Marvel has announced an exciting new podcast that explores the history of the Black Panther. Titled The History of Marvel Comics: Black Panther, the new six-episode podcast, produced in conjunction with Sirius XM, will not only explore the character’s rich history and cultural impact, but will feature in-depth conversations with the creators who helped shape Black Panther’s destiny, making him into the cultural icon he is today.
Marvel’s first Black superhero, the Black Panther first appeared in 1966’s Fantastic Four #52, created by the legendary team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The regent of the isolated African nation of Wakanda, the Black Panther came to America to assess its growing number of superhumans. He would go on to join the Avengers, even serving as chair. The Black Panther has appeared in a number of highly acclaimed solo series from creators such as Ta-Nehisi Coates, Christopher Priest and John Romita Jr. The character has jumped into both animation and live-action, including a 2018 MCU film starring the late Chadwick Boseman, and his image can be found on toys, shirts and other merchandise. In his over 50 years of existence, the Black Panther has become one of Marvel’s most popular characters, and now a new podcast, released in time for Black History Month, embarks on a deep dive into the Black Panther’s history.
A press release from Marvel reveals The History of Marvel Comics: Black Panther will be six episodes in length, beginning with the character’s creation during the Civil Rights Era. The podcast will also explore the character’s connections to the Black Panther movement that began in the late 1960s and traces the character’s development into the modern day. The Black Panther’s history and development will be traced through interviews with creators who have left their mark on the character, such as Coates, Romita, Priest, Don McGregor, Reginald Hudlin, Brian Stelfreeze, Joe Quesada and John Ridley. The press release also specified the details of the podcast’s release: new episodes will air weekly on Sirius XM, starting February 14, and will be available on other podcast outlets a week later.
Fans only familiar with the character’s appearance in the MCU may not be aware of his extensive history, not only in comics but in culture as well. This podcast will take fans and guide them through the character’s 56-year history by talking to the creators that made him great. Christopher Priest, Reginald Hudlin, Ta-Nehisi Coates and Don McGregor all wrote definitive runs featuring the character, and John Ridley is currently chronicling the character’s adventures. Likewise, artists who have worked on the character, such as Romita Jr, Quesada and Brian Stelfreeze, will share how T’Challa’s world was conceived and evolved over time.
Few characters in the Marvel Universe have a history as rich, and an impact as huge, as the Black Panther and now a new podcast, The History of Marvel Comics: Black Panther takes fans on a deep dive into this fascinating character through interviews with those who contributed to T’Challa’s legacy.
