The Ultimate ‘Black Panther’ Think Piece, News, Milestones and More, List
As most of you who were impacted in a deep way after seeing Black Panther, I’ve been delving into so many conversations, think pieces and thoughts about the film.
Every week I produce a email newsletter for ZNews Africa, curating the best content for the global Pan-African community. While working the last edition I was amazed by the volume of articles published, and by the variety of angles there are in discussing the film. Culture, art, gender, tech, fashion, politics — it’s all there in a very substantive way.
For those of you interested in diving into more about the film, here is your guide. I will update this list regularly, so check for new additions. If you have suggestions, kindly share them in the comments section below or Tweet me at @michaeljrain.
Let’s go!
Pan-African Issues
“Black Panther” and the Invention of “Africa” By Jelani Cobb for The New Yorker
How ‘Black Panther’ Dissects Tension Between Africans & African-Americans (Spoiler-Free Review), by Jessica Bennett for EBONY
The Most Important Moment in Black Panther No One Is Talking About, by Benjamin Dixon for Progressive Army
African fans are embracing Black Panther’s Afrofuturistic fantasy of Africa, by Lynsey Chutel for Quartz
From north to south, Afro-Brazilians organize all-black viewings of “Black Panther”, Black Women of Brazil
Wakanda Is a Fake Country, but the African Language in ‘Black Panther’ Is Real, By John Eligon for The New York Times
‘Black Panther’ unearths 2 ‘what-if’ questions, By Jeremy Levitt for The Orlando Sentinel
Why ‘Black Panther’ Is a Defining Moment for Black America, by Carvell Wallace for The New York Times Magazine
Ghanaian Fans Have One Nit To Pick But Otherwise Adore ‘Black Panther’, By Tim McDonnell for NPR
Black Panther and the Search for Home, By Zito Madu for GQ
Ryan Coogler
‘Black Panther’ Director Sends Heartfelt Message to Fans Following Huge Success of Film, By Kiersten Willis for Atlanta Black Star
Ryan Coogler says he was moved ‘to tears’ by the support for ‘Black Panther’, By Michael Cavna for The Washington Post
‘Black Panther’ Director Ryan Coogler Shows Why Gratitude Is an Integral Part of Success, By Nina Zipkin for Entrepreneur
‘Black Panther’ Director Ryan Coogler’s Letter Thanking Fans Will Make You Misty-Eyed, By Ashley Rey for Bustle
The Eye-Opening Cultural Lesson Ryan Coogler Learned from Africans About Watermelon, by By Kiersten Willis for Atlanta Black Star
Blackness
The ‘Black Panther’ Revolution, By Josh Eells for Rolling Stone
‘Black Panther’ is a temporary moment of escapism for Black America, By Dr. Sheena Howard for PhillyVoice
Beyond ‘Black Panther’: A brief history of Afrofuturism, By Siddhant Adlakha for Mashable
Is “Black Panther” the first real “black science fiction film”?, By Chauncey Devega for SALON
The Women
The Women of ‘Black Panther:’ ‘They Are Kings Because of the Queens’ for Variety
There’s a True Story Behind Black Panther’s Strong Women. Here’s Why That Matters, By Eliana Dockterman for TIME
In ‘Black Panther,’ Wakanda’s Women Are Both Funny And Fierce, By Scott Mendelson for FORBES
Black Panther ‘was inspired by a real life all-woman army in Africa chosen for their incredible ability to beat up blokes’, By Gemma Mullin for The Sun
Get to know the Dora Milaje, Black Panther’s mighty women warriors, By Jamie Broadnax for VOX
‘Black Panther’ is a self-esteem boost, especially for brown girls, By Elizabeth Wellington for The Philadelphia Inquirer
‘Black Panther’ Is Groundbreaking, But It’s Shuri Who Could Change The World, By Walt Hickey for FiveThirtyEight
Why Shuri, Black Panther’s teen girl genius, is Marvel’s most promising character in ages, By Caroline Framke for VOX
Marvel
When Marvel Took the ‘Black’ Out of Black Panther, by Brian Cronin for CBR.com
15 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Black Panther, By Jessica Andrews for Screen Rant
Black Panther Is the Crowning Achievement of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, By Matt Miller for Esquire
Marvel relaunch of ‘Black Panther’ comic sends T’Challa to space, By Christian Holub for Entertainment Weekly
T’Challa & Erik Killmonger
Why ‘Black Panther’s T’Challa Is a Better Man Than Most Superheroes, By Adam Chitwood for Collider
The Tragedy of Erik Killmonger, by Adam Serwer for The Atlantic
The revolutionary ideals of Black Panther’s profound and complex villain have been twisted into a desire for hegemony.
