Overrated jungle action
The Epic Collections from Marvel Comics are a series of trade paperbacks of classic comics reprinted in full-color on matte-coated paper, making these books a step in quality above the black-and-white Marvel Essentials series. The Black Panther Epic Collection: Panther’s Rage, published in 2016, reproduces the title character’s initial 1966 appearance in issues 52 and 53 of Fantastic Four before settling into the Panther’s solo adventures in Jungle Action issues 6 to 24, running from 1973 to 1976. Panther’s Rage is Volume 1 of the Black Panther Epic Collections, which is followed by two additional paperbacks (as of 2021), Volume 2: Revenge of the Black Panther and Volume 3: Panther’s Prey.
The two issues from the Fantastic Four title are classic five-star work by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. One can see why they chose to subtitle the FF “The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” Kirby’s artwork has never looked better. In this adventure, it is unclear to the FF whether the Panther is friend or foe, but they eventually team up against the Panther’s archenemy Klaw.
If its possible to have two archenemies, the Black Panther’s second major nemesis would be Erik Killmonger, a Wakandan who tries to overthrow T’Challa and usurp his throne. This villain figures largely in the pages of Jungle Action, wherein runs a twelve-issue story entitled “Panther’s Rage.” This run is highly regarded as the quintessential Black Panther epic, and it influenced the writing of the 2018 motion picture. In reality, however, the comics are far less impressive than the movie based upon them. As a villain, Killmonger is little more than a big bruiser who looks, acts, and dresses like a professional wrestler. Far more interesting is his pantheon of henchman, which includes such freaky types as Baron Macabre, King Cadaver, and Salamander K’Ruel.
Writer Don McGregor is white, but he does a good job of introducing elements of African culture into the stories without being stereotypical or corny. The Panther’s girlfriend, however, seems deliberately modeled after Pam Grier’s persona in blaxploitation films. This love interest allows for many interludes of soap opera romance, but otherwise McGregor’s plots are often little more than extended brawls dressed up with ostentatious verbosity. The Panther undergoes torture in each issue, his uniform torn to shreds (what, no vibranium?) as he gets whipped, burned, and broken by his foes. It calls to mind the kind of masochism often found in Wolverine comics, though in Logan’s case his healing factor often allows for an element of humor. Here, McGregor seems hell-bent on constantly depicting the Black Panther as a Christ-like figure. “Panther’s Rage” is followed by another long story arc, “The Panther vs. The Klan.” This ends unfinished, however, because the Jungle Action title got cancelled. The plot threads were later picked up in the Black Panther limited series of 1988 (included in Black Panther Epic Collection, Volume 2).
With the exception of the two Kirby issues and the occasional guest star, the art is about evenly split between Rich Buckler and African American artist Billy Graham. Both are helped considerably by Klaus Janson’s inks. Neither is a great renderer of the human figure, but there is an admirable concerted effort made towards innovation in page layout that is clearly influenced by Will Eisner’s The Spirit. Such graphic experimentation is really the best thing these Black Panther comics have going for them. Though notable for their forward strides in racial diversity, the Jungle Action issues are by no means Marvel masterpieces, just decent, slightly above average workmanship.
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The two issues from the Fantastic Four title are classic five-star work by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. One can see why they chose to subtitle the FF “The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” Kirby’s artwork has never looked better. In this adventure, it is unclear to the FF whether the Panther is friend or foe, but they eventually team up against the Panther’s archenemy Klaw.
If its possible to have two archenemies, the Black Panther’s second major nemesis would be Erik Killmonger, a Wakandan who tries to overthrow T’Challa and usurp his throne. This villain figures largely in the pages of Jungle Action, wherein runs a twelve-issue story entitled “Panther’s Rage.” This run is highly regarded as the quintessential Black Panther epic, and it influenced the writing of the 2018 motion picture. In reality, however, the comics are far less impressive than the movie based upon them. As a villain, Killmonger is little more than a big bruiser who looks, acts, and dresses like a professional wrestler. Far more interesting is his pantheon of henchman, which includes such freaky types as Baron Macabre, King Cadaver, and Salamander K’Ruel.
Writer Don McGregor is white, but he does a good job of introducing elements of African culture into the stories without being stereotypical or corny. The Panther’s girlfriend, however, seems deliberately modeled after Pam Grier’s persona in blaxploitation films. This love interest allows for many interludes of soap opera romance, but otherwise McGregor’s plots are often little more than extended brawls dressed up with ostentatious verbosity. The Panther undergoes torture in each issue, his uniform torn to shreds (what, no vibranium?) as he gets whipped, burned, and broken by his foes. It calls to mind the kind of masochism often found in Wolverine comics, though in Logan’s case his healing factor often allows for an element of humor. Here, McGregor seems hell-bent on constantly depicting the Black Panther as a Christ-like figure. “Panther’s Rage” is followed by another long story arc, “The Panther vs. The Klan.” This ends unfinished, however, because the Jungle Action title got cancelled. The plot threads were later picked up in the Black Panther limited series of 1988 (included in Black Panther Epic Collection, Volume 2).
With the exception of the two Kirby issues and the occasional guest star, the art is about evenly split between Rich Buckler and African American artist Billy Graham. Both are helped considerably by Klaus Janson’s inks. Neither is a great renderer of the human figure, but there is an admirable concerted effort made towards innovation in page layout that is clearly influenced by Will Eisner’s The Spirit. Such graphic experimentation is really the best thing these Black Panther comics have going for them. Though notable for their forward strides in racial diversity, the Jungle Action issues are by no means Marvel masterpieces, just decent, slightly above average workmanship.
If you liked this review, please follow the link below to Amazon.com and give me a “helpful” vote. Thank you.
https://www.amazon.com/review/R154BC9H924677/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm
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