So after a long hiatus (apologies, all) I am reviving the blog, and bringing along a couple of new-old items to this blog. Previously I had run a couple of other blogs on the side, mostly just a comics review blog and one where I generally got on a soap box. Now, luck for you, dear reader, you can access them all on the same blog! For the latter, look out for an upcoming post under the heading of “dissentformation.” The subject may surprise you. In the meantime, let’s get back into it with an entry “You should be reading this.”
Now, I’ll admit, the Black Panther is one of my favorite characters. So that does make me a bit bias. At the same time, I allowed a great deal of time to go by before reading more Black Panther again. I won’t really get into that. What I want to talk about is the present, in the stories in Black Panther: The Man Without Fear, or as it is now known, Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive. I’ve been extremely excited since this one began. Now I wasn’t that familiar with David Liss’ writing, but the man has proven himself. Along with the art of Francesco Francavilla (along with Jefte Palo and now Shawn Martinsborough), Liss has given us a street level look at Hell’s Kitchen again, a scene once lost. I feel like it is almost a companion piece to the brightness of the new Daredevil from Mark Waid, Paulo Rivera, and Marcos Martin. Whereas Waid & Co. are bringing the light, the day of Hell’s Kitchen through the motions of the blind Matt Murdock, Liss, Franky & crew are stuck in perpetual night, constantly in shadow, colors matted against the stark faces of its residents. As we follow the man who has fallen from grace, the man in the dark trying to find himself again.
Liss excels at character work. He’s given T’Challa a great supporting cast in his local diner and apartment, creating new and interesting characters that have possibility for life outside of the book. Additionally, he’s managed to work through Fear Itself and has the upcoming Spider-Island which the Panther will be dealing with, but all the while managing to allow those arcs to stand on their own, away from the event.
It’s a fun book. At the same time, it’s T’Challa’s lowest moment. Here is he is, the Black Panther, former King of Wakanda, fighting without enhanced powers, just the Panther on the streets. The recent point one issue that follows the title change to “The Most Dangerous Man Alive” gives a great one issue look at how the Panther operates. Does he work with police? Sure, as long as they let him do what he wants. And if they say no, he’s gonna do it anyway. Police wanna handle it their way? Okay, but the Panther is only allowing it so that he can prove how he’s right. It’s hardboiled comics at its best. Go check it out.