The Story Behind Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Black Panther’ Villain, by Graeme McMillan for The Hollywood Reporter
Black Panther’s Killmonger May Have Borrowed His Costume From Vegeta, By Tim Adams for CBR.com
Wakanda
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Wakanda?, By By Justin Charity and Micah Peters for The Ringer
The Atlanta airport dreamed up a flight to Wakanda — and it’s a trip we want to take right now, By Alex Orlov for Mic
The People of Wauconda, Illinois, Would Like You to Stop Asking If They Have Black Panther’s Vibranium, by Charles Pulliam-Moore for Gizmodo
What Makes Wakanda So Bittersweet, By Elena Nicolaou for Refinery 29
Wauconda isn’t Wakanda, but ‘Black Panther’ fans don’t care, by Maureen O’Donnell for Chicago Sun Times
‘Black Panther’: Wauconda Town Gets Celebratory Calls, Request for Vibranium, By Ryan Parker for The Hollywood Reporter
Culture
Black Panther is one of the most important cultural moments in American history, by Shaun King for Medium
The Revolutionary Power Of Black Panther, By Jamil Smith for TIME
‘Black Panther’ and the Revenge of the Black Nerds, By Lawrence Ware for The New York Times
‘Black Panther’ and mental health in the Black community, By Christy Duanjay-Sheree Allen for ABC News
‘Black Panther’ Cosplayers: ‘We’re Helping People See Us as Heroes’, By Walter Thompson-Hernández for The New York Times
White People Won’y See Themselves in Black Panther. That’s Why They Should Watch It, By Preeti Varathan for Quartz
The Many Meanings of Black Panther’s Mask, by By Kwame Opam for The New York Times
Beyond Expectations, by By Stuart Klawans for The Nation
Yes, you’re allowed to not love ‘Black Panther’, By Daniel Van Boom for CNET
Science & Tech
‘Black Panther’ Tech Isn’t as Sci-Fi as It Seems, By Darren Orf for Popular Mechanics
Black Panther’s Lesson for Cobalt. The battery material used in electric cars is no vibranium. By David Fickling for Bloomberg
Black Panther’s Powerful Vibranium Suit Explained With Real Science, By Andy McDonald for The Huffington Post
Design & Photography
Marvel commissioned a Kenyan photographer for these exclusive Black Panther art pieces, By Abdi Latif Dahir for Quartz
Black Panther’s Costume Designer On Being Inspired by Ancient African Tribes, by Kandia Johnson for Black Enterprise
Black Panther’s Director of Photography Is a Cinematic Superhero, By Angela Watercutter for WIRED
Hair
How ‘Black Panther’ Got Its Gorgeous Afrocentric Hair, by By Crystal Martin for The New York Times
How A Simple Wig In ‘Black Panther’ Became One Of The Most Revolutionary Parts In The Movie, By Mekeisha Madden Toby for ESSENCE
Black Panther Hairstylist Camille Friend on the Film’s Empowering Looks: ‘Black People Are Beautiful’, By Jackie Fields for PEOPLE
How the Movie Black Panther Is Celebrating Natural Hair, By Lauren Adhav for COSMOPOLITAN
How to Get Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther Haircut (And Beard, Too, By Adam Hurly for GQ
‘Black Panther’ Star Michael B. Jordan Wants His Killmonger’s Hairstyle To Become A Trend, By Kevin Polowy for The Huffington Post
Black Panther’s Villain Is Responsible For This Hair Trend, By Samantha Sasso for Refinery 29
The Children
I Took 7th Graders to See ‘Black Panther.’ Here’s What They Said., By Kevin Noble Maillard, The New York Times
To my African-American nephews, Black Panther and Spider-Man are equally important. That’s a good thing, By Dahleen Glanton for Chicago Tribune
