Black Panther – Definitive Reading Order & Collecting Guide

The definitive, chronological, and up-to-date guide and trade reading order on collecting Black Panther comic books via omnibuses, hardcovers, and trade paperback graphic novels. A part of Crushing Krisis’s Collecting Avengers: A Definitive Guide. Last updated November 2018 with titles scheduled for release through July 2019.

There are a pair standard formats of books that cover Black Panther’s early history, and I’ll cover those first – Masterworks and Epics.

• Marvel Masterworks: Premium-format color sequential collections
• Epic Collections: Trade paperback gapless collections released in random order

Then, move on to learning how to collect Black Panther, era by era.

• Silver Age: in Fantastic Four and Avengers by Stan Lee & Roy Thomas (1966 – 1971)
• Jungle Action by Roy Thomas and Don F. McGregor (1973 – 1976)
• Black Panther, Vol. 1 by Jack Kirby with Ed J. Hannigan (1977 – 1979)
• Guest Star (1979 – 1988)
• Black Panther Vol. 2, Marvel Comics Presents, and Panther’s Prey (1988 – 1991)
• Guest Star (1991 – 1998)
• Vol. 3 by Christopher Priest (1998 – 2003)
• Vol. 4 by Reginald Hudlin (2005 – 2008)
• Vol. 5 by Reginald Hudlin and Jonathan Maberry (2009 – 2010)
• Heroic Age: Most Dangerous Man Alive by David Liss (2010 – 2012)
• Marvel Now: in New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman (2012 – 2015)
• All-New, All-Different Marvel: Vol. 6 by Ta-Nehisi Coates and The Ultimates (2015 – present)

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Marvel Masterworks

Marvel Masterworks editions are high quality, full color reproductions of classic Marvel comics with carefully restored artwork. They are effectively the definitive print version of any Marvel comic book.

Black Panther’s Masterworks line covers his 70s starring series in a pair of volumes. Since T’Challa did not have another headlining series until 1988, this is likely the end of his Masterworks line – or, at least, its stopping point for several years until more Masterworks lines extend into the 80s.

Masterworks Vol. 1 (ISBN 0785141987)
Collects the complete Jungle Action run of issues #6-24

Masterworks Vol. 2
Collects the complete Black Panther series with issues #1-15, as well as a wrap-up story in Marvel Premiere #51-53 and material from Marvel Team-Up #100

Epic Collections

Marvel’s Epic Collections represent a consistent, affordable, full-color bookshelf format of issues in perfect continuity order without a single gap. The catch? Marvel is releasing them in a random order.

Epic editions are also listed below in their chronological placement, as they are frequently the only coverage of a specific run.

Vol. 1: Panther’s Rage
Collects T’Challa’s debut from Fantastic Four #52-53 and his complete run in Jungle Action issues #6-24

Vol. 2: Panther’s Revenge
Collects Black Panther (1977) #1-15, Marvel Premiere (1972) #51-53, material from Marvel Team-up (1972) #100, and Black Panther (1988) 1-4

Panther’s Quest
This is effectively Epic Vol. 3. With no team affiliation or book to call his own, Black Panther became one of the rotating anchor characters of Marvel’s long-running anthology in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #13-37: as penned by longtime author Don McGregor and illustrated by the legendary Gene Colan.

 

Black Panther in Fantastic Four and The Avengers (1966 – 1973)

Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of our Fathers
The Flags of Our Fathers story roughly overlaps Rise Of The Black Panther (2018) #1. Collects Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of our Fathers #1-4 and Rise Of The Black Panther (2018) #1.

Rise Of The Black Panther (2018) #1-6
This mini-series is the Coates version of T’Challa’s origin, beginning before he was born and continuing past his debut.

Storm, Vol. 2: Ororo – Before The Storm #1-6
Available as a digest (i.e., small-sized) TPB. Depicts a story of Storm and T’Challa’s romance from before either of them were heroes.

Killmonger (2018) #1-4
An origin story

Epic Collection: Panther’s Rage (Epic Vol. 1)
Collects Fantastic Four (1961) #52-53 & Jungle Action (1972) #6-24

Fantastic Four #52-54, 56, 60, & Annual 5: See Fantastic Four
Black Panther’s introduction and earliest appearances in the pages of Fantastic Four.

