along with legendary artist Brian Stelfreeze, will helm a new BLACK PANTHER series, adding an exciting, erudite new voice to the All-New, All –Different Marvel lineup.

The indomitable will of Wakanda — the famed African nation known for its vast wealth, advanced technology and warrior traditions — has long been reflected in the will of its monarchs, the Black Panthers. But now, the current Black Panther, T’Challa, finds that will tested by a superhuman terrorist group called The People that has sparked a violent uprising among the citizens of Wakanda.  T’Challa knows the country must change to survive — the question is, will the Black Panther survive the change?

“Wakanda is really the light of the world, in the Marvel Universe. And yet it’s a system of governance that has not advanced beyond the idea of blood-rule,” says Coates.  “It’s always seemed to me that T’Challa was aware of this discrepancy. Among the monarchs of Marvel –Namor and Doctor Doom for instance– T’Challa has always been distinguished to me by his discomfort on the throne, and with the problems of one-man rule. I am very much looking forward to exploring that tension.”

That tension and conflict is what will fire BLACK PANTHER #1 into a no-holds-barred adventure that will demonstrate why Black Panther is one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe.

“Ta-Nehisi writes brilliantly about everything from race to politics to fatherhood to modern culture, but he’s also a longtime Marvel reader. And combining his writing skills with his passion for and understanding of Marvel’s characters, paired with the captivating and engaging artwork of modern master Brian Stelfreeze, has led to a truly amazing story that we can’t wait for the world to read,” says Wil Moss, editor of the new BLACK PANTHER series. “This story will have all the political intrigue of the best episodes of THE WEST WING and HOMELAND, but it’s also going to have the trademark Marvel action and energy that Stan Lee & Jack Kirby (Black Panther’s creators!) built into the foundation of the Marvel Universe. Look for some fun and unexpected Marvel villains to show up in this story, as well as an appearance or two by T’Challa’s new teammates, The Ultimates.”

Join us next year as Marvel continues to change the creative landscape of the comic book industry as Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze make history as the new creative team on Marvel Comics’ BLACK PANTHER.

BLACK PANTHER #1
Written by TA-NEHISI COATES
Artwork by BRIAN STELFREEZE
Cover by BRIAN STELFREEZE
On sale spring 2016

Black_Panther_Cover_Stelfreeze Black_Panther_Hip-Hop_Variant Ta-Nehisi Coates

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE