A Barrel Full Of Clones — Reviewing ‘Black Panther: Intergalactic’ #3

If there is one thing superheroes are probably entirely tired of, it’s world ending battles. A far second is clones. Those genetically created duplicates are nothing but a whole bunch of trouble, no matter which hero has to deal with them.

Emperor — formerly King — T’Challa certainly has his hands full dealing with a whole planet of mechanical clones in Black Panther: Intergalactic #3. The penultimate issue in this cosmic miniseries from Victor LaValle, Stefano Nesi, Bryan Valenza, and Ariana Maher.

I have no clue what to make of this series.

At this point, it feels like it quickly changed directions because there was a realization that the end is nigh. In the previous issue, the fake T’Challa seemed content to just take his counterpart’s place in secret. Suddenly, in this issue, he wants to beat the original and have everyone see it as he declares himself a superior, eternal clone.

There is some of the flavoring I expect from a LaValle series, but something is just off ingredient-wise, too. Chiefly: how the Marvel character T’Challa mashups seemed fun at first before quickly running out their welcome.

Much like the previous issues, not much happens as the overarching gimmick of the clone fights takes up most of the space. Characters are basically realizing things and finding out a little more information as they race to get into position for the finale.

Artistically, it’s at least fun to look. Nesi’s style is very fantastical by nature — a bit rough with some smoother edges as it chases exaggeration in many respects. It meets a level of dense detail that melds well with the kinetic nature of the story. The work also embeds a lot of darker spaces into the page that speaks to the darkness of the world in which T’Challa is trapped.

Some flashier colors make themselves known as the issue builds thanks to Valenza’s chosen palette. Slick and smooth colors connect and contrast quite well with the pencils. Valenza adds just a touch of his own roughness to the proceedings to keep the sharper feeling going for the story. Most of the colors though inhabit a darker realm on the palette, matching the aforementioned darkness of the rest of the artwork.

Wrapping it all up is Maher, who graces the pages with her lettering artistic skill once more. It keeps the flow of dialogue, captions, and other lettering tight and light from start to finish. And that helps craft the right level of tone, volume, and uniqueness necessary for these characters and their voices.

Black Panther: Intergalactic #3 is now available from Marvel Comics.