Most are familiar by now with the film “Black Panther,” which depicted a Black superhero, T’Challa, who returns to his home, the African nation of Wakanda, to assume his place as king. The movie grossed $1.3 billion worldwide and $700 million in the U.S. But there’s also an array of recent graphic novels that depict Black Panther’s adventures in Wakanda, including “Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet,” written by best-selling author Ta-Nehisi Coates.
The Center for Black Literature and Culture will host a discussion of the graphic novel 6-7:30 p.m. April 18 at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St., in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room. Mitchell Douglas of the Indiana Writers Center will lead the discussion.
In “Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet,” released in April 2016 and illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze, T’Challa confronts an upheaval in Wakanda when a superhuman terrorist group — called The People — sparks a violent uprising that will make leading the nation even more difficult. It’s the first in a series of Black Panther graphic novels from Coates, the last of which was released in November 2017.
For many, the Black Panther character gave representation to African Americans who can rarely find it in mainstream ways that don’t feel mocking or appropriated. He was the first Black superhero to appear in mainstream American comics when he appeared in a 1966 issue of “The Fantastic Four.”
“I think the story of an autonomous African country, even though it’s fictitious, is a powerful one,” said Nichelle M. Hayes, who leads the Center for Black Literature and Culture. “… It’s a powerful message for where we are in our fight for racial justice.”
Coates, who wrote the best-selling book “Between the World and Me,” inspired some of the screenwriting for the movie, director Ryan Coogler revealed in a 2016 interview with Vulture.
Later in the month, 6-8:30 p.m. April 29, there will be a free screening of “Black Panther” at Central Library in Clowes Auditorium.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
