Black Panther has a complicated reading order. Unlike most heroes, to read Black Panther there isn’t just one comic to read and get his full history. From Fantastic Four to Avengers to Jungle Action and his various self-titled series, on the surface, it can be confusing. Although, it doesn’t have to be!
If you’ve ever wanted to check out the Black Panther comics, but had no idea where to start, this reading order guide is for you. It contains the full reading order of the Black Panther from the very beginning to the latest stories. It’s perfect for those who want to binge read or just want to know where certain comics fit in the grand scheme of things.
Where Can I Read These Comics?
Black Panther is lucky enough to have most of his comics available in print through trade paperback collections. You’ll find these at any good comic book store, eBay or online.
For those who prefer to read digitally Comixology, the Marvel Digital Comic Store or Marvel Unlimited is the way to go.
Do I NEED To Read Everything?
No.
This list spans over 50 years worth of comic book stories, with many different interpretations over that time. As a result, you won’t gravitate to all of them. So it okay if you don’t want to read everything.
This list caters to all kinds of readers, whether you want to read everything or just want to read sections of his history.
If you’re the latter, I recommend picking a creative run or story that appeals to you. Even if you read stories out of order this list will help with putting them into context where everything fits in.
And if you’re still not sure, then check out 7 Black Panther Stories You Should Read.
The Early Years
Black Panther didn’t have his own comic book series straight away. In his early years, he appeared in other heroes comics and was a regular member of the Avengers. Apart from a few noted exceptions, this section is mostly team-ups and Avengers stories in which Black Panther was a prominent member of.
Rise Of The Black Panther #1-6
NOTE: Rise Of The Black Panther is 2018 miniseries that details the origin often of the character. This miniseries will be released between January and June. Chronologically set before his first appearance.
Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers #1-4
NOTE: Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers is 2010 miniseries set during World War II and tell the story of how Captain America and Black Panther met. Chronologically set before his first appearance.
Fantastic Four #52-53 (First Black Panther story)
Fantastic Four #54
Fantastic Four Annual #5
Tales of Suspense #97-100 (Captain America story only)
The Avengers #52 (Joins Avengers)
The Avengers #53-56
The Avengers Annual #2
The Avengers #57-63
Daredevil #52
The Avengers #64-65
The Avengers #68-71
Daredevil #69
The Avengers #73-86
The Avengers #87 (Special Black Panther origin issue)
Astonishing Tales #6-7
Fantastic Four #119
The Avengers #100
Daredevil #92
The Avengers #105-114
Don McGregor Era
In 1973, Black Panther hit a new level of prominence when he received his very own solo adventures in the pages of Jungle Action. The series was previously dated reprints of colonial Jungle adventures, but editor Don McGregor thought Marvel could do much better and convinced the publisher to make it star Black Panther instead.
Jungle Action #6-18 (Panther’s Rage story)
The Avengers #115 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 1)
The Defenders #8 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 2)
The Avengers #116 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 3)
The Defenders #9 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 4)
The Avengers #117 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 5)
The Defenders #10 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 6)
The Avengers #118 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 7)
The Defenders #11 (Avengers/Defenders War – Part 8)
The Avengers #119-126
The Avengers #137
Jungle Action #19-22 (Panther vs. the Klan story)
NOTE: Jungle Action #23 reprints Daredevil #69
Jungle Action #24
Marvel Premiere #51-53
The Avengers #145
The Avengers #151
Jack Kirby Era To The 1990s
The Jack Kirby era was short-lived, but Black Panther’s co-creator crafted 12 bombastic issues of Black Panther. Once the series ended with issue #15 the character returned to mostly team-ups and Avengers appearances. Although, Don McGregor returned to do some more stories in the early 90s.
Black Panther (1977-1979 series) #1 (First issue by Jack Kirby)
Black Panther (1977-1979 series) #2-12 (Jack Kirby leaves the comic with issue #12)
Black Panther (1977-1979 series) #13-15
Marvel Team-Up #100
The Avengers #157
The Avengers #159-181
The Avengers #239 (The Avengers appear on Late Night With David Letterman)
Black Panther (1988 series) #1-4
Avengers #305 (Black Panther rejoins the team)
Avengers #306-308
Avengers Annual #18 (Atlantis Attacks tie-in)
Marvel Comics Presents #13-37 (8-page chapters)
Black Panther: Panther’s Prey #1-4
Avengers #333
Avengers #335-339
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #25 (Vibranium Vendetta – Part 1)
Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #11 (Vibranium Vendetta – Part 2)
Web of Spider-Man Annual #7 (Vibranium Vendetta – Part 3)
Avengers #355-356
Excalibur #59
Over The Edge #6
Christopher Priest Era
As part of the Marvel Knights publishing initiative, Black Panther received a brand new series in 1998. Written by Christopher Priest, the series would see a mix of street-level action, larger super-heroics and an odd sense of humour. This whole era is collected in 4 thick trade paperback collections.
