As far as Marvel Comics heroes go, few members of the Avengers play things as closely to the chest as the Black Panther, but one suit of Iron Man armor changed all that. As one of the Avengers’ greatest strategists and one of Marvel Comics' smartest characters in general, T’Challa is well known for his calculating nature and his frequently no-nonsense demeanor. And on more than one occasion, it’s caused some trouble with other heroes, including his ex-wife Storm.
But just like many other master strategists, Black Panther’s hard exterior hides a soft and gooey emotional core. That very same emotional core is put on display for the world to see in Marvel Action: Avengers #9 by Matthew K. Manning Marcio Fiorito thanks to a specially designed Iron Man armor. And while many strategists would normally consider outbursts of emotion a weakness, this armor turned them into the Black Panther’s greatest strength.
Marvel Action: Avengers #9 finds the Black Panther donning Iron Man’s latest upgraded armor. Unveiled as a new stealth suit in Marvel Action: Avengers #7, this latest armor comes equipped not just with standard radar and sensory manipulation technology, but with the ability to mask brainwaves and emotions as well – effectively rendering him invisible to telepaths and empaths. When appropriately named entities called the Fear-Eaters launch their assault on the civilian populace, Black Panther modifies the armor for his own purposes, coating the armor in a layer of vibranium and reversing its brainwave systems in order to amplify emotions rather than hide them. With Iron Man’s help, he manages to use the armor – and his own emotions – as a lure to the creatures, saving the city and his fellow Avengers in the process in a way that fans would never expect.
Black Panther's New and Improved Armor
As one of the Avenger’s most calculating members, Black Panther’s stoicism is legendary, and he’s not usually prone to intense emotional outbursts. Keeping that in mind, the fact that the only way for T’Challa to defeat the Fear-Eaters is to literally weaponize his feelings is a real twist. And the entire conflict serves to show readers just how far the Black Panther is willing to go to keep the world safe.
While this story may be set in its own continuity, this outburst of emotion is still one that fans may not expect from the Black Panther. After all, his own cold nature is part of what led to the dissolution of his marriage to the fan-favorite X-Men leader, Storm, and it’s put him at odds against other heroes including Marvel’s own Illuminati on more than one occasion. But while emotional outbursts may not be traditionally in character for T’Challa, saving the day at any cost is.
The Black Panther is one of Marvel’s most taciturn superheroes, but even he knows how to get in touch with his emotions when the time is necessary. It just so happens that for him, it’s only necessary when the Avengers are in danger. And while Marvel Comics’ Black Panther probably won’t be borrowing an emotion-amplifying armor from Iron Man or any fellow Avengers anytime soon, it may do him some good to let it all out.