Marvel Comics
Black Panther #1
By Hervé St-Louis February 7, 2009 - 07:50
Publisher(s): Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Reginald Hudlin
Penciller(s): Ken Lashley
Inker(s): Paul Neary
Colourist(s): Paul Mounts
Letterer(s): Cory Petit
$3.99 US
The Black Panther is caught in a trap set by Dr. Doom and
Namor the Submariner. He is severely hurt and beaten. His bodyguards are possibly
dead. What else can go wrong? Well the elders of Wakanda are not interested in
finding a cure for the Black Panther. They want to replace him quickly. Who
will be the new Black Panther that will protect Wakanda? Only Marvel Comics
knows at this point.
I’m not sure why a new series was needed, if the writer
stays the same. He does understand the history of the character, but it seems
as if he were trying to make this series more approachable to a new generation
of readers. I have to admit that the whole storyline about the zombies is what
put me off the previous incarnation of this series. Replacement Black Panthers
have been tried a lot in recent years, so I’m not sure if I even want to read
another series with this theme as its thrust. By nthe way, I thought that Dr. Doom was in
captivity in the United States after having killed the future Invisible Women
in recent Fantastic Four issues? What the hell is he doing here?
As I’m uncertain about why I should be reading
this series, the art by Lashley doesn’t help. He’s one of those artists that
draws women in mysterious ways. I haven’t seen women like that in real life
yet. There’s a lot of cross hatching which means he’s channelling Jim Lee.