Black Panther #2 (December 1998)

Last month, I took a look at the first issue of Christopher Priest's acclaimed run on the Black Panther's solo title. It was a fun comic that genuinely made me laugh and show that T'Challa is nothing to mess with. I had originally wanted to continue my monthly look at the 12 Labors of Wonder Woman, but then I had learned of the tragic and untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman.

I admit, the first time I was aware of Mr. Boseman was when he was cast as the Black Panther for Captain America: Civil War. His performance as the Panther, not to mention his portrayals of important figures of Black history like Jackie Robinson and James Brown have been shown to be incredibly inspirational, not to mention that the man himself was described to be quite a wonderful human being.

I wondered how I could pay tribute to him, until I realized something. Christopher Priest's Black Panther run was a very heavy inspiration for the film, so I figured, why not pay tribute by taking a look at another issue of that. Let's take a look at Black Panther #2!

The cover is pretty cool. I think it's a Mark Texiera piece, depicting T'Challa facing off against Mephisto. It's so awesome, and sadly that does not happen here. That makes me sad.

"Invasion"
Writer: Christopher Priest
Penciler: Mark Texiera
Inker: Mark Texiera
Colorist: Avalon Studios (credited as Avalon Color)
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Siobhan Henna
Editors: Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras
The comic also credits Alitha Martinez for "Background assists" and Nanci Dakesian as "Managing Editor"

The story begins with Everett K. Ross finding himself in a...troubling position. He's sharing a couch with Mephisto, one of the Marvel Universe's substitutes for Satan...and he still doesn't have any pants. Not knowing what else to do, the hapless State Department worker tries to make a little small talk. So, what's the comic's titular character up to?

"AHHHHH! CAT PEOPLE ARE REAL, MAN! I KNEW IT! MY NECK!"

He's getting to know his temporary neighbors a little better. T'Challa is building himself a little intelligence network, hoping to root out who was responsible for the death of a Wakanda-connected charity's poster child. While he's working on that project, the Black Panther figured he'd do the superhero thing and help clean up the projects a bit. He sent out two of his Dora Milaje, Okoye and Nakia, to help with that.

"Beloved, when we were injuring these men, they spoke of something called 'pizza'. We wish to try some."

Yeah, they're not exactly Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong'o, huh? Well, this was how they first appeared in the comics. The two did not kill anyone, as per his orders, but they will have to spend some time in the hospital. Presumably in bodycasts and eating Jell-O. Mmm, Jell-O...

The two also confiscated various gangs' weapons and drugs, and donated their money to charity. Anonymously, of course.

Back in Ross's apartment, he manages to make a little small talk with Mephisto, who gives him some pants. This leads Ross to worry that he may have just sold his soul for them. We get a bit of a recap of the previous issue focusing on T'Challa and his party's arrival to America. They arrived at JFK airport, which will need a bit of redecoration thanks to Zuri.

"God help all of us if Zuri ever discovers pro wrestlers."

As for T'Challa himself, he's speaking to his stepmother Ramonda. She's reporting that a man named Achebe had stuck, using sympathizers within Wakanda to cause some kind of civil war in the country. Ramonda tells T'Challa to stay in New York for now. Achebe wants the Panther dead, and he may be safer in New York. Besides, the Panther has a mission there anyway. Again, last issue.

Zuri, being a bit of a psycho, wants to go back to Wakanda and get some killing done. But T'Challa is able to calm him down, and they all go for a ride in Ross's little red car, Ross finding himself thinking about the film JFK.

"...how did you all manage to fit in this thing?!"

Back, and to the left...Back, and to the left...Back, and to the left...now Ross got me doing it. Speaking of Ross, he flubs up trying to order some Chinese food. One Manuel Ramos (remember him from last issue, too. Panther's new buddy?) sees Okoye and Nakia. He figures, "Hey, a couple of hotties! Maybe they need some nice male company."

Ross tries to intervene, but he's a bit of a twerp. He gets his ID stolen. He and his boys prepare to turn the fed into a street stain, but he's got a savior.

Sgt. Francis Tork. You may remember him from my reviews of the Falcon miniseries back in the day. I love it when books revive characters like this. Anyway, Ross realizes that Ramos still has his ID...and Tork scared him and his boys off. So, while the Panther does some more investigating, Ross tracks Ramos to a seedy club, where he ends up in a mud wrestling match with a few women. And Zuri decides to join in as well.

Tork breaks it up, and everyone gets arrested. Also, the mud wrestling match is how Ross lost his pants. So, where was T'Challa? Well, our man was in a hospital. He was visiting one of the patients there: One Marion Vicar, the Executive Director of the Tomorrow Fund. He wants a name. He wants the name of the one who corrupted her, the one who turned her against the charity. She tells the King of Wakanda to "go to hell". Well, T'Challa has ways of making her talk.

I'm not sure if it's Nakia or Okoye here. Either way, she uses the interrogation technique of "baton-on-throat" on Vicar. T'Challa demands the name. The name of the devil who caused this. Vicar finally gives it up.

Achebe. Who is Achebe, you may ask? Well, that's what Nikki wants to know, too. Remember, this story is flashback. It's being told by Ross to her. He just slams his head on the table, and laments that's when the "fun" started.

This was a pretty good second issue. We got a bit of expansion of some things established in the first issue, and Ross provided some humor as well. One detail I liked was in Black Panther's conversation with Marion Vicar. His dialogue referred to devils and corruption, implying that he was suspicious of Mephisto's involvement. Would explain why the big red monster showed up in Ross's apartment, ha ha. I will admit, I am a bit sad that Zuri in the Black Panther movie was very different from his comic counterpart because comic Zuri is hilarious and awesome.

As I said about the first issue, I did like Mark Texiera's art. It looks like this was drawn in chalk, and it has a gritty feel to it that fits the issue. I did wish he made Nakia and Okoye's faces a bit more distinct, though. When one of them was wearing the police uniform, I could not identify them because they didn't have the different hairstyles.

Rest in Peace, Chadwick Boseman. Thank you for all you have done. And thank you all for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Remember to stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, and wear a mask! Join me next time as I look at the next Labor of Wonder Woman...