Marvel Comics announced today that an animated series, Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther?, will debut June 23 on major online platforms iTunes, Xbox Live, Microsoft Zune and Playstation Network. This is the same project that was originally slated to air on cable network BET.
In April 2008, Marvel Comics and BET announced an animated series based on Black Panther, king of fictional African nation Wakanda and widely considered the first black superhero. Reginald Hudlin was both writer of the Black Panther comic and president of entertainment for BET at the time.
Based on trailer footage released at the 2008 Comic-Con International, it literally looked like Hudlin and artist John Romita Jr.'s comic books "come to life," with the stories and visual lifted directly from pages. The vocal cast included Academy Award-nominee Djimon Hounsou and soul singer Jill Scott.
It never aired on TV, despite being slated for early 2009 and several episodes completing production. This January, six episodes aired on Australia's ABC3, though no domestic air dates were announced.
Now, the series will finally see the light of day for the rest of the world, though not on TV. BET was not mentioned in the press release.
The release of the series marks the latest in Marvel's increasing online efforts. In April, they released an iPhone and iPad app, acting as both an online store and digital reader. The publisher has also released motion comic versions of Astonishing X-Men and Iron Man: Extremis, and last year premiered a new Spider-Woman series first as a motion comic, with the print edition following a few weeks later.
The full press release follows.
Press ReleaseMarvel Announces Release of BLACK PANTHER: WHO IS THE BLACK PANTHER?
Marvel Knights Animation is proud to announce Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther?, a twelve-episode, weekly, all-new series debuting on iTunes, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Zune and PlayStation®Network on June 23rd.
Inspired by the acclaimed graphic novel from respected filmmaker/producer Reginald Hudlin and legendary comic book artist John Romita Jr, Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther? introduces viewers to the Black Panther, the warrior king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced nation in the heart of Africa. As outside forces conspire to plunder this proud nation, the Black Panther will face his greatest threats as he meets Klaw, the man who murdered his father.
“The positive responses to news of the show have been so overwhelming, it’s great to finally make the Black Panther series available to everyone,” said Hudlin. “Audiences get caught up on many levels – seeing John Romita Jr’s art come to life; the quality of the voice work by an award winning cast; the boldness of the politics, the music and humor. But see it for yourself!”
Romita Jr added, “The reaction by any person, upon viewing footage of a black panther, is universal: Awe. There is no more elegant a creature on the face of the planet. The creation of the character by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, in a turbulent political time, maintained that quality. Reggie Hudlin's updated version follows that and adds an amazing, cinematic flair to it. In my opinion, reading, and now viewing, the Black Panther series is much akin to witnessing a panther in person. Enjoy the elegance of the story, the elegance of the actors, their voices, their words, and....the imagery.”
This exciting series also features the voices of major celebrities including Academy Award-nominee Djimon Hounsou as Black Panther; Jill Scott as Storm, Kerry Washington as Princess Shuri; Alfre Woodard as both Dondi Reese and Queen Mother; Carl Lumbly as Uncle S’Yan; and comics legend Stan Lee in a special role.
Learn more about Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther? right now