iffer's review against another edition
4.0
Considering all the hype, I think it's a very good sign that I can say that I wasn't disappointed. Coates and Stelfreeze hit the ground running, not in terms of action-packed scenes, but in terms of complexity. This issue 1 reveals a very promising foundation for the development of multiple complex characters (family relationships, loss, personal responsibility) and socio-economic and socio-political themes.
Though the script was good (although I think that the visual flow of the script/lettering could've been a little more smooth), I think that Ta-Nehisi Coates definitely has room to grow in terms of writing comic books, since it's such a different medium, but the fact that is aware of this, loved comic books as a kid, and earnestly wants to work to do a good job is promising.
I can see Coates's influence throughout the issue, but I honestly feel like Stelfreeze does what might be a vastly under-appreciated and fantastic job with the visual storytelling, the "heavy lifting," so to speak. Coates and Stelfreeze's Wakanda, the diverse ecosystems and people, the patchwork *country* of Wakanda seems like the main character of this book more so than Th'Challa, and Stelfreeze shapes readers' conception of that complex country through his artwork.
I also feel compelled to mention that I loved seeing black bodies and black faces and black skin in their diversity and varying, believable facial expressions. Stelfreeze's manages a bulkier Black Panther than I feel like I'm used to seeing, but this physical power isn't an over-muscled stereotype of a black male; somehow power coiled and waiting to spring is communicated in every shot of Th'Challa.
Though the script was good (although I think that the visual flow of the script/lettering could've been a little more smooth), I think that Ta-Nehisi Coates definitely has room to grow in terms of writing comic books, since it's such a different medium, but the fact that is aware of this, loved comic books as a kid, and earnestly wants to work to do a good job is promising.
I can see Coates's influence throughout the issue, but I honestly feel like Stelfreeze does what might be a vastly under-appreciated and fantastic job with the visual storytelling, the "heavy lifting," so to speak. Coates and Stelfreeze's Wakanda, the diverse ecosystems and people, the patchwork *country* of Wakanda seems like the main character of this book more so than Th'Challa, and Stelfreeze shapes readers' conception of that complex country through his artwork.
I also feel compelled to mention that I loved seeing black bodies and black faces and black skin in their diversity and varying, believable facial expressions. Stelfreeze's manages a bulkier Black Panther than I feel like I'm used to seeing, but this physical power isn't an over-muscled stereotype of a black male; somehow power coiled and waiting to spring is communicated in every shot of Th'Challa.
keeshdiesel's review against another edition
4.0
My first comic book of the year. Of course, it had to be Black Panther.
I am a Marvel fan, but I must admit I am a fan of the movies and the comics... not because I don't like the comics, but because I never sat down and took the time to read them.
That being said, the first installment of this series was interesting. Like I said, I'm a fan of the movies so when the comic showed the time period after the movies, I was disappointed to see what happens to some of my favorite characters.
I look forward to see further character development in the other parts of the series.
I am a Marvel fan, but I must admit I am a fan of the movies and the comics... not because I don't like the comics, but because I never sat down and took the time to read them.
That being said, the first installment of this series was interesting. Like I said, I'm a fan of the movies so when the comic showed the time period after the movies, I was disappointed to see what happens to some of my favorite characters.
I look forward to see further character development in the other parts of the series.
erintby's review against another edition
I've never read a comic book before, but I was curious about Ta-Nehisi Coates' other work.
paigelm's review against another edition
4.0
I would like to read the 2nd one before I make any real review or critique.
For being a small book with lots of pictures, this did take me a long time to read.
For being a small book with lots of pictures, this did take me a long time to read.
sandraselvas's review against another edition
3.0
As a long [a:Ta-Nehisi Coates|1214964|Ta-Nehisi Coates|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1300129823p2/1214964.jpg]' fan I expected a bit more, regardless the writing was lovely and sophisticated and the art was visually striking and provided a beautiful contrast to the story.
A solid beginning, but I can't wait to read the next issues to see it as a whole story rather than just a chapter of a book, that way I can elaborate more on my thoughts about this.
A solid beginning, but I can't wait to read the next issues to see it as a whole story rather than just a chapter of a book, that way I can elaborate more on my thoughts about this.
quietdomino's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe you're thinking you'll be able to just jump into this series based on your general fondness for panthers. You would probably be completely wrong, and very confused, for most of the issues if you thought that.
coriewankenobi's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read comic books/graphic novels very often, so it was a little weird to get used to the structure of this and how to read it. But I ended up really enjoying it and by the end I was very mad that it was over! Maybe will get the second volume when it comes out!
5elementknitr's review
2.0
I've never read comic books before.
Last year, I started reading graphic novels (Sandman - amazing; Locke and Key - outstanding!).
I suppose they are the same thing now? I don't even know.
But, I've never read comics before because they go too far back. There's too much backstory/canon/episodes that I would have to catch up on.
I heard about this comic book here. I read it was a.... reboot? I so thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Coates' "Between the World and Me", and saw he was authoring this comic book, so I thought I'd give it a try.
I was SO lost. I spent most of the comic thinking, "I have NO idea what's going on or why things are happening."
I figure I may give the second in the series a shot, but..... I don't know....
Last year, I started reading graphic novels (Sandman - amazing; Locke and Key - outstanding!).
I suppose they are the same thing now? I don't even know.
But, I've never read comics before because they go too far back. There's too much backstory/canon/episodes that I would have to catch up on.
I heard about this comic book here. I read it was a.... reboot? I so thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Coates' "Between the World and Me", and saw he was authoring this comic book, so I thought I'd give it a try.
I was SO lost. I spent most of the comic thinking, "I have NO idea what's going on or why things are happening."
I figure I may give the second in the series a shot, but..... I don't know....