At the end of the day, Marvel sees Black Panther as Black Star Wars or Game of Thrones. T’Challa is just a convenient placeholder as lead of the franchise, they could’ve just named the film Wakanda Forever and I think the response doesn’t change. He isn’t seen as essential to the IP, which is quite literally the worst thing that can happen to a character because it opens up the way to them being sidelined.
Many casual fans are just as invested in the Dora, Shuri, and M’Baku as they are T’Challa, which is rare as far as superhero movies are concerned. Sure you have Loki being just as popular as Thor in his franchise or people being really invested in Bucky as Cap’s side character, but it’s really rare where 2-4 side characters garner as much acclaim as they did in BP. That’s why many people see the film as a glorified ensemble where the leads are interchangeable. So to us Okoye and M’Baku are underdeveloped support characters, but casuals saw potential leads that were just as, if not more compelling than T’Challa. We don’t need to rehash how Coogler’s approach to T’Challa and the world of Wakanda did or didn’t encourage that perception lol, but that’s the state of the IP.
If Boseman hadn’t died and T’Challa was still around this wouldn’t be a real issue. Future films would’ve built on his character and as a leading Avenger he would’ve been able to get some shine away from his supporting cast and deal with other major heroes (which is where MCU leads shine up). But that’s not what’s happening unfortunately.
T'Challa
A.K.A. The Black Panther
King of Wakanda
King of the Dead and The Champion of Bast
Two-Time Time Magazine "Person Of The Year"
Six-Time People Magazine "Sexiest Man Alive"
Black Panther Discord Server: https://discord.gg/SA3hQerktm
T'challa's Greatest Comic Book Feats: http://blackpanthermarvel.blogspot.c...her-feats.html
Yeah but at least their characters actually got complete arcs. Meanwhile the first Black superhero in comics is set to be a footnote in his own damn franchise (assuming the movie doesn’t take place during the blip) and audiences seem to be 100% ok with this. Man it’s just an emotional roller coaster being a T’Challa fan.
T'Challa
A.K.A. The Black Panther
King of Wakanda
King of the Dead and The Champion of Bast
Two-Time Time Magazine "Person Of The Year"
Six-Time People Magazine "Sexiest Man Alive"
Black Panther Discord Server: https://discord.gg/SA3hQerktm
T'challa's Greatest Comic Book Feats: http://blackpanthermarvel.blogspot.c...her-feats.html
It’s only a curse because Boseman isn’t with us and they chose not to recast. Up until the day of Boseman’s passing I was happy with the state of the character in the MCU and how that affected his treatment in other mediums, despite whatever nitpicks I had. Now that it’ll be more of a curse going forward, the question is just how bad. Kill him off in the comics for a generation bad? Unlikely. But retool the BP book into a stealth “World of Wakanda” ensemble, sharing the mantle, and appearing less in team books? Yea I see that becoming a trend in a few years.
Maybe we get lucky and an Al Ewing revitalizes the character but Marvel won’t let anyone like Al Ewing take on the BP solo for a variety of reasons. Sucks but we have awhile before the synergy seeps in so I’ll enjoy what I can and deal with it when it comes around lol. I’d suggest to not put all your eggs in one basket, plenty of great characters in and out of comics that can scratch that afrofuturist, black male power fantasy. It’s time to accept T’Challa as a character is dead in the water. Doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it, but to expect great things is to invite disappointment lol.
Last edited by chief12d; 05-05-2021 at 08:16 AM.
Black Panther Discord Server: https://discord.gg/SA3hQerktm
T'challa's Greatest Comic Book Feats: http://blackpanthermarvel.blogspot.c...her-feats.html