Tales of Suspense #97-99 & Captain America #100: See Captain America

Avengers #51-60 & Annual 2: See The Avengers

During Avengers #52: Uncanny X-Men #45
During Avengers #59-60: Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Vol. 1 & 2
After Avengers #60: Captain America #113

Avengers #61-83: See The Avengers

After Avengers #63: Sub-Mariner #14, Daredevil #52
After Avengers #65: Captain America #114
After Avengers #71: Invaders Annual 1, Captain America #121
After Avengers #76: Hulk #128
After Avengers #81: Daredevil #69
After Avengers #83: Retroactive appearances in Ka-Zar #1/2 and Fantastic Four: Worlds Greatest Comic Magazine #6-8 & 11-12

Avengers #84-87: See The Avengers
#87 features Black Panther’s origin story.

First: Sub-Mariner #35, Avengers #88 (only in flashback), Astonishing Tales #6-7, Fantastic Four #119

Avengers #99-100: See The Avengers

Then: Daredevil #92

After a handful of guest appearances, Black Panther returns full-time to the Avengers in #105.

Avengers #105-112: See The Avengers
During this period, Black Panther’s participation is implied in Marvel Team-Up #7

During #105-109: Marvel Team-Up #7
During #109: Marvel Feature #10
After #110: Daredevil #99
After #112: Marvel Team-Up #9: (and implied in #10-11)

Avengers #113-119: Avengers/Defenders War
See The Avengers. This story runs in Avengers #113-116, Defenders #9-10, Avengers #118, Defenders #11, & Avengers #119.

After #119: Captain America #169-171

Avengers #121-126: See The Avengers

During #125: Captain Marvel #31-32
After #125: Captain Marvel #33
After #126: Marvel Team-Up #20

Black Panther in Jungle Action by Roy Thomas and Don F. McGregor (1973 – 1976)

Black Panther departs the Avengers and became the solo star of Jungle Action, taking over from Tharn – a sort of low(er)-rent Ka-Zar.

Jungle Action #6-24: Marvel Masterworks: Black Panther, Vol. 1 ISBN 0785141987

Jungle Action #6-24: Epic Collection: Panther’s Rage (Epic Vol. 1)
Collects Fantastic Four (1961) #52-53 & Jungle Action (1972) #6-24

Jungle Action #6-24: Essential Black Panther, Vol. 1 (black & white)
A massive black and white collection on newsprint paper of the Jungle Action run along with Black Panther #1-10, below.

After #15: Thor #233, Avengers #137

After #24: Daredevil Annual 4, Marvel Super-Special #1

Avengers #159-166: See The Avengers

After #166: Uncanny X-Men #108

Black Panther, Vol. 1 by Jack Kirby with Ed J. Hannigan (1977 – 1979)

In January 1977, Black Panther graduated from Jungle Action to his own solo title! Issue’s #14-15 are co-written by Ed J. Hannigan, who co-scripted #13 with Jim Shooter, and who wrote a conclusion in Marvel Premiere #51-53.

#1-10: Essential Black Panther, Vol. 1 (black & white)
A massive black and white collection on newsprint paper that also includes the entire Jungle Action run of #6-24.

#1-15 & Marvel Premiere #51-53: Marvel Masterworks: Black Panther, Vol. 2
Also collects material from Marvel Team-Up #100

#1-15 & Marvel Premiere #51-53: Epic Collection: Panther’s Revenge (Epic Vol. 2)
Collects Black Panther (1977) #1-15, Marvel Premiere (1972) #51-53, material from Marvel Team-up (1972) #100, and Black Panther (1988) 1-4

#1-7: By Jack Kirby, Vol. 1

#8-13: By Jack Kirby, Vol. 2

After #13: Avengers #172, Marvel Two-in-One #40-41, Avengers #173-177 & Annual 8, Marvel Team-Up #87, Avengers #179-181

Black Panther, Guest Star (1979 – 1988)

T’Challa was relegated to only very occasional guest-starring action in the 1980s, appearing in just 20 issues over the course of the nine years after his series concluded.

Defenders #84-86: See Defenders

Marvel Team-Up #100: Collected in Masterworks and Epic, above. Also, see Spider-Man

Avengers #211: See The Avengers

Marvel Graphic Novel #1 – The Death of Captain Marvel: See Captain Marvel

Fantastic Four #241: See Fantastic Four

Iron Man Annual 5: See Iron Man

Contest of Champions: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa appears in #1 & 3.

Hulk #278-279: See Hulk

Avengers #239: See The Avengers

Marvel Team-Up Annual 7: See Spider-Man. Note that Black Panther appears only in a b-story.

