Reviews

Black Panther, Vol. 1: A Nation Under Our Feet by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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darthraggy's review against another edition

3.0

The 12 issues that make up Ta-Nehisi Coates' Black Panther story, A Nation Under Our Feet, come with a strong reputation. Unfortunately, like too many comics, I found myself too often frustrated by glacial plot development. I would even peruse the reader letters printed at the end of each issue and felt like I had read a different book entirely-- especially in Volume 1 (Issues #1-4). Still, while development remained slow, and while the story's focus seem to want to stay disappointingly distant from T'Challa himself for much of the run, I do think Coates mostly redeems himself with a strong finish. The end of this story feels like a satisfying, complex resolution to the themes it stakes out-- an evolution of the tepidness I felt paralyzed the earlier issues. While I would stop short of calling this arc a classic or even necessary take on Black Panther or Wakanda, it is nevertheless a thoughtful detour that ponders the conflicting philosophies of monarchy, fealty, responsibility, agency, and spirituality in a modern context.

rbreade's review against another edition

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Seth Myers, whom I like in other media, writes an irritating introduction that must be dismissed, ignored, or not even read. Instead, go directly to the wonderful story written by Coates and drawn by Stelfreeze and Sprouse. The focus is less on battles--though there are some wonderful set pieces--and more on the history and politics of Wakanda, and the question of, Should Wakanda still be a monarchy?

thebookwyrm400's review against another edition

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3.0

Maybe not the best first comic to start with for the Black Panther since I am not overly familiar with his story overall but I enjoyed it nonetheless

kutsireads's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

seeyf's review against another edition

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4.0

This was my first Black Panther comic; my only prior introduction to the character being the 2018 film. Coates’ plot is dense and complex, and at times there were too many characters and subplots referencing previous plot lines that made it difficult to follow. Here, the villain is not a simple external threat, but a challenge to the traditions of Wakanda itself, in particular monarchy as a form of government. Coates inventively asks why the most technologically advanced nation in a world — a near utopia — would use one of the oldest structures of power, and the moral responsibility that comes with being not just a king and leader, but also a fighter and protector. At one point, Edmund Morgan’s “American Slavery, American Freedom” is referenced with slavery compared with monarchic rule, connecting to Coates’ nonfiction writing and adding depth and realism to the superhero plot. The plot devices of having T’Challa enter the realm of the dead to consult previous kings, and Shuri’s immersion in the old stories of Wakanda also intensify the tension between tradition and modernity, and questions how rulers should respond to change.

livani's review against another edition

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3.0

A beautiful book, but as a volume one, it’s rather confusing! Not a great jumping off point for the character, unless you’re all caught up in the Marvel universe!