Marvel Premier: A Nation Under Our Feet

Ta-Nehisi Coates: Reviving Wakanda’s Soul

When Ta-Nehisi Coates, a New York Times best-selling author, entered the Marvel universe, excitement soared. Coates gave his unique voice to the Black Panther saga starting in 2016. His vision offered a fresh look at T’Challa and the nation of Wakanda. Fans and critics alike hailed the “A Nation Under Our Feet” arc as a masterpiece. This storyline depicted T’Challa and his allies battling anti-monarchical rebellions. These intense struggles set the stage for Wakanda’s first Republic.

A Fresh Collection for Fans Old and New

Recently, Marvel gathered Coates’ work into a slick paperback form, a first for "Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet." This seminal series is among the initial Marvel Premier Collection books. It shares the spotlight with classics like "Daredevil: Born Again" and "Captain America: Winter Soldier." Marvel’s Premier Collection aims to provide seamless access points into iconic Marvel stories. Coates’ Black Panther run fits this goal perfectly. It offers a gentle reboot of the Black Panther saga, aligning with the next waves of storytelling. Yet, it is rooted in Wakanda’s rich lore.

Readers embark on a journey marked by the Wakandan people’s dissatisfaction with T’Challa’s reign. Central to the narrative are events involving Namor, Thanos, and the Black Order. Newcomers might find these references a tad bewildering. Nonetheless, the collection is a gateway to the future Black Panther arc, "The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda." As a personal testament, my husband, unfamiliar with Black Panther comics, enjoyed the collection immensely. Now, he eagerly anticipates diving deeper into Coates’ narrative.

Elegance in Paperback Form

The Premier Collection paperback emits a special allure. Its design in black and red is captivating, merging the aesthetics of a trade paperback with an omnibus. The cover is soft, and its matte pages give it the feel of a book rather than a mere comic. One downside, as noted by my husband, is the tight binding. It requires effort, almost snapping the spine, to read some dialogues at the page edges. This minor flaw deducts half a point from its otherwise exceptional experience.

Beyond its stunning presentation, this collection boasts perhaps the most extensive cover gallery seen in a paperback. Each issue within is fronted by full-size covers, complemented by a variety of variants at the back. Additionally, an insightful interview with Ryan Coogler, the creative mind behind the MCU’s Black Panther, enriches the collection. The book starts strong with an introduction by rapper and activist, Killer Mike, setting a powerful tone for the pages that follow.

A Must-Read for Comic Enthusiasts

"Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet" emerges from Marvel’s Premier Collection as a must-have. Fans of Black Panther will appreciate its professional-feel without the heft of an omnibus. Ta-Nehisi Coates’ prose is enthralling, pushing creative boundaries. The artistry of Stelfreeze and Sprouse shines brightly. Despite its challenging binding, the collection’s elegance makes it worth every effort. This addition is a treasure for any serious comic collection.