Black Panther (2005) #21

It is the second of three weekends during which the book being read/reviewed will be a Black Panther book as something of a countdown to the movie. Comixology and Marvel made it nice and easy for me by having a sale on Black Panther material so I've bought a couple of $1 each.

Coincidentally, they are also having an X-Men Red (whatever that means) sale for a while which includes several Namor titles so I'm spending more than I should but I'll be stocked up for quite a while.

And with that, let's look at Black Panther #21 and its rather striking cover by Gary Frank.

CIVIL WAR: BLACK PANTHER PART 3 King T'Challa and Queen Ororo continue their diplomatic tour. They've been to Latveria and the Moon. Next stop: Atlantis, for a meeting with Namor. Will T'Challa's comrade receive the royal couple with open arms?

Yes, actually, despite what the cover might suggest. The point of the meeting is for Namor to suggest to his Wakandan counterpart that the Panther should lead the resistance against Iron Man and Reed Richards and the superhero Registration Act (or whatever the hell it's called). Much of the book is Namor making his case and Panther debating the merits of this course of action until he (Panther, that is) eventually agrees.

A Sub-Mariner fan, however, will enjoy a flashback to the character's days as an Invader and meeting Black Panthers' grandfather. Its relevance is somewhat questionable but Namor's trademark arrogance is on full display in a comical way, as is his power as he fights a Nazi dick named Master Man.

Meanwhile, in the present, it is his sexism that is on display as Storm questions his motives. She believes Namor is sending Black Panther against Reed Richards in order to remove Richards from the playing and making Susan Storm/Richards that much more accessible.

A miracle to behold. Oh my. Try that line on Twitter, Avenging Son, I dare you.

A pleasant read, brought to us by Reg Hudlin and artists Manuel Garcia and Jay Leisten. Namor doesn't respect many people (he takes a shot at Doctor Doom at some point) but Black Panther is one of few people he holds in high regard, as he should. As entertaining as it can be to watch him tell everyone off, his relationship with Panther makes for a nice change.