DAMN DIRTY SKRULLS: BLACK PANTHER

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

With Skrulls showing up everywhere else in the Marvel Universe, it's not surprising they've got their sights set on Wakanda.

But don't expect Black Panther to go down without a fight.

Beginning with issue #39 of the Black Panther series, writer Jason Aaron will be exploring what happens when Wakanda goes to war with those green-skinned aliens, and how their leader, T'Challa handles the conflict.

We talked to the writer to find out more about the story and what readers can expect from Wakandans during the Secret Invasion tie-in story.

Newsarama: First off, let's clarify how long you're writing Black Panther. Are you taking over the series? Or just writing a few issues?

Jason Aaron: I'm just doing the three-part Secret Invasion crossover that begins in issue #39. After that, regular writer Reggie Hudlin will return to the fold.

NRAMA: Where did this gig come from? Was it something Marvel approached you to do, or something you pitched to them?

JA: Editor Axel Alonso said he was thinking that this needed to be a straight-up war story, and so he thought of me, since I've already written a war story in the form of The Other Side, which I did for Vertigo last year.

NRAMA: Has Black Panther always been a favorite for you? Any comics in particular come to mind?

JA: I've always been a huge FF fan, so I first knew Black Panther from that. And later I discovered the Don McGregor stories from Jungle Action, which are just terrific, especially if, like me, you love the idea of Black Panther kicking the asses of the KKK. And I also read the Priest series, which was great (and man, I really wish he'd gotten to keep going with The Crew). And I've been keeping up with the current series as well, and in particular I love how Reggie has really revitalized the country of Wakanda.

NRAMA: What are some of the quintessential Black Panther stories from that list that define who the character is to you? And what does that mean? Who is he?

JA: The "Panther's Rage" storyline from Jungle Action and the opening arc from the current series, "Who Is The Black Panther," are probably my favorites.

He's the divine leader of a nation unlike any other on earth. I believe it was Reggie who said he's basically like the President, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Pope all rolled into one, and we'll be seeing every aspect of that multi-faceted role put into play in my arc.

NRAMA: Let's talk about your arc. Seeing as it concentrates on Secret Invasion, what will we see from T'Challa in this story?

JA: As I said, this is a war story, so T'Challa will mainly just be playing the part of strategist and warrior. The Skrulls have come to town, and the people of Wakanda are going to have to fight to preserve their freedom. That's something they've been
very good at over the decades, considering they've never been conquered by any outsiders. But then, they've never faced an enemy like the Skrull armada before, have they?

NRAMA: It doesn't seem like a fair fight. Can you tell us anything about what happens in the story?

JA: The Skrulls invade. The Wakandans fight to keep them back. The Skrulls outnumber them five to one and have sleeper agents and Super Skrulls on their side. But the Black Panther has a plan, so look out.

NRAMA: And as Black Panther and the country go to war, how does his marriage fit into this story? I ask because of the recent discussions we've heard about characters being married...

JA: I like the marriage. I think it really shows how he's matured and developed as a character. And yes, Storm will be a big part of my arc.

NRAMA: When we talked to you about taking over Ghost Rider, we discussed how it seemed to "fit" your writing style and the type of things you enjoy writing. Do you think Black Panther fits as well? Isn't writing him different from writing Ghost Rider?

JA: Black Panther is very different from Ghost Rider, of course, but I still feel like it's something in my wheel house, especially given the tone of this particular story. All I know is I'm having a lot of fun writing it.

NRAMA: Your Wolverine arc is about done, and this is just three issues. So will we see more projects from you at Marvel soon?

JA: Oh, most definitely. I'll be on Ghost Rider for the foreseeable future, and after I've wrapped up Black Panther, I'll be moving right on to something else.
You'll have to wait and see what though.

NRAMA: Can't blame us for asking. As we finish up, Jason, anything else you want to tell people about Black Panther and why readers might want to check your issues out?

JA: Did I mention that there's a Super Skrull with the powers of Marvel's greatest street fighters? And an epic battle like something out of Braveheart, but fought between green-skinned aliens and Wakandans in Black Panther garb?

[Tekkamansol]

Don't mess with the Black

[chewiep1976]

Since the Priest-era BP is mentioned--what is Priest doing now? That book was so good until (apparently) editorial started changing things.

[Blind Assassin]

I don't normally read BP at all.


but, I like Aaron's work on Scalped and The Other Side so I will give it a shot.

(I have also heard good things about his work on Ghost Rider, but I will wait for the tpb on that title)

[Mundungus]

I'm totally down for this.

Aaron/Black Panther for the win.

[IllShogun]

It's a little discouraging to me that he loved Priests run so much, yet thinks this series has revitalized Wakanda, which is exactly what it hasn't done. Anyway, I'll pick this up because I love BP and it'll be nice to get a story about him not written by Hudlin.

