Panel Vision - Who Is The Black Panther

So, Ryan Coogler is going to be directing Marvel’s Black Panther.  That’s a big news story I’ve already pretty conclusively explored but it’s also given me a nice chance to dip into the Black Panther barrel of article material now that he’s momentarily topical.  We’ll probably come back to Black Panther again in the future given his movie won’t be here till 2018 so I’m saving the meatier explanation of his character history for future installments.  For now, this will just be a look at one of the best Black Panther stories of the modern era and a great introduction to the character for new readers: Who Is The Black Panther. 

Ryan Coogler Directing Black Panther

So, the first major comic book adaptation news story of 2016 is officially here with the announcement that Ryan Coogler will be directing Black Panther for Marvel Studios.  This is one of those announcements that’s been in the post for a long time but it’s nice to finally have official confirmation on it.  Black Panther has been lingering over Marvel’s phase 3 schedule alongside Captain Marvel ever since they both got bumped from the 2017 spot by the new Spider-Man movie so getting some kind of information on it is thoroughly welcome.  At the same time it’s great to see Marvel pursuing an African American director for the film, especially an up and coming talent like Ryan Coogler. 

Coogler may be new but so far he’s shown amazing directorial skill mixed with a consummate and confident sense of vision that makes him feel like an old pro.  His twin success, Fruitvale Station and Creed, have helped make him a serious name in both critical circles and with audiences so throwing him the reigns to a big budget Marvel superhero film feels like the next natural step in his evolution as a filmmaker.  However, Black Panther isn’t just a big budget superhero film, it’s an adaptation of the most important black superhero of all time and possibly the biggest mark for diversity in this genre since Blade.