Real name: T'Challa
Occupation: King of Wakanda, scientist
Identity: Publicly known
Legal status: Citizen of Wakanda with no
criminal record
Place of birth: Wakanda, Northern Africa
Group affiliation: Avengers (inactive), formerly
the Fantastic Force
Base of operations: Wakanda, mobile
First appearance: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #52 (1966)
Height: 6'
Weight: 185 lbs.
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Black, shaved bald
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Current Look
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Synopsis:
With the sleekness
of the jungle cat whose name he bears, T'Challa -- king of Wakanda --
stalks both the concrete city and the undergrowth of the Veldt. So it
has been for countless generations of warrior kings, so it is today, and
so it shall be -- for the law dictates that only the swift, the smart
and the strong survive. Noble champion. Vigilant protector. Black Panther!
Powers:
The Black Panther's superhuman abilities --
including enhanced senses, strength, speed and agility --
stem from his ingestion of a mystical heart-shaped herb
administered only to Wakandan kings during a sacred
ascension ritual. An accomplished gymnast and acrobat,
T'Challa is also an expert tracker. In addition, he has mastered various
African martial arts.
Weapons:
T'Challa's Vibranium micro-weave bodysuit can stop bullets by sapping
their momentum. His boots' Vibranium soles absorb sound and impact --
enabling him to leap from structures up to eight stories tall and land
without injury, and literally run up the sides of buildings. The Panther's
retractable claws contain a form of Vibranium that can break down other
metals. He also wields an energy dagger that can be fired, thrown or
handled like a knife. At its highest setting, the weapon easily can
cut through forged steel.
History:
T'Challa is the son of T'Chaka, late king of the African nation Wakanda.
When lawless ivory hunter Ulysses Klaw murdered T'Chaka in an attempt
to possess the country's rare Vibranium deposit, a grief-stricken T'Challa
swore vengeance and succeeded in thwarting the butcher's raid. In the
process, the young prince destroyed Klaw's hand.
Educated at the
finest schools in Europe and America, T'Challa returned to his homeland
bearing a degree in physics and ready to assume the mantle of leadership.
To do so, he was required to pass two tests: defeat six of Wakanda's
greatest warriors in unarmed combat, and obtain the secret heart-shaped
herb that grants the country's chieftains their powers. Successfully
carrying out the dual challenge, T'Challa donned the ceremonial garb
of the Black Panther, totem of the Wakandan people.
Under T'Challa,
Wakanda has become one of the wealthiest and most technologically advanced
nations on the planet. After meeting the legendary super hero known
as Captain America, the Panther was offered membership in the Avengers.
Taking a leave of absence from his royal duties, he served among Earth's
Mightiest Heroes for a lengthy interval, acquainting himself with American
methods of crimefighting. During his time with the Avengers, T'Challa
met and fell in love with social worker Monica Lynne. Through the years,
their on-again, off-again romance continually has complicated her life.
Inevitably, T'Challa
returned to Wakanda, only to find the country in turmoil due to his
prolonged absence. Even his throne was fair game: The Panther was forced
to put down an uprising led by Killmonger, a revolutionary intent on
assuming power. After regaining his people's respect, T'Challa worked
to bring his country out of isolation from the rest of the world. Since
that time, he has made several trips to the United States. The Panther
joined Earth's other great heroes in battle against the sentient psionic
being known as Onslaught, and consequently was shunted into an alternate
dimension for one year.
The Panther returned
only to have his throne taken from him through manipulation by factions
within his own political system. While he was in New York investigating
a scandal involving a local charity largely funded by Wakandan grants,
T'Challa's government was toppled by a psychotic cleric named Achebe.
After the fact, T'Challa discovered the scandal had been a ruse to lure
him away from Wakanda. Achebe had struck a deal with Mephisto, a demon
who craved the Panther's pure soul. Taking the fight to Mephisto, the
Panther challenged the demon in his own realm. There, T'Challa was forced
to re-live his past before ultimately defeating Mephisto. However, he
was stalemated by Achebe, who temporarily gained power over Wakanda.
The Panther eventually bested the cleric, as well.
Accustomed to operating
solo, T'Challa now finds himself partnered with Everett K. Ross, a cynical
New York lawyer assigned by the U.S. State Department to facilitate
the monarch's four-day state visit. Their partnership has lasted considerably
longer. A highly skilled attorney, Ross' shark-like prowess is typically
rendered moot in the wake of the Panther's larger-than-life adventures.
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