Superhero Origins: Black Panther

Superhero Origins: Black Panther

He’s not just the first mainstream black superhero, but the king of a hidden tribe and a powerful member of the Avengers! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of T’Chilla, otherwise known as The Black Panther.

As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline, which unfolded in 1966’s Fantastic Four issues #52 and #53.

The Black Panther first appeared when he, a tribal Chieftain, decided to send a messenger to personally invite the famous superhero team to visit his home kingdom of Wakanda.

Told that it would be a great honor complete with a hunt in their honor, Mr. Fantastic decided to accept on the grounds that he and his team could use a vacation.

With the messenger sending word of their acceptance to his master via a special transmitter, the Black Panther told his tribe to prepare for the greatest hunt at all- but with an ominous slant, that he would be hunting the guests!

Summoning a giant statue of a panther, the chieftain entered the structure, which contained a computer that controlled all aspects of his kingdom, while equipping in his all black catlike hunting uniform.

With the Fantastic Four arriving in their flying car, they found untouched jungle quickly turn into a technologically advanced land made up of machines and wires.

Landing, the Thing was immediately stunned by a trap, as the Panther arrived threatening the bunch, gloating that they would be hunted.

A powerful foe, the Black Panther used his super human feline agility to take on the team, besting each one, as he separated the group, having studied their powers in preparation.

Lucky for the Fantastic Four, they had brought along Johnny’s buddy Wyatt, who managed to slip away and find the control room, disabling the sensors and traps, before freeing the already captured Human Torch.

With Mr. Fantastic captured, and the Black Panther having thought he won, the villain was suddenly overcome by shock when the tables quickly turned as the Torch freed the rest of his colleagues.

Beaten, the Black Panther begged to know how he lost, only to be told that a regular human that he didn’t consider a threat was his downfall. Giving his word that he would end his aggression, he took off his mask.


Introducing himself as the chieftain, he explained that he was one of a long line of rulers of the Wakandas, and the richest man in the world, alluding to an origin of tragedy and revenge.

With the team treated to a heroes ceremony for emerging victorious, the Black Panther explained that despite living in luxury, his life had been tragic. As he revealed, his father was the greatest hunter and came to be in possession of a mass quantity of the unbreakable metal Vibranium, which came from the mountains of his land.

He explained that his land soon came under attack by a villain named the Klaw, who could transform any raw material into anything he could imagine using the power of sound. Desiring the Vibranium, he and his men gunned down the Black Panther’s father, while burning the village.

Emerging as the new Chieftain, he had stolen a sound blaster cannon used by one of the henchmen, and used it destroy the Klaw’s hand, the source of his power.

Since then, the Black Panther had conducted hunts to ready himself for the fateful day that his father’s killer would return. Using the precious metal and technology left behind, his civilization had since managed to quickly outpacing the advances of the rest of the world.

Mere moments after explaining his life and motivations, the kingdom came under attack once again by the Klaw, making use of an all-new energy weapon.

Destroying the weapon and believing to have killed his nemesis, he wondered what he could now do with his talents, before deciding to model himself on the Fantastic Four! Using his fortune and powers, he vowed to be in service mankind and fight injustice.

Following this, The Black panther travelled to America and enlisted with the Avengers to make good on his vow, while using his position to protect his people from afar.

Following this, The Black Panther travelled to America and enlisted with the Avengers to make good on his vow, while using his position to protect his people from afar. This has led to the hero appearing in various Marvel comics, crossovers and even his own cartoon series.

Are you a fan of this royal protector turned one of the world’s mightiest heroes? For more captivating comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.