Ultimate Black Panther Walks The Middle Of The Road
Created by Bryan Hill, Stefano Caselli, Carlos Nieto, David Curiel, Joe Caramagna, & Cory Petit
If Ultimate Wolverine is the New Ultimate Universe’s only truly bad book, Ultimate Black Panther is the universe’s only truly middle-of-the-road book. It’s a book that doesn’t do much wrong, per se, providing readers with a serviceable storyline about Wakanda plunging into a war against avatars of Ra and Khonshu—aka the Moon Knight—both members of the Maker’s Council.
Some rather unique twists are taken too, like Storm and Killmonger being revolutionaries fighting for liberation and engaging in a tense allyship with T’Challa or the introduction of this universe’s Sorcerer Supreme, Inan.Ultimate Black Panther is not a book short on wonderful ideas.
However, the problem is that it doesn’t do much with those ideas. The very unremarkable house style for the book doesn’t do it many favors either. The Ultimate Universe right now relies on the idea of having its stories roughly occur in real-time, which means that whenever a new issue comes out, it takes place in the exact month it’s released in, with all these stories spanning across two years until the return of the Maker in late 2025.
Some of these comics handle this timeline-balancing act better than others, but Ultimate Black Panther is too breezy to consider the weight of its plot beats. Things happen in the comic, but happen far too quickly for the reader to feel a real impact from otherwise critical events.
Black Panther's battle with Moon Knight was teased for two arcs, only for it to be resolved in less than four pages. While the book is beginning to pick up speed, it shouldn't take over a year to become a worthwhile read, coming off as a poorly executed slow burn.
The Ultimate Black Panther series takes a distinctive approach within the Marvel Ultimate Universe by blending traditional superhero elements with political intrigue and mythological warfare. At its core, the storyline revolves around Wakanda's descent into a complex battle against avatars of Egyptian gods Ra and Khonshu, with Moon Knight reimagined as a key antagonist aligned with the mysterious Maker’s Council. This narrative choice expands the usual Black Panther mythos by integrating new supernatural components, which offer fresh storytelling potential. Notably, the series introduces thought-provoking character dynamics such as Storm and Killmonger portrayed as revolutionaries, adding layers of socio-political commentary to the comic. Their alliance with T’Challa challenges readers to reconsider established roles and loyalties within Wakanda’s political landscape. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Inan as the universe’s Sorcerer Supreme injects a mystical dimension that broadens the scope of the Ultimate Marvel Universe. Despite these ambitious ideas, the series struggles with pacing and emotional depth, which impacts reader engagement. Key conflict moments—like the highly anticipated battle between Black Panther and Moon Knight—resolve too quickly, limiting the buildup and potential resonance with the audience. This approach contrasts with other Ultimate Universe titles that better balance real-time chronology with character development and plot intensity. For Marvel enthusiasts and comic book critics, the Ultimate Black Panther stands as an example of a series rich in creative concepts yet hindered by execution. Readers interested in alternative takes on iconic heroes might find value in the fresh perspectives and expanded universe lore. However, those seeking a deeply immersive and dramatically paced narrative might view it as less satisfying compared to other entries in the Ultimate Universe. Overall, the Ultimate Black Panther’s journey reflects an experimental path that seeks to redefine heroism and mythology in modern comics while highlighting the challenges of integrating complex story arcs within a strict publication timeline. Prospective readers should consider these factors to set appropriate expectations when diving into this evolving saga.
