A Cat Can Look at a King…

The Black Panther has just saved Wakanda from a nuclear strike from the neighboring apartheid nation of Azania. Although his people are celebrating his victory, the threat from Azania and the Panther creature that created tensions between the two nations still exists.[1] He interrupts the celebrations to tell his people that he must face the Panther and determine if he is still worthy of the mantle of the Black Panther.

Soon, Wakandan security detects the Panther entering the country and T’Challa goes out to face the monster alone. It attacks him in the jungles, saying that it has been chosen by the Panther Gods as its new champion as T’Challa has ignored the cries of the oppressed Azanian people.

He tries reasoning with the monster but it refuses to listen and is far too powerful. Watching the battle remotely, Malaika, Moise Bomvana, and Ndebele all agree to help T’Challa by opening the passage to the underground techno-jungle that he built beneath the kingdom in the hopes it will give him an edge in battle.[2] Seeing the tunnel open, the Black Panther lures the Panther creature into the techno-jungle and begins using its technological resources to defend himself.

Meanwhile, American officials meet with the Azanian government and present proof that the Black Panther was not responsible for the murder of their officials. They prove this with surveillance photos and the Panther’s Avengers ID card, which he sold to former CIA operatives Frank Little during one of the Panther attacks.

By this time, the Black Panther has lured his pursuer through the paralyzing electrodes, de-vitalizing fluids, and muscle retardant inducers of the techno-jungle. When the Panther finally catches up with T’Challa and tries to choke the life out of him, they start taking effect causing its human host body to weaken and revert back to human form, ending his threat. However, this doesn’t stop the Panther God, who now manifests in physical form intent on ending T’Challa’s life one way or the other.

As this is happening, the apartheid government of Azania makes a public address announcing that they will be making sweeping reforms so that the black population will be treated equally. This is watched in Wakanda and although this is seen as a victory, Ndebele remains to be convinced as these are just words by powerful men with guns.

Back at the scene of the battle, T’Challa doesn’t fight back against his god. He admits that he was wrong in not taking a firmer hand in responding to the atrocities happening in Anzia. He bows before the Panther God and begs for forgiveness but insists that he will continue fighting to the death if necessary. This convinces the Panther God that T’Challa has learned his lesson and is worthy to continue being the Black Panther and departs.

Days later, the leader of the Anzanian rebellion meets with the local government to agree to the terms. As a sign of solidarity he breaks the ceremonial spear of war, but warns the white government that his people still hold the head of the spear and will be willing to fight back should they renege on their promised reforms. The government then agrees to meet with the Black Panther who is celebrating his own victory. Although they have much to discuss, he will spend the time in-between celebrating with his people, telling them that the Black Panther shall always be there for them.

Recurring Characters

Black Panther, Panther, Bast, Malaika, Ndebele, Moise Bomvana

Continuity Notes

1. The Wakandan people put on a play celebrating T’Challa’s victory over the Supremacist. This battle took place in Black Panther (vol. 2) #2.

2. A footnote here reminds readers that the techno-jungle was first seen back in Fantastic Four #52.

Topical References

• In this story, the Black Panther’s Avengers ID card has been signed by Ronald Reagan. This should be considered a topical reference as Reagan was President when this comic book was originally published. His term as the Commander-in-Chief ended in 1989 and he subsequently died in 2004.