Christopher Priest has been in the comics industry for over two decades. Tom Brevoort is the editor of some of Marvel's hottest titles including Avengers, Captain Marvel and of course, Black Panther. Priest and Brevoort took time out to share their thoughts on the Panther and gave some insight as to what we can expect in the future.
 When the Marvel Knights line of comics was launched in 1998, the imprint defined itself early as a champion of lost causes. MK editors, Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti, set out to prove that a slew of second-tier Marvel characters deserved first-tier status. Among those characters was the Black Panther, the king of the mythical African nation of Wakanda and a Marvel mainstay since he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 in 1966. The Black Panther was a popular member of the Avengers for many years and had several series and mini-series of his own, none of which ever achieved remarkable longevity. The Marvel Knights Black Panther (which left the Knights for the Marvel Universe proper as of issue #13), however, has built a loyal and vocal fan following and proven once again that there are diamonds in the rough at Marvel. Black Panther has become known for its witty dialogue, irreverant humor and complex political intrigues. Writer Christopher Priest is very proud of the work he and the Panther creative team have accomplished. TCR managed to track down Priest and editor Tom Brevoort to find out what's brewing in Wakanda.
"I'm real happy with the book," said Priest. "This is some of my strongest career work and, overall, I'm quite pleased. I think we've created a unique take on an established character, while being respectful of what's come before. I like to read comics that are provocative and intelligent, while not losing the sense of wonder and adventure that got me into comics in the first place. In Black Panther, I think we've achieved that." "I love writing the book, and come to work energized and excited to be at the helm. I'm also grateful to Marvel for having both the sense of humor and the sense of purpose to support the work, and to have the patience and elasticity of common purpose to put up with Black Panther's irreverent swipes at the comics genre, the Marvel heroes, and often the company itself. I'm sure the snarky humor in Black Panther is not completely appreciated in every office at Marvel, but I can't think of any other company that would allow [the Avengers] to be described as, 'Gaudily-dressed fascists.'" (As they were in Black Panther #8.) Priest believes that most fans see Black Panther as just another title in the super hero genre. But those fans, he contends, are missing the point. "Black Panther plays against convention and stereotype," explained Priest, "and regularly eviscerates the time-honored conventions and conceits of the genre. Most comics readers don't know this, or figure Black Panther's is about two guys in loin cloths stabbing each other with spears in the Veldt. But the book is so much more than that, a political action/adventure; 'The West Wing' done with super heroes, and a healthy dose of satirical wit, needling the comics genre the way Kevin Smith needles the film genre in his movies." While Black Panther takes a decidedly different tack on the super hero genre, many fans haven't taken the opportunity to discover this and Priest is aware of this fact. "Black Panther's is the best book nobody's reading," remarked Priest. "We're hoping to change that."
Marvel editor extraordinaire, Tom Brevoort (Avengers, Captain Marvel), who recently inherited the Black Panther, explained how Marvel intends to bring the Panther to the forefront: "Ultimately, we'll continue to do good stories, and try to get the word out. Too often, the creative and editorial team throws out everything about the book that makes it unique and special in a misguided attempt to make the series more commercial, more 'what the audience wants.' And what you get is a second-rate knock-off of other more popular books. "I'd rather Black Panther succeed or fail on its own merits, rather than trying to turn it into another Batman or Wolverine clone and losing the unique voice and spirit of the series. So it'll continue to be political, complex and offbeat." The Panther diehards breathe a collective sigh of relief! However, Brevoort did indicate that some changes would occur. "The only specific thing we're doing [to change the book] is moving somewhat away from the non-linear storytelling of the first year, in an attempt to make the series just a little bit more accessible to somebody who happens to pick up a random issue." Priest and the continuing artistic team of penciller Sal Velluto and inker Bob Almond, will be featuring a plethora of guest stars in the coming months. Moon Knight appears in #21-22, Deadpool and the Avengers appear in #23, "including Priest's take on controversial new Avenger, Triathlon," remarked Brevoort. Following the pulse-pounding wrap-up of Black Panther's second year in #24-25, a special, as-yet-unrevealed guest star will appear in the following story arc. Brevoort is mum on who this is, but admits that it's someone who "fans have been asking for pretty much since issue #1." |
