Warning! Spoilers ahead for Avengers #55
In the latest issue of Marvel Comics' Avengers, one of Black Panther's biggest flaws has been exposed now that T'Challa has left Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Typically, Black Panther's frequent struggle in the comics is balancing his dual roles as king and warrior. However, recent events in Wakanda have revealed a bigger issue: T'Challa's need to be in control. Motivated by shifts toward greater democracy, it's become evident that Black Panther has a Batman-level need to be the one calling the shots.
In Marvel's Black Panther from John Ridley and Juann Cabal, King T'Challa has been grappling with Wakanda's transition to a constitutional monarchy (complete with a new parliament). This means that the Black Panther's role as king is now more of a traditional figurehead. Likewise, it also means that he no longer has the unilateral authority he once had, something he's found frustrating and problematic rather than Wakanda's new democracy being viewed as beneficial. Case in point, the possible exposure of a sleeper assassin program he built in secret has motivated T'Challa to step down as chairman of the Avengers as he desperately tries to cover it up.
Interestingly enough, Avengers #55 from Jason Aaron and Javier Garrón sees democracy thriving in Black Panther's absence. Having left their ranks, it's revealed that the Avengers have formed a new leadership council, allowing Earth's Mightiest Heroes to vote on a variety of issues such as whether or not to recruit the vigilante Nighthawk as an Avenger. What stands out is the fact that Black Panther could have easily formed this leadership council when he was still around as chairman. Instead, he retained the role of leadership for himself. Combined with his frustrations with Wakanda's new democracy, there's more than enough evidence to suggest that Black Panther has a pretty significant control problem whether it's with his own nation or leading the Avengers.
All in all, it's a fairly classic and cool character flaw where the uber-competent hero (such as Black Panther or Batman) is also a control freak. It's also an entertaining way for Marvel to engage with the idea Black Panther has almost always been an unelected monarch over an unrepresented system of government (and been okay with it). Now that his nation has a voice, Black Panther is losing much of the control he once had. While T'Challa would likely attest to his altruistic motives of keeping his nation safe by retaining that control, the pros of equal representation outweigh the uncertainty the Black Panther is feeling during this new era.
The same logic applies to the Avengers as well. In the face of a major threat like Mephisto and the Council of Red, it's going to be important that no one hero is running the show. As such, it's ultimately a good thing that Black Panther is no longer in charge. While both Marvel's Avengers and Black Panther have exposed this significant character flaw for T'Challa, here's hoping the Black Panther can find a way to overcome it as both series continue.
Avengers #55 is available now from Marvel Comics!