Black Panther, Vol. 1: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book One in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Apr 08, 2018 Nadine in NY Jones rated it it was ok

Shelves: graphic-novels-and-comics, superheroes

I had never read a Black Panther comic before, but I saw the movie (and loved it!) so I thought I would have an idea of T'Challa's background and know what was going on. Plus, this is promoted as the "beginning" of a new series, so I expected everything to be explained. But, no. I was completely confused throughout. I enjoy complex and mysterious comics, and I'm okay if I don't know who everyone is, or what all the place names mean, or what is going on, but I'm not okay if I don't know all three I had never read a Black Panther comic before, but I saw the movie (and loved it!) so I thought I would have an idea of T'Challa's background and know what was going on. Plus, this is promoted as the "beginning" of a new series, so I expected everything to be explained. But, no. I was completely confused throughout. I enjoy complex and mysterious comics, and I'm okay if I don't know who everyone is, or what all the place names mean, or what is going on, but I'm not okay if I don't know all three of those, all at once, throughout the entire first four issues.

I actually ended up taking notes, which I think is ridiculous for a comic book. A well-written comic should initially confuse, and then provide that "aha!" moment, it should not confuse and then add more confusion. The dialogue and "thought boxes" from Coates really didn't add much. (And enough with Ayo calling Aneka "beloved" all the time - who speaks in such a stilted fashion? - or maybe it was the other way around, I don't know, and eventually I was so irritated by being confused that I just didn't care.) I've never really enjoyed anything I read by Coates - he just seems to be trying to hard too impress us, which makes me wonder why is he trying so hard? who is the real Coates underneath all that? Is he okay?

Part of the problem may be the art (from Brian Stelfreeze), because there were many panels of people fighting, and apparently killing others from across the room (how? I don't know), and I had no idea why they were fighting. On the first few pages, people's eyes seemed to be glowing - were they glowing? or was that just an odd artistic choice? I don't know, it was never explained.

I am concerned that the plot seemed to be using rape as a motivator for the characters - that is so old and tired, could we just stop raping women to get everyone excited? I'm also concerned that the women (justifiably pissed off over all the rape) seem to be morphing into the "bad guys" - that had better not be the case! I'm not sure if I'll read the next volume to find out, or not, because I wasn't in love with this one.

I have to assume that this was not really meant to be an introduction to the character, and I do not recommend this to new readers. ...more

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Nov 07, 2016 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, graphic-novel

Wow. There was a lot to set up in this first volume. History, emerging factions, several key characters and their motivations and relationships. It was dizzying, and several times I had to go back and search previous pages to try to figure out who or what someone was referring to.

I found aspects of the story interesting, but I didn't fall in love with anything here. I could see myself checking out the next volume at the library, but probably not buying. At least not until I get a better idea of ...more

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Nov 16, 2016 Ashley rated it liked it

Shelves: fun, fiction-novels-plays-stories, graphic-novels

This is an objectively good thing that isn't for me. Although I'm starting to read more comic books, it's clear to me that superhero storylines (especially for well-developed characters) are still outside my interests. I found myself confused by the mythology. I suspect if I was more into comics this wouldn't make me feel off my footing. As it is, I didn't know how to hook into the story. Like I said, it was a great book but wasn't for me. ...more

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Feb 08, 2017 Renata rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, graphic-novel, we-need-diverse-books

I'm not sure how to rate this...I'm thrilled on principle that Marvel got Ta-Nehisi Coates to write a Black Panther comic but I don't actually know that much about Black Panther I guess and I was pretty confused by this whole arc? There's like...a lot going on?

Also, I read this as single issues and I see the trade also includes a Fantastic Four issue? Does...does that explain anything? ...more

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Dec 09, 2017 Shayla rated it liked it

Not sure how to rate this bc I don't know the Black panther story. I am excited about the movie and like Ta-Nehisi Coates writing. however this story was muddled...is it muddled bc I don't know the background, is this how comics are or is it just not clear? Someone is controlling people's minds go rise up against the kingdom, two women warriors are doing... I'm not sure and black panther is trying to restore peace. I'm going to keep reading the series, hopefully I'll get some answers. ...more

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Oct 04, 2016 Shelley rated it liked it

Shelves: 2016, graphic-novel-comics

Wakanda is in turmoil after a superhero terrorist group starts a revolution. This whole trade felt like setup to a plot we haven't really gotten to yet. I wish it had been a traditional 6 or 8 issue trade to give us a better taste for it. The writing is good, but the pacing doesn't really feel there yet. ...more

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Sep 19, 2016 Kirstin rated it liked it

Shelves: library, dc-library-loans, graphic-novels

Don't do what I did and dive right in: this is not an introductory tale. Read a wiki or something so you know the basic players/scenarios. ...more

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Oct 23, 2016 taeli rated it liked it

read 10/18/16

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May 10, 2017 Kate McCartney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017, personal-reading-challenge-2017, teen-fiction, graphic-novels, 2019

Love this book!!

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Apr 09, 2016 Robynn marked it as to-read

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Sep 04, 2016 Maryanne marked it as to-read

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Sep 10, 2016 Samantha Storey marked it as to-read

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Dec 11, 2016 Jessica Haider rated it liked it

Shelves: bipoc-author, graphic-novels

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Nov 10, 2016 Jess rated it really liked it

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Nov 22, 2016 Rachel Harlich marked it as to-read

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Feb 25, 2017 Ryan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-comics, graphic-novels, marvel

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Jan 01, 2017 Erica rated it really liked it

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Feb 11, 2017 Chris Stanford added it

Shelves: 2019, graphic-novels

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Feb 13, 2017 alana marked it as to-read

Shelves: ebook

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Feb 16, 2017 Ehrrin marked it as to-read

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Apr 12, 2017 Rick rated it it was amazing

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Apr 17, 2017 Martha added it

Shelves: gaveup

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Apr 18, 2017 Melle rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, fiction, adult, african-american, superhero, marvel-universe, dakota-county-library-book, copyright-2016, we-need-diverse-books, graphic

Black Panther is awesome and badass, but this is already known. Ta-Nehisi Coates adds his trademark layered big ideas worded in perfect ways along with crafting a solid (re-)introduction to one of Marvel's most interesting superheroes. I'm looking forward to see where this goes, but, to be honest, I'm even more excited about the World of Wakanda spinoff to come! As always, since reading Ms. Marvel, I'm constantly looking for more (and more richly layered and unique) depictions of women in comics ...more

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