Writer: Christopher Priest Artists: Sal Velluto (p), Bob Almond (i)
Publisher: Marvel
PLOT: As the book opens we see that T'Challa is prisoner of the former Dora Milaje, current obsessive loon, Malice. We then see that in order to coax a proclamation of love from a stubborn T'Challa, Malice has targeted everyone that he cares for, and that if he continues to refuse, then she'll kill them all. To this end, we see Monica & private detective Dakota North find themselves hunted by the men that Malice has turned into mindless pawns, by making use of a drug called Jufeiro.
Meanwhile, T'Challa has managed to make his escape, and looking to save those close to him from Malice, he agrees to a plan that will see one of his Dora Milaje pose as a target. However, when Malice takes the bait, and the Dora Milaje has the upper hand in the conflict, we see T'Challa switches sides, and after striking down the Dora Milaje, he embraces Malice. Meanwhile, T'Challa's mother & Queen Devine Justice discover the true villain behind it all.
COMMENTS: This issue is full of surprises, and I'm also enjoying the new sense of uncertainty that currently surrounds T'Challa's actions, as in earlier issues the Black Panther was portrayed as a master chess-player, who already had his opponents in checkmate before they had moved their first piece. I mean, I'm all for portraying T'Challa as a highly intelligent man, who is able to manipulate events to his benefit, but if the villains that he faces aren't able to do the same, then the entire story lacks the ability to keep the reader guessing.
This month we see T'Challa in a role that's a true rarity, as when he's being held captive by Malice & under the influence of Jufeiro, he's pretty much on the ropes. In fact even after he makes his escape, we see he's still on shaky ground, as his conversation with Okoye makes it fairly clear that he doesn't have a real plan for dealing with Malice. The attack upon Okoye is also an unexpected plot twist.
Christopher Priest has managed to create a small, but highly engaging supporting cast. In fact, characters like Everett K. Ross & Queen Devine Justice are interesting enough that often times they are able to support the title during the months when T'Challa is only a peripheral player in his book. With this in mind, the brief four panel appearance by Ross in this issue made a huge impact on how I view this book, as even the hint that Ross may be with the forces plotting against T'Challa is shocking enough that I was completely floored.
As for the adventures of the young Chanté, I continue to enjoy her refusal to grasp the role that she's been thrust into, and it should be fun to see how she handles her first encounter with a super-villain. Okoye also gets a nice scene in this issue, and I hope T'Challa's seemingly lethal attack upon her was all a ruse, as I'd like to see more exploration of her role as a Dora Milaje.
Sal Velluto continues to turn out a highly realistic, if somewhat gritty style that nicely compliments the material, as no matter how confusing the story may be structured, or how complex an idea that it's asked to detail, the art always delivers. The insanity of Malice is nicely displayed by her seductive maneuverings, as we see her using her womanly charms, and the drug Jufeiro, to turn the men she encounters into ruthless killers.
The anger of T'Challa is also nicely conveyed, and the scene where he suddenly returns to Malice's arms is given even more impact by the shocking display of violence that proceeded it. Dakota North's attempt to protect Monica is also a nice vivid display of action. He also manages to deliver a last page that actually convinced me that this villain is a real threat to the Black Panther, as Sal Velluto does a fantastic job giving this formerly goofy-looking villain a sense of menace.
FINAL WORD: Okay, if you're not a regular reader of this book then avoid this issue, as it will make no sense. On the other hand, if you are a regular reader, then there's a good deal to enjoy in this issue, from the brief hint that Everett K. Ross may now be an enemy of T'Challa, to a surprising betrayal that T'Challa commits, to the last page where we discover the identity of the true villain.
This issue advances the material forward a great deal, and if you're fully aware of who all the various players are, then you're going to be quite interested in where this issue takes them. I do hope that Christopher Priest does have some more fan friendly material on the horizon though, as I really can't see anyone who came into this issue cold, being able to follow, or enjoy this material.
