Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Dreams of Wakanda: Creators, Writers, and Comics Legends on the Impact of Marvel Studios' Black Panther

by Mateus Manhanini (Illustrator), Nic Stone (Foreword), Marvel (Contributor)

Join creators, writers, and comics legends as they discuss the impact of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in this gorgeously illustrated collection of essays

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther has become more than just a movie—it has shaped conversations about art, culture, science fiction, representation, justice, fashion, comics, creativity, and so much more. Celebrate the legacy of the film with this collection of all-new personal essays and reflections that shed light on its monumental impact, including firsthand stories from artists involved in the film, cultural analysis from journalists and academics, and thoughtful insights from writers and comics legends. Each contributor brings their unique expertise and experience to explore the film’s genesis and significance from every angle. Complete with gorgeous original illustrations, Dreams of Wakanda brings together a wide array of diverse and multifaceted perspectives that exemplify the many ways the film has impacted cinema, culture, and society.

In this collection:
• Costume designer Ruth E. Carter takes us through her Afrofuturistic designs.
• Writer Tre Johnson discusses the metaphoric qualities of vibranium.
• Author Yona Harvey reflects on how the film has resonated with audiences across the African diaspora.
• Journalist Hannah Giorgis uncovers how the soundtrack fits into sonic portraits of Blackness.

The contributors:
Marlene Allen Ahmed • Aaron C. Allen • Maurice Broaddus • Ruth E. Carter • Hannah Giorgis • Yona Harvey • Tre Johnson • Arvell Jones • Frederick Joseph • Suyi Davies Okungbowa • Dwayne Wong Omowale • Gil Robertson IV • Foreword by Nic Stone • Art by Mateus Manhanini

To celebrate the launch of this book and Black Panther’s global impact, Disney and Penguin Random House are donating books to First Book and Books for Africa respectively. Disney is donating books valued at approximately $1,000,000 to support First Book, a leading nonprofit that serves children in underserved communities and addresses the needs of the whole child by supporting their education, basic needs, and wellness—all of which are essential to educational equity. Penguin Random House (PRH) is donating PRH titles valued at approximately $100,000 to Books For Africa. Books For Africa was founded upon a singular mission: to end the book famine in Africa. BFA collects, sorts, and ships books, computers, tablets, and library enhancement materials to every country in Africa.

Genres: Marvel, Superheroes, Nonfiction

150 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won an advance copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It is a collection of essays about the impact and import of the 2018 Black Panther movie. I was previously familiar with only two of the thirteen writers, Maurice Broaddus (fine writer of good horror, fantasy, and science fiction), and Arvell Jones (long-time comics artist, and co-creator of the first Black female superhero, Misty Knight), but I enjoyed reading all of the entries. There are interesting pieces about the music and costumes and other background information from the movie, but the main focus of most of the book is that it's the first such film that features a Black cast and origin, which is something to which I hadn't given any thought. I probably don't fit the target demographic for a book like this, but it made me think and taught me a lot. I was getting ready to go into the third grade when I read Fantastic Four #52 in 1966, which introduced Black Panther, and it simply made sense to me that he was a Black man since he was from Wakanda in Africa. I liked him and his subsequent stories, too. I can't help but wonder how Jack Kirby and Stan Lee might have marveled at their character being the subject of a whole book of scholarly reflection and examination with lots of terms and phrases like "African diaspora," "portraits of Blackness," and "Afrofuturistic designs." I suspect they might have been initially a little confused and then quite rightly very proud. I think it's terrific that the comics medium has finally gotten some of the serious social and academic attention it has long deserved, and it's even better that the film had such a positive social impact on the world community. I enjoyed the read, not to mention the terrific Mateus Manhanini illustrations.

[Katie Avalos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book when I won the ARC expecting to get some new perspectives from some new voices. And there was SOME of that. But this very quickly started feeling like primarily rehashing done by people they hadn't already tapped for similar projects over the last several years. It feels like a cash grab with very little new value, just something to squeeze a few more dollars out of the original film as the new one was coming out. You can find the same or more value for free online.

[Alise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good collection but I wish the title was more specific. What I thought I would be getting was essays about the impact of black panther in general but instead they are essays primarily about these people’s personal experiences with black panther.

It wasn’t bad but not really knowing much about most of the contributors it felt like reading a little memoir of a person I’ve never heard of and am not really interested in.

There was some interesting insights into the film like the costume designer discussing the real life inspirations for all the designs, or the brief history of afrofuturism and some film connections to real life events.

[Kaleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Black Panther will enjoy this one. You’ll take an in depth look as to why this movie was a cultural phenomenon when it came out in 2018. People sharing stories as to why this movie was special and important.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Dreams of Wakanda: Creators, Writers, and Comics Legends on the Impact of Marvel Studios' Black Panther by Mateus Manhanini
Published September 6, 2022

<3 <3 <3 THIS WAS A DEEP ANALYSIS!