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #1-5 (The Client storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #6 (Black Panther vs Kraven the Hunter)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #7-12 (Enemy of the State storyline)
Avengers (1998-2004 series) #19-23
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #13-22
Deadpool (1997-2002 series) #44 (Cat Trap – Part 1)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #23 (Cat Trap – Part 2)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #24
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #25 (Maximum Security tie-in)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #26-29 (Stürm Und Drang storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #30
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #31-33 (Seduction of the Innocent storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #34-35 (Gorilla Warfare storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #36-37 (The Once And Future King storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #38-40 (Return of the Dragon storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #41-45 (Enemy of the State II storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #46-47 (Saddles Ablaze storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #48-49 (The Death of Black Panther storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #50-56 (Black and White storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #57-58 (Coming to America storyline)
Black Panther (1998-2003 series) #59-62 (Ascension storyline)
Avengers (1998-2004 series) #57-61
The Crew #1-7
Avengers (1998-2004 series) #65-70
Avengers (1998-2004 series) #76
Reginald Hudlin Era
Director/producer/writer Reginald Hudlin took over Black Panther for a run which would last for over 40 issues. His entire run is collected in 4 thick trade paperback collections.
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #1-6 (Who Is The Black Panther? storyline)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #7 (House of M tie-in)
X-Men (1991-2008 series) #175 (Wild Kingdom – Part 1)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #8 (Wild Kingdom – Part 2)
X-Men (1991-2008 series) #176 (Wild Kingdom – Part 3)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #9 (Wild Kingdom – Part 4)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #10-13 (Bad Mutha storyline)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #14-18 (The Bride storyline)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #19-25 (Civil War tie-in)
Storm (2006 series) #1-6
Fantastic Four #544-550
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #26-30 (Four the Hard Way storyline)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #31-34 (Little Green Men storyline)
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #35-38, Annual #1
Black Panther (2004-2008 series) #39-41 (Secret Invasion tie-in)
Black Panther (2008-2009 series)#1-6 (The Deadliest of the Species storyline)
Black Panther (2008-2009 series)#7-12 (Power storyline – issues #10-12 are preludes to Doomwar)
Doomwar #1-6
Klaws Of The Panther #1-4
The Man Without Fear/The Most Dangerous Man Alive Era
In the wake of the Daredevil focused event Shadowlands, Black Panther took over the Daredevil series and numbering. This period sees a more street-level Black Panther who is operating in Hells Kitchen, filling in void left by Daredevil.
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #513-518
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #519-520
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #521-523 (Fear Itself tie-in)
Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #523.1
Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #524
Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #525-529
Black Panther also appears in Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers/New Avengers run. It’s too lengthy and complicated to be included in this list, but you can find the reading order its own article.
Ta-Nehisi Coates Era
This is the current run of Black Panther comics, helmed by journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates. As part of his run, Coates has been able to bring into some unique voices from outside of comics including Roxane Gay and Yona Harvey. This era is still ongoing and will be updated when more information is revealed.
Black Panther (2016-2018 series) #1-12 (A Nation Under Our Feet storyline)
Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1-6
Black Panther (2016-2018 series) #13-18 (Avengers of the New World storyline)
Black Panther & The Crew #1-6
Black Panther (2016-2018 series) #166-172 (Klaw Stands Supreme storyline)
NOTE: The Black Panther series number changes after issue #18 as part of the Marvel Legacy publishing initiative.
Black Panther: Long Live The King #1-6
Black Panther: The Sound and The Fury (one-shot)
Black Panther (2016-2018 series) Annual #1
Black Panther vs. Deadpool #1-5
Black Panther (2018-Present) #1-6 (The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda storyline)
NOTE: Black Panther was relaunched as part of Marvel’s Fresh Start publishing initiative. It acts as a good jumping on point for new fans.
Black Panther (2018-Present) #7-12 (The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda: The Gathering of My Name storyline)
NOTE: The Gathering of My Name is the second arc of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda storyline. While it has been announced yet, it has been hinted that there will be a third arc afterwards.
Have Your Say!
Did you find this reading order helpful? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
This is really good reading order but it does not mention “Avengers the Earths Mightiest Heroes” (2018) at all and that is a pretty important run for black panther
Thanks i really appreciate your help. Coz I’m Black Panther fanatic, comic and mcu. I have a question where does the comic book Shuri come into Play.