When you consider the pantheon of Marvel characters available in the modern world, the Black Panther is one of the less well-known. Often overshadowed by imposing characters such as The Incredible Hulk, the Black Panther has been forced to adopt a supplementary role despite having featured in Marvel comics since 1966.
This is set to change, however, with the Panther finally due to step out of the shadows and star in its first feature film in 2018. With Robert Downey Jr and newcomer Chadwick Boseman already confirmed to star, the keenly anticipated Black Panther film has already triggered significant controversy and positive discussion in equal measure.
In terms of its history, the Black Panther is recognised as the first black superhero in mainstream American comics, debuting several years before early African-American characters such as the Falcon and Luke Cage. He has also been ranked as the 79th greatest comic book character in history by fans, with IGN listing him even higher at 51st in a more recent poll. So despite having fallen down the pecking order in recent years, the Black Panther has heritage as a classic and much-loved comic book icon.
Despite this, the announcement of the 2018 film has been met with cynicism by some. This is largely due to the fact that there remain a growing number of superhero franchises, with Marvel particularly keen to diversify its character base and reach out to a wider target audience. This has seen the development of new characters and the regeneration of others, creating a disparate collection of icons that make diverse storytelling possible. Fans are therefore being forced to adapt, as their favourite characters are eschewed in favour of less well-know icons.
This attitude will change over time, however, especially as new fans learn more about the Panther and his backstory. The first thing to strike us about the upcoming film is its location, which is far removed from the smoke-filled, dimly-lit cities that are based on metropolises such as New York and Chicago.
Instead, the film will be set in a fictional African nation called Wakanda, which ensures that we can expect an exotic location and some spectacular staging throughout the film. Another thing to look out for is the Black Panther’s stylish and iconic black suit, which is made from the exact same material as Captain America’s shield (vibration). This gives the superhero a genuine sense of invincibility, although the presence of lead-actor Boseman will also add a strong aura of gravity to the character.
Above all else, we can expect the Black Panther to emerge as something of a cult figure in the wake of his 2018 film debut, as the character remains on the fringes of the mainstream at present. One of the few characters not to feature as a face of Marvel themed slot games; he retains a sense of mystery that we cannot wait to explore further.
