T’Challa, aka Black Panther, aka king of Wakanda, hits the big screen this week. His status as leader of a technologically advanced nation is a combination of trial and heritage, as he must continuously earn his people’s trust while also living up to the mantle passed down from his father. In the comics, T’Challa’s role sometimes extends beyond Earth, as it did with the secretive Illuminati that protected Earth from extradimensional threats through extraordinary means. For example, he wielded a completed infinity gauntlet against a godlike Doctor Doom during the events of 2016’s Secret Wars. He followed this up with his cosmic superteam the Ultimates, reforming Galactus into a being of life instead of consumer of worlds. The Dora Milaje, Wakanda’s all-female warrior corps, protects the people no matter where the king may be. Most recently, T'Challa was found teaming with "The Crew" of Storm, Luke Cage, Misty Knight, and Manifold to investigate the murder of an activist in Harlem.
If you are interested in following the adventures of the Chief of the Panther Clan, check out some of the titles below, some of which can also be checked out digitally via Hoopla, including the movie’s well-received soundtrack produced by Kendrick Lamar (clean version, explicit version).