Black Panther stands with the most iconic superheroes in the MCU and the most historic in the entire superhero genre. He first appeared in 1966 and nearly 60 years of comic book lore remains mostly unrealized in live-action. Comic book fans know that Black Panther's past likely informs his screen future to some degree.

With actor Chadwick Boseman's tragic passing, Black Panther's journey in the movies changes. But Marvel Comics provided a template for this difficult transition in important storylines like Dark Reign that shows the comics still provide ways for Marvel Studios to continue to honor and explore the legacy of Black Panther.

Updated November 23, 2022, by Darby Harn:

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever looks to the original Marvel Comics for inspiration on how to deal with Boseman's passing. The movie loosely adapts a comic book storyline in which Shuri becomes the Black Panther while her brother convalesces. She faces many threats, including battling Namor and Atlantis, during her reign. The comics likely continue to provide direction on how the MCU proceeds with the iconic character. The movie introduces Prince T'Challa, the late king's son, in its final moments. T'Challa's heirs exist in the comic book multiverse, potentially offering a blueprint for how this new character evolves in live-action.

The First Black Marvel Superhero

According to Digital Spy, Black Panther represents the first Black superhero in the Marvel Universe. Legendary writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby co-created the character for Fantastic Four #52 in 1966. The character emerged because both Lee and Kirby felt that their Black readers were being underserved in the comics.

Black Panther's success led to other Black superheroes in the Marvel Universe thereafter, like Sam Wilson, The Falcon, Miles Morales, and the X-Men's Storm. Other publishers followed Marvel's lead and introduced Black heroes in their stories, with the most notable one being John Stewart as Green Lantern in DC Comics.

Coal Tiger

Black Panther was initially named Coal Tiger in the earliest known concept sketch by Jack Kirby. Kirby's original design for T'Challa differed greatly from what eventually appeared. He wore a much more colorful costume with a red cape rather than the all-black costume and panther mask.

The Coal Tiger eventually joined Marvel Comics lore. T'Chaka II, T'Challa's son from the MC2 future timeline in the multiverse, took the name. T'Chaka potentially gives the MCU a framework for Prince T'Challa, though others exist in the comics.

Black Panther Married Storm

The movie reveals that Nakia gave birth to Prince T'Challa during The Blip. This likely cuts off any potential for a major arc comic book fans might have been expecting, as Black Panther married Storm, among the most powerful X-Men, in the comics. This cemented a lifelong friendship and wed two powerful spheres in the Marvel Universe.

Storm and Black Panther eventually divorced, with their marriage fracturing during the cataclysmic Avengers vs. X-Men storyline that left Wakanda in ruins thanks to the Phoenix Five.

Azari, Black Panther's Son

Storm and Black Panther divorced without having children, but in one alternate universe, they did. Their son Azari inherited both their powers, including the ability to generate and manipulate electricity. This made him a powerful figure in his world, where he joined the Next Avengers and fought Ultron.

Azari potentially serves as a template for Prince T'Challa if the movies decide to age him up at any point, or simply revisit him in the years ahead as the franchise continues to grow and mature.

Black Leopard

Black Panther briefly used another name in the comics. For a single appearance in Fantastic Four #119 in 1972, T'Challa went by the name Black Leopard. He did this to avoid any negative connotations with the Black Panther Party, which came to prominence in American politics at virtually the same time as the character's debut in 1966.

Though the character's name was only a coincidence, Marvel Comics briefly changed it over concerns about the connection. It didn't last and T'Challa went back to being Black Panther.

White Tiger

As with most other superheroes, other people held the Black Panther title in the comics. Kasper Cole, who would later go on to become the White Tiger, served as a New York City police officer who steals the Black Panther costume to help him investigate crime in the city.

The comics introduced Cole in the early 2000s as a way to revitalize the Black Panther character, not unlike John Walker becoming Captain America in the 1980s. Comic book fans know U.S. Agent became a villain for a time, as did White Wolf.

Member of The Avengers

Though he started in comics as a Fantastic Four ally, Black Panther quickly became an Avenger. He joined in The Avengers #52 in 1968 and along with Captain America, Thor, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch, formed arguably the best Avengers roster ever. He fought with them during several major battles in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Black Panther leads modern Avengers rosters as well. As the team captain, T'Challa displays the leadership and guidance that has made him a successful ruler of Wakanda since his introduction.

