REVIEW: Marvel’s Ultimate Black Panther #1

Marvel Comics’ all-new Ultimate Universe saga continues, with Ultimate Black Panther #1hitting shelves and bringing another classic Marvel hero into the 6160-fold. Written by Bryan Hill, illustrated by Stefano Caselli, with colors by David Curiel and letters by VC’s Cory Petit, Ultimate Black Panther #1 is preceded by the relaunched Ultimate Spider-Man #1, and will be followed in March by the newest take on Ultimate X-Men #1.

The diabolical genius known as The Maker forged his own perfect universe by creating a version of Earth with no superheroes, but he never counted on being overthrown by his own council. With The Maker out of the way, his former acolytes, Khonshu and Ra (AKA Moon Knight), are violently spreading their influence over the continent of Africa, unchecked by anybody. Ultimate Black Panther #1 begins with two Wakandan spies witnessing the violent takeover of a small village by The Maker’s Council, unable to intervene due to the policies of their isolationist nation. Upon hearing about the terrible crimes, King T’Challa is forced to assess what is important and right, turning to many of his most crucial advisors. Whilst the king deliberates, Khonshu and Ra continue to brutalize the local population – and an outsider takes it upon themselves to interfere where Wakandan forces will not.

Ultimate Black Panther #1 Packs Strong Writing, Despite Its Lack of Exposition

Ultimate Black Panther #1 is an expertly written comic book. It boasts fluid and well-constructed dialogue, an excellent sense of structure and a robust set of themes that skillfully set up the core ideas of the run going forward. Hill does excellent work with the vocabulary and pacing of the dialogue, leaving even brief exchanges feeling dramatic and climactic. Although the blanket of formality that overlays the culture of Wakandan royalty is never ruffled, it allows for palace intrigue and complex games of expectation and politeness to build. The comic is brilliantly structured, with Hill moving the plot methodically through its thematic concerns in an organic fashion that allows each facet to be explored with perfect timing and pacing.

There is a clear set of dichotomies being drawn, centered around questions of kingship. Ultimate Black Panther #1 puts stock in the tough decisions T’Challa and others have to make regarding spirituality or science, traditions or the future, the peace of inaction or the destruction of war. This plurality of ideas is brought to the forefront by the vast number of plot threads already unspooling in this first issue, making Ultimate Black Panther feel dense and multifaceted. The dual flourish at the finale, with a crucial reveal followed by a narrative-shifting tragedy, bookends this first issue with aplomb and gives significant payoff to the themes that have been developed. It is worth noting that, for better or for worse, the writing of Ultimate Black Panther #1relies heavily on the pre-existing establishment of its setting and characters, so the exposition and characterization is extremely thin. This gives the comic an excellent narrative economy, but can leave some of the characters feeling a little instrumental and under-explored for the time being.

The art of Ultimate Black Panther #1 is very impressive throughout, with Caselli working in thin but confident lines that have a wonderful sense of precision. There is a slick sense of texture at work. The intricate detailing gives depth to individual panels in a way that feels almost photorealistic. The figures and expressions are a stand-out feature, with an impeccable grasp of anatomy and perspective that allows the world of Wakanda to feel incredibly immersive. Caselli’s character expressions are profoundly compelling, able to channel a great deal of emotion that hits all the right beats for their dialogue. There is also a wonderful sense of underlying feelings – the sentiments that characters do not express directly play across their faces in subtle ways, amplifying the concerns of the writing around decorum and political maneuvering.

Ultimate Black Panther #1’s depictions of Wakandan culture, including the brilliant sweeping cityscapes and the clothing worn by characters, are excellent from both a design and execution standpoint. The complex, Afrofuturistic aesthetic is brilliantly honed, creating a visual world that is unique and dense, marrying fascinating geometric patterns with traditional African silhouettes and materials in stunning fashion. Although there is only a single fight sequence in this first issue, it is a little disappointing and messy from a plotting perspective, even if all the dramatic beats of the build up and aftermath still land excellently. The nature of the fight in question leaves it feeling a little indistinct and hard to parse, lacking a sense of dynamic movement or momentum.

Ultimate Black Panther #1 Maintains Its Strong Sense of Atmosphere Throughout

Curiel’s colors are predominantly moody and dark throughout Ultimate Black Panther #1, perfectly complementing the mood of this complex politically-tinged thriller. There are scenes that break up this pallet, taking place outside or during the daytime, giving the comic a sense of variation. This contrast allows the gloomier overtones to feel all the more potent when they return. The richness of the colors throughout, despite the murky undercurrents, sets up an excellent feeling of visual contrast and vividness that makes the story feel vibrant and immediate. The use of highlighting and shadows in the coloring also draws a great deal of extra dimension and depth. This is particularly noteworthy for its use in character’s faces, making them feel even more expressive and compelling. There is also some really nice use of neon accents, heightening the visual drama of climactic moments.

The letters of Ultimate Black Panther #1 are largely good, Petit sticking with a relatively generic font and kerning that is very easy to parse. The sound-effects are great across the board, with a wide variety of different styles being utilized and a strong sense of onomatopoeia at work. The dialogue, unfortunately, is a little too heavy on the intonation. The excess of italicization and emboldening leaves characters’ speech patterns feeling muddy and not quite as compelling as they could be.

Ultimate Black Panther #1 is a Good Start to the Series

Ultimate Black Panther #1 is an exciting first issue, kicking off the new run with dramatic flair and a fascinating crux of thematic concerns to work through. Capturing the dark tone of the Ultimate Universe with taut aplomb and stunningly emotive illustration, the only thing that Ultimate Black Panther #1 lacks is a true emotional core. Thankfully, the trajectory of this first issue indicates that it is just around the corner, and can be expected of the forthcoming issues. With a powerful and engaging conclusion that will leave fans eager for the next issue, Ultimate Black Panther #1is an incredible springboard for the series going forward, and absolutely not one to be missed.