Before writer Eve L. Ewing takes over on Exceptional X-Men, a fan scan read Black Panther by Eve L. Ewing: Reign at Dusk to catch up on her recent Black Panther run. Collecting Black Panther #6-10, Ewing wraps up the era of Black Panther, where he was no longer king, hid in the shadows, and tried to connect with the people while his country hung in the balance. The series aimed to flesh out Wakanda and did a pretty good job, but how does it wrap up?
The central focus of this collection is the villain Kivu’Ma, which Ewing co-created for this story. It’s a purple smoke spirit character that has ties to Wakanda’s past. In a great opening issue, drawn by Mack Horak and Mack Chater, the story takes us 100 years into Wakanda’s past. It’s here the villain is created as we learn one of Black Panther’s subjects disagrees with how he lets enemies live. He wants a final solution for them. Defeated at the time, he is turned and rears his head again in the present.
The story meanders a bit in the middle of issues, particularly when Monet shows up. There’s a cool fight scene with her, but it feels like a delay tactic by the creators to stretch the story. There’s also some detective work by T’Challa, including dressing up in disguises. Given this era of Black Panther was more like Batman than ever, this has to be another nod to the Batman: The Animated Series. It mostly works, but it feels like it’s getting away from the point. The inner workings of politics are also a bit confusing if you aren’t paying close attention.
Pretty cool suit.
Credit: Marvel
Art by Horak and Chater, with Chris Allen on issues #7-#10, is good. Horak and Chater have a more traditional detailed look, while Allen brings in their dynamic in-your-face style, complete with stroke outlines around characters. Allen’s art in the final issue is impressive, with great layout design and crazy effects with the spirit. There’s also a cool spirit-protection suit for Black Panther. Andrew Dalhouse’s colors in this final issue are also spectacular.
Ultimately, this story has a strong start and end, but much of the middle decompresses the story to fill its pages. There are sound ideas here, and an interesting look at Black Panther in his new role as an outsider, but it doesn’t hold together well enough to sustain your attention.
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