West Coast Avengers Annual 1: See West Coast Avengers

Daredevil #245: See Daredevil

Fantastic Four #311-313: See Fantastic Four

Silver Surfer, Vol. 3 #10: See Silver Surfer

Captain America #342: See Captain America

Black Panther, Vol. 2, Marvel Comics Presents, and Panther’s Prey (1988 – 1991)

Black Panther, Vol. 2 #1-4: Epic Collection: Panther’s Revenge (Epic Vol. 2)
Collects Black Panther (1977) #1-15, Marvel Premiere (1972) #51-53, material from Marvel Team-up (1972) #100, and Black Panther (1988) 1-4

After the mini-series: West Coast Avengers Annual 3 and as a pin-up in Marvel Fanfare #41.

Marvel Comics Presents #13-37: Panther’s Quest
With no team affiliation or book to call his own, Black Panther became one of the rotating anchor characters of Marvel’s long-running anthology as penned by longtime author Don McGregor and illustrated by the legendary Gene Colan.

After #37: As a pin-up only in Marvel Fanfare #45, in Solo Avengers #19, Avengers #305-308, Avengers West Coast #47

Atlantis Attacks: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa appears in Avengers Annual 18 and Fantastic Four Annual 22

Then: Avengers West Coast #59 (needs verification), Silver Surfer: The Enslavers (brief appearance?), and in Marvel Fanfare #53 (could be a reference only).

Black Panther: Panther’s Prey #1-4: Not collected

Black Panther, Guest Star (1991 – 1998)

Marvel Super-Heroes, Vol. 3 #1: Not collected. This is an inventory story in an anthology-style title.

Knights of Pendragon #14-18: Not collected. A Marvel UK title.

Marvel Fanfare #60: Not collected. T’Challa is one of the featured stories in this final issue.

Damage Control, Vol. 3, #4: Not collected. This is not a key appearance.

Avengers #333 & 335-339: See The Avengers. T’Challa’s participation is implied in #332.

The Vibranium Vendetta: See Marvel Events: 1991 Annual Crossovers. T’Challa is the featured character in this annual crossover between Amazing Spider-Man Annual 25, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 11, and Web of Spider-Man Annual 7.

Infinity Gauntlet: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa glancingly influences #2, but is not otherwise involved.

Battle Axe #5-7: Not collected. A Marvel UK comic. In-continuity, but not a key story.

Avengers #356: See The Avengers. T’Challa is a featured character.

Excalibur #59-60: See Excalibur
The team visits Wakanda for a business arrangement.

Deathlok, Vol. 2 #22-25: Not collected. T’Challa appears in an arc that takes places in Africa.

Captain America #414-417: See Captain America. T’Challa co-stars in a three-part Savage Land arc.

Marvel Comics Presents #148: Not collected. Panther appears in a one-shot story.

The Avengers: Collector’s Edition: Not collected. This was a promotional comic from Sugar Babies/Charleston Chew/Sugar Daddy

At this point, T’Challa becomes a supporting player in Fantastic Four and Fantastic Force for the remainder of their runs.

Fantastic Four Unlimited #1: See Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four #385: See Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four #390-392: See Fantastic Four

Fantastic Force #1: See Fantastic Four

Then: Night Thrasher, Vol. 2 #18

Fantastic Force #4-5: See Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four #400: See Fantastic Four

Then: Thunderstrike #20 (T’Challa is the featured guest-star)

Atlantis Rising #1: See Fantastic Four

Fantastic Force #10-15: See Fantastic Four

Then: Avengers #394, Age of Innocence: The Rebirth of Iron Man, Over the Edge #6

Onslaught: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa appears in A 400, FF 416, IM 332, O:MU-FB

Heroes Reborn: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa appears in Fantastic Four #4-6 and 12 in the Heroes Reborn universe

Black Panther, Vol. 3 by Christopher Priest (1998-2003)

First: Avengers #1-4 & Captain America #3m Ka-Zar, Vol. 4 #17, Cable #54, AMBC, & MR 1

#1-17: by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 1
Previously collected as ##1-5: The Client (also in 2018 as by Priest & Texeira) and #6-12: Enemy of the State.

After #5: Daredevil, Vol. 2 #8, Contest of Champions II (T’Challa appears throughout this mini-series)

After #9, Avengers #19-22

After #17: Generation X #59, Avengers #23, Fantastic Four #27

#18-35: by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 2
Collects a crossover to Deadpool #44 after #22.

Maximum Security: See Marvel Universe Events. Comes after #24.

After #33: Avengers #43

#36-62: Not collected, though a Priest Vol. 3 collection has been announced.

