Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #514

Although I still have problems with the premise of this series, issue #514 is a great improvement over the last issue. I highly doubt David Liss read my review of the first issue, but in an interview with CBR, he mentioned addressing some of the points I made. In this issue, T'challa is still trying to find Vlad who has become the biggest criminal in Hell's Kitchen since Daredevil left. It's at this point that the series really starts to take off. You realize that trouble usually makes it's way to T'challa. Now he has to track it down. It truly does show him out of his element. Detective work in NYC is much different than Wakanda. Priest's Panther was able to do it primarily because of his tech not through street smarts.

Besides the ending which definitely makes me want to pick up the next issue, the other highlight is the appearance of Luke Cage. He basically tells T'challa to put a stop to Vlad or someone else will. That could make for some nice interplay with the new Heroes For Hire series which is excellent, both fast paced and fun.

Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #513

I have to say I'm pretty disappointed with this book. Granted the artwork is perfect. I wouldn't expect anything less from Francavilla. The dialogue is good as well. It's the premise that bothers me. The idea of Black Panther testing his mettle on the streets of Hell's Kitchen is quite ridiculous. As if ruling Wakanda for X number of years proved nothing. To me having the Panther fight criminals in NY seems to belittle his history.

Meanwhile, it seems Marvel is really trying to appease all the Daredevil fans with the conversation between DD and T'Challa. Ok so if this is cool with DD then the fans can jump on board as well. I've got news for Marvel. It's not the DD fans you should be worried about. I think lots of Black Panther fans will feel the same way I do.

So let's say we were down with this DD temporary replacement idea. Some other things make no sense to me. It may not be vibranium but the suit is the same. How long will it be before everyone figures out that the missing Black Panther is in Hell's Kitchen?

Finally, I don't know if David Liss is married or not. If he is, his wife and Storm must be the coolest wives on Earth. If I told my wife I just needed to go prove myself by fighting criminals and I'll see ya (date of return unknown), I'd come home to find my car on fire in the driveway Waiting To Exhale style.