Spoiler for Black Panther #9 ahead!
Thanks to recent events, Captain America lost confidence in Black Panther as head of avengers. Black Panther has been the team’s president for a few years, but that may be coming to an end. It recently emerged that the Panther has deployed sleeper agents around the world to protect Wakandan interests – unbeknownst to the Avengers and even most of Wakanda. In Black Panther #9, Captain America takes on Black Panther, and it’s clear he’s lost faith in the Avengers chair. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.
The Black Panther has been a mainstay of the Avengers for nearly 50 years, initially joining the team to spy on them. Over the years, the Panther has served the team with distinction and was elected president several years ago. Meanwhile, in the Panthers’ home country of Wakanda, the people have moved away from the monarchy and toward democracy. The new government revealed that the Black Panther, many years before, had sent sleeper agents all over the world. He kept this secret not only from his own nation, but also from the Avengers. The fallout from this revelation forced the Panther to resign as President, which greatly disappointed Captain America and in Black Panther #9the Sentinel of Liberty finally confronts Black Panther.
Black Panther #9 by John Ridley and German Peralta sees Steve Rogers encounter the Panther at Avengers Mountain, located at the North Pole. Black Panther mopes, telling Cap that their works “will inevitably be overtaken by nothingness.” T’Challa continues, even citing the recent passing of Doctor Strange. Cap won’t hear it, but Panther insists he’s been through a lot too, having lost his best friend, though he doesn’t want to.”compare tragedies.“Black Panther is back to lead the Avengers, but Steve isn’t sure T’Challa is up to it. Cap then asks Panther why he left the Avengers for three months. Black Panther refuses to answer, which tells Cap all he needs to know – the Black Panther is not fit to lead Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Since its first appearance in 1966 Fantastic Four #52, Black Panther pursued his own agenda, only allying himself with Earth’s other heroes because it suited him – and this paranoia on his part could be his undoing. The Black Panther has long enjoyed Captain America’s respect, but that’s coming to an end – and that’s largely thanks to the Panther’s recent actions. Despite these recent actions, Black Panther has been an exemplary president and excellent leader, and losing that to paranoia and secrecy would be a waste. Also, if Black Panther continues down this path, he could very well lose not only Captain America’s trust, but also that of the rest of the Avengers, which could ultimately get him kicked out of the team. While it’s true that Black Panther has been through a lot lately, he forgets he has friends, letting his paranoia get the better of his decision-making abilities.
Black Panther has been the team’s president since Jason Aaron took over as writer of avengers, but with his run soon coming to an end, the Panther’s tenure as president could end as well. The Black Panther lost Captain America respect, and perhaps that of avengers as well.