#36-49 & 57-58: by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 3
Also collects Incredible Hulk (2000) #33; Thor (1966) #370; Material From Marvel Double-Shot #2

#50-56 & 59-62: by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Volume 4
Also collects The Crew #1-7

After #40: Thunderbolts #57-58, Deadpool #61, Captain America Vol. 3 #50, The Order #5-6 (see Defenders)
After #47: Avengers #57-61

Avengers #66-70 & 76: See The Avengers

Iron Man, Vol. 3 #75, 79, 84-85: See Iron Man

Avengers Disassembled: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa appears in Avengers #500-503

Black Panther, Vol. 4 by Reginald Hudlin (2005 – 2008)

as recollected in Complete Collections...

#1-18: By Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Vol. 1
Also collects a crossover with X-Men (1991) #175-176

#19-34 & Annual 1: By Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Vol. 2

#35-41: By Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Vol. 3
Note that this does include the final arc by Jason Aaron. Also collects Black Panther (2009) #1-6, Black Panther/Captain America: Flags Of Our Fathers #1-4, and Black Panther Saga.

as originally collected…

#1-6: Who Is the Black Panther?
A high-action, high-intrigue retelling of the T’Challa’s origin, previously inferred by flashbacks.

#7: See Marvel Universe Events: House of M. This story falls after #8-9 in continuity

#8-9: X-Men / Black Panther: Wild Kingdom
Includes X-Men, Vol. 2 #175-176

House of M: See Marvel Universe Events.

#10-13: Black Panther: Bad Mutha
Brings T’Challa to New York, where he encounters and befriends Luke Cage.

#14-18: Black Panther: The Bride

#19-25: Black Panther: Civil War
Reprinted in 2016.

Civil War: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa contributes to this event, but most of his action is contained to his own title.

#26-30: Black Panther: Four the Hard Way

During that arc: Marvel Comics Presents #7, Fallen Son: Iron Man, Fantastic Four #543-546

#31-34: Black Panther: Little Green Men

Then: Cable & Deadpool #45-46 (as a team-up), Deadpool/Great Lakes Initiative, New Warriors #2 & 5, Fantastic Four#547-550

World War Hulk: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa is a key supporting player as a member of the original Illuminati.

Then: Wolverine, Vol. 3 #52-54

#35-38 & Annual 1: Black Panther: Back to Africa

Then: X-Men: Divided We Stand #1, Fantastic Four #556-557 (part of the World’s Greatest arc)

#39-41: Secret Invasion: Black Panther
Jason Aaron takes over writing duties for this final arc

Secret Invasion: See Marvel Universe Events.

Then: New Warriors #20

X-Men: Worlds Apart #1-4
T’Challa co-stars in this Storm-centric series. Also available in oversize hardcover.

Black Panther, Vol. 5 by Reginald Hudlin and Jonathan Maberry (2009 – 2010)

#1-6: Vol. 1: The Deadliest of the Species
Co-Starring Shuri as Black Panther. Also in the Hudlin Complete Collection, above, and reprinted in 2018 as Black Panther: Shuri – The Deadliest of the Species

X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia: See Uncanny X-Men. Black Panther makes a brief appearance

Then: Incredible Hulk #601

#7-12: Black Panther: Doomwar (ISBN 978-1-302-90416-6)
Collects Black Panther (2009) #7-12, Doomwar #1-6, Klaws Of The Panther #1-4, and material from Age Of Heroes 34

#7-12: Vol. 2: Power
Co-Starring Shuri as Black Panther.

Doomwar #1-6
A Black Panther centered mini-event. Also available in oversize hardcover. and in Black Panther: Doomwar, above.

Heroic Age Black Panther by David Liss (2010 – 2012)

First: Hulk #20, Incredible Hulk #608-611, Avengers #7, Fantastic Four #588

Shadowland: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa plays hardly any role in this event until Daredevil #512 and the “After the Fall” one-shot.

#513-529 & 523.1: Black Panther: The Man Without Fear – The Complete Collection

Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #513-518: Urban Jungle
T’Challa takes over Daredevil’s numbering in 2011.

Then: Avengers #14

Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #519-524: Fear Itself
Also available in hardcover.

Then: Wolverine #16 (minor appearance), FF #11, Avengers #19, Fantastic Four #600

Klaws of the Panther #1-4
Stars Shuri as the Black Panther written by Jonathan Maberry. Also collected in Black Panther: Doomwar, above.

Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #523.1 & 525-529: The Kingpin of Wakanda
T’Challas series gains a new subtitle at the end of 2011.

Then: Defenders #7, Fantastic Four #607-608

Avengers vs. X-Men: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa and Wakanda play a crucial rule in the middle portion of this event, appearing in the main series as well as tie-ins in Avengers. This critically alters the path of his story moving forward.

