The emergence of black superhero characters offers a window on how comic creators balanced changing race relations, new political ideas, and market demands. Superhero comics offer a way to understand changing ideas about race, power, and society. The presentation examines the Black Panther, the first black superhero in U.S. comics and his home, the mystical land of Wakanda. In creating an African country untouched by European imperialism, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby began a dialogue about postcolonialism in Marvel Comics that continues to this day. This presentation explores the placement, evolution, and depiction Black Panther and his homeland since its creation in 1966. Both the hero and his homeland have grown in complexity as creators seek to explore power, identity, and agency linked to the African Diaspora.

1. Black Panther
Postcolonialism in Marvel Comics
Dr. Julian C. Chambliss
Valcenia College
February 10, 2015

2. Black Panther
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4. Fantastic Four #241 (1982)

5. Wakanda, West Africa, Marvel Atlas, 2008

6. Wakanda
Wakanda in
East Africa
(2010)

7. Where is the Black Panther From?
The answer is linked directly to race and
postcolonial narratives in the American mind.

8. Fantastic Four #52 (1966)

9. Fantastic Four #52-53(1966)

13. Jungle Action # 5 (1973)

16. Jungle Action # 21 (1975)

17. Black Panther Vol.1 (1977)

18. Black Panther: “Cry the Accursed Country!” (1988)

19. Panther’s Prey (1990)

20. Black Panther Vol. 3 (1998-2003)

21. Black Panther, Volume 4 (2005-2008)

22. Dondi Reese
Alternate reality Martin Luther
King and Malcolm X

24. Black Panther Volume 5 (2009-2010)

25. Black Panther Volume 6 (2011)

26. Marvel Now

27. T’Challa
King of the Dead

29. Thank You!!
Dr. Julian C. Chambliss
Chair and Associated Professor of History of
History at Rollins College
Contact: jchambliss@rollins.edu
Twitter: @JulianChambliss
www.julianchambliss.com