For all the troubles and conflicts that King TChalla is facing, the creative team are sailing. Read Full Review

The story continues to barrel forward into darker territory as we root for both T'Challa and the country of Wakanda to root out those who do them harm. You are about four issues too late if you don't already know that Black Panther isn't just the result of hype and meeting those expectations, but also a book that is truly special in its relevance and artistry. Those of us who have ached for a good Black Panther series are being treated to more than we probably anticipated. Read Full Review

The artwork noticeably changed this month, as Chris Sprouse fills in for Brian Stelfreeze, but it's a huge drop-off in quality. Intricate character detail and glorious scenery really tops off amazing storytelling. This story, so far, is a dark and daunting challenge for our hero as he tries to revive Wakanda back to it's glory days. If you haven't started to readBlack Panther yet, you're missing out. Read Full Review

While the first act of this sprawling narrative had its ups and downs, Black Panther #5 starts the title's latest arc off strong. Read Full Review

While the story rolls forward, the art in Black Panther undergoes a changing of the guard. Brian Stelfreeze will return for the third quarter, and Chris Sprouse and Karl Story have taken his place. Their work is pulpy and modern (like Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell), touches of Kirby, a large dose of Gillo Pontecorvo. It is serious, clean, spare, but finely detailed. Laura Martin continues to color the book, and her work this issue is just off the charts. She lifts the art up. Together, they realize Coates' lush vision, they capture and communicate the silent power of the panther. Read Full Review

Black Panther's second arc starts off slowly and methodically, though it is by no means as dull as those words may imply. Read Full Review

Taken individually, Black Panther #5, like most of the issues of the series so far, is dense. Its not easy reading because the plots are complex, the allegiances are mysterious, and the language is poetic. This is probably one of those series for which reading the issues without too much time between them–such as when its collected in trade format will help readers. Its when you read the issues together that you get a sense of the broad story that Coates is telling, and how it will play out gradually in a satisfying way. Read Full Review

Black Panther #5 overall is where we are finding ourselves exposed to the extremes. These for the most part are things that will happen in foreign affairs and you are glad Marvel has taken the chance on one that isn't getting caught up in the ridiculousness of what is going on with the rest of the world. It is all about Wakanda, what it means to rule this nation, to be a citizen of this nation, and what it means to genuinely fight for it. Read Full Review

The drama, dialogue and art is still top-notch, but this series needs to diversify itself a bit. People lost their minds when teased with what little of the Black Panther and his suit we've seen in action during Ta-Nehisi Coates' run and it's time to give the beast another taste. Read Full Review

Overall, I came into this ready to see some awesome Black Panther story and was hit by bad allegory. I would only recommend someone read this if they like reading bad stories. The art was really good, but there is that old saying about turning stuff like this into shinola. Read Full Review

If the pacing of earlier issues turned people off, this may be as good a start as any to jump into Ta-Nehisi Coates's vision of the Black Panther. This issue is all engaging action -- the kind that moves briskly and ignites the tensions that have been building. Great!

I wasn't feeling the Djalia scene, I just wanted to move it along at that point, but the scene where T'Challa meets with representatives from the world's most oppressive nations was compelling, I wonder what T'Challa's end game is. Things are certainly going to get more rocky after the amazing cliffhanger.

This issue made a very strong impact. The beginning was a bit confusing though.

While Coates' plot is still unlike anything else in superhero comics (and brilliant for it) I found the change in artist jarring. Chris Sprouse isn't on the same level as Brian Stelfreeze was and it's a shame that recalls Declan Shalvey's departure from Moon Knight not so long ago.