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Black Panther Reading Order, The King of Wakanda

Sixty years ago, writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby introduced the Nation of Wakanda and his ruler in Fantastic Four #52. Black Panther made quite an entrance by testing Marvel’s First Family before revealing the reasons and his history. 

Behind the Panther mask was T’Challa, a formidable warrior and one of the most intelligent minds in the Marvel Universe, alongside Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and Amadeus Cho. Blessed by the Panther Goddess and having communed with the Heart-Shaped Herb, T’Challa has access to the knowledge and experiences of every Black Panther who came before him making him “most dangerous man alive.”

Shortly after his introduction, the Black Panther reappeared in Fantastic Four and joined the Avengers. He also headlined his own series in Jungle Action, before getting his own self-titled series. Since then, the character has continued to grow and faced many challenges and enemies as the King of Wakanda and as part of various Marvel teams.

As one of the most important and iconic Black superheroes in American mainstream comic books, T’Challa has appeared in several animated series and video games. He was portrayed by Chadwick Boseman (R.I.P.) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

When he is not defending Wakanda or protecting the world, T’Challa’s life is shaped by royalty, family, politics, and the weight of the Black Panther mantle. His story has been explored across solo comics, team-up books, and some of Marvel’s biggest crossover events. From his first appearance in Fantastic Four to his defining solo runs, you can discover it all with our Complete Black Panther Reading Order!

Where to start reading Black Panther Comics? Navigating the world of T’Challa

You can explore the complete history of T’Challa with our Black Panther Comics Guide, taking you from his classic stories by Don McGregor to the highs and lows of his reign with Christopher Priest, Reginald Hudlin or Ta-Nehisi Coates, his times with the Avengers, his missions with the Ultimates, and more – collected in Omnibuses, epic collections, and classic trade paperbacks.

🐈‍⬛ New to Black Panther and don’t know where to start? Check out Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, released in the Marvel Premier Collection as an affordable entry point for new readers.

Black Panther Omnibus Collection

Black Panther in Hulk-Sized Books! Following are all the Black Panther stories published in the Omnibus Collection:

  • Black Panther: The Early Marvel Years Omnibus
    Collects Fantastic Four (vol. 1) #52-53, 56, 119, Captain America (vol. 1) #100, Avengers (vol. 1) #52, 62, 73–74, 77–79, 87, 112, 126, Daredevil (vol. 1) #52, 69, Daredevil Annual (vol. 1) #4, Marvel Team-Up #20, Jungle Action #6-24, material from Fantastic Four (vol. 1) #54, Tales of Suspense #97-99, Astonishing Tales #6-7.
  • Black Panther: Panther’s Prey Omnibus
    Collects Black Panther (1977) #1-15, Marvel Two-in-One (1974) #40-41, Marvel Team-Up (1972) #87, Marvel Premiere #51-53, Defenders (1972) #84-86, Iron Man Annual (1970) #5, Black Panther (1988) #1-4, Black Panther: Panther’s Prey (1991) #1-4; material from Marvel Team-Up (1972) #100; Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #13-37, #148; What The–?! (1988) #9; Solo Avengers (1987) #19; Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #1; Marvel Fanfare (1982) #60; Fantastic Four Unlimited (1993) #1.
  • Black Panther By Christopher Priest Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Black Panther (1998) #1-33, Deadpool (1997) #44, material from Marvel Double-Shot (2003) 2
  • Black Panther By Christopher Priest Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Black Panther (1998) #34-62, Incredible Hulk (2000) #33, The Crew #1-7, and Thor (1966) #370.
  • Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin Omnibus
    Collects Black Panther (2005) #1-41, X-Men (1991) #175-176, Black Panther Annual (2008) #1, Black Panther (2009) #1-6, Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers (2010) #1-4, Black Panther Saga (2008), Black Panther Annual (2018) #1 (C story).
  • Black Panther By Ta-Nehisi Coates Omnibus
    Collects Black Panther (vol. 6) #1-18, 166–172, Black Panther (vol. 7) #1-22, material from #23-2.
  • Wakanda: World of Black Panther Omnibus
    Collects Rise of the Black Panther #1-6, Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1-6, Black Panther & The Crew #1-6, Black Panther: Long Live the King #1-6, Black Panther Annual (vol. 7) #1, Amazing Spider-Man: Wakanda Forever, X-Men: Wakanda Forever, Avengers: Wakanda Forever, Black Panther vs. Deadpool #1-5, Shuri #1-10, Kilmonger #1-5, Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda #1-8, King in Black: Black Panther, The Last Annihilation: Wakanda, material from Venomverse: War Stories, Marvel Comics #1000, Marvel’s Voices #1, Marvel’s Voices: Legacy, Black Panther (vol. 7) #23-25

The Complete Black Panther Reading Order

🐈‍⬛ Searching for Black Panther Marvel Masterworks and other older Collections? Click here!

