50 Greatest Super Heroes In Comic Book History

29. Black Panther

(Write-up by Nick Tylwalk, Bam Smack Pow Editor)

Anyone who watched the Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes animated series knows exactly how cool Black Panther is, as that show had one of the best portrayals of T’Challa to date. Here was a guy who was smart enough to defeat all of Tony Stark’s automated defenses and computer security, a formidable combatant and a snappy dresser thanks to his simple but cool costume. He was a valuable and loyal member of the team, but when his homeland of Wakanda was threatened, his duty to his country came first.

T’Challa is a complicated guy in the comics, but that’s as good a way to sum him up in a nutshell as any. He was a pioneer as the first black super hero for either Marvel or DC, and Stan Lee and Jack Kirby did a good enough job with him that he’s still very much in the picture today. Black Panther has recently been seen as the conscience of sorts to the Illuminati, though it appears a dark fate might be in store for Wakanda next year.

Only DC’s Aquaman and fellow Illuminati member Namor (now a sworn enemy after the events of Avengers vs. X-Men) might truly understand the tug of war Black Panther experiences between the needs of his people and the proverbial greater good. It’ll be interesting to see if Marvel can translate that quality to his solo movie as well, as without it, there’s less to help him stand out from the crowd.

Still, real Black Panther fans will no doubt agree with Chadwick Boseman, the rising star who will play him on film, when he said that neither Iron Man nor Captain America should expect that T’Challa will easily side with one or the other since he is “kind of his own guy.” Sounds like he already has a handle on the most essential part of the role.

Next: No. 28: The (stretchy) man with the plan