REVIEW: Black Panther #8 (Minor spoilers)

Black Panther #8 "Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda" I hadn't picked up an issue of Black Panther since Christopher Priest's fantastic run ended in 2003, and was aware that Ta-Nehisi Coates' first run on the title was met with mixed reviews, but the concept of this new version caught my attention and preview pages of Daniel Acuña's art closed the sale. Unfortunately, after reading and loving the first issue I fell several issues behind and decided to drop the book from my subscription list. Then I read issues #2-4, loved them even more, and added the title back to my pull. Again I fell behind, and only this week learned that there was a guest artist on issue #6. That worked, as this issue focused on the antagonist and didn't advance the main story a whole lot, but I still would have preferred Acuña's art style. (Acuña will be back as of issue #13.) Kev Walker is scheduled to draw issues #7-12, and two issues into this second story arc I'm starting to wonder if the art choices are deliberate and not connected to the release delays that plagued the early issues of the title. This series is unlike any prior Black Panther book. It takes place in another galaxy, possibly in the future. That, like several other factors, is left deliberately vague. From the intro page of each issue: “Two thousand years ago, a detachment of Wakandans established a small desolate colony on the outer edges of the cosmos.” Over the two millennia they've gone on to control five galaxies, and not in a good way. More of a "do as we say and everything will be fine, don't do as we say and we will capture you, wipe out your memories, and make you a slave in the vibranium mines" kind of way. In the first issue one of the slaves escaped and joined the rebels known as "the Maroons," who bestowed upon him the name "T'Challa." Whether or not he is the real T'Challa remains to be seen.

This issue opens with T'Challa sneaking onboard an Imperial freighter in order to steal the cargo - raw vibranium that will be used to power a machine that will restore the memories of those enslaved by the empire. (Comic book science!) However, before T'Challa can complete his mission he makes a discovery that not only changed the mission but will likely change the direction of the book entirely. The last eight pages of this book are some of my favorite EVER.While I'd still prefer Acuña on art, Walker's does a great job. My only real complaint is T'Challa's mouth - when T'Challa is speaking it is either closed, or open wide with teeth clenched, and if he's fighting it's either teeth clenched or mouth wide open as if he's screaming. Once I noticed this it became a bit of a distraction, but nothing that will keep me from continuing to buy the title.