While story details on the Black Panther solo film have been kept under wraps, director Ryan Coogler offered some insight over the weekend as to which comic stories the film would draw influence from. In an interview with Vulture, Coogler cites the recent best-selling run (written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, penciled by Brian Stelfreeze, and colored by Laura Martin) as a massive inspiration. “Oh, I love it, man. I mean, [Coates] is my favorite writer right now in the world. Since being turned on to his work, I’m reading everything that he does. His nonfiction work, especially. But what he’s doing with 'Panther' is just incredible. You can really see his background as a poet in some of the dialogue. And what Brian Stelfreeze is doing with the visuals in that book. And some of the questions that it’s asking. It’s just inspiring for [co-screenwriter] Joe Robert Cole and myself."
Coogler also spoke a bit more on how he doesn't see Black Panther as a traditional superhero. "What’s so great about Panther is he’s a superhero who, if you grab him and ask him if he’s a superhero, he’ll tell you, 'No,'" he continued. "He sees himself as a politician, as a leader in his country. It just so happens that the country is a warrior-based nation where the leaders have to be warriors, as well, so sometimes he has to go fight. I think starting at that is really so interesting. If you look at that, anything that’s happening in the world right now, or in the world in the past, in the political realm and how people deal with each other, it can be an inspiration.”
Coogler has certainly picked a fine source of inspiration; 'Black Panther' is currently Marvel's number one selling title, and has been praised by both fans and critics. Which stories would you like to see Black Panther draw from? Sound off below!
About The Author:
Matt is a graduate of the Ryerson University School of Journalism, and has been a fan of superheroes since he picked up his first comic book issue as a child. While he works as a professional musician, Matt has a massive passion for comic books, films and heroes, along with participating in discussion and debate with the CBM community.