Before gaining his own series, Black Panther initially appeared in Marvel comics in 1966, with the Fantastic Four in their 52nd issue. ¹⁾

This was made quite evident throughout the film, but it bears reiterating. The identity of 'Black Panther' is a distinguished title passed down through generations, rather than the typical superhero alter-ego or hidden identity featured in other Marvel characters. ²⁾

Black Panther was a watershed moment for Marvel since he was the first black superhero in mainstream American comics. The fact that his origin tale takes place in Africa rather than the United States is also a significant departure from the typical Western heroes that the Marvel fans is accustomed to. ³⁾

Although some believe the 'Black Panther' moniker was inspired by the eponymous civil rights movement that emerged in the United States in the late 1960s, the comics actually predate the group by a few months. Scared of being connected with them — remember, this was the late 1960s — Marvel considered changing his name (he was briefly known as 'Black Leopard,' but ultimately opted to keep it. ⁴⁾

T'Challa was temporarily married to Storm from the X-Men in the comics. T'Challa and Nakia married in Wakanda, however their marriage was later dissolved as T'Challa recognized he needed to preserve his homeland before establishing a family. ⁵⁾

Many actors, including Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Anthony Mackie, Djimon Hounsou, and Star Wars' John Boyega, auditioned for the coveted Black Panther part. Chadwick Boseman was cast in the role. ⁶⁾

The beautiful and enlightened African nation is a creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's imagination and does not exist. ⁷⁾

Captain America is famous for hitting nazis, but he isn't the only hero who has engaged in fascist-punching adventures. In The Panther Versus The Klan comics, Black Panther continued this lovely Marvel tradition by kicking some Ku Klux Klan butts in the Deep South. ⁸⁾

It's no secret that until Iron Man and The Avengers appeared in the late 2000s, superhero movies were not the sure bets they are now. In reality, despite Stan Lee's blessing, Wesley Snipes attempted to bring Black Panther to the big screen in the 1990s but failed. ⁹⁾

The priceless Wakandan substance is extraordinarily rare and resistant, so much so that it was utilized to make Captain America's famed shield. ¹⁰⁾

Black Panther is seen as the Marvel version of Batman, since they both have advanced technology, money, and brains at their disposal. That said, Black Panther is unique to most other superheroes, DC or elsewhere, because he was raised to be a strong vigilante — and a king — whereas Batman was just born wealthy. ¹¹⁾

Despite the fact that Chadwick Boseman is an American actor, he insisted on giving T'Challa an African accent, stating that because Wakanda was never colonized, there is no reason why T'Challa shouldn't have a “Wakandan” accent like any of his fellow citizens. ¹²⁾

T'Challa's powers are derived from a Heart-Shaped plant endemic to Wakanda, which allows him to harness the strength of a Panther deity named Bast and be as swift and strong as Captain America himself. ¹³⁾

This squad of fierce ladies, known as the Adored Ones, were introduced in the comics in 1998 and have since produced some of the finest Marvel action scenes to date in Ryan Coogler's adaptation. The Dora Milaje, lead by General Okoye, are elite warriors entrusted with defending the king and Wakanda with their life. ¹⁴⁾

Not every superhero is born with the title “superhero.” Black Panther, for example, was nearly dubbed Coal Tiger. Not only that, but he was depicted without a mask at first. Fortunately, Jack Kirby chose to trash the entire notion and start over. ¹⁵⁾