Marvel reprinted only in their Mighty Marvel Masterworks collection (trade paperbacks) the earliest adventures of Black Panther, covering the years 1966-1970:

Then in the classic Masterworks collection (hardcover) was reprinted Black Panther’s solo adventures, covering the 1976-1988 years:

Still in the earlier years of Black Panther, Marvel has released at some point two volumes focused on Jack Kirby’s work:

Beyond the Marvel Masterworks collection, you can also find some old Black Panther collection that have been since reprinted:

Black Panther: The Early Years by Don McGregor, Jack Kirby and Ed Hannigan (1966-1993)

T’Challa made his debut in Fantastic Four #52-53 (July 1966), where he invited and tested Marvel’s First Family for a grave task. He would reappear in the title before a short arc in Tales of Suspense with Captain America and a visit to New York City to join The Avengers in issue #52 (May 1968). He subsequently made several appearances in the comic book series for the ensuing years, taking his leave from the team for the first time at issue #88. After that, the character rejoined and left the team several more times.

You can find all of Black Panther’s appearances (small and big) with the Avengers in the following issues: The Avengers #52–88, #99–100, #105–126, #137, #159–166, #173–181, #211, #239, #305–308, #333, #335–339 and #356. For a highlight of T’Challa’s time among the team, turn your attention towards Black Panther: The Early Marvel Years Omnibus that collects the most important issues for the character. In paperbacks, this period has only been collected in two Mighty Marvel Masterworks volumes.

At the beginning of the 1970s, Black Panther starred in his own series in Jungle Action called ‘Panther’s Rage’, written by Don McGregor, who pioneered the concept of the self-contained, multi-issue story arc. Low sales led to the cancellation of the title and a relaunch with a self-titled series first written by co-creator Jack Kirby and later Ed Hannigan. Once again, the series was unsuccessful, and Black Panther simply guest starred in other Marvel titles over the next few years, such as The Defenders #84-86, which were written by Ed Hannigan and established Black Panther’s rivalry with Namor and his kingdom of Atlantis, as well as a backup story in Marvel Team-Up #100 (December) that introduced his relationship with Storm of the X-Men.

T’Challa also starred in a four-issue miniseries written by Peter B. Gillis and illustrated by Denys Cowan. However, it was McGregor’s return to his Panther Saga with Gene Colan that left the most significant mark on the character by tackling the apartheid era.

All of this and a little bit more can be found in the following Epic Collection volumes:

Black Panther by Christopher Priest (1998-2003)

After McGregor’s miniseries Panther’s Prey, T’Challa disappeared for a few years. As part of the Marvel Knights Imprint, Black Panther was relaunched for a more mature audience under the creative input of Christopher Priest. He reinvented and modernized the character and expanded the mythology with a little bit of retcon for Wakanda.

Priest’s work on Black Panther has become one of Marvel’s modern classics and is certainly the most celebrated story featuring the character. While it serves as a modern starting point for the character, we recommend reading the classic ‘Panther’s Rage’ story from Jungle Action, as the current story makes references to it. This is not essential, but we believe it will improve your reading experience.

Christopher Priest’s run on Black Panther has also been more recently collected in two Omnibuses.

Black Panther as an Avenger: At the end of Christopher Priest’s run, T’Challa went back to the Avengers to battle Scorpio (in Avengers Vol. 3 #66-70) before the team was disbanded in Avengers Disassembled.

Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin (2005-2008)

Following Priest’s redefining run, another possible entry point emerges with filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, who opted for a more cinematic and fast-paced approach in line with the Marvel Universe, which was moving from one event to another at the time — albeit with limited impact for T’Challa.

Perhaps most importantly of all, T’Challa’s relationship with Storm became a key part of the story. The couple got married during this period, after which Ororo became a prominent character in subsequent storylines.

Reginald Hudlin’s run has also been recently collected in one Omnibus.

The Panther’s Legacy: Shuri and T’Challa (2009-2015)

Black Panther: The Saga of Shuri! When T’Challa unexpectedly falls, Shuri took on the mantle of the Black Panther, with Hudlin still scripting the series, before handing over the baton to Jonathan Maberry.

  • The Saga of Shuri starts in Black Panther: The Deadliest of the Species (Black Panther vol. 5 #1-6)
    Also Collected in Black Panther by Reginald Hudlin: The Complete Collection Vol. 3 and Black Panther: The Saga of Shuri & T’Challa
  • X-Men: Worlds Apart
    Collects X-Men: Worlds Apart #1-4
    • This story written by Christopher Yost focuses on Storm with T’Challa as a supporting character.
  • Black Panther: Doomwar
    Collects Black Panther (vol. 5) #7–12, Doomwar #1–6, Klaws of the Panther #1–4, material from Age of Heroes #4.
    • This book collects Jonathan Maberry’s run on Black Panther starring Shuri.

