“There’s something very special about him.”
That’s Stan Lee there talking about Black Panther, a hero he helped create alongside the illustrious Jack Kirby more than 50 years ago. In the intervening years since, T’Challa has grown to be a staple of Marvel Comics, and after years of anticipation and pent-up excitement, next month will finally herald the release of Ryan Coogler’s spinoff, which hopes to introduce a new breed of superhero.
Slated for February 16th, Black Panther welcomes Chadwick Boseman back to the fray – and not a moment too soon. In the wake of Captain America: Civil War and the subsequent death of T’Chaka, Marvel’s latest blockbuster begins at a time when the fictional nation of Wakanda is gripped by a power vacuum. Boseman’s titular lead may be the rightful heir to the throne, but there are those (see: Erik Killmonger) who consider T’Challa to be an incompetent stand-in for his fallen father. And that’s when Black Panther really kicks into gear, as the above featurette lays out in great detail.
Featuring both Ryan Coogler and Chadwick Boseman along with two bona fide Marvel legends in Stan Lee and Kevin Feige, this is arguably our most insightful look at Black Panther yet, and it arrives just in time.
Because as the final standalone Marvel movie before Avengers: Infinity War, there’s a certain set of expectations resting on Chadwick Boseman’s burly shoulders. But with a kick-ass cast in tow, not to mention all of the Black Panther staples – Wakanda, vibranium and a certain Heart-Shaped Herb – all signs point to another sure-fire hit for the folks at Marvel Studios. February 16th is the date for your diaries, which is now only six weeks away.