Essential Black Panther - Volume 1 [Paperback]

Don McGregor's run on Jungle Action and Jack Kirby's Black Panther solo series are combined here to create one blockbuster collection of T'Challa's most classic tales.

"Panther's Rage" makes up the meat of McGregor's run. It's an introspective story arc that really puts the Black Panther through the ringer as he struggles to save his African home of Wakanda. The art by Rich Buckler and Billy Graham is awesome (especially Graham's stuff, which accounts for most of the issues), and Gil Kane's covers are knockouts. I could go on and on about how great this wordy and wonderful story arc is, but suffice to say that it's 70s purple prose Marvel at its best.

Then there's "Panther vs. the Klan," a bizarre and surreal fever dream where T'Challa ventures to the deep south of the USA and goes up against a sort-of-is sort-of-isn't KKK group. It's interesting to read and definitely a vital part of any BP collection, even if it's still the weakest part of this book.

Finally, Jack Kirby -- Black Panther's co-creator, who I'm sure was responsible for the lion's share of T'Challa's traits -- returns to the character to tell an amazing stream of adventure stories. Crisscrossing the globe, this Panther is like a super-powered predecessor to Indiana Jones... just minus all of the awkward cultural stereotypes that often accompany Jones's exploits.

Frankly, I can't rave enough about the quality of Kirby's BP work. Despite being 180 degrees away from McGregor's excellent arcs, the Kirby tales are compelling and captivating. In my humble opinion, it's Kirby at his madcap best. My only disappointment is that the Essential treatment strips away Mike Royer's killer colors. (Also, don't worry that it's only #1-10 of Kirby's Black Panther -- things fell apart during the last few issues and Kirby didn't even complete the series. #1-10 are the best issues he produced, so you're not missing anything.)

To make matters even more impressive, this Essential volume has extras in it, including process art and some letter cols. I've never read an Essential collection with goodies like that!! I mean, c'mon... ya gotta admit that's super-cool. Normally these b&w tomes just reprint the stories and that's it.

Anyway, I think you get the point. This collection rocks. And it's the only well-priced collection Marvel has ever produced of these Black Panther comics. Before this book, you either had to buy the expensive Marvel Masterworks version of McGregor's run or two high-end TPBs of Kirby's Panther series... OR work your butt off to dig up the backissues! So buy this Essential volume NOW and hopefully we'll get Essential Black Panther v2 in the near future.

This was totally worth the money especially if you are a fan of the Black Panther. Jack Kirby has done it again!

This essential of black panther is astounding, especially Panther's Rage since it shows the Black Panther near death and his surving instincts kick in. An another amazing story is with Hatch 22 and the apocolyptic future where man evolved into...**** It's so amazing even I can't say it. You thought Killraven was the last man in the future try reading THIS...or better yet Hatch 22 where the earth is orbiting a red sun and their are no water and land because people went underground a flat metallic smooth world.Plus this is after the years of Kang The Conquerer because this is all in The Black Panther. Read about T'Challas problems. Join The Panther Cult in facing the kings step-brother. And finally see The Black Musketeers A.K.A. T'Challa's family fighting an unknown foe. Only seen in...The Black Panther Essential!!!!!!!!!!!