“Black Panther” #5 finally brings the revolution in Wakanda to the wider world as Ta-Nehisi Coates, joined by fill-in superstar artist Chris Sprouse, continues to put the Black Panther through the ringer. Past issues have been a little slow, with thick dialogue a bit of a struggle to get through, so with the beginning of a new arc, has the book finally hit its stride? This review is spoiler free.
Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Illustrated by Chris Sprouse
A SWORD FOR LIONS’ STARTS NOW! Ta-Nehisi Coates is joined by guest artist and modern master Chris Sprouse for the second arc chronicling the final days of the kingdom of Wakanda! As Zenzi and The People poison the citizens of Wakanda against the Black Panther, a cabal of nation-breakers is assembled? With his allies dwindling, T’Challa must rely on his elite secret police, the Hatut Zeraze, and fellow Avenger Eden Fesi, a.k.a. Manifold! Meanwhile, Shuri’s spirit journeys through The Djalia?but what awaits her there?
So the second arc of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther starts with this latest issue however this being Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther you’ll be forgiven if it didn’t quite feel that way to you. Not that this is a bad thing, but I’ll get back to that. You see, being the avid reader of comic books that I assume we all are, especially those of the superhero persuasion, certain tropes and conventions become a lot more recognisable and sooner or later you even begin to expect them. For instance, I know that the end of one arc tends to leave us on a dramatic cliffhanger that will usually have lasting consequences that will carry on to the next storyline. Similarly, the first issue of a new arc will set up the new story in a simple and effective way, normally to provide a jumping on point for new readers. However, every now and again writers like Coates come along with their long form stories and do away with stuff like this and, especially in this case, it is wholly refreshing.
Issue #5 follows directly on from the last month’s installment, with King T’Challa’s troubles in Wakanda further unravelling and feelings towards the King are just as bad as ever. Desperate times calls for desperate measures as the whole issue centers around a clandestine meeting between the Black Panther and a group of sinister counterrevolutionary experts, from several of the Marvel U’s fictional countries. Coates, along with Chris Sprouse, makes a seamless transition into his second arc, it feels more like a case of upping the ante as opposed to a change of track. New readers will of course feel lost, but at the very least I hope it will persuade them to go back and start at the very beginning. For those who have been reading “Black Panther” from the start on the other hand will feel very satisfied with the direction Coates is moving. At times I know that this title has felt like a slow burner to some, but this issue should prove to all that Coates’ exploration of ideas and his heavy dialogue is worth it as, we approach the halfway point, the scope is widened and you really begin to sense the book’s importance. What were are seeing here is a Game of Thronesesque ensemble piece, which deliberates what happens when a good King (albeit troubled) wants to protect a nation that no longer recognises his rule. All this told through a ground-breaking lense of afrofuturism, its biggest pull is just how unique it feels compared to any other superhero book on the shelves right now.
As I have already mentioned, this issue sees Chris Sprouse take over on art duties for the rest of the arc and I don’t think Marvel could have found a better stand in for Brian Stelfreeze. Sprouse’s artwork is almost identical, both have that realistic quality to their work yet always remain true to the comic book medium. For instance, for as dynamic and packed with energy the action scenes are, Sprouse never loses focus or precision, his characters are always perfect and consistent. He also brings enough of his own flair that it never feels like he is just copying Stelfreeze, there is a really lovely sleekness to Sprouse’s line work and his facial expressions are pretty much perfect. Once Laura Martin’s distinct and bold colours have been added, Sprouse’s art really pops, it is always a good sign when the artist and colourist on a book sync up as well as they have here.
With everything coming together, it is interesting to note that it comes just as Coates is opening his story up, normally when a writer begins to widen their scope, they can sometimes let it all run away from them. However, I have all the faith in Coates in that he has a tight grip on his plot, he has been quite vocal, even before the release of the first issue, that he had a very specific story to tell. I am certainly looking forward to seeing where the second half of his story is going to take us, especially involving the elements he brings in this issue alone.
Final Verdict: 9.8 – For all the troubles and conflicts that King T’Challa is facing, the creative team are sailing.