[samnoir]

Nice to see Priest's Crew get a shout out!

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___________________________________

[sweetmisery]

SOLD! Im glad Aaron is doing this.

[Dalarsco2]

I think BP will surge in readership during SI more than during CW, and Marvel will finally realize that Hudlin drives people away from the book.

[Guy_Gardner]

heh...that is some cover there

I'm really not feeling this lame skrull madness....but its good to see T'Charlie and the Wakandans not putting up with their bull

[DarkSpeedy]

Best way to infiltrate Wakanda as a skrull? Become their Queen! STORM has got to be a skrull! Please Marvel, give us Storm back!!!

Storm the leader! Storm the indepenedent woman! Storm the strong!

Not Storm the housemaid that stands in the back and does NOTHING while her entire race is wiped out.

[Ambidextrous]

Uh yeah...I'm so behind this it ain't even funny

B

[Da_Black_Goku]

Originally Posted by Tekkamansol

Don't mess with the Black

[/thread] .......

[sol]

Originally Posted by DarkSpeedy

Best way to infiltrate Wakanda as a skrull? Become their Queen! STORM has got to be a skrull! Please Marvel, give us Storm back!!!

Storm the leader! Storm the indepenedent woman! Storm the strong!

Not Storm the housemaid that stands in the back and does NOTHING while her entire race is wiped out.

Whatever. Storm does far more than 'stands in the back and does nothing', and it isn't even like Marvel was doing a whole lot with her in X-Men before the marriage.

I for one am down with them being married. It's not like Marvel didn't toy with the idea for 20 years or more. It's a positive form of growth for both characters where I sit.

[beetle1million]

If Jason Aaron wasn't enough to sell me on a book (but he totally is) I think the cover there would have done it. I really hope to see T'Challa beheading some of those green bitches.

[blehbeh]

I'm just doing the three-part Secret Invasion crossover that begins in issue #39. After that, regular writer Reggie Hudlin will return to the fold.

That's a shame. I might have been interested in reading Black Panther if Aaron stayed on. Whatever happened to Hudlin leaving the book a long time ago because of some job at BET or something? Now it seems like he's never going away....

[Snowspinner]

Originally Posted by chewiep1976

Since the Priest-era BP is mentioned--what is Priest doing now? That book was so good until (apparently) editorial started changing things.

The last I heard, Priest was of the opinion that he didn't want to write superhero comics as long as publishers continued to essentially offer him his choice of their black characters, but nothing else.

[C20Percent]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

JA: Did I mention that there's a Super Skrull with the powers of Marvel's greatest street fighters?

Very Nice!

[OCM]

Considering I think Hudlin is like Chuck Austen redux or something, I am definately down for this brief break!

And yes I've sampled about a dozen issues of Hudlin's writing *coff coff* from various sources (just haven't been stupid enough to pay for them!) and it's very hard to hold back the bile! Esp. when compared to the intelligently written Priest issues!

Still, if this title is selling better under Hudlin and not Priest and it's what the masses want, more power to them! No accounting for tastes I suppose!

Me, I'll be buying this even IF it's only a so-so story, don't really know to be honest as I've never bought anything with Aaron's name on it.

Oh, and in theory I like the marriage. I've wanted to see a romance between BP and Storm since MTU #100. Shame it feels rushed and forced in though!

[IllShogun]

Originally Posted by Snowspinner

The last I heard, Priest was of the opinion that he didn't want to write superhero comics as long as publishers continued to essentially offer him his choice of their black characters, but nothing else.

That's a shame. I think he would've been an inspired choice to take over Iron Fist.

[artiepants]

dang.

they keep throwing creative teams on these tie-ins that are making me want to buy more than i said i would.

JERKS!!!!




wonder who's on interiors.
(BTW, was the SI: Spider-man creative team ever announced?)

[artiepants]

Originally Posted by IllShogun

That's a shame. I think he would've been an inspired choice to take over Iron Fist.

i think he would have been the best person in the world to have taken over the Ultimates.

[Gordon Lee]

I've enjoyed Scalped, let's hope the same interesting plots continue here!

[Omega Flyer]

Hmm i'll see who the artisi is but i've been wanting to check ut BP for a while but the recent stories haven't interested me. I'm a little concerned about how many normal skrull fighters there are apparently going to be in SI, i thought it was taking into account they were on the verge of extinction, and Marvels space races have never been that big population wise anyway.

Also for those concerned i highly doubt they're going to retcon the marriage as Rich Johnston did a review of Ellis' first Astonishing script and it mentioned him integrating her role as Wakandan Queen.

[I am MODOK]

I will buy this story.