The Black Leopard 0

[shadroch]

Remember when Marvel decided that having a character named the Black Panther might be too controversial?  Marvel's Black Panther was introduced before the rise of the National Black Panther Party in the 60s, and by 1971, the Black Panther Party was involved in a number of shootings, and assasinations of police officers.  

Marvel tried calling him the Panther, and in some spots he was referred to only by his given name, but for a short time, his name was  changed to The Black Leopard. An appearence or two later, T'c actually gives a speech about being who he is and how a leopard can't change his spots so he is and will always be The Black Panther. 

 

PS- I missed most of his early FF issues and only knew him from his Avengers pop ups where he wore his full mask. While I knew he was the King of a mysterious African kingdom, I never suspected he was really black. It wasn't until I picked up Jungle Action 6 that I realized it. I suppose I was niave.

Edited May 6, 2022 by shadroch

[MattTheDuck]

On 5/6/2022 at 8:21 AM, shadroch said:

Remember when Marvel decided that having a character named the Black Panther might be too controversial?  Marvel's Black Panther was introduced before the rise of the National Black Panther Party in the 60s, and by 1971, the Black Panther Party was involved in a number of shootings, and assasinations of police officers.  

Marvel tried calling him the Panther, and in some spots he was referred to only by his given name, but for a short time, his name was  changed to The Black Leopard. An appearence or two later, T'c actually gives a speech about being who he is and how a leopard can't change his spots so he is and will always be The Black Panther. 

 

PS- I missed most of his early FF issues and only knew him from his Avengers pop ups where he wore his full mask. While I knew he was the King of a mysterious African kingdom, I never suspected he was really black. It wasn't until I picked up Jungle Action 6 that I realized it. I suppose I was niave.

Brief name change and return to original - note both are Bronze Age

 

[electricprune]

And don't forget about the Marvel's original "The Panther." He dressed in black, but was white. Picture from MyComicShop.

[rjpb]

Not Marvel or Timely, but here is the first Black Panther.

 

 

Edited May 6, 2022 by rjpb