Marvel’s new cosmic direction continues to develop as Black Panther: Intergalactic joins the fun. Black Panther played a big role in how the events of Imperial turned out. T’Challa and Shuri both made very important decisions that not only impacted Wakanda but also the entire Marvel cosmic corner. Now it is time to see what the ramifications of their decisions at the end of Imperial was. Let’s see what happens next with Black Panther: Intergalactic #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Victor LaValle
Artist: Stefano Nesi
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Ariana Maher
BLACK PANTHER: INTERGALACTIC #1 SOLICITATION
“THE INTERGALACTIC EMPEROR OF WAKANDA!
T’CHALLA, the King of Wakanda, faces the challenge of uniting all of his kingdom — on Earth and in the stars! Before he can begin, though, someone — or something — steals him away to a mysterious planet where the BLACK PANTHER must fight for his life!
SHURI, his sister, works to find him — but with the king and princess distracted, will someone else seize the title of Emperor of Wakanda?!” – Marvel Comics
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BLACK PANTHER: INTERGALACTIC #1
Shuri Stands Strong on Her Status Quo
The one positive aspect of Black Panther: Intergalactic #1 is that at least Shuri is shown standing her ground whenever challenged. It is good to see that Shuri is taking her standing as a leader seriously and is not standing down for someone else’s authority. It shows her experience as a leader. It almost makes you wish this Black Panther mini-series was her’s while T’Challa was saved for things going on with the Avengers and Wakanda on Earth.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN BLACK PANTHER: INTERGALACTIC #1
Writing Lacks Trust on Artwork
From the moment that Black Panther: Intergalactic #1 opens you sense the lack of trust Victor LaValle has in Stefano Nesi’s artwork. That is proven true as LaValle gives never leaves a panel open for Nesi’s artwork to tell the story. There are dialogue bubbles or inner monologue boxes in every panel. Even the moments that would benefit of being silent and letting the artwork tell the story, specifically during action moments, are not allowed that. It really shows that LaValle was on his own writing this issue as difference in writing quality from here and Imperial War: Black Panther #1, where LaValle co-wrote with Jonathan Hickman, is noticeable.
Generic Superhero Writing for Black Panther
It isn’t enough that Black Panther: Intergalactic #1 overcompensates with the writing to tell the story. LaValle’s character writing is as generic as it comes for superhero comics. This leads to T’Challa’s character to suffer the most. At no point does it feel like LaValle has a handle on T’Challa’s voice or how he approaches different situations. It really takes away the impact that is attempted to have with his adventure. It certainly doesn’t help that Nesi draws T’Challa to look younger than Shuri whenever we see him without his Black Panther cowl.
Missed Opportunity to Use New Cosmic Status Quo
While Black Panther: Intergalactic #1 takes place post-Imperial you barely feel that. LaValle does not make much use of the cosmic direction for Black Panther. The story we get here very much is written like it could’ve taken place on Earth. It is a massive waste of potential to see what it means for T’Challa and Shuri to get involved in the Marvel Universe’s cosmic politics. Especially considering that Wakanda was in a place of leading the new cosmic direction. You wouldn’t know that as none of the players from Imperial show up or factor into what is going on with Wakanda. It is real shame that the cosmic opportunities aren’t fully tapped into.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Black Panther: Intergalactic #1 is a big swing. We don’t really get an exploration of Black Panther and Wakanda’s elevated status quo on the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe. Instead we get generic superhero comic with writing that lacks trust in the artwork. The writing is very basic that it rarely feels like we are reading the T’Challa and Shuri we got at the end of Imperial and see in Avengers. It is a real shame because this comic book had so much potential to do something special that it never does.
Story Rating: 3 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 4 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 3.5 Night Girls out of 10
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