Marvel Comics' "fresh start" initiative is sending the King of Wakanda into outer space for Black Panther #1. Black Panther's comic book title will relaunch in May with the hero exploring a Wakanda that has expanded its territory into the vast reaches of space.
Yesterday, Marvel released a teaser video promising "a fresh start" for its characters with new titles, new directions, and new creative teams. Beginning in May, the shift is being called the biggest "over-arching, line-wide change in talent" since the 2012 relaunch, Marvel Now! The latest relaunch is expected to be a perfect jumping-on point for new readers. This "fresh start" comes less than one year after the announcement of Marvel Legacy, a relaunch that was engineered to restore the status quo to classic characters. The highly successful relaunch scored Marvel the best-selling comic of the year, Marvel Legacy #1.
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Marvel has announced that Black Panther #1, releasing in May, will take T'Challa into outer space. The new series, from writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and artist Daniel Acuna, will dive deeper into the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda that was briefly glimpsed in Marvel Legacy #1. According to Coates, Black Panther #1 contains connections to past stories but is a "true #1." Coates says the "fast-paced, high-octane" story possesses "energy and intensity" that will excite fans. Senior Editor Wil Moss claims that the comic is a perfect entry point for new readers.
It should be noted that many of Marvel's titles were renumbered for Marvel Legacy to include all past volumes. Black Panther was renumbered at #166, and its last issue before the relaunch will be #172. Marvel will use a dual-numbering system for Black Panther #1 and subsequent issues, so that the issue count from Marvel Legacy can continue.
In Black Panther #1, T'Challa will discover that the borders of Wakanda stretches even further than he ever imagined. Though it's not clear how this is possible, there's an Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda somewhere in outer space. T'Challa will set out to unravel the mystery of this strange place.
The African nation of Wakanda has always been known for its technological advancements that have far exceeded the rest of the world, so it stands to reason that if any nation on Earth is capable of establishing an intergalactic empire, it would be Wakanda. Fans will surely be looking forward to seeing how this new storyline with impact the character going forward.
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Black Panther #1 will go on sale in May from Marvel.