In preparation for the debut of Vibranium Man, another incarnation of Black Panther, Marvel is reintroducing the many masks of T’Challa. The character of Black Panther/T’Challa entered the Marvel Universe back in 1961. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced the hero in the pages of Fantastic Four #52. However, since then, the multiverse offered several incarnations of the hero. Now, with another incarnation introduced in next week’s Avengers Forever #6, it is time to look at the many masks of T’Challa throughout the years.
The Many Masks of T’Challa
A few years after Black Panther’s introduction, a different T’Challa emerged from another world. One of Jack Kirby’s original designs for T’Challa became repurposed as the costume for Coal Tiger in Avengers #355. The T’Challa came from an alternate world where there was no Black Panther or Wakanda.
More recently, readers were introduced to Ghost Panther. This incarnation of T’Challa stems from 2018’s Infinity Wars event. When Gamora does what Thanos could not, she merges the population. This led to Black Panther merging with Ghost Rider. Also, this incarnation led to the emergence of T’Challa Odinson. After the Infinity Wars, the Secret Warps storyline saw Ghost Panther merge with Stark Odinson. Thus, Ghost Hammer entered the Marvel Universe.
Of course, not all of the versions of Black Panther have such complicated backstories. For instance, Zombie Black Panther is just a zombified form of Black Panther from Marvel Zombies 2. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Marvel Universe features a different take on T’Challa’s origin story. After failing the Black Panther trials, T’Challa is taken to Weapon X, where he receives claws and other enhancements.
The many masks of T’Challa also include a Spider-Man variant of the superhero and an actual panther.
Who Is The Latest Incarnation?
All of this is in celebration of next week’s Avengers Forever #6. In the issue, Jason Aaron and Jim Towe are introducing Vibranium Man. This form of T’Challa stems from a multiverse where Wakanda is no more. The city is destroyed by Killmonger, who has the Asgardian Destroyer armor. No longer able to take up the mantle of Black Panther, T’Challa becomes Vibranium Man to avenge his home and family.
For now, Vibranium Man is a mystery to readers. However, Marvel teases that his suit can put Iron Man to shame. Witness the true might of T’Challa as Vibranium Man in Avengers Forever #6 on sale June 1st.