Black Panther: how superhero film can inspire Indigenous and African youth, By Stephanie Convery for The Guardian
Teachers are using ‘Black Panther’ to discuss African colonialism and American racism, By Amanda Michelle Gomez for Think Progress
Educators, Stars and Others Help Kids See ‘Black Panther’ Film, for Voice of America
Serena Williams took a group of young girls to ‘Black Panther’, By Katie Barnes for ESPNW
The Touching ‘Black Panther’ Hashtag Inspired by a Mother’s Eight-Year-Old Son, By Joi Childs for The Hollywood Reporter
LGBT
Black Panther and the Promise of a Queer-Affirming Africa, By Les Fabian Brathwaite for OUT
Black Panther: Everything Doesn’t Have to Be Gay, By Jasmyne A. Cannick for Los Angeles Sentinel
Black Panther Actor Florence Kasumba Addresses the Movie’s Lack of Queer Representation, By Jamie Broadnax and Abraham Riesman for Vulture
Dear White Gay Men, Black Panther Is Not About You, By Phillip Henry for Them.
Box Office & Hollywood
Box Office: ‘Black Panther’ Heads to Glory With $235 Million Holiday Weekend, By Dave McNary for Variety
‘Black Panther’ Poised to Shatter a Hollywood Myth, By Brooks Barnes for The New York Times
After Black Panther: can Hollywood maintain black visibility on screen? By Charles Bramesco for The Guardian
What ‘Black Panther’ director Ryan Coogler can teach Hollywood about making the industry more inclusive, by By Tre’Vell Anderson for Los Angeles Times
Black Panther is a stunning reimagining of Africa’s aesthetic for Hollywood movie fans, by Edward Ademolu for Quartz
“Black Panther” Is A Tipping Point That Can’t Be Ignored Or Explained Away, By Joe Berkowitz for Fast Company
‘Black Panther’ Gets a Grass-Roots Boost, By John Jurgensen for The Wall Street Journal
‘Black Panther’: The Key Lesson Hollywood Refuses To Learn, By Scott Mendelson for FORBES
The Best Marketing For “Black Panther” Was Making “Black Panther” by Jeff Beer for Fast Company
Box Office: ‘Black Panther’ Claws Highest Tuesday Gross for MCU Film, By Dave McNary for Variety
Black Panther’ Is Breaking An Insane Number Of Box Office Records, By Elyse Wanshel for The Huffington Post
‘Black Panther’ Tops Studios’ TV Ad Spending, By ISpot.Tv for Variety
About the the Film
Black Panther’s Director Ryan Coogler Breaks Down a Fight Scene (VIDEO) for Vanity Fair
What the end credits scenes for ‘Black Panther’ mean, By Angie Han for Mashable
Black Panther’s Dialect Coach on Wakanda’s Regional Accents and Prepping Actors, By Aisha Harris for SLATE
‘Black Panther’ is loaded with Easter eggs you probably missed. Here they are. By Adam Rosenberg for Mashable
‘Black Panther’ was the first movie filmed at Tyler Perry Studios’ new stages, by Najja Parker for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Donald Glover Helped Make Black Panther Even Funnier, By Matt Miller for Esquire
Star Obsessions
The Stars of ‘Black Panther’ Waited a Lifetime for This Moment, By Reggie Ugwu for The New York Times
Black Panther Cast Answers the Web’s Most Searched Questions (VIDEO) for WIRED
Angela Bassett & Courtney B. Vance Broke A Cardinal Rule To Honor Black Panther, By Kaitlin Reilly for Refinery 29
Why 31-year-old ‘Black Panther’ star Michael B. Jordan still lives with his parents, By Sarah Berger for CNBC
Lupita Nyong’o Stans Chadwick Boseman’s Sexy Rolling Stone Cover, By Madison Medeiros for Refinery 29
Black Panther’s Winston Duke Is the Star You Should Be Watching, By Yohana Desta for Vanity Fair
