T'Challa

Revision as of 13:07, 17 January 2023

King T'Challa in Black Panther v1 #170.

T'Challa is a male comic character who features in Marvel Comics.

Biography

Origin

The Black Panther in Fantastic Four v1 #52.

T'Challa was a male human born in the African nation of Wakanda where he was the son of King T'Chaka and his first wife N'Yami. (Rise of the Black Panther v1 #1) He had an older adopted brother by the name of Hunter who blamed T'Challa for their mother's death. (Black Panther v3 #10)

In his childhood, one of his closest companions was another boy named B’Tumba who was the son of the witch doctor N’Baza who was also T’Chaka’s most trusted council. (Avengers v1 #87)

When he was 8 years old, his adoptive mother Ramonda had returned to her native South Africa to attend her father's funeral when she disappeared. (Black Panther v4 #12)

After his fathers death, N’Baza was made Regent of Wakanda with the young T’Challa initially staying with him. The witch doctor believed that the young boy needed to travel outside the country in order to be a better man. This resulted in T’Challa travelling to Europe and America to study in the finest schools with B’Tumba being by his side to ensure he was not lonely. The pair studied hard together and had a fierce competition in sports leading to their eventual graduation. With his education complete, T’Challa decided to return to Wakanda to become chieftain of his people as was his birth right. (Avengers v1 #87)

Returning to Wakanda, he looked to resume his duties to his tribe and lead his country. This saw him being sent on the trial to acquire the heart-shaped herb where he came to be captured by A.I.M.. During this time, he came to find out that his old friend B'Tumba had joined A.I.M. and had been ordered to execute T'Challa. However, he found that he could not kill is old friend and instead freed T'Challa where together they fought against A.I.M.'s soldiers. In the battle, B'Tumba was fatally wounded and he came to apologise to T'Challa where he asked that he not reveal his betrayal to his father as he died. (Avengers v1 #87) He then made his challenge for the throne with this occurring two years earlier than was expected. (Rise of the Black Panther v1 #2) T'Challa came to fight his uncle S'Yan and was victorious against him where he was happy to stand down and pass the mantle to his nephew. (Black Panther v4 #2)

After his installation as king, he was noted to had disbanded the Hatut Zeraze. (Black Panther v3 #4)

Around a decade ago, he began liquidating the nation's Vibranium reserves with this being 400 ounces a day. T'Challa was then joined by Wakanda's best economists where they took the capital and diversified as well as invested heavily in emerging economies. (Fantastic Four v1 #607)

Black Panther

Avenger

The Sons of the Serpent had taken T'Challa hostage and had a hired minion sent in a copy of the Black Panther costume. In that guise, he was to rob various locations in order to increase tensions in the city. The goal of the Supreme Serpent was to the reveal that the Avenger was a black man under the mask to the people of the United States. Such a move was expected to had triggered racial tensions between black and white people. Trapped in the Serpent's submarine, T'Challa was helpless to stop them but managed to break free as the Avengers tracked down the imposter. The heroes then exposed the Supreme Serpents as being a white and black man both of whom were simply using racist ideology to attain power. (Avengers v1 #74)

The Man Without Fear

Bereft of his position, he decided to go out and find his purpose once again. At this time, Matt Murdock himself was recently coming to terms over his actions as leader of the Hand where he had created a criminal empire in the Shadowland. Looking to redeem himself as well, he intended to leave New York City for a time but needed someone to take over as guardian of Hell's Kitchen. He then asked T'Challa to accept the mantle as the former king of Wakanda was also looking to terms with himself for destroying the Vibranium that was the foundation of his nation. T'Challa accepted the offer and was given a new identity by Foggy Nelson that established him as Mr. Okonkwo who was a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo and was purchasing a small diner in the area. This would allow T'Challa to remain close to the people who was protecting under his watch. (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear v1 #513)

King of the Dead

Returning to Wakanda, he re-joined the royal family as the nation continued to enjoy its wealth. They were then attacked by undead warriors of an ancient god who looked to reclaim knowledge that had been given to the Wakandans by Bast. Seeking to stop this treat, T'Challa called for Reed Richards to accompany him into the Wakandan city of the dead namely the Necropolis. (Fantastic Four v1 #608)

Secret Wars

A Nation Under Out Feet

Overview

Personality and attributes

The King of the Dead in Original Sin v1 #2.

