The most compelling Black Panther comics deeply explore the rich history of the Marvel Universe. While the character’s popularity has shifted over time, the recent success of Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has made him as well-known as heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, and the Hulk. Because of this, you might not be familiar with many of his past stories. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of our favorite comics to help you discover them.
Best Black Panther comics as of 2025
Black Panther comics often use fictional stories to reflect real-world issues, making them some of Marvel’s most politically charged publications. Created in 1966 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the US and while Apartheid still existed in South Africa, the comic addressed both of these important topics. While the character existed earlier, Black Panther’s popularity really grew in the 1990s, and he became a key character in many Marvel storylines. The comics highlighted below are primarily from this period, which is considered a golden age for the character’s storytelling.
Enemy of the State
When the U.S. government falsely accuses T’Challa of terrorism, he’s forced to go on the run. As both a king and a skilled planner, he must prove his innocence and shield Wakanda from the resulting political turmoil.
The ‘Enemy of the State’ storyline expertly explores the challenges faced by T’Challa as he balances his responsibilities as both the king of Wakanda and a powerful superhero. It highlights his clever planning and readiness for any situation, demonstrating how he skillfully outwits not only his adversaries but also the U.S. government. This story really showcases T’Challa’s intelligence and deep understanding of politics, setting him apart from many other heroes in the Marvel Universe.
What really stands out is how the story explores the conflict between Wakanda’s desire to stay hidden and T’Challa’s responsibilities as a hero who has to operate on the world stage. He’s constantly juggling the roles of king, diplomat, and secret agent. The plot’s focus on conspiracies reflects our current concerns about things like government power, being watched, and how different countries relate to each other. T’Challa faces complex problems that demand both strong ethics and a shrewd understanding of politics.
Enemy of the State II
A dangerous Russian crime group manages to swap out the U.S. President and Canadian Prime Minister with their brainwashed future selves, effectively taking control of both countries. When T’Challa discovers their scheme, he’s forced to fight a mind-controlled Iron Man-with help from Wolverine-to protect democracy. Things get even more chaotic when a Black Panther from another timeline appears. This story was written by Christopher Priest, with artwork by Bob Almond and Sam Velluto.
The ‘Enemy of the State II’ storyline in Black Panther isn’t just about Wakanda; it demonstrates T’Challa’s influence on a global scale. What starts as a single murder quickly escalates into widespread political chaos, a hallmark of writer Priest’s approach to the character. Priest skillfully connects various aspects of Black Panther’s history, and the appearances of heroes like Iron Man and Wolverine aren’t just fan service. They highlight how T’Challa’s struggles impact the wider Marvel Universe, solidifying his position as a key figure within it.
Who is the Black Panther?
The story of Black Panther is revisited as an incarcerated man and American intelligence officers discover the incredible, undefeated history and technology of Wakanda – a revelation they find hard to accept. At the same time, Klaw, responsible for the death of T’Challa’s father, starts making plans to challenge the current Black Panther.
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ ‘Black Panther’ is a standout comic because it reimagines the Black Panther’s story from the ground up. It’s a fresh origin story, a gripping political thriller, and a thoughtful exploration of the character, all rolled into one. The comic cleverly uses the question of ‘Who is the Black Panther?’ to drive both the plot and the story’s central themes, asking not just about the current Black Panther’s identity, but the very meaning of the title itself.
Becoming the Black Panther is more than just gaining superpowers or wearing the suit; it’s about truly representing Wakanda and its values. It’s not enough to simply have the power – the person chosen must genuinely embody the nation. The choice of a new Black Panther impacts Wakanda’s position on the world stage, and T’Challa’s loss can’t be solved by just finding someone to wear the mantle.
A Nation Under Our Feet
In Wakanda, T’Challa is dealing with growing unrest as people challenge his leadership and the monarchy itself. He needs to address valid concerns from his citizens while also facing threats from within and outside the country. This story, ‘A Nation Under Our Feet,’ is written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and features art by Brian Stelfreeze.
A Nation Under Our Feet completely reimagines T’Challa’s reign and how Wakanda governs itself. Ta-Nehisi Coates infuses the story with sharp political insights and modern relevance, making it feel incredibly timely and important.
The story’s strength lies in its portrayal of T’Challa not as a perfect king, but one who faces valid criticism of Wakanda’s government and his own shortcomings. The author, Coates, gives serious consideration to the complaints of those challenging the status quo. The question of whether Wakanda should be ruled by a single person – even T’Challa – is presented as a truly complex one. This allows T’Challa to grow and learn through real struggles, where his mistakes as a leader impact his family, and his family, in turn, affects his ability to rule.
See Wakanda and Die
The Skrulls appear poised to easily conquer Wakanda, bringing a massive force with powerful warships, advanced technology, and super-soldiers. However, Wakanda has never been defeated, and the Skrulls are about to find out why – and it won’t be easy for them.
Wakanda isn’t simply a nation to be conquered. This situation highlights T’Challa’s clever planning and firmly establishes that Wakanda anticipated the invasion, discovered the enemy’s spies, and will retaliate against any threat. It serves as both a powerful warning and a showcase of Wakanda’s impressive intelligence. The story treats Wakanda itself as a key player, giving it depth and agency.
This story is great because it really highlights Wakanda’s incredible warrior traditions. When the advanced technology of both sides stops working, it creates a fair fight where Wakanda’s skills as warriors become key. This story is full of suspense and perfectly balances showcasing Wakanda’s power with the real danger of the invasion.
How we chose the best Black Panther comics
The most compelling Black Panther stories go beyond the typical superhero narrative. They portray T’Challa as a complex leader – a king, a skilled strategist, and a spiritual guide – and explore the challenges he faces balancing those roles. Strong stories also highlight his political intelligence. Importantly, the best comics depict Wakanda not just as a setting, but as a vibrant and integral character with its own rich culture, political landscape, and internal conflicts. What Black Panther comics do you consider the best?
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2025-09-20 05:19