"THE LONG SHADOW" PART 4
Shuri's life hangs in the balance, and with T'Challa off-planet, things are not looking good! But before T'Challa can help his sister...the truth will finally come out. Has the assassin's ringleader finally been caught?!
Rated T+
T'Challa's descent into paranoia and the realm of spy thrillers continues, as the former King makes a choice that could greatly change the direction of his mission and the overall future of Wakanda. Black Panther's latest series hits all the right notes as a political spy thriller meets a superhero series. Read Full Review
Black Panther #4 continues to raise questions of trust, as the King of Wakanda learns that both his country and his family are under attack. The next issue promises to explore the ramifications of T'Challa's actions, which could bring him into (further) conflict with his allies. Either way it goes, Ridley, Cabal, and other artists are shaping a Black Panther story that fans old and new will definitely want to pick up. Read Full Review
Cabal and Moustafa deliver some dynamic and wonderfully detailed art in the issue. There are some great character moments and awesome energy in the visuals. Read Full Review
With new developments, 'Black Panther' #4 is perhaps the strongest issue in the new series, but it's hampered by questions created over the course of the arc. Read Full Review
Readers are beginning to get some escalation as far as who could be behind the assassination attempts on Wakandan sleeper agents. Read Full Review
Bits and PiecesBlack Panther #4 takes the political intrigue of the assassination attempts and slathers on a generous helping of paranoia. The art is good, although the Black Panther design is almost too generic, and the action is energetic. That said, Ridley is painting a story about a deeply flawed hero leading an increasingly unstable nation, and it's not clear where this story is headed but it doesn't appear to be anywhere good. Read Full Review
T'Challa is more about hiding what he has done vs. finding the traitor. That's what makes this storyline so compelling so far.
I wish Cabal's art was a little more dynamic and detailed, especially with the fight in the final few pages between T'Challa and Omolola. That said, though, I'm still really liking the story Ridley is putting together here. There are a good amount of interesting threads I think can be effectively capitalized on as the story progresses.
The story comes back to Wakanda just in time for startling developments. This remains the T'Challa show all the way, but there are solid niches carved into the plot for the supporting cast. (I thought Storm did particularly well with just 3 pages.)
I'm enjoying the storytelling more. Juann Cabal is throwing in some of his inventive layout tricks while keeping the level of visual polish sky-high. And I'm getting used to John Ridley's unusual way of building and pacing a script; a consequential episode like this shows its full potential for cinematic impact.
This is a solid issue. I don't think it quite hits the mark but I'm willing to continue to give this title a shot. I *really* hope that scene about a firm hand for Wakanda is supposed to be villainous. This series has been a little iffy politically so far. I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. As easily as that scene sounds like a fascist talking, it could just as easily be a liberal trying to restore law and order. We all know when you cut a liberal, a fascist bleeds.
I toally agree with rating and blurbs so far.