T’Challa: The Man Without Fear. In the aftermath of Shadowland, Matt Murdock chose to left New York and asked T’Challa to take over the guardianship of Hell’s Kitchen – an offer the Wakandan accepted. Also in need to rediscover who he is and capable of without his powers, T’Challa establishes himself as Mr. Okonkwo and purchases a small diner, becoming the new Man Without Fear of Hell’s Kitchen under the creative team of David Liss and Francesco Francavilla (the title was later renamed The Most Dangerous Man Alive).

The Panther God chooses the fate of T’Challa during Jonathan Hickman’s run on Fantastic Four, as Marvel’s First Family travels to Wakanda and becomes entangled in the history of the Black Panthers.

Avengers Vs X-Men Reading Order

Then, the Avengers and the X-Men go to war against each other during the Avengers vs. X-Men event, with T’Challa and Storm finding themselves on opposite sides. While Black Panther may not appear in every issue, this is an important story for the evolution of his relationship with Ororo and her place in Wakanda.

During Jonathan Hickman’s run on the Avengers, Black Panther became a member of the Illuminati, a powerful and secretive team fighting to confront the phenomenon of “Incursions,” in which parallel Earths collide across the multiverse. Armed with the Infinity Gems, the group attempts to prevent the collapse of all realities while grappling with profound moral and political consequences in New Avengers. While Black Panther is not present in the first part of the Avengers, we recommend reading the complete run!

You can also find this run collected in omnibus format, in Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

All comes to an end in Secret Wars. The interdimensional Incursions have eliminated every alternate universe one by one. And now – despite the best efforts of scientists, sages, and superhumans – the Marvel Universe and Ultimate Universe have collided…and been destroyed! Although T’Challa doesn’t play a big role in it, this concludes this epic period.

  • Secret Wars
    Collects Secret Wars #0,#1-9, Free Comic Book Day 2015.

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2016-2021)

It’s an All-New, All-Different Marvel and a new era for the Black Panther, with Ta-Nehisi Coates as writer and Brian Stelfreeze as artist. This is also a new entry point, so much that Marvel has recently reprinted the beginning of this series in their Marvel Premier Collection, which highlights popular stories in a compact format for new readers. T’Challa is faced with a dramatic upheaval in Wakanda, making leading the African nation more challenging than ever.

During this time, Black Panther is part of the Ultimates team in the comics written by Al Ewing. This ultimate super team has one mission: solving the biggest cosmic threats. The team also features Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel, Miss America, and Spectrum.

Marvel Fresh Start! Ta-Nehisi Coates continues his run on Black Panther in the company of artist Daniel Acuña by taking T’Challa and Wakanda to the stars!

While Ta-Nehisi Coates sent T’Challa in space, the King of Wakanda became the leader of the Avengers by Jason Aaron. You can start reading this run after Black Panther (2018) #15 or simply after his complete Intergalactic adventures. Black Panther leaves the team at #55.

Black Panther: King No More by John Ridley, Eve Ewing and Jed MacKay (2021-2024)

Following his intergalactic adventure, Black Panther is pulled in a rather different direction by writer John Ridley, in one of the character’s least popular runs. When T’Challa receives an urgent and unexpected message from a Wakandan secret agent, he must race against time to save the agent and keep his true agenda under wraps. If the truth comes out, it could cost T’Challa everything.

Next up was the creative team of Eve Ewing and Chris Allen, who found themselves having to take the reins of Black Panther, following the backlash received by their predecessor. T’Challa is a fugitive in his own homeland and cannot leave Wakanda without its sworn protector. Wearing a new costume and with a new purpose, the Black Panther stalks the streets and shadows of Birnin T’Chaka, the city that bears his father’s name.

At the same time, T’Challa rejoins the Avengers led by Captain Marvel, during Jed Mackay’s tenure on the title where he found himself fighting vampires and Doctor Doom, among other things.

Ultimate Black Panther: In 2023, Jonathan Hickman launched a new Ultimate Universe created by the Maker. An alternate version of Black Panther was introduced by Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli. For more, check out our New Ultimate Reading Order.

Black Panther: Intergalactic (2025-)

The time has come for T’Challa to take back his place on the throne, not only of Wakanda, but of the Intergalactic Empire as well. He must face the challenge to unite all of his kingdoms and working with Namor following an attack by demons of Wakanda and Atlantis.

  • Imperial
    Collects Imperial (2025) #1-4, Imperial War: Nova – Centurion (2025) #1, Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk (2025) #1, Imperial War: Imperial Guardians (2025) #1, Imperial War: Exiles (2025) #1, Imperial War: Black Panther (2025) #1
  • Black Panther: Intergalactic [2026]
    Collects Black Panther: Intergalactic (2025) # 1-4. By Victor LaValle and Stefano Nesi.
  • Black Panther / Namor: Doomed [2027]
    Collects Black Panther/Namor: Doomed (2026) #1-5. By Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan, and Stefano Nesi

To be continued…

Reading digitally?
Check out Black Panther on Amazon / Kindle.

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