Black Panther in Marvel Now by Jonathan Hickman (2012 – 2015)

T’Challa is not a member of the core Avengers team, but his ongoing membership in the Illuminati finds him active in the New Avengers title as they try to repel incursions into Earth 616.

At points he is the primary protagonist of this series, and it contains all of his major development in this period. He also frequently appears in Avengers as the stories of the two books become more entwined. See The Avengers & New Avengers for collection information.

T’Challa also appears in a supporting capacity in:

Early Marvel Now appearances include: A+X #3 (in a team-up with Storm), Fantastic Four #1 (briefly, as an Illuminati member), and Wolverine and The X-Men #24 (briefly, in conversation with Storm)

Age of Ultron: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa is a supporting player in this time-travel tale, but it has no specific impact on his ongoing story.

Infinity: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa is a key player in the Earthbound story, but he appears relatively little in the main series (though his few scenes are pretty awesome). He is a more prominent player in Infinity: The Hunt #1-4 and Inhumanity #1-2.

After Infinity, other appearances include: Nova #10 (very brief), Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #8 (brief speaking appearance), Thanos Annual 1, Amazing X-Men Annual 1.

Original Sin: See Marvel Universe Events. T’Challa is one of the featured players in this series. He also appears in Original Sins #5.

From Original Sin to the end of Marvel Now, other appearances include: All-New Invaders #8, Captain America, Vol. 5 #25, in Axis (very minor role), Nova #25 (non-speaking), Deadpool #45. I still have to research his further pre-Secret Wars appearances!

All-New, All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy:
Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2016 – 2018)

Marvel seems to have struck gold as they prepare T’Challa for his big screen debut with MacArthur Genius and National Book Award-winning writer Ta-Nehisi Coates penning this new series for at least the first 11 issues. He is joined by the legendary Brian Stelfreeze on art (alternating arcs with Chris Sprouse).

In this period, T’Challa also leads The Ultimates – see Mighty Avengers for details on collecting that title.

in oversize hardcover…

#1-12: by Ta-Nehisi Coates Deluxe Hardcover, Vol. 1 Oversized (ISBN 978-1302904159)

#13-18 & #166-172: by Ta-Nehisi Coates Deluxe Hardcover, Vol. 2

as originally released…

Rise of The Black Panther (2018) #1-6
This mini-series is the Coates version of T’Challa’s origin, including his childhood and the rule of his father.

Black Panther: The Crew #1-6: We Are The Streets
This is stated to act as a prologue to Coates’s run.

#1-4: Vol. 1: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 1

#5-8: Vol. 2: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 2 (ISBN 978-1-302-90054-0)

#9-12: Vol. 3: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 3 (ISBN 978-1-302-90191-2)

The World of Wakanda #1-6: World of Wakanda
Collects the companion series to Coates’ main run, which starts slightly before his first issue but runs the course of #1-12

#13-18: Vol. 4: Avengers of the New World, Book 1

#166-172: Vol. 5: Avengers of the New World, Book 2

Black Panther: Long Live The King (2017) #1-6
Originally released as a digital-only series on Comixology. As part of its tagline is “as the nation rebuilds after revolution,” it seems to fit into the period after Coates’s first mega-arc

Marvel Fresh Start: Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2018 – Present)

Launched by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Daniel Acuña, this continues from issue #173 of the 2017 as well as scenes from Marvel Legacy #1 – where we learn that Wakanda has established an interstellar empire.

Black Panther: The Sound and The Fury: Avengers Assemble: Living Legends (2019 paperback)
Collects a series of throw-back one-shot stories from Thor: Where Walk The Frost Giants, Black Panther: The Sound and The Fury, Avengers: Shards Of Infinity, Ant-Man And The Wasp: Living Legends, and Captain Marvel Title TBA.

Shuri: The Search for Black Panther
Collects Shuri (2018) #1-5. While these issues were released after the first three issues of this Fresh Start relaunch series, they help to fill in the story gap left by it’s abrupt start across time and space.

#1-6: by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Book 6: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, Part 1

Wakanda Forever
A Dora Milaje story that resolves the dangling plot thread of Nakia. Collects Wakanda Forever: Amazing Spider-Man #1, Wakanda Forever: X-Men #1, and Wakanda Forever: Avengers #1. T’Challa appears in this story as a member of Jason Aaron’s Avengers, so it’s hard to know where to place it in terms of his adventures in #1-6.

Black Panther vs. Deadpool
Collects Black Panther vs. Deadpool (2018) #1-5. Continuity placement pending.

Killmonger
Collects Killmonger #1-4, an origin story

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