That's what I was afraid of. Despite my feelings that the end of T'Challa (and the loss of artists Velluto and Almond) was the end of my days with Black Panther, I decided to give #50 a look out of curiosity. And it was good, and so I gave #51 a look, and now I'm hooked again. Priest has transformed what was a continuity-heavy and complex book about politics into a continuity-lite and complex book about crime and moral choices. It's like The Shield with bulletproof costumes, with a touch of Hong Kong cinema and a touch of streetwise funk. Gone is the untouchable King T'Challa, 17 moves ahead of his opponents and almost impossible to relate to (even if he was fascinating to read about), and replacing him is ex-cop Kevin "Kasper" Cole, a man with any number of devils waiting to take his soul, trying to decide which way is the best way to walk the path of righteousness.
This book has taken an abrupt change of direction, and it's one that should please new readers and continuing readers alike. Though the political manipulations and worldwide scale of Black Panther has shifted to a more neighborhood feel, the same gray morality and complex characterization remain, without the need to have read forty or so issues of continuity to really know what's going on. The new Black Panther compares well to a movie in terms of cinematic action, but what it really reminds me of in pacing and style is a good crime drama television show. The stories are more episodic, but the themes continue from episode to episode. So far, it looks like it'll reward casual readers and regular readers alike.
What this issue turns on is the moral choices facing Kevin Cole, and Priest does not make it easy on his protagonist. Cole is clearly someone who wants to do right, but he's stuck in a corrupt precinct and has been picked up as a potential protege by an international spy and murderer. His would-be mentors are dangerous, but going it alone is just as dangerous, and it's going to be interesting to see where he chooses to compromise and where he chooses to make his stand. In this issue, he considers some fairly extreme and illegal actions, but ultimately chooses what's right, not what's easiest. Lucky for us, because it prolongs the drama.
Which isn't to say Cole is some kind of namby-pamby good guy who won't hit back. His intimidation tactics and skill in walking away from a roomful of 30 armed men makes for a great scene, and shows the power that a mask and a little skill can give you. In addition, his choice to become a vigilante instead of riding out a 5-day suspension shows a certain willingness to bend the rules in the name of what he considers justice.
In the previous issue, I was surprised and impressed by the artwork of Dan Fraga, and this issue, I'm just as impressed with the work of Jorge Lucas. Lucas's style is not unlike the one Fraga used in the previous issue, with highly detailed backgrounds, spectacular action choreography and strong character designs. I especially love the real look of clothing, faces and backgrounds that helps make this book feel more like a gritty crime drama and less like a spandex book. It's like I've been saying almost from the start, Black Panther is a super-hero book, but it's one of those that non-super-hero fans would probably really enjoy, it they can get past the spandex trappings.
