From The Shadows With Vengeance: Reviewing ‘Black Panther’ #9

All the pieces are coming together as Black Panther comes face-to-face with the supernatural threat plaguing Birnin T’Chaka. Past and present collide as the timeless entity makes their plans for Wakanda extremely clear.

Eve L. Ewing, Chris Allen, Mack Chatter, Craig Yeung, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Sabino deliver another compelling issue with Black Panther #9.

After the revelations in the previous issue, this one spends a lot of time fitting them into the greater puzzle. It’s a very chatty and plot-centric issue, but it works. Ewing has such a great handle on this character, the supporting characters, and their world. As we move from scene to scene of characters explaining or revealing, it’s very engaging. Even scenes of characters expositing to themselves are informative and entertaining.

A T’Challa that is more understanding and softening is a good place to be. The moments between him and Beisa are so good. A sweet bit of awkwardness emerges as T’Challa professes care and friendship for her. Perhaps a hint at something more, as Ewing leaves things said but unsaid at the same time.

Multiple artists on a story can often be a tough situation, but not with this series. Once again Allen, Yeung, Chater, and Aburtov create a visually compelling and cohesive experience.

I love the inherent rougher nature of all the artwork, speaking to the harder elements of this story and world. Shadows and heavier colors swirl around, keeping things grounded and thick. Heaviness persists thanks to the ink work. It all adds a very dense lived in feeling to the setting of Birnin T’Chaka, giving this city such exquisite life.

Emotions are clear, and the action beats we do get are frenzied but logical in their depiction. Movement is felt which works for such an agile hand-to-hand type character.

There is an epic feeling to so much of it. Combining that with the roughness actually makes the reveal of the foe Kivu’ma feel so much more terrifying. Horrific in design, the gangly twisted aspect of the artwork takes it up ten notches. Part of that is also the dynamic paneling choices at hand. Allowing characters and moments to move around naturally in panel styles that fit them. Sometimes even bursting out of their given confines to be even bigger in impact.

As noted, there is a lot of exposition and character moments on the page. This means a lot for Sabino to work with on the page. Not a worry though as it all flows smoothly, allowing each voice room to breathe and the energy to resonate. Little visual flairs give some characters distinct vocal tones, through colors or differing fonts.

Black Panther #9 is now available from Marvel Comics.