The 8 Most Legendary Black Panther Stories  

The success of MCU Black Panther is a lot like that of MCU Iron Man, if you think about it. People have short memory spans, but no one knew who Iron Man was before 2008. Most filmgoers had no idea who Black Panther was before his 2016 introduction in Captain America: Civil War or his 2018 solo film. The character has been a fan cult-favorite to comic book readers since his debut in 1966 in Fantastic Four #52. However, most modern Black Panther fans are fans of the MCU version, like MCU Iron Man. The biggest mistake with this mindset is that you’ll miss out on reading the best Black Panther Stories, which are in the comics.

Go on comic-centric social media sites. Most of the people who love RDJ’s Iron Man have never read an Iron Man comic in their lives. While Black Panther became a global sensation in 2018, it’s obvious that many Black Panther fans have never read a Black Panther comic. Anti-Woke warriors in 2016 thought that the MCU Black Panther was a completely new character, a character made to personally annoy them, unaware of the character’s comic book history.

The best versions of your favorite comic book film characters are in the comics.

Here is a list of the eight best Black Panther stories you must read now.

1. Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 (2025) 

Unless you avoid social media, you probably heard about one of the most controversial Black Panther stories ever in early June. Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 tells the story of an elderly T’Challa who dies on the throne. The story then uncoventially unfolds in a non-linear fashion with time jumps. So, the story is told out of order, with time jumps going forward and backward by 25 years or more. 

This comic tells a complex story about a ruined world, political intrigue, and the first White Black Panther of Wakanda. The revelation broke the internet for a few days. Even though this story is canon, it unfolds via time jumps, so who knows if Tekema, the White Black Panther, is truly the new ruler of Wakanda yet.

Buy this first issue now on Amazon for $5.99 on Kindle. This controversial comic is hard to find in physical form on Amazon; you can find copies with variant covers for $25 or more while supplies last.

2. Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates Omnibus (2016)

New York Times best-selling author, activist, and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates did his best to reimagine Black Panther stories for the 21st century. Coates created a whole new Wakandan mythos that even includes space colonization. This story takes place after the Doomwar storyline, where Latveria invades Wakanda to steal its vibranium.

T’Challa returns home and sees that Wakanda has fallen into political disarray. T’Challa learns his sister Shuri is dead. Wakandans are now following a cult-like group who are trying to take over the country. Then, T’Challa learns about a previously unknown group of space-faring Wakandan colonists that he must contend with.

This 1,224-page hardcover collects every issue of the 2016 and 2018 Black Panther series written by Coates. Buy it now for $38 at Amazon.

3. Black Panther By Christopher Priest Omnibus Vol. 1 (1998)

The first 12 issues of this storyline were under the Marvel Knights imprint, which features more mature and violent storylines. These Black Panther Stories, written by Christopher Priest, were influential and forward-thinking for their era. The Dora Milaje were first introduced in this run.

Everett K. Ross, portrayed by Martin Freeman in the MCU, was also created by Priest. A lot of the issues in this run are told from the POV of Ross as the U.S. government deals with the fallout of political unrest in Wakanda. There is a coup attempt in Wakanda, T’Challa flees to the U.S., and Ross must keep tabs on the King of Wakanda.

This 840-page paperback collects all 33 issues of this run and several tie-in issues. Get it now at Amazon for $50. 

4. Black Panther By Reginald Hudlin Omnibus (2005)

Filmmaker and screenwriter Reginald Hudlin and legendary artist John Romita Jr. created the best run of Black Panther stories in 2005. Due to the House of M storyline of the era, T’Challa and Wakanda must cope with mutant animals in their kingdom. T’Challa uncovers the secret history of Wakanda and begins courting Storm of the X-Men. Storm and T’Challa get married during this run.

This 1,368-page hardcover collects the entire Hudlin and JRJR run as well as many tie-in issues. Buy it on Kindle now for $45, or get the hardcover for $107.

5. Black Panther: The Man Without Fear – The Complete Collection (2011)

In 2010, Daredevil became the leader of the Hand, an ancient and deadly ninja society. So, Black Panther takes over for Daredevil and becomes the new protector of Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. In this story, T’Challa is not ruling Wakanda, has no access to Wakandan tech or vibranium, and acts as the new Man Without Fear on his own terms.

This is a relatively unknown but very interesting Black Panther tale that I highly recommend.

Buy the 416 paperback now for $23 at Amazon.

6. Black Panther By John Ridley Vol. 1: The Long Shadow (2021)

John Ridley, the screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave, wrote Black Panther in 2022. His series was one of the most polarizing Black Panther stories in decades. Many critics feel that Ridley writes the series in a way that betrays his contempt for the character. Others enjoy the paranoia and political intrigue Ridley injects into the story. You need to decide for yourself.

T’Challa receives a message from Wakandan sleeper agents that no one knows about. The sleeper agents’ identities have been exposed, and they are being killed off one by one. There is a traitor in Wakanda and a conspiracy against Wakanda that T’Challa should have been aware of.

This 152-page paperback collects the first five issues of the series. Buy it now for $18 at Amazon.

7. Ultimate Black Panther By Bryan Hill Vol. 1: Peace And War (2024)

The Ultimate universe features modern interpretations of Marvel Heroes that mirror the real world. For example, the MCU films found their main influence from the Ultimates version of Marvel Comics from 2002. The 2024 revival of the Ultimates Comics line also includes an Ultimate Black Panther title.

Ra and Khonshu, the spirit deities that power Moon Knight, decide that they want to control all of Africa, including Wakanda. So, agents with allegiance to Ra and Khonshu attack Wakanda. Additionally, T’Challa learns that there is a traitor in Wakanda who gave the enemy helpful information!

This 152-page paperback collects the first four issues of this series. Buy it now at Amazon for $15.

8. Black Panther By Eve L. Ewing: Reign At Dusk Vol. 1 (2023)

In the aftermath of the John Ridley run, Eve L. Ewing wrote one of the most redemptive Black Panther stories in recent memory. T’Challa is now an exile and not welcome in Wakanda. Wakandan crime families begin to cause havoc during the power void. So, T’Challa decides to infiltrate Wakanda and act as an illegal vigilante in his own kingdom. T’Challa gains some new allies as he tries to retake his throne, including Deathlok.

This 128-page paperback collects the first five issues of this series. Buy it at Amazon now for $17.

The Best Black Panther Stories

MCU fans desperately miss RDJ as Iron Man. It’s probably why fan reaction to his return as Dr. Doom has been so polarizing. Fans also desperately miss Chadwick Boseman, whose passing was a partial reason for the chaotic disruption in the MCU post-Endgame. Boseman’s Black Panther was allegedly going to be one of the anchor characters for the MCU after the deaths of Iron Man and the retirement of Steve Rogers post-Endgame.

Boseman’s talent and legacy as an actor transcends one character, but it says a lot about his talent when the MCU delays recasting the MCU T’Challa out of respect. We will get a new MCU T’Challa in the future. In the meantime, always remember that the best Black Panther stories are in the comic books.

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