Black Panther! Brilliant, heroic, royal, and (before his movie) woefully underrepresented in Marvel Unlimited. Nonetheless, I’ve put together a reading order of T’Challa’s comics since his 1960s origin in Fantastic Four.
In the modern era of comics, Black Panther has been one of Marvel Comics most consistently excellent titles. Writer Christopher Priest kicked off a lengthy run on the character in 1998 as part of “Marvel Knights,” setting the stage for great stories all the way up through Ta-Nehisi Coates’ foray into writing Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet
Below you’ll find a guide to starting with Black Panther single issue comics and collected editions, broken up according to different eras of the character’s history.
Black Panther Debuts
Fantastic Four
Like many 1960’s Jack and Stan creations, Black Panther makes his debut in the pages of Fantastic Four. T’Challa’s first appearance comes smack in the middle of one of the hottest streaks in Marvel Comics history, with Jack and Stan wrapping “The Coming of Galactus” (FF #48 to #50) and “This Man, This Monster” (FF #51) right before heading to Wakanda. As if you needed more incentive, these original issues also showcase a sweet Wakandan softball game.
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Tales of Suspense #97 to #99, Captain America #100
The premiere issue of Captain America’s solo comics (was previously a double feature with Iron Man in Tales of Suspense). Black Panther’s adventures with Captain America leads directly into…
Avengers #52
T’Challa helps the Avengers deal with The Grim Reaper, and becomes a pretty regular Avenger from this issue forward, certainly at least until Avengers #92.
Black Panther in the 1970s
Don McGregor’s Black Panther
These classic Black Panther comics are seeing renewed interest following T’Challa’s appearance in Captain America: Civil War. While Marvel may remain wildly embarrassed that these Black Panther stories are in a mag titled “Jungle Action,” the content of McGregor and Buckingham’s “Panther’s Rage” is excellent.
You can also track down these issues in the Marvel Essential Black Panther Vol. 1
Jack Kirby’s Black Panther
The return of the King from about 1976 to 1979 gave Marvel The Eternals, Devil Dinosaur, some action-packed Captain America stories (Kill-Derby!), and of course, this run on Black Panther.
Issues included would be Black Panther #14 to #15, Marvel Premiere #51 to #53.
Black Panther in the 1980s
While previously uncollected, the majority of these comics are either now available or at least in Marvel Unlimited! Thanks to Matt in the comments for the update.
40 page follow-up to “Panther’s Rage” from scripter Peter Gillis and Jerry Bingham.
1988 limited series written by Peter Gillis.
Storm meets T’challa for the first time.
Marvel Comics Presents #13 to #37
Marvel Knights Black Panther (1998 to 2005)
Black Panther by Christopher Priest Vol. 1
Collects: Black Panther (1998) #1 to #17
Note that the Christopher Priest run on Black Panther is semi-recently collected into four big editions, and entirely available on Marvel Unlimited. This run is one of the very first comics series I recommend in Comic Book Herald’s complete Marvel reading order, and with good reason!
Black Panther by Christopher Priest Vol. 2
Collects: Black Panther #18 to #35, Deadpool #44 (read alongside Black Panther #23)
Black Panther by Christopher Priest Vol. 3
Collects: Black Panther #36 to #49
Black Panther by Christopher Priest Vol. 4
Collects: Black Panther #50 to #62
2000’s Black Panther (2005 to 2012)
Reginald Hudlin’s Black Panther
Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Vol. 1
Collects: Black Panther #1 to #7 (issue #7 is a House of M tie-in), X-Men #175, Black Panther #8, X-Men #176, Black Panther #9 to #18
Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Vol. 2
Collects: Black Panther #19 to #34, Black Panther Annual #1
Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Vol. 3
Collects: Black Panther #35 to #41, Black Panther #1 to #6 (the 2009 series relaunch during Dark Reign), Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Father #1 to #4
Note that the Hudlin era includes X-Men: Wild Kingdom crossover (listed below), Civil War tie-ins, and ends with Secret Invasion tie-ins. If you want the full event experience, you can jump to those linked event guides once you hit a Civil War or Secret Invasion banner on any issue of Black Panther. The Civil War tie-ins are particularly important for the future of Black Panther.
Reading order for Wild Kingdom:
X-Men #175, Black Panther #8, X-Men #176, Black Panther #9
Fantastic Four #544 to #550
Takes place right after Civil War, T’Challa and Storm join Fantastic Four.
X-Men: Worlds Apart
Black Panther (2008 to 2010)
Collects: Black Panther #7 to #11
Reboots with new #1 which takes place during Dark Reign, and features our first woman in the role of Black Panther. Hudlin writes #1 to #6. There is a Black Panther Annual released same month as this Black Panther #1, and can be read either before or after the first six issues (Annual jumps to the future, so not a lot of overlap).
4 issue limited series expanding the Black Panther vs. Klaw blood feud.
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear
Black Panther takes over Daredevil numbering following Shadowland
Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive
Immediate follow up to Man Without Fear.
Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of our Fathers
Black Panther & The New Avengers: Illuminati (2012 to 2015)
A+X
T’Challa and Storm
Fantastic Four #607 to #608 (Hickman)
If you’re invested in this era of Marvel Comics, and the Black Panther, I highly recommend you take on Hickman’s Fantastic Four from the very beginning (Fantastic Four reading order). This will build up a lot of what’s to come in New Avengers and ultimately Secret Wars. Otherwise, these two issues are the Black Panther reads.
New Avengers
You could quite reasonably jump straight to New Avengers, with the knowledge that A v X plays an important role in the state of Wakanda.
It’s important to note here that Jonathan Hickman’s run on New Avengers begins to crossover with Avengers as the series approaches Secret Wars. I’d recommend checking out the Secret Wars reading order for a Hickman’s Avengers guide – it’s a great read even when Black Panther’s not involved!
Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet (Ta-Nehisi Coates Run)
Ultimates: Omniversal Vol. 1: Start With the Impossible
Collects: Ultimates 1-5, Avengers 0
Ultimates is without question one of Marvel’s best comics after Secret Wars (it was my #1 favorite of 2016), and Black Panther has a starring role on the cosmic superteam including Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel, Photon, and America Chavez.
Ultimates: Omniversal Vol. 2: Civil War II
Collects: Ultimates 7-12
Civil War II derails Ultimates a bit, but Black Panther makes a decision here with major ramifications for the team.
Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Book
Collects: Black Panther 1-4
Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze begin their acclaimed run on Black Panther.
Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Book 2
Collects: Black Panther 5-8
Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Book 3
Collects: Black Panther 9-12
Black Panther: World of Wakanda
Collects: Black Panther: World Of Wakanda 1-6
Black Panther & the Crew: We Are the Streets
Collects: Black Panther And The Crew 1-6
Ultimates 2 Vol. 1: Troubleshooters
Collects: Ultimates 2 (2016) 1-6
Ultimates 2 Vol. 2: Eternity War
Collects: Ultimates 2 (2016) 7-12
Black Panther Book 4: Avengers of the New World Book 1
Collects: Black Panther 13-18
Black Panther Book 5: Avengers of the New World Part 2
Collects: Black Panther 166-171
Black Panther renumbers here to align with Marvel Legacy – yes, you’re meant to jump from Black Panther #18 to Black Panther #166 (comics!)
The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda
Collects: Rise of the Black Panther #1 to #6
Black Panther: Long Live the King
Collects: OGN
Black Panther Book 6: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda Part 1
Collects: Black Panther (2018) 1-6
Collects: Amazing Spider-Man: Wakanda Forever 1, Avengers: Wakanda Forever 1, X-Men: Wakanda Forever
By Nnedi Okorafor, Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque
Shuri: The Search for Black Panther
Collects: Shuri 1-5
Black Panther Book 7: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda Part 2
Collects: Black Panther #7 to #12
Collects: Black Panther vs. Deadpool #1 to #5
Black Panther: Killmonger – By Any Means
Collects: Killmonger #1 to #4
Black Panther Book 7: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda Part 2
Collects: Black Panther #7 to #12
Black Panther Book 8: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda Part Three
Collects: Black Panther #13 to #18
Black Panther Book 9: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda Part 4
Collects: Black Panther #19 to #25
John Ridley’s Black Panther
Black Panther by John Ridley Vol. 1: The Long Shadow
Collects: Black Panther (2021) #1 to #5
Black Panther by John Ridley Vol. 2: Range Wars
Collects: Black Panther #6 to #10
Latest Additions
Black Panther by John Ridley Vol. 3: All This and The World Too
Collects: Black Panther #11 to #15
Collects: #1 to #4
A reimagined origin for T’Challa that explores multiple facets of his character and identity.
Collects: Black Panther #1 to #6
View Comments (11)
Hello, could you say what comics are in the ultimate universe??? I don't speake English good at all, have I say it well???
Thanks
This is really good reading order but it does not mention “Avengers the Earths Mightiest Heroes” (2018) at all and that is a pretty important run for black panther. It would be great if you would add that.
Great job on this order!!!!
R.I.P Chadwick Boseman
Hi. Can you update it one more time? Shuri is over and the current BP run ends in June.
Hey Dave, I have been reading Priest's run. Just so you know, he is still responsible for Kasper's arc through the end of the volume!!
I admire your work!
Thank you! I made an update to reflect
Hey! Quick update to this! In the 1980's books that you mention weren't on Marvel Unlimited, it seems to have updated since you posted this as all of them except the four issue limited series are now available!
Updated to reflect, thanks!
Could you please add, in all your lists, a footnote, or something like that, that says when was the last date a list was updated? It would be very useful.
Thank you very much for your hardwork, your lists are amazing.
I found this (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M8K5NSB/ref=series_rw_dp_sw) digital comic to include Jack Kirby's run on Black Panther including The Panther vs. Th Klan
Thanks for creating these reading lists. Comics used to be so easy to follow and now with so many crossovers, events and reboots these guides are invaluable. As to your Panther guide there are a couple of reads I think are important in the Panther's history as well, Daredevil's (vol 1) # 52 and 69 establish the long standing friendship between Matt Murdock and T'challa. Keep up the great work!!!!