Black Panther, Vol. 6

I was disappointed by Coates' original run on Black Panther. It felt like he was suffocating under the weight of so much continuity baggage and just couldn't get out of his own way to tell an engaging story or even hit upon a theme with any force.

In contrast, what a brilliant idea the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda is! It does two magical things right off the top: clear the deck of Marvel canon and allow Coates to really create and explore a setting that's baked-in with a lot of the ideas of his political work.

Empire, Imperialism, Colonization. These are all issues that are difficult to do with a contemporary Black Panther without being really on the nose. That Coates' Afro-future turns this on it's head, with Wakanda as the conquerors for “pre-emptive peace,” is just so much the more intriguing.

Also, whereas previous BP books were basically monologues with little to advance the plot, Coates cleverly relies on Acuña's stellar art for kinetic panels that convey so much action and emotion clearly and effectively.

BTW, holy crap, a Venom tie-in that isn't crap!

A really exciting start. I genuinely hope this setting gets a long and fruitful run.