Marvel Studios returned with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, introducing Namor the Sub-Mariner and Atlantis. Black Panther's clashes with Namor in modern comic books only scratch the surface of his amazing comic book history.

Black Panther first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 back in 1966 and his legacy produced important and entertaining storylines from diverse creators. These stories explore Wakanda's complex relationship with the world, what it means to be a leader, and what it means to be a hero.

Updated November 25, 2022, by Darby Harn:

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever weaved together several great comic book storylines. The movie drew from Black Panther's historical enmity with Namor as well as Shuri's heroic journey to becoming Wakanda's protector. The movie also hinted at other stories as well, including the Midnight Angels, represented in Aneka and Okoye. As Wakanda continues forward in the MCU, Black Panther's rich, important history in Marvel Comics only becomes more significant. As characters spin off into potential streaming series or other movies, their stories on the page loom large for fans curious about what will transpire on the screen in the coming years.

The Black Panther!

Black Panther first appears in 1966, co-created by the legendary comic book team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. His debut storyline in Fantastic Four #52 and 53 proved profound within the Marvel Universe, introducing Wakanda and opening the door to everything that would come after, as well as in real-world culture.

His character and background evolve considerably in future comic books, but the core concept Lee and Kirby introduced remains a touchstone for all media featuring the comic character to this day.

ing The Avengers

Black Panther s the Avengers in Avengers #52, a monumental storyline that changes the team forever and provides the basis for his MCU depiction years later. The story also provides some social commentary within the strict confines late 1960s comics allowed, as he is apprehended by police for the apparent murder of the Avengers.

It turns out The Grim Reaper was responsible, and Black Panther is forced to go on the run to find him. The scene plays more uncomfortably now than it did almost sixty years ago and provides an early glimpse into the character's power as a cultural lens for America and the world at large.

The Man Without Fear

Black Panther became Daredevil in a fascinating storyline from 2011 called Black Panther: The Man Without Fear. This story sees T'Challa go to Hell's Kitchen and take over the Daredevil identity after losing all his powers and sense of place. This leads to him reconnecting with himself and other people and discovering what makes Black Panther so necessary.

The storyline also numbers among the best Daredevil comic books ever, showing that the most important thing for some superheroes is a direct connection to the people that they serve.

Sons Of The Serpent

Black Panther ed the Avengers as the Silver Age closed out, pitting him against several threats. The Sons of the Serpent attacked in Avengers #73, beginning an arc with live-action potential. Though it may not rank with the best Avengers comic book storylines ever, this story sees writer Roy Thomas developing T'Challa in a way he hadn't been to that point.

The story tries to engage with racism and the differences between T'Challa and his teammates. While later stories certainly proved more successful, it's an early marker of what made the character so great.

The Illuminati

The Illuminati play a key if covert role in numerous modern Marvel Comics events. Black Panther turns down an invitation to at its inception, depicted in New Avengers: The Illuminati #1, among the best Illuminati comic books, fearing where their unilateralism leads. This kicks off a critical storyline running for years in the comics and his eventual ing the group.

The Illuminati likely plays a role in the MCU's future and could adapt many story threads running through Black Panther comics all the way to 2015's Secret Wars, where the secret council's deliberations about incursions led to many difficult choices.

Secret Wars (2015)

Black Panther likely factors heavily in the Avengers: Secret Wars movie, as he did in the 2015 comic book event. Black Panther tries desperately to save Earth-616, the main Marvel Universe, from the incursions threatening to destroy the entire multiverse. The universe collapses and Black Panther numbers among the few survivors.

He ultimately attains the Infinity Gauntlet and challenges God Emperor Doom to restore the multiverse, a storyline with such rich drama it begs to be adapted for the screen.

Next Avengers

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduces Prince T'Challa in its mid-credits scene. This young character likely sees a big future and one that may draw from Azari in the Next Avengers. Azari T'Challa, Black Panther and Storm's son in an alternate future, s the team to fight back against Ultron.

While Prince T'Challa may forge his own path in the movies, Azari represents an intriguing path for the MCU. With The Multiverse Saga unfolding in Phases 5 and 6, the likelihood he appears increases.

ing The Fantastic Four

Civil War left Marvel superheroes in disarray, and none more so than Reed Richards. Comic book fans know Mr. Fantastic sided with Iron Man, leaving the Fantastic Four tarnished in the public eye as a result. That led to a great Black Panther storyline where T'Challa and his new wife Storm ed the team.

The two heroes covered for Reed and Sue while they tried to patch things up, and presided over an era that has tantalizing possibilities for eventual live-action stories down the road.

Avengers Vs. X-Men

Avengers Vs. X-Men presents a major moment in modern Black Panther comics. Namor, using the Phoenix Force, unleashes a devastating tidal wave against Wakanda. This horrible act seems to have inspired Namor's attack on Wakanda in the new movie to some degree, and the comic also holds other clues for the MCU's future.

How the X-Men manifest in live-action remains a mystery, but when they do, it's likely they clash with the Avengers in some fashion. If they do, this storyline, in which the Avengers and X-Men fight over the world's first new mutant since the Scarlet Witch decimated them, could offer some insight.

See Wakanda And Die

See Wakanda And Die appears in Black Panther #39-41, closing out the 2005 volume with a bang. This comic storyline ties into the Secret Invasion crossover, among Marvel Comics' most important events. The story not only presents great battles between Wakanda and invading Skrulls who come to claim its vibranium, but a powerful showcase for T'Challa as a character too.

His refusal to bow down to the Skrulls inspires and motivates his people and his fortitude in this story proves why he remains such a compelling figure in the comics and now the movies.