Star Of Marvel's First Graphic Novel

Black Panther pioneered another important chapter in comic book history with "Panther's Rage," which is considered to be one of if not the first Marvel graphic novel (via Polygon). Among the earliest examples of serial storytelling in the Marvel Universe, it ran in Jungle Action #6-#18 beginning in 1973.

Written by Don McGregor, the story explores Wakanda as an important fictional Marvel Comics country as well as the brutal impact of an uprising against T'Challa that is led by his chief rival Killmonger. This graphic novel served as a key story that established the ongoing rivalry between Black Panther and Killmonger, which would later take center stage in the 2018 Black Panther film.

Doomwar

Comic book fans know that Doctor Doom is a bitter rival of Black Panther. Doomwar, a 2010 story among the best Black Panther comic book storylines, provides perhaps the best road map for exploring that in the MCU. In the story, Doom seeks to acquire vibranium to use in bolstering his magic. He tries to accomplish this by fomenting dissent in Wakanda.

The story also involves Namor and Atlantis, another Black Panther rival whose own ambitions factor heavily into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and likely beyond in the MCU.

The Man Without Fear

For a brief time, T'Challa moonlighted as Daredevil, the Man Without Fear. He took over the role as guardian of Hell's Kitchen in 2011, with issue #513 of what was then retitled Black Panther: The Man Without Fear. The previous incarnation, Matt Murdock, left New York City after the traumatic Shadowland storyline, which saw the hero become possessed by a demon.

The opportunity for T'Challa to become the city's new protector came about as a consequence of Doomwar. Doom's machinations displaced T'Challa, leading him to become Daredevil after he had seemingly lost everything. The resulting stories depicted the former king in a grim and gritty context, with T'Challa investigating street-level crimes as a modern-day Sam Spade.

The Wakandan Galactic Empire

Black Panther's empire expands dramatically in recent comics, including into outer space. The Wakandan Galactic Empire features prominently in the recent acclaimed run by writer Ta-Nihisi Coates. Fans first discover this interstellar extension of Wakanda in Marvel Legacy #1 in 2017.

T'Challa sent space explorers to locate the origin of the Mena Ngai, the source of Wakanda's vibranium. After being stranded in the past, they created the galactic empire. With the huge cosmic canvas the MCU builds in the movies, this fascinating arc may appear on the screen.

Agents Of Wakanda

As Wakanda becomes more entangled in international affairs in the MCU, the franchise may explore an intriguing storyline in the comics. Black Panther determined the world needed more than the Avengers and assembled the Agents of Wakanda. This team, led by his lieutenant Shuri, included powerful Marvel Comics heroes.

The team includes Ka-Zar from the Savage Land, The Wasp, Mockingbird, and others. This team conceivably develops in reaction to the Thunderbolts, who appear to be coalescing around the villainous Contessa in the movies.

Shuri Becomes Black Panther

Shuri became Black Panther during Doomwar when T'Challa was left in a coma. She eventually yielded the title back to him when he recovered, but her time as the hero and leader of Wakanda strengthened and deepened her character, as it has in live-action as well, making her a powerful Black Panther variant.

Shuri faced numerous challenges during this period, including Klaw's invasion to seize vibranium. He led an army including several villains but ultimately failed. She killed Radioactive Man with the Ebony Blade during the battle, displaying her courage and determination in one swift strike.

Shuri Destroyed Atlantis

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever builds off the enmity between Namor and Black Panther from the comics. The two leaders often clash, and during Shuri's reign, she sought justice for the grievous injury Namor inflicted on Wakanda in Avengers vs. X-Men. In this storyline, he unleashed a tidal wave that swamped the country.

In retaliation, Shuri launches an all-out attack on Atlantis. She destroys the underwater kingdom as Namor breaks bread with her brother, a startling act that she pulls back from in the movie.

Secret Wars Survivor

Shuri's attack on Atlantis occurs in the run-up to 2015's Secret Wars. This massive storyline saw incursions destroy the multiverse, and it more than likely influences the upcoming MCU movie. T'Challa plays a central role as an Earth-616 survivor in the story and wields the Infinity Gauntlet against God Emperor Doom.

Black Panther served a vital piece in wresting power from Doom and restoring the original multiverse along with his beloved Wakanda, something that may happen in live-action if the movie follows the comics.

NEXT: 15 Most Powerful Black Panther Villains