Starting at the start…
Black Panther comes out this week and just about everyone who’s seen it, loves it.
Can’t wait.
But to get you ready, we present 13 COVERS celebrating Black Panther in the Silver Age — with more eras to come as the week goes on.
The Panther was created — of course — by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover-dated July 1966) and was initially utilized as a guest-star or member of the Avengers. He wouldn’t headline his own series until the ’70s but his arrival in the turbulent ’60s was a landmark nonetheless.
So check out some of T’Challa’s earliest cover appearances. I’ve highlighted 11, but I’ve filled out the gallery with Kirby’s original unpublished FF #52 cover, as well as his concept art — when Black Panther was called Coal Tiger:
Jack Kirby pencils, Joe Sinnott inks.
Unpublished version, also Kirby/Sinnott.
Kirby pencils, Frank Giacoia inks.
John Buscema
Buscema pencils, George Tuska inks.
Barry Windsor-Smith pencils, Johnny Craig inks.
Kirby and Sinnott
Buscema pencils, Sam Grainger inks
Buscema pencils, George Klein inks.
Buscema. Possibly with Klein inks.
Buscema and Grainger
I LOVE FLOATING HEADS! Buscema, Klein, with John Romita alterations.
Kirby’s Coal Tiger
—
MORE
— 13 COVERS: BLACK PANTHER in the Bronze Age. Click here.
— 13 COVERS: BLACK PANTHER in the Modern Age. Click here.
Most cover images and credits from the landmark Grand Comics Database.
February 14, 2018
I think it would be cooler if you presented the covers in the order of publication.
February 24, 2018
The Coal Tiger? Wow! I never knew.