Simply put, this latest issue of Black Panther is okay. It's not bad (like it used to be) and it's not great either (like it also used to be). During the volume before, Black Panther had some early adventures that were awesome. Unfortunately, that only lasted thirteen issues. Then it got into the wedding with Storm, Civil War tie-ins, and then it slowly crashed and burned (even if it did end with some very good Secret Invasion tie-ins). So evidently, a relaunch was in order. The first six issues were headed by the same writer who let the character be boring for two years, Reginald Hudlin. They were bad as expected, but I chose to wait for issue #7 specifically for the writer alteration. Jonathan Maberry has now joined in and I can honestly say it is for the better.

I have read one of Maberry's books, called Patient Zero (you may have seen ads for it). It was a great book, full of everything one could ask for in a science fiction/horror novel. So when I found out he was going to be helping out with a series like Black Panther, which genuinely needed a new voice, I got excited.

Granted, the book is still written with liberal bashes against Republicans, but if one get past the obvious political bias, there's an intriguing story that is just beginning. For starters, Shuri, the new Black Panther, kicks some serious butt in this issue. After reading Black Panther issues for the past four years, I never saw T'Challa act as fiercely and as violently as Shuri did in this issue. She was ruthless and entertaining, and I can see that that is just the beginning of Maberry's new direction of action scenes. The aftermath was also interesting, with some good twists set in place for future issues. Also, there are a couple scenes involving T'Challa and Storm, one of which was almost touching to watch.

On the art side, Mr. Will Conrad is quite good. His action was fluid and intense, and his face models are varied, so no one looks the same or generic. The colors are a bit standard, but nothing to complain about.

Bottom Line: Although the first half is this issue got off to a slow start, the second half proved to me that this new story and new writer have great potential in the future to restore Black Panther to the amazing icon he used to be, even if it is an entirely new person under the mask. Believe me, this change is a good thing.

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