When discussing comics with a friend, talk turned to Ultimate Black Panther. I told my friend “I’m sticking with this book because it has potential.” I could see that potential from the very first issue, and I still see it. The introduction of magic; the dynamic between T’Challa, Killmonger and Storm; Moon Knight as a villainous force – the building blocks are there, it’s just that the story’s progression has been a bit slow. Ultimate Black Panther #16 starts to rectify that.
The issue picks up in the aftermath of Ultimate Black Panther #15, where Black Panther and Storm traced the malevolent spirit than inhabited vibranium to the site of a grisly murder in Nigeria…and a CIA agent seeking his brother, who was connected to the two events. Now T’Challa once again comes face to face with the angry spirit, who drops a massive revelation on him.
On the one hand, part of me is slightly annoyed that we’re getting another plot point to pile on top of the heaping pile of plot that the series is racking up. But on the other hand, Bryan Hill is addressing something I’ve always wondered: what, exactly, makes T’Challa’s lineage the ones to carry the Black Panther mantle? Not only is Hill tapping into the underlying elements of the Black Panther mythos, but he’s added a new wrinkle in making Vibranium a living thing. He also writes a conversation between T’Challa and Storm that shows the two have more in common that they’d care to admit.
Marvel
Ultimate Black Panther #16 packs some intense moments into its pages courtesy of returning guest artist Carlos Nieto. Nieto gets to show off what happens when someone encounters Vibranium who isn’t meant to and it isn’t pretty. Bones twist, skin dries up faster than the desert, and the end result is horrifying to watch. He also gives the reader a reminder of just how horrifying the Vibranium spirit is, with its hulking mass and protruding horns. I never thought horror would be a good vibe for a Black Panther book, but Nieto is proving me wrong.
There’s also some great action sequences, including T’Challa matching the spirit blow for blow and a brilliantly blinding burst of lightning from Storm – which David Curiel renders in a bluish white haze. Curiel also utilizes different shades of black for Black Panther and the Vibranium spirit. The Panther’s suit is a shining, regal black that draws the reader’s eye. But the Spirit has an obsidian hue that seems to suck in light, only further underlining its unnatural state.
Ultimate Black Panther #16 is a big step forward, featuring plenty of action, a different approach to the Black Panther’s legacy, and some excellent character work. In other words, it’s an issue that’s fully tapped into the potential this series holds, and should be a benchmark for future issues.
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