Black Panther (character)

Black Panther
Black Panther as depicted in Original Sin #2 (May 2014). Art by Gabriele Dell'Otto.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966)
Created by	Stan Lee Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter ego	T'Challa
Species	Human mutate
Place of origin	Wakanda, Africa
Team affiliations	Avengers Fantastic Four Mighty Avengers Fantastic Force New Avengers Ultimates
Partnerships	Storm Shuri
Notable aliases	King of the Dead Black Leopard Black Panther Mr. Okonkwo Panther King Red Panther
Abilities	The power to draw upon the knowledge, strength and every experience of every previous Black Panther Superhuman strength, endurance, speed, agility, reflexes, stamina and senses Master hand-to-hand combatant and martial artist Highly proficient tactician, strategist and inventor Genius-level intellect Utilizing vibranium suit and equipment

Black Panther is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist-coplotter Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) in the Silver Age of Comic Books.^[1][2] Black Panther's real name is T'Challa, and he is depicted as the king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Along with possessing enhanced abilities achieved through ancient Wakandan rituals of drinking the essence of the heart-shaped herb, T'Challa also relies on his proficiency in science, expertise in his nation's traditions, rigorous physical training, hand-to-hand combat skills, and access to wealth and advanced Wakandan technology to combat his enemies.

Black Panther is the first black superhero for Marvel comics. In one comic book storyline, the Black Panther mantle is handled by Kasper Cole, a multiracial New York City police officer. Beginning as an impersonator, Cole would later take on the moniker of White Tiger and become an ally to T'Challa. The role of Black Panther and leadership of Wakanda was also given to T'Challa's sister Shuri while he was in a coma for a short time.

Black Panther has made numerous appearances in various television shows, animated films, and video games. Chadwick Boseman portrayed T'Challa in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's films: Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), and posthumously voiced alternate versions of the character in the first season of the animated series What If...? (2021); while Letitia Wright, who played Shuri in previous MCU films, took over the Black Panther mantle in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), following Boseman's death in 2020.