- Written by: Eve Ewing
- Art by: Chris Allen, Mack Chater, Craig Yeung
- Colors by: Jesus Aburtov
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Sabino
- Cover art by: Taurin Clarke
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: September 6, 2023
Black Panther #4 shuts down DeathLok after he’s sent to disrupt a High Society Wedding, but the mystery behind the Birnin T’Chaka disappearances grows.
Is Black Panther #4 Good?
Black Panther #4 is an odd comic. Things happen, and it “feels” like things happen, but when you reflect on the issue after reading it, not much happened of consequence. After four issues, we’re no closer to understanding why influential people have disappeared, who took them, or what those disappearances have to do with a blooming gang war.
When last we left T’Challa and Beisa, their attempt to infiltrate the Nkisu wedding went sideways when a brainwashed Deathlok arrived. Now, T’Challa and Beisa manage to capture Deathlok and remove the controller to give Deathlok his mind back, confirming the Ilonga family was behind the attack.
That’s all well and good, but that’s the only development of substance. T’Challa spends the rest of the issue talking with Nyobi, talking with Beisa, and talking with himself about Birnin T’Chaka’s socio-political woes/landscape.
[Author’s Note: There may be some reader reaction to the reveal in this issue that Beisa is a trans-woman. The reveal is a “blink and you miss it” reveal and has no relevance to anything in this issue. It’s there but means nothing other than Ewing definitively kills the possibility of a T’Challa/Beisa romance.]
What’s great about Black Panther #4? This fight against Deathlok is action-packed and beautifully rendered. If you’ve been waiting for this series to finally deliver some hard-hitting Black Panther action, this may be the one you’ve been waiting for.
What’s not so great about Black Panther #4? The lack of development on the mysterious disappearances is quickly becoming an albatross around this run’s neck. Ewing’s focus on turning T’Challa, Beisa, and Birnin T’Chaka into the Marvel equivalent of a Batman/Catwoman/Gotham City story is too glaring to ignore, but all that focus is going into the character- and world-building, not the plot. The disappearances are not that interesting because you only hear about them second-hand, and you never see or hear about any consequences for the disappearances. This is basic writing stuff that Ewing is fumbling.
How’s the art? If nothing else, the art team is giving this comic their all. There’s an exceptional amount of detail in this comic in practically every panel. Black Panther looks great in every scene, and the overall design of this comic is gorgeous.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces
Black Panther #4 delivers some cool Black Panther vs. Deathlok action and stunning art throughout, but the plot barely moves an inch on a mystery that isn’t well-developed or interesting.
Weird Science Marvel Comics 
It’s spelt trans woman, not trans-woman. People don’t say tall-woman, white-man for example. And why would her being trans stop a romance between her and T’Challa?
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It very well may not stop a romance. But let’s be real, most heterosexual men do not consider trans women a romantic option. Most heterosexual men prefer women that were born as female and not born as males. If you don’t believe so, by all means please show otherwise. Back to comics, sexualities and preferences (as well as full on personalities) are changed all the time so you very well may get to see what you want from this.
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