Black panther is a fictional character named T’Challa, he was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character and costume, as its name states, is based on a panther and made his first appearance in Fantastic Four issue number 52 on July 1966. “1966. It felt like the world was giving birth to something new, like liberation was around the corner and blackness was finally winning” (Burroughs 1, 2018).
Black panther (T’Challa) is the king of a fictional nation in Africa called Wakanda. “Wakanda, as depicted in Black Panther (2018), is a fictional African nation that blends advanced technology with deep-rooted cultural traditions. Hidden from the rest of the world, Wakanda thrives due to its vast reserves of vibranium, a rare and powerful metal that fuels its technological advancements, including futuristic cities, advanced medicine, and high-tech weaponry.
The capital city, Birnin Zana, is a dazzling metropolis with towering skyscrapers that incorporate Afro-futuristic designs, blending traditional African architecture with sleek, modern aesthetics. The society is composed of multiple tribes, each with its own customs and distinct roles in Wakandan governance. The nation is ruled by a monarch, the Black Panther, who gains enhanced abilities through the Heart-Shaped Herb and serves as both the political leader and protector of Wakanda.” [ChatGPT 2025]. This quote describes Wakanda as a place an advance technology mixed with Afro-futuristic designs. Black Panther is a symbol of heroism, leadership, and the potential for African nations and people to thrive independently, grounded in both tradition and innovation.
The character of Black Panther represents a lot. The character is a king, representing leadership and responsibility. T’Challa, his role as the protector of Wakanda ties him to the responsibility of honoring his ancestors and maintaining the traditions of his people. “ Black Panther was different, however, in that its centering of a nondominant culture and the resulting acclaim provided not only an avenue for showcasing the strength, competence, beauties, and intelligence of Black people but also a venue through which to literally show African cultures as vital to an entire universe, thus changing the perceptions of the importance and vitality of entire groups of people. Additionally, the film provides a unique case for examining how Black audiences cross-culturally interpret the film’s effects on their perceptions of African nations—their political and financial power as well as their cultural importance.”[ Goren 2023,324]
Traditionally, Black characters in mainstream media have often been relegated to secondary roles, depicted as either hyper-aggressive, overly subservient, or lacking depth. When the Character was introduced in Fantastic Four issue number 52 on July 1966, he appeared as a side character. During the black panther movement, the introduction broke new ground as Black Panther was the first Black superhero in mainstream American comics—appearing before other notable Black superheroes like Luke Cage (1972), Blade (1973), and Storm (1975). After several guest appearances, It moved away from the stereotypical “jungle adventure” tropes seen in comics at the time. Focussing on Wakanda’s internal politics and T’Challa’s role as a leader, not just as a superhero. There is a stereotype that Africa is poor, but Black Panther (2018) deliberately challenges these stereotypes by presenting T’Challa as a fully realized, character who embodies intelligence, leadership, and moral complexity.
Black panther has fostered real-life expectations and cultural impact, regarding the way Africa is portrayed in movies. Before Black panther, black characters were depicted as sidekicks, stereotypes or background figures. Now with black panther being a main character, audiences and creators now demand a better representation of blacks in the movie industry not just ad supporting roles. “Greater recognition of Africa’s rich cultures, histories, and potential beyond colonial narratives. The success of Black Panther (2018) sparked more conversations about Afrofuturism and African innovation, leading to increased interest in African tech, fashion, and storytelling.” (chatGBT 2025) this quote shows that the 2018 black panther movie changed the way Africa was viewed.
The concept of Wakanda as a technologically advanced, uncolonized African nation created a sense of possibility and hope. Studies in narrative psychology indicate that exposure to utopian or futuristic visions of one’s identity can help reshape real world aspirations. Many young Black audiences, especially children, felt inspired to see superheroes that looked like them, reinforcing positive self-image.” Black Panther introduces and celebrate racial and cultural differences… ”(Hervé 2024, p1971). The effect of black panther enhances people’s ideas about the self, canceling self-hate.
Black Panther demonstrated that Black-led blockbuster films could be commercially successful, leading to more investment in diverse storytelling. Hollywood responded with an increase in Black-led superhero and action films, such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) featuring Miles Morales, The Woman King (2022) starring Viola Davis, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) with Shuri as the new Black Panther. Yes, there are societal changes but more positive than negative.
References:
i.ytimg.com, black panther, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VKpJbsB8aPY/maxresdefault.jpg.
Lilly J. Goren and Nicholas Carnes, The Politics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Infinity Saga (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2023).
Burroughs, Todd Steven. Marvel’s Black Panther: A Comic Book Biography, from Stan Lee to Ta-Nehisi Coates. Diasporic Africa Press, 2018.
Mayer, Hervé. “The Cosmopolitics of Marvel’s Black Panther (2018).” Cosmopolitan Aspirations in Contemporary Cinema (2024).
ChatGPT. “Description of Wakanda in Black Panther (2018).” March 5, 2025.
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