T’Challa has owned the path his secrets paved for the Hatut Zeraze’s takeover, and ceded command of the resistance to his allies. But doing the right thing doesn’t always lead to the outcomes – or answers – one would prefer. T’Challa’s undue mistrust must face consequences – choices that will alter the fate of Wakanda and its leadership. Black Panther #8 is written by John Ridley, drawn by Stefano Landini, colored by Matt Milla and lettered by Joe Sabino.
You may have heard, but Beyoncé released an album about a week ago. And while I know you’re not reading this for my steaming hot album takes (OK, fine, it’s really good!), I will note how … different certain folk in my circle received it. Sure, lots of folks loved it, but a surprising number of people were lukewarm on it. And that’s OK! It wasn’t going to be for everyone. Nothing, especially in our hyperspecialized world, will be universally loved like, say, 1984 Michael Jackson.
Which begs the question: Can anything, anymore, be for everyone?
Unlike in our world, where everyone mourns T’Challa (or at least everyone should), in Black Panther #8, no one mourns for the losses of the King. Though (barely) alive, he is isolated – friendless and feckless. On his knees, he wonders aloud what caused all of his problems; his erstwhile girlfriend reminds him:
He did.
This is all the introspection we’ll get. The rest of the issue is a straightforward action comic, with T’Challa leading a group of former allies back into Wakanda, while Shuri works with the excommunicated head of government and a (em)powered member of a Wakandan sect (Tosin) to beat back the coup.
Stefano Landini beautifully illustrates Wakanda’s people and places. Watching Storm grab a bo and use it as a conduit for lightning midair; watching Tosin power up and charge his assailants; even the fight between Akili and T’Challa at the end – all well crafted, though coloring (by Matt Milla) feels a bit listless and uniform in places where bolder hues may work better.
And that ending fight; it encapsulates much of what others love and I deride about this series. The dialogue doesn’t fit the demeanor of a king, not even a demoralized one fighting on his back legs. Yes, it’s cool, (in a toxically masculine way) to see him beat someone down and tell him to “say his name.” But even at his worst, even as T’Challa accepts that he’s at his worst, is this how he would react?
And of Akili, who, pointedly, admits nothing and whose death decidedly did *not* mirror those of the assassins who killed T’Challa’s friend: the character’s development seems wasted. He could have been a good physical and psychological rival; instead he’s just another beaten bad guy. The mystery of the original betrayal does not feel adequately resolved, and while this is (hopefully, likely) intentional, it feels unsatisfying rather than intriguing.
Though it’s introduced a few very interesting characters, this run of Black Panther has been light on developing those characters beyond one-line tropes; the only character “developed” is a humility-regressed T’Challa; its plot feels small compared to the expansive world the preceding run opened up; the dialogue feels too low brow and familiar for these specific (non-American) characters; the central conflict (secret spies) feels low stakes in a world currently besieged by a Celestial god; the female characters, diverse in abilities and acknowledged as powerful, in the end stand idly by while the men decide everything; my favorite couple is no more.
As a reviewer, I have to balance objectivity with subjective thoughts, creating a conversation that will allow you to make informed decisions. Objectively, I think you should read this comic; I think you should read the first eight issues back to back. I think it’s a well-illustrated, fun jaunt. I think a lot of people will like it a lot.
Subjectively, I’m just not one of those people.
But! I’m sure many folk will gravitate to this work *because* of the very issues that caused me angst. The dialogue is accessible, the central conflict relatable, the breakup inevitable. Can everything be for everyone? Not at all, nor should it be, and I fully acknowledge that this may be a better way to bring folk, my folk, so often excluded from comics, into the fold.
The next issue starts a new arc, seeing T’Challa rejoin the Avengers (post Judgment Day and whatever repercussions that event will yield). Though I don’t love it, I still appreciate Black Panther for what it is.
Besides, there are a lot of good comics around. This Virgo has plenty to groove to.
I just wish I could groove more to this.
A proud New Orleanian living in the District of Columbia, Jude Jones is a professional thinker, amateur photographer, burgeoning runner and lover of Black culture, love and life. Magneto and Cyclops (and Killmonger) were right.
Find more of Jude’s writing here.
