Broken Frontier

Shuri is continuing the fight for Wakanda as the Black Panther while her brother is recovering from an attack that left him for dead.  In this issue, Obama grants a meeting, Shuri shows her stuff, and old friends become new enemies.

In Black Panther #7, we find Shuri addressing the remaining Wakandans after the battle with Morlun that left many casualties.  She addresses her people with a powerful speech that gets vociferous applause, only to find later that there are some in Wakanda that feel she lacks the experience to lead the people in her brother’s absence.  Later Shuri convenes with the United States and the Obama administration in an effort to maintain a friendly relationship with the U.S. as Wakanda’s new Head of State.  At this meeting, President Obama expresses his condolences for the current situation in Wakanda.  After the meeting, the Princess is sought out by Everett Ross and makes his usefulness known. 

While they travel together and discuss how Ross can help Shuri find those responsible for the attack on her brother, their convoy is attacked by mechanical-suited, rocket-boosting thugs.  Their target of the Princess is quickly abandoned when the Black Panther shows up to handle the trouble.  Before thorough DNA samples can be taken from the fallen enemies, they incinerate into atomized particles.  There is something, however, that Shuri and her group recover from the battle that is less than encouraging.

Writers Johathan Maberry and Reginald Hudlin have taken the Black Panther in an exciting and new direction that will have fans wanting more.  Maberry’s sense of conversational dialog serves him well in this issue, with much of the story reading very quickly between characters.  Hudlin adds his own brand of storytelling to this issue, creating an issue that melds past events and the gravity of the current turmoil wonderfully.  Together, Maberry and Hudlin have put the Black Panther in an entertaining new role full of the passion of past issues while still being current.

Artist Will Conrad has come a long way since inking Buffy the Vampire Slayer for Dark Horse.  Following his panels, each thought-out frame creates a sense of reality despite the cookie-cut out shapes of many characters.  Conrad’s Black Panther is intoxicating though, flipping and fighting as creatively as T’Challa and never missing a beat.  Fans will appreciate what Conrad brings to the table.

Overall, Black Panther #7 is a stepping stone for something much greater.  Later issues should uncover a conspiracy or two to make readers salivate.  Recommended.