Ultimate Black Panther #17 is surprising for all the right reasons. It delivers a plot twist that fundamentally upends, but also recontextualizes the series. It actually pushes the narrative forward. And it shifts the focus from T’Challa to Erik Killmonger, who was left in charge of protecting Wakanda. But how will Killmonger deal with protecting a kingdom that isn’t his, especially when enemies are in his midst?
The way Bryan Hill approaches Killmonger’s characterization is genuinely compelling. Not only does Killmonger keep his desire to share Wakanda’s resources, but his insight is actually considered – and in some cases, implemented. Hill also writes a great dynamic between Okoye and Killmonger, as the former expresses her frustration with Wakanda’s tradition while the latter takes charge with surprising ease. The best character dynamics often come from the most unexpected pairings, and Hill takes this to heart.
Eventually, things lead to the big plot twist. Part of me feels like I should have seen it coming, but another part of me is intrigued to see where things go. Hill’s put the Earth-6160 version of Wakanda through a lot, as it’s been subject to an invasion from Moon Knight, possessed by a vengeful spirit, and now has dissent within its ranks. It’s this political intrigue that we needed more of, and less of the side quests that’ve populated past issues.
Marvel
Ultimate Black Panther #17 also marks the return of Stefano Caselli to interiors, and I can say that he was sorely missed. The level of detail that Caselli packs into his art is incredible, whether it’s Killmonger trying on a Black Panther helmet or the Dora Milaje leaping into battle. It’s especially prominent in a group of cyborg soldiers that appear at the midpoint; their robotic parts are grafted onto their bodies, making them less than human. One of them only has a few strips of flesh covering his face; the rest is metal, making for a horrifying sight.
The comic also sings thanks to David Curiel’s color art. Curiel makes excellent work of shadows, particularly in the opening pages as Killmonger stares at a row of Black Panther suits. In a way, it’s as if the shadow of the Black Panther is enveloping him. This leads to a final set of pages where the sun breaks over Wakanda, signaling the dawn of a new era. Color is an important part of storytelling in comics, and Curiel has made sure he’s an important part of Ultimate Black Panther.
Ultimate Black Panther #17 shakes up the status quo of the series, as it turns its spotlight to Killmonger. Now more than ever, I’m eager to see how it all comes together and what happens to Wakanda when the dust settles from all of these various conflicts.
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