The burden of the crown is real for Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther
Coates’ series gets personal with its title character while exploring the complex and fragile politics of a nation
“Men who wish to be kings have almost never considered their request. Who, in full knowledge, would wish to hold a country on their shoulders? Who, in full sanity, would try to hold a nation under their feet?”
It’s been nearly two years since author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates teamed with artist Brian Stelfreeze to relaunch Marvel’s Black Panther title, which quickly and easily established itself as far more than the average superhero comic book. Coates’ approach to the series has been the most profound and personal take on T’Challa, the king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, that’s yet been told. More than that though, Coates has woven an intriguing narrative that reflects the complexities of a nation built on tradition when faced with a need for change and modernization.
In the past, writers like Christopher Priest, who wrote the Black Panther series from 1998–2003, and Reginald Hudlin, who wrote the series from 2005–2008, approached the title character as an enigmatic figure, glorifying T’Challa’s exploits and his ability to think four or five steps ahead of his enemies. Alternatively, Coates gets a bit more personal, humanizing T’Challa without rewriting history or reinventing the character. Coates’ take on T’Challa lives up to the glorified and brilliant king of Wakanda that both Priest and Hudlin established, while also flipping those same qualities against him. T’Challa’s not infallible, and in fact, his stubborn pride and confidence in his own instincts have consequences. The burden of the crown is real, and what Coates explores through T’Challa’s missteps is his struggle to live up to an identity and title thrust upon him.
The scope of the story Coates is telling is actually much larger than T’Challa; it’s the story of a nation that’s outgrown its traditions, and in effect, its king. It’s a story about people who have lost faith in their leader and want to be heard. It’s a story about how fragile a revolution can be — how easily it can fall apart or become something it wasn’t meant to be. The most meaningful thing Coates does is give a voice to opposing ideals and philosophies driving the central conflict. The two strongest voices are Ayo and Aneka, two lovers and former members of T’Challa’s personal guard who rebel against the throne, believing that an absolute monarchy just isn’t cutting it anymore. T’Challa’s authority, completely unchecked, is failing. And worse, T’Challa is too beholden to the history and tradition that Wakanda was built on to get out his own way and learn how to compromise.
In a way, Coates uses the series as a whole to serve as a dialogue between these philosophical differences on politics and society. Wakanda is the most technologically advanced nation in the world, but its political systems and traditions are old, and as T’Challa clings to those traditions, Coates calls them into question. Are they still relevant? Are they right? Do certain systems and practices still work? Wakanda is broken, and T’Challa is forced to consider that quelling a rebellion just to restore the old order may not be the way to fix it. As leaders of a revolution, Ayo and Aneka are also faced with decisions, such as what means justify what ends — how to revolt without becoming the tyranny they feel they’re revolting against? In spite of their opposing beliefs, they all hold on to the fact that Wakanda is an exceptional place, and grapple with how to ensure their actions live up to that one same ideal.
The weight of responsibility placed on T’Challa, Ayo, and Aneka to live up to the high standard of the nation they’re fighting for is ever present throughout the series. Coates explores the nature and power of faith, and the responsibility thrust upon leaders when others put their faith and trust in them. T’Challa, specifically, wrestles with this, in that he never had much choice in all the power and responsibility that came with being king. He carried that responsibility as a burden for so long, but comes to understand what an honor it actually is to hold the faith and trust of his people.
With Black Panther, Coates demystifies T’Challa as Wakanda’s infallible king and protector while deconstructing the flaws of what’s meant to be the most advanced society in the world. Until now, T’Challa has been portrayed as an ideal, but Coates explores what happens when he fails, and the effect that has on his nation. By drawing out conflict in this way, he develops and enriches the world of Wakanda and the people that live in it. They all believe Wakanda is an exceptional place, and the story Coates is telling challenges T’Challa and these characters to consider what that truly means.