Panthers or Pussycats?

Heading home to Wakanda, T’Challa thinks back to the past and recalls how he won the title of the Black Panther. At the time, Wakanda’s greatest warriors all fought the previous Black Panther to determine who was worthy of the title. As T’Challa was still a young man, the idea of him competing in the battle would not have been approved of. In order to do so, T’Challa enter the battle wearing a mask. When he defeated his predecessor, T’Challa then revealed his identity to the people, securing his place as the next Black Panther.[1] T’Challa’s thoughts are interrupted when he spots two men stranded at sea on a life raft and decides to rescue them.

Meanwhile, in Wakanda, T’Challa’s half-brother Jakarra has been transformed into a pink skinned monstrosity after exposing himself to the Vibranium mound. As he terrorizes the people of Wakanda, the country’s military tries their best to stop the creature, but Jakarra’s new form has rendered him bullet proof.

Back at sea, the Black Panther rescues the two men lost at sea. He quickly recognizes them as a mobster named Nick Scapra. T’Challa insists on heading to Africa and intends to turn the crooks over to the authorities there. Scarpo insists on being taken to a nearby island and tries to force T’Challa to comply at gunpoint. Unwilling to change course, T’Challa jerks the helicopter in an attempt to disarm the gunman. Unfortunately, a stray bullet strikes the instrument panel causing them to crash land in the Sudan desert.

The only survivors are the Black Panther and an unconscious Nick Scarpo. With the helicopter are destroyed, T’Challa has no choice but continue his journey on foot.

In Wakanda, the rest of the members of the Panther Clan have answered N’Gassi’s call for help. They include young doctor Joshua Itobo, high finance banker Ishanta, racecar driver Khanata, and the rotund Zuni. N’Gassi thinks these cousins of T’Challa don’t have what it takes to step in while the Black Panther is absent. That’s when Jakarra returns to terrorize the palace again. Quick thinking, Joshua keeps the monster at bay with a burning roll of paper until the military arrives and drives Jakarra away with their newly developed acid guns. This baptism of fire convinces T’Challa’s cousins and N’Gassi that they might be able to stop Jakarra without the Black Panther.

Meanwhile, T’Challa continues his arduous trek across the Sudan a task made more difficult carrying Nick Scarpo. With the punishing heat of the sun beating down on him, T’Challa decides to find some shade to wait out nightfall when travel will be easier.

Recurring Characters

Black Panther, Jakarra, Ishanta, Joshua Itobo, Khanata, Zuni, N’Gassi, Nick Scarpa

Continuity Notes

1. The flashback at the start of this story goes into one aspect of the T’Challa becoming the current Black Panther. There are some facts given here, while others are revealed later:

   • Mention is made that T’Challa was next in line for the throne following the death of his father. This story refers to T’Challa’s origin story in Fantastic Four #53. There are conflicting accounts regarding T’Chaka’s death, I address those issues here.

   • T’Challa also mentions the additional tests that he had to past to prove himself. This was acquiring the heart-shaped herbs that gives him his powers. This was told in Avengers #87.

   • The identity of the man who held the title of Black Panther before T’Challa is unrevealed here. Black Panther (vol. 4) #2-3 reveals that his name is S’Yan. S’Yan was T’Chaka’s brother.