Join creators, writers, and comics legends as they discuss the impact of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in this gorgeously illustrated collection of essays

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther has become more than just a movie—it has shaped conversations about art, culture, science fiction, representation, justice, fashion, comics, creativity, and so much more. Celebrate the legacy of the film with this collection of all-new personal essays and reflections that shed light on its monumental impact, including firsthand stories from artists involved in the film, cultural analysis from journalists and academics, and thoughtful insights from writers and comics legends. Each contributor brings their unique expertise and experience to explore the film’s genesis and significance from every angle. Complete with gorgeous original illustrations, Dreams of Wakanda brings together a wide array of diverse and multifaceted perspectives that exemplify the many ways the film has impacted cinema, culture, and society.

In this collection:
• Costume designer Ruth E. Carter takes us through her Afrofuturistic designs.
• Writer Tre Johnson discusses the metaphoric qualities of vibranium.
• Author Yona Harvey reflects on how the film has resonated with audiences across the African diaspora.
• Journalist Hannah Giorgis uncovers how the soundtrack fits into sonic portraits of Blackness.

The contributors:
Marlene Allen Ahmed • Aaron C. Allen • Maurice Broaddus • Ruth E. Carter • Hannah Giorgis • Yona Harvey • Tre Johnson • Arvell Jones • Frederick Joseph • Suyi Davies Okungbowa • Dwayne Wong Omowale • Gil Robertson IV • Foreword by Nic Stone • Art by Mateus Manhanini

To celebrate the launch of this book and Black Panther’s global impact, Disney and Penguin Random House are donating books to First Book and Books for Africa respectively. Disney is donating books valued at approximately $1,000,000 to support First Book, a leading nonprofit that serves children in underserved communities and addresses the needs of the whole child by supporting their education, basic needs, and wellness—all of which are essential to educational equity. Penguin Random House (PRH) is donating PRH titles valued at approximately $100,000 to Books For Africa. Books For Africa was founded upon a singular mission: to end the book famine in Africa. BFA collects, sorts, and ships books, computers, tablets, and library enhancement materials to every country in Africa.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book via Goodreads' Firstreads. This book is a collection of essays about the Black Panther movie from African American and black authors. When I went to see Black Panther, I knew it was a big deal and historic. I got emotional when the movie started because I had an inkling of what it meant to the community it was representing in a positive light. (I even cried during the opening credits because of the overwhelming feeling of history and import I got, I really can't imagine what it was like for African Americans. I also cried at the sad bits and watching the second movie.)

This book gave me some idea of the import of this movie to the African American and black communities about the world, though I'm sure I can't fully understand it.

The insights into the meaning of the costumes by the actual costume designer and all the other perspectives were amazing. Many of the authors talked about how Black Panther allowed people to access more than one dimension of the black story, and a way into the multi-faceted culture and history of black people.

This is a great book. Happy reading!

[Justin Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to PRHAudio for this complimentary audiobook! I have had this one on the to read/listen list for a while. With the sequel coming out soon and an admiration for the first stand alone film learning more about the process that inspired the film intrigued me. (Longest sentence ever). Anyway this was a short listen powerfully written. I even got emotional a few times thinking about the endeavor to stay true to African traditions. How powerful the portrayal of Black and African community is to the world and even more specific to the US. Representation is important and empowered representation even more so. I love how much debate and scrutiny went into this movie and cannot wait to hear how the second movie was produced. This is a great book for people wanting to learn more of philosophy, history, African traditions or even film, costume and sound track production. Very grateful to have given this a listen.

[Kathe Forrest · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book explaining facets of African culture through the movie Black Panther which I would like to see.

When this movie came out, there were parties all over the world and black people of every nation showed up to celebrate it. There were many costume parties. Evidently many see this as a launching off not of a revival of African and black cultures, but a deeper understanding of how Black people have been treated throughout the world.

[Brenda Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book before I watch the movie, and I’m certainly glad I did. It enhanced the viewing of the movie for me. My favorite essay was titled Afro futuristic Beauty; the costumes of Black Panther. It was written by Ruth E Carter who designed the award winning costumes for Black Panther and Black Panther:
Wakanda Forever. The thought processes and details going into the costumes were amazing!

[Deirdre Lohrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this from Goodreads giveaways as an ARC. I love this book. Hearing how Wakanda was designed,how people felt when it was coming to life. I have not had a chance to watch very many movies but this gives more life to the background. There is a professor who uses the movie as a learning tool for his students. Ivlove that.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Described the Black experience in America and Africa, along with the rich histories and cultures of Afica in several essays. Also highlighted is the adventure known as Afrofuturism. Great reading for fans of the film, the graphic novels.....and even the doubters. I received a complementary copy via Goodreads Giveaways.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and all the different views presented in each essay. It allowed me think about Black Panther in new and engaging ways. It highlighted how huge an impact the film had in society and discussed what we can learn from and grow from as a society.

[Cid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting in inspiring insight into how Black Panther has impacted so many lives gets overshadowed by some series hate from certain contributors towards a certain race of people that did not need too be in this book.

[Ashley Saucier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I’ve watched Black Panther countless times, but I didn’t truly SEE it until I read this book.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really special, to learn about why Black Panther (the movie and the legend) mean so much to these artists and creatives. I particularly loved the entry from Ruth E. Carter, the Academy Award-winning costume designer. But alas, as with all essay collections, some are great, some not so much. It’s a mixed batch, but still touching.