Marvel's Black Panther: Trailers, Photos and Background (2018)

Today is February 16, 2018 and Marvel is releasing "Black Panther" in theaters everywhere.  The film stars Chadwick Boseman (T'Challa/Black Panther), Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger), Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Angela Bassett (Ramonda), Forest Whitaker (Zuri), and more!

Black Panther picks up "after the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T'Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader.  However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country.  When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with CIA agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war." (IMDb)

To watch the official trailer for Black Panther, click here:

Photos:

Take a look at some of the official images from Black Panther (Images courtesy Marvel via IMDb)

Background:

Black Panther was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby, first appearing in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) in the Silver Age of Comic Books.  The Black Panther's real name is T'Challa, king and protector of the fictional African nation called Wakanda.  Along with possessing enhanced abilities achieved through ancient Wakandan rituals, T'Challa also relies on his proficiency in science, rigorous physical training, hand-to-hand combat skills, and access to wealth and advance technology to combat his enemies.

To watch a quick video on Black Panther's family tree, click here:

Black Panther is the first superhero of African descent in mainstream American comics, having debuted years before early African American superheroes such as Marvel Comics' the Falcon (1969) and Luke Cage (1972) or DC Comic's John Stewart in the role of Green Lantern (1971).  The Black Panther storyline which ran through thirteen issues of the "Jungle Action" series (numbers six through eighteen) is considered to be Marvel Comics' first graphic novel.  In one storyline, the Black Panther mantle is handled by Kasper Cole, a multiracial New York City police officer.  Beginning as an impersonator, Cole would later take on the moniker of White Tiger and become an ally to T'Challa.  The role of Black Panther and leadership of Wakanda is also given to T'Challa's sister Shuri for a time when he is left recovering from critical injuries.

(Image courtesy of Marvel via Wikipedia)

Black Panther has made numerous appearances in various television shows, animated films and video games.  The character is portrayed in live action by Chadwick Boseman in the 2016 film Captain America: Civil War, and the 2018 film Black Panther, set in Marvel Cinematic Universe.  In 2011, Black Panther ranked 51st overall on IGN's "Top 100 Comic Books Heroes" list. (Wikipedia)

Take a look at some of the official images of the Black Panther cast (Images courtesy Marvel via IMDb)

BONUS:  

The Black Panther's name predates the October 1966 founding of the Black Panther Party, though not the black panther logo of the party's predecessor, the Lowndes County Freedom Organization, nor the segregated World War II Black Panthers Tank Battalion.  He is the first black superhero in American mainstream comic books; very few black heroes were created before him, and none with actual superpowers.  The included the characters in the single-issue, low-distribution All-Negro Comics #1 (1947); Waku, Prince of the Bantu, who starred in his own feature in the omnibus title Jungle Tales, from Marvel's 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics; and the Dell Comics Western character Lobo, the first black person to star in his own comic book.  Previous non-caricatured black supporting characters in comics include US Army infantry private Gabriel Jones of "Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos".

Beginning in a guest appearance in Fantastic Four #119 (February 1972), the Black Panther briefly tried using the name Black Leopard to avoid connotations with the Party, but the new name did not last.

Co-creator Stan Lee recounted that the name was inspired by a pulp adventure hero who has a black panther as a helper.  Jack Kirby's original concept art for Black Panther used the concept name Coal Tiger. (Wikipedia)

Jack Kirby's original concept art for Black Panther (image courtesy of Marvel via Wikipedia):

Are you excited about the new Marvel Black Panther movie?