Upon taking the mantle of Black Panther, he was known as Damisa-Sarki (the Panther) that denoted the rulers of Wakanda. (Black Panther v6 #1) After losing his position as Black Panther, he sought out the goddess [Bast (Marvel)|Bast]] where he was made the King of the Dead as custodian of the Necropolis. (Fantastic Four v1 #608) He came to be referred to as the Haramu-Fal (Orphan-King) after being disowned by his ancestors and rejected by his country for a time. (Black Panther v6 #1) His uncle N'Baza made sure that T'Challa had a legal American name in addition to the tribal one with him going by Mr. Charles. (Avengers v1 #77) Whilst operating in Hell's Kitchen, he wanted people to know him as the Man Without Fear. Foggy Nelson once helped establish a fake identity for him as Mr. Okonkwo with the papers claiming that he was a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear v1 #513)

After the death of his father, T'Challa's boyhood was said to had ended as was set to inherit the throne. (Fantastic Four v1 #53)

Following T'Chaka's death, he swore to avenge his father and make Klaw pay in full measure. (Fantastic Four v1 #53)

Notable personality traits of T'Challa were his pride, honor and determination. (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear v1 #513)

As a fighter, he was noted for enjoying battling challenging opponents. (Fantastic Four v1 #52)

He had said that he used everything to his advantage regardless whether people agreed with him or not. (Avengers v3 #66)

T'Chaka was held as the greatest chieftain of all who was wise in council, just in judgment and brave in battle. To T'Challa, he was more than a father or a warrior where he viewed T'Chaka being like a god to him. (Fantastic Four v1 #53) Ramonda came to be the only mother that T'Challa had ever known. (Black Panther v4 #12)

His father had adopted a child before T'Challa's birth with this being his older brother named Hunter. (Black Panther v3 #10) He had a half-brother named Jakarra who was the product of a brief arranged marriage made to his father. (Black Panther v1 #7) From his fathers second wife Ramonda, he came to gain a younger sister by the name of Shuri. (Black Panther v4 #2)

He had a tumultuous relationship with his brother Hunter who believed that T'Challa was not fit to be king. However, he noted that if his adoptive brother had acted like the king he desired then he would swear allegiance to him. (Black Panther v3 #12) Hunter was also said to had blamed T'Challa for the death of their mother. (Black Panther v3 #10)

In his father's council was N'Baza who had been a witch doctor and advisor to the king. He was made regent after T'Chaka's death and wanted nothing but good for T'Challa. (Avengers v1 #87) He was considered to T'Challa with him being a man far ahead of his time who was a firm believer in education. (Avengers v1 #77)

Among the Fantastic Four, he came to consider Reed Richards to be the most dangerous foe of all. (Fantastic Four v1 #52)

Powers and abilities

N'Baza was noted to had sent him to study in the best schools in Europe. (Avengers v1 #77) T'Challa came to be regarded amongst the top 8 smartest people on the planet. (Incredible Hulk v1 #601)

He developed the ability to track a person through wind or rain by seeking out his quarry's soul. (Black Panther v6 #1)

Among the fighting techniques he knew included; Fist of Vibranium, Hungry Lion Organ Seeker, Leaping Buffalo Uppercut Elbow Strike, the Winds of the Serengeti, Drunken Elephant Headbutt, Flying Leopard Claw Kick, Black Mamba Spine Strike, Hippo Fist, the Rage of Many Wildebeests, and the West African Dambe Fist of Broken Glass. (Avenger v8 #36) He was able to strike several nerve pinches that could induce sleep in a human opponent. (Black Panther v4 #12)

As the Black Panther, he took part in the trial whereby he went to the Great Plateau at the very borders of the Wakandas where resided the heart-shaped forbidden herb. Eating the herb made him a true heir to the panther throne and gave him powers similar to the big cats. They afforded his body greater resilience and cat-like strength never known before. (Avengers v1 #87) He had noted that his senses were as sharp as any jungle cat. (Fantastic Four v1 #52)

One of these was the stalking costume that he kept stored in a secure compartment. The claws were capable of emitting a sleeping gas that could render a target unconscious. (Fantastic Four v1 #52)

The suit was capable of discharging bursts of energy both through the hands and around him allowing him to repel attackers. (Black Panther v6 #1)

From the suit, he was able to activate King's Roar that had a means of communicating with alien beings. (Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda v1 #4)

The soles of the boots were thick pads made of Vibranium alloy which vibrating at different frequencies allowing him multiple traits such as being able to run up the side of buildings or dropping from 50 foot heights without making a sound. (Black Panther v3 #3) His ability to track his prey was derived through his Soul-Stalker that could be interfaced with to gather data on his target. (Black Panther v6 #1) His Energy Dagger on its highest setting was able to effortlessly cut through forged steel. (Black Panther v3 #4) One item he used were Panther Webs that were a rapidly expanding Vibranum-based foam incapacitant. (Avenger v8 #36)

