 The Black Panther is one of the first superheroes of colour to debut in comics that weren't seen as a stereotype character or figure of the black exploitation era. Debuting in 1966 in the pages of Fantastic 452, created by Marvel heavyweight Stan Lee and the King Jack Kirby, Black Panther quickly established himself as a major player in the Marvel Universe. He's the ruler of the African nation of Wakanda, a sovereign nation hidden from the rest of the world, home with the strongest metal in the world, Vibranium. It is this metal that gives the African nation its technological advancement, while also making it a target for people who would seek to use this material for their own ends, like Nemesis Ulysses Claw. If you were to ask what makes the Black Panther special, there are several key features. First of all, the title of Black Panther isn't simply bestowed upon a person. They pass a series of trials by combat in order to prove themselves. One can challenge the current Panther chief to the trials should they think they are worthy, but also have to defeat six other Wakandans before doing so. Secondly, the Black Panther consumes a special herb called the heart-shaped herb. This is seen as a gift from the Panther gods and only a person who has proven themselves worthy or is a noble among the tribe can use the herb, otherwise it's fatal. The herb ultimately sharpens the receptors of the body, giving heart and senses and abilities to those who use it. Another aspect of the lore is the Necropolis, a place where the Black Panther can go to communicate with the spirits of former Panthers and the Panther god itself, Bast. The current and most well-known Black Panther is T'Challa, who once held the mantle of King of the Dead in Wakanda. He's a master tactician and strategist and is also considered one of the eight smartest people in the world. Many fans have argued that he's one of the only superheroes who would be able to best DC's Batman from the Marvel Universe in terms of strategy and fighting prowess. T'Challa became the Panther after his father, King T'Chaka, was unceremoniously killed when stopping Claw from stealing Vibranium. T'Challa looks after his kingdom above all else in times of crisis, always wary of the outside world and their intentions. During an Avengers run, he actually joined the team to spy on each of the members to assess how much of a threat they actually were. T'Challa is always thinking ahead and his motives are often unclear, often until it's too late for the person to know. He's also wielded the Infinity Gauntlet in an attempt to defeat an omnipotent Doctor Doom, a feat no normal man has been able to do. Black Panther has had continued success in solo issues and team books, often being seen in the pages of Fantastic Four and the Avengers. One of his most iconic moments came in 2008 when he married the X-Man Storm, a fellow African, which was dubbed the Wedding of the Century. The two have since split in the comics but continue to have a mutual bond. The marriage even got the approval of Doctor Doom, one of the only heroes Doom actually respects. The appeal of Black Panther lies in the political climate of Wakanda and the way he and the nation insert themselves in the world. The Panther is often stuck between the middle of maintaining his kingdom while saving the world, bearing the weight of heavy responsibility. Regardless of his duty, Black Panther is one of the most respected members of the Marvel Universe and deserves his place as one of Marvel and all of comic books' best characters.