Black Panther: The People’s Hero or Post-Colonial Nightmare?
- F7 | LIFESTYLE by Kelechi Iwumene
- May 21, 2016
- 3 min read
Black Panther: The People’s Hero or Post-Colonial Nightmare?
If you haven’t yet seen the latest superhero movie Captain America Civil War (where have you been living—under a rock?) then I suggest you do. Putting the mispronunciation of Nigeria’s former capital city aside. Marvel’s first venture into their phase three cinematic storyline is almost flawless (almost!). We some of our favourite Avengers return to the big screen yet this time, they’re not fighting a villain but they’re fighting each other.
The storyline picks from where Captain America Winter Soldier left off. Given the trail of collateral damage the superheroes leave behind, the governments of the world propose that the Avengers sign a document making them accountable to an elected body who gets to decide what missions they carry out. Interestingly, it is Steve Rogers aka Captain America who declines the offer but Tony Stark aka Iron Man that accepts the offer. Initially, it was the other way around with Stark anti-government and Rogers pro-government. But throughout the franchise the audience have seen their characters develop.
So in the midst of this rising tension and growing division amongst the team, enter T’Challa, the warrior king of Wakanda, Marvel’s fictional African nation rich with an unbreakable alloy metal called vibranium (the same material that makes up Captain America’s famous shield!) The first shot we get of T’Challa is at the signing of the governmental document. He stands with such regal poise, in his sharply tailored suit, looking out amongst the city and then looking over his broad shoulders at the officials taking their seats. [SPOILER ALERT] An unexpected explosion leads to the death of his father and sends T’Challa on a hunt for vengeance. And he does so geared up as Black Panther; the first black superhero in mainstream comic books— virtually no black heroes were created before him, and none with actual superpowers.
Originally, America’s first African superhero was meant to be called ‘Coal Tiger’ but the name that we have today was inspired by a pulp adventure hero who had a black panther as a helper. Many mistakenly presume that the name referenced The Black Panther Party of the 1960’s but in fact Black Panther was renamed Black Leopard in order to disassociate the character from the political party.
It’s not only exciting to see the character realised on the silver screen but it is even more exciting to see Marvel Studios do the character justice. Chadwick Boseman is the perfect actor to play the role; he doesn’t cut corner in his performance and conveys a depiction of a black character that is rarely seen in Hollywood; one that is educated, strong, and possesses incredible presence of royalty and self-worth. He speaks like a king. He walks like a king. He even fights like a king (the only hero— excluding Captain America— that can go toe-to-toe with the Winter Soldier and his infamous Soviet-esque iron arm).
Many may find Black Panther’s iteration slightly annoying. Despite his existence precluding the Black Panther Party in the 1960’s the comparison is still made. Also, the association of T’Challa with an animal (a panther) alludes to the carnality stereotypically attributed to the black persona. However, [SPOILER ALERT] it is near the end of the movie that the audience sees how T’Challa is capable of more than just blind vengeance. Black Panther chooses not to kill the murderer of his father; he will not allow revenge to consume him as it had his murderer and other heroes. Instead, Black Panther stops his father’s murderer from committing suicide. If that doesn’t say something then what else will?
Undoubtedly, Black Panther is my favourite character. Why you ask? Because he is not only a hero to the characters and the fans want; Black Panther encourages true diversity - on the same playing field of what's already out there in the cinema. Black Panther is the hero the industry needs.
By Kelechi Iwumene
Picture Credits: T’Challa Archives, Daily News Archive/ Black Panther Comics, Wikipedia/ Black Panther, T’Challa, Pinterest/ Africa’s First Marvel Superhero, Okayafrica.
F7 | LIFESTYLE
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