A weapon he was known to use were Wakandan Rhino Horn Energy Daggers. (Avenger v8 #36)

He made use of a larger armoured suit similar to the Hulkbuster armour that included built-in sonic weapons and could spray a spore cloud at enemies. It also had the ability to absorb and magnify energy with any attack making it stronger. (Totally Awesome Hulk v1 #10)

As King of the Dead, he was able to speak to the spirits of all his ancestors that held the title of Black Panther where their strength and knowledge flowed with him. (Fantastic Four v1 #608)

T'Challa was the hereditary chieftain of the Wakandas and considered perhaps the richest man in the world. (Fantastic Four v1 #52) The Wakanda tribe lived in the tradition of their forefathers and possessed modern super-scientific wonders. (Fantastic Four v1 #53)

The billionaire chieftain was noted to had purchased a small land mass that he called Panther Island. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #5)

Notes

• T'Challa as the Black Panther was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby where he made his first appearance in Fantastic Four v1 #52 (July, 1966).

Alternate Versions

• In Infinity Wars: Ghost Panther v1 #1 (2018), an alternate world was created when Gamora using the Infinity Stones used its powers to merge various individuals with one another leading to T'Challa along with Ghost Rider combined into a single entity that had their own unique backstory as Ghost Panther.

In other media

Television

• In Fantastic Four, the Black Panther appeared in the 1990s animated television series in the episode "Prey of the Black Panther" where he was voiced by actor Keith David.
• In Black Panther, the Black Panther made a non-speaking cameo appearance in the 1990s animated television series.
• In The Avengers: United They Stand, the Black Panther made a cameo appearance as a portrait in the 1990s animated television series. He was shown in the picture at Avengers Mansion but made no actual appearance in the show.
• In The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, T'Challa appeared as the Black Panther in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor James C. Mathis III.
• In Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, the Black Panther appeared in the anime television series where he was voiced by actor Mahito Ōba.
• In Avengers Assemble, T'Challa as the Black Panther appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced again by actor James C. Mathis III.
• In Marvel Future Avengers, T'Challa as the Black Panther appeared in the setting of the anime television series where he was voiced again by Japanese actor Mahito Ōba and by English actor James C. Mathis III in the dub.

Films

• In Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, the Black Panther was shown in flashbacks in the direct-to-DVD animated film. It was shown that he was a hero who had married Storm with the pair having a son named Azari. When Ultron conquered the world, Black Panther and his wife were among the many heroes slain but not before he had sent his son alongside the other heroes children to sanctuary.
• In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character made multiple appearances in the shared continuity setting:
  • In Captain America: Civil War, T'Challa made his first appearance in the 2016 live-action film where he was portrayed by actor Chadwick Boseman.
  • In Black Panther, T'Challa appeared in the 2018 live-action film where he was once more portrayed by actor Chadwick Boseman.
  • In Avengers: Infinity War, T'Challa appeared in the 2018 live-action film where he was again portrayed by actor Chadwick Boseman.
  • In Avengers: Endgame, T'Challa appeared in the live-action sequel film where he was once more portrayed by actor Chadwick Boseman.

Video games

• In Marvel: Avengers Alliance, the Black Panther appeared as a playable character in the Facebook video game.
• In Marvel Heroes, Black Panther appeared as a playable character in the MMORPG where he was voiced by actor James C. Mathis III.
• In Marvel Future Fight, Black Panther appeared as a playable character in the setting of the mobile video game.
• In Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, the Black Panther appeared as a playable DLC character in the setting of the fighting video game where he was voiced by actor James C. Mathis III
• In Marvel Strike Force, Black Panther appeared as a playable character in the setting of the mobile video game.
• In Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, the Black Panther appeared in the setting of the video game where he was voiced again by actor James C. Mathis.
• In Marvel Super War, T'Challa as the Black Panther appeared as a playable champion in the setting of the MOBA video game.
• In Marvel's Avengers, T'Challa as the Black Panther appeared as a playable character in the setting of the 2020 action role-playing brawler DLC Operation: Black Panther - War for Wakand where he was voiced by actor Christopher Judge.

Other

Appearances

• Fantastic Four v1: (1966)
• Fantastic Four Annual v1:
• Jungle Action v1:
• Avengers v1:
• Black Panther v1:
• Black Panther v3:
• Doomwar v1:
• Black Panther: The Man Without Fear! v1:
• New Avengers v3:
• Ultimates:
• Black Panther v6:
• Totally Awesome Hulk v1:
• Rise of the Black Panther v1:
• Exiles:
• Avengers v8:
• Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda v1:

External Links

• Marvel Database Entry
• Comicvine Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.