> > I have really wanted to enjoy the Black Panther books, but for the past few years, I have basically avoided them. I think my main issue with the books is that there is no real sense of danger or drama. The guy is like Batman on his best day.. but on steroids. He has backup plans and contingency plans for everything. He is *never* caught off guard, and he can seemingly handle anything thrown at him, no matter the threat level or danger. When I read the books the big question for me is more a case of... "okay, what brilliant plan has he cooked up this time" or something to that extent.
> >
> > Batman on the other hand, though he shares many of these qualities seems a lot more mortal. There is a sense of danger when he is in a fight or in a situation.. he is hurt, he needs time to solve a problem and so on. By comparison, it seems like Black Panther figured all of this out before the issue even started, and the story often becomes (from my perspective) as almost a bit condescending to the reader. Its like watching one of those Steven Segal movies. He never gets hurt, he always beats up the bad guys (After mouthing off a bit and doing his Yoda/Gandhi shtick), and when the epic showdown with the bad guy occurs, he beats him up in seconds! Come on!
> >
> > Bottom line, Black Panther should of course kick ass, but let him sweat a little bit when he does it!
>
> this is actually what i love about the character. it reminds me a lot of doom 2099.
> whilst it's fun for me to watch how black panther gets out of the situations he finds himself in, i'm also secretly waiting for the day a plan doesn't go his way. just how far can the black panther fall?
> if ever that happens i'll let you know. 
> abe.
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*great posts guys* I agree w/ both Surt and Abe. The Batman/Panther comparison has been a long standing discussion. Both with a parent/parents killed in front of them while a child...both forced to take over a kingdom/corporation, and raise it to be a power-house. Of course the obvious, having no super-powers. Many of their victories come at their own intellect and planning ahead.
Surt: I would direct you to the Panther stories of Christopher Priest. There was a long time in the Panther's history of "nothing going right" with the Panther's planning. BP vol. 2 41-48 "Enemy of the State" story arc has plenty of failures, doubts and second guesses from T'Challa. He even breaks down and has to be set straight by none other than his future wife, Ororo.(issue 48)
The latest story arc (skrull invasion) was written by Jason Aaron (known for his war stories) and is considered by many to be one of the best Panther arcs in a while. But those issues hit us over the head with T'Challa's ability to craft the "perfect" plan. Even the word "plan" appears numerous times. After reading the
marvel.com message boards many people who havent picked up the book in a while, bought this arc, so it was a great reminder to people, that T'Challa's main super-power is his ability to be ready for anything.
"Batman on the other hand, though he shares many of these qualities seems a lot more mortal. There is a sense of danger when he is in a fight or in a situation.. he is hurt, he needs time to solve a problem and so on. By comparison, it seems like Black Panther figured all of this out before the issue even started,"
You're quote here I think can be heavily attributed to the fact that a myriad of talented writers have been able to tell wonderful Batman stories, stories where Batman seems mortal and is fighting for his life. Exploring Wayne's fragile psyche (especially when trapped in Arkham Asylum) has lead to a complex and entertaining character that is an icon in American pop-culture.
The Black Panther stories have only really been explored by 4 major scribes, Lee/Priest/McGregor/Hudlin (guess we can now add Aaron). I would hope if Panther had as many storytellers as Batman, some great "Panther at wits end" and "well, that didnt work" tales would emerge.
Abe: This quality is also why, I too, love the Panther. To be alwyas prepared, it seems he spends most of his free time reading tech manuals, and creating "Galactus contingency plans" I bet he had a "hayday" while having access to the Baxter Building while his embassy was being rebuilt. Ben Grimm is always telling him he's the biggest nerd next to Reed. The only time I've seen the King relax, is on his Honeymoon, and that's because Namor had his back, and Ororo looked amazing in that bikini.
Be careful what you are (secretly) waiting for...the King fell pretty far when Eric Killmonger beat him, mano e mano, to take his kingdom from him...T'Challa ran to NY to tutor underpriviledged kids, giving up his monarchy.(BP v2 59-62 "Ascension"). And it looks like he's going to fall far when he has to fight his wife who has to decide to be Queen or be a mutant...
http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=9976 (spoilers).
He needs Ororo by his side to keep him balanced.
The drama of it all!
