Ultimate Black Panther #5 Review

Background – Gods of Material and Flesh and a globe of plants and … whatever.

Writing –

T’Challa & His Amazing Friends – These Vodo-Khan priestesses are becoming increasingly infuriating, and T’Challa agrees with me. They are being deliberately obtuse at this point. That’s the only reason I can think of to present them as they’ve been written. T’Challa finally does get some answers in this issue. Ra and Khonshu are apparently after some kind of sphere that contains the opposite of vibranium. The Vodo-Khan call vibranium the Tears of The Gods (meaning two fireballs fell from space a long time ago). One of them was Vibranium and the other this globe of life, but it could also contain death for everything? OK then! The Vodo-Khan call Vibranium the “God Of Material.” The fact that we don’t get a name for this … stuff is infuriating, although the Vodo-Khan call it the “God of Flesh”. I feel like I’m reading a Bendis book from the mid 2000’s.

Storm fairs much better in this issue than the other heroes. She saves Shuri and proves that even in this new reality, she is still very powerful. I still don’t think she’s a mutant though and if she is then what of the other X-Men that should have lived? There are so many questions when it comes to her and Killmonger’s nature.

Speaking of Killmonger, he doesn’t even show up this issue. He literally just vanishes (as does Okoye.)

Moon Knight – Khonshu takes center stage for the villains in this issue. He heals and mind controls a farmer to invade and attack Shuri and steal whatever this plant sphere is. While we have seen that not everything is happy in our god’s relationship, these two seem to be back on the same page for now.

Shuri – Shuri has yet another battle scene. This goes better than the first one did for her, but she is obviously not the fighter that she is presented as in the 616 universe.

Artwork – Anything that involves Storm is the art highlight of the story. It, and forgive the pun, crackles with electricity and vibrancy.

Final Thoughts – Well that was a VERY QUICK READ.  I think I’m done with this book. Just when I thought that the book was finally turning a corner and ratcheting up the tension and story, we get an issue about a mysterious plant that is the opposite of vibranium? OK then! Look, I’m sure some people are liking this story, but for an all-new universe that is supposed to have done things differently, this book feels like damn near every Black Panther book that I’ve read since 2016 (with a few exceptions). I do hope the book will pick up and prove me wrong, but it seems stuck in first gear and there is no mechanic in sight. Save your money and get something else.

Final score: 3 out of 5

Publisher:  Marvel

Writer:  Bryan Hill

Guest Artist: Carlos Nieto

Color Artist: David Curiel

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit

Cover Artist: Stefano Caselli & David Curiel

Genre:  Superhero

Format: Monthly

Release Date: 06/26/2024