Ever since Ultimate Black Panther launched, it’s been slowly building up a collection of mysteries. Who was responsible for the death of the Black Panther’s father? What’s the secret of Vibranium, and the demonic figures known as the Progenitors who live within it? What role does T’Challa have to play in this grand tapestry? Ultimate Black Panther #20 finally unveils the whole picture, and to say it’s mind-blowing is only stopping short of what this story delivers.
For starters, there’s the origin of Vibranium. It turns out that it’s not mystical in nature, but cosmic – and that’s all I can say without getting into spoilers. It’s an unexpected revelation, considering that Ultimate Black Panther has mostly been delving into mysticism, but it’s also fitting since the mainline Black Panther comics are returning to the stars. Bryan Hill also uses this setup to explore how Vibranium changed Wakanda, and the lineage of the Black Panthers, for better or worse. While the metal may have made Wakanda a strong kingdom, it also led to that kingdom’s current crisis.
Hill finally reveals that all of the trials that T’Challa has gone through is to make him his own man. He’s strived to be a good king for Wakanda, to carry on the mantle his father passed to him, and to defend his loved ones against those who would do them harm. But he’s also been manipulated by others, and now he has the chance to truly be his own kind of leader. It’s a strong character-based moment that falls in line with Earth-616’s Panther, showing that even though the Maker’s machinations run deep there’s some things he couldn’t wipe away.
Marvel
Stefano Caselli’s artwork has never looked more gorgeous than it has in Ultimate Black Panther #20. Throughout the first half of the book, he illustrates the history of Wakanda and Vibranium, showcasing how land and metal became intertwined. Scenes of war, of massive spaceships crossing the sky, and of Black Panthers past and present pack the pages, hinting at a rich history I’d love to see more of. But the standout is the Panther Goddess, Bast. Bast looms large over T’Challa, and unlike other incarnations, this version of Bast is humanoid, sporting Egyptian-themed attire. Her voice also resonates on every page, with David Curiel and Cory Petit giving her words the rich purple hue of royalty.
The second half of the book takes place from T’Challa’s point of view, where he puts his newfound knowledge – and his new mission – to the test. This is the moment that’s worth the price of admission, as Hill scripts an intense action sequence that Caselli illustrates in deep detail, with T’Challa sending a group of mercenaries running for their lives. Even Curiel and Petit’s work feels bold, with a black and white color scheme that sticks out on the page. It’s pure, uncut Black Panther action and it’s glorious.
Ultimate Black Panther #20 marks a turning point, as the Panther learns ancient history while finding a new purpose. I wish this revelation had come a few issues earlier, but it seems fitting to deliver it now as the book races toward Ultimate Endgame and an uncertain future.
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