Black Panther’s Daniel Kaluuya Is in His Own Space Now, By Mark Anthony Green for GQ
Black Panther’s 6 Thirstiest Moments, By Hunter Harris for Vulture
Florence Kasumba plays a warrior in both “Wonder Woman” and “Black Panther,” and that makes her a real-life superhero, By Sophy Ziss for Hello Giggles
Winston Duke Had Marvel’s Greatest Introduction, By Matt Miller for Esquire
Guyana- and Tobago-born actors are standouts in blockbuster ‘Black Panther’ superhero film, By Jaren McCallister for The New York Daily News
Black Panther’ Redeems Michael B. Jordan For 2015’s ‘Fantastic Four’ Reboot, By Bryan Rolli for FORBES
Politics
The “Black Panther” impact on voter registration could match its blockbuster performance, By Ashley Rodriguez for Quartz
Black Panther’ actor is also a Dreamer, By Miguel Marquez for CNN
Black Panther film fuels calls for release of jailed political activists, By Sam Levin for The Guardian
Was The Cast of ‘Black Panther’ Added to a FBI Watch List?, in Snopes
What ‘Black Panther’ Means For 2018 Politics, By David S. Bernstein for WGBH.com
Music
‘Black Panther’ Composer Infuses Score With Trove of African Sounds, By Jon Burlingame for Variety
Kendrick Lamar Gives ‘Black Panther’ a Weighty Soundtrack, By Jon Pareles for The New York Times
‘Black Panther: The Album’ Is So Big It Got a ‘Chopped Not Slopped’ Edition, By Victoria Johnson for COMPLEX
‘Black Panther’ Album on Track for Heroic Opening Week, By Anne Steele for The Wall Street Journal
Fitness
Here’s How Michael B. Jordan Got Jacked for ‘Black Panther’, By Jordyn Taylor for Men’s Health
The “Exhausting” 6-Week Workout Plan That Got Lupita Nyong’o in Shape For Black Panther, By Perri konecky for Popsugar
The workout which got Michael B. Jordan in shape for Black Panther, Alan Lougnane for JOE
How Lupita Nyong’o Got In Shape for “Black Panther”, By Renee Cherry for SHAPE
How Michael B. Jordan Put on 15 Pounds of Muscle for ‘Black Panther’, By Charles Thorp for Men’s Journal
Cool & Cute
A guy in a Black Panther costume proposed to his girlfriend during a screening for the movie — and the internet is in love, By Jacob Shamsian for This Is Insider
Check out these glorious ‘Black Panther’ premiere outfits, By Proma Khosla for Mashable
Shuri would be so proud of all of your ‘Black Panther’ memes, By Martha Tesema for Mashable
Business & Life Lessons
Black Panther’s Message For Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page, By Aaron Pressman for FORTUNE
5 Leadership Lessons from The Black Panther, by Tayo Rockson for TayoRockson.com
Four Takeaways From Black Panther You Probably Understood, Too, By Adrianne Huls for FORBES
Five Cool Black Businesses to Patronize on Your Way to Wakanda, By Adedamola Agboola for Black Enterprise
Controversy
Twitter is brutally mocking the fake Black Panther assault stories, By Tasha Robinson for The Verge
Social media trolls are lying about black people assaulting ‘Black Panther’ movie-goers, By Nichole Bitette for The New York Daily News
Artist Says Kendrick Lamar Video for ‘Black Panther’ Song Stole Her Work, By Robin Pogrebin for The New York Times
Woman shouts ‘n-word’ at Sparta ‘Black Panther’ screening, By William Westhoven for NorthJersey.com
New Petition Wants 25 Percent of ‘Black Panther’ Profits to be Invested in Black Communities, By Julia Pimentel for COMPLEX
Fans Were Not Pleased When Theater Started Playing Fifty Shades Freed Instead of Black Panther, Stephanie Petit for PEOPLE
