Black Panther's first arc ends in a frenzy, placing T'Challa at wit's end and effectively issuing open war on The People. The weariness and weight of doubt the King had felt in the first four issues suddenly and aggressively transmuted to a inexhaustible amount of rage. Now that Ramonda is hospitalized and Shuri remains in stasis, there is no one T'Challa can fully trust as his personal counsel. The kindly ruler who scarcely presented himself to his subjects must be put aside for the Black Panther, unyielding and undeterred to bring all his enemies to justice" or whichever manner they reach their end. Read Full Review

Ta-Nahesi Coates has ten issues and he's putting them to good use, pouring top notch prose and his extensive knowledge and appreciation of African culture into this book, creating a much richer portrait not just of the Panther, but of Wakanda as a whole. Read Full Review

Black Panther #4 is just another outstanding piece of an impressive and game-changing story by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Read Full Review

How this story arc concluded was one heck of a way to leave readers at the end of Black Panther #4. Things were only going to get worse before they got any better, yet you couldn't have prepared for how wrong things could go. They did not pull punches and unfortunately this is the reality of a nation crumbling at it's own feet. This is as real as it gets and that means something for a nation like Wakanda in the Marvel Universe. Read Full Review

It's clear from reading these first four issues that Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze are every bit as passionate about their supporting cast as they are Black Panther himself. Read Full Review

While I have some misgivings about the story and specific elements, Black Panther continues to be a solid series. Philosophy, storytelling, and drama mix together to create TChallas conflict, and characters around him continue their movements, complicating the story in an intriguing manner. This purposeful story is intellectually engaging and visually superb. Read Full Review

With this series I have the first twoissues in print form and the last two in digital. I regret not getting thephysical copies to complete my collection, so I may go pick them up or justwait for the trade. I actually think that it would read much better in onesitting, but even with that said, this is still one of the best books on theracks right now. Read Full Review

I'm sure a bunch of readers are clamoring for some more action, but I urge you to hang on. We're done with the first arc of Coates' Black Panther, and we're heading down a revolutionary road.  Read Full Review

The people " you and I " that is what still lacks a voice in this book. The first quarter closes with issue four. Is the king wise? Is his opposition right? Can two women be a better voice for all of us than one man? The fire rises in Wakanda, and its stars rise with the flames, each of them vying to be the one who saves all the lives burned in their ascension. You. Must. Read. This. Book. Read Full Review

All told, Black Panther #4 is an engaging read, even if it isn't completely satisfactory. Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brian Stelfreeze and Laura Martin have crafted a layered world that asks readers to question the structures that have been in place since the inception of the titular hero. However to maintain momentum, future issues of Black Panther must begin answering these questions or else the title may find itself spinning its philosophical wheels. Read Full Review

Shout-out to Coates for the gem he dropped on leadership and inspiration in the middle of the story…Respect… Read Full Review

There are some really interesting things going on with this series. Stuff I've never seen in a comic is getting addressed and I find it fascinating. I just wish Coates remembered he's right a comic and not a political thesis. I don't mind a happy medium, but spending money on an Black Panther comic where Black Panther only wears the suit in the final panel, that's something I can't ignore for this review. Stelfreeze also is taking time off, so I'm worried how issue #5 is going to look without Stelfreeze gorgeous backdrop of the Golden City looking over Wakanda. Read Full Review

End of the first story arc, but by no means the end of the story, Black Panther continues to impress and this issue is an excellent wrapping up point of some of the confusions of the previous issue and another fascinating commentary on Wakandas culture, one different in some respects, but not too alien in others, to our own. Overall, this rich tale has captivated me and no doubt I will be continuing to follow it as it unfolds.

Back to form, good story telling

While the dialogue is interesting and the world building top-notch, it still amounts to a lot of talking heads, which is not something you want to take up an entire issue. This is comics, don't tell me about the turmoil in the streets, show me, especially in the final issue if the arc. If I weren't told this was the end of the first arc, I never would have known it. There's nothing remotely resembling a conclusion or climax. And what is this about inspiring the people? Does T'Challa think that holding a parade or putting your hand on a child's shoulder will inspire the larger populace into civility? Unfortunately, Ta-Nehisi Coates may not wield fiction as well as he has non-fiction. I do like the inclusion of Zeke Stane, some outside forces sticking their fingers into Wakanda's business always makes things interesting. The map is a nice touch too. more