Black Panther Annual #1 (Marvel – Hudlin / Stroman / Lashley / Doe)
“BLACK TO THE FUTURE”: A special double-sized issue to commemorate Black History Month. It’s 2057 and the Watcher’s prediction came true: Wakanda is an Imperial Power steering the course for humanity’s future. As T’Challa prepares the next Black Panther for the great responsibility ahead, he must first reflect on the road traveled–a long and winding journey filled with surprises.
This is truly what an annual should be, an extra story that relates to the main plot but isn’t essential to it. Just like back at the bullpen, Annuals were bonus stories specifically for fans! And any fan of the Panther will enjoy this glimpse into his future… or possible future anyway. A future where the heroes of the Marvel Civil War, once united turn their combined military attention on other potential dangerous sites world-wide, they take out Doom and Atlantis and set a deadly precedent that at some point allows Tony Stark’s now internationally backed forces onto Black Panther’s home country. crazy, kooky, wild stuff… but all very enjoyable. There is even a future wedding scene where we see some skrull like folk attending, so apparently the Invasion might have a happy ending. This one-shot is yet another deposit into my “I love Reginald Hudlin as an author and he is awesome!” account.
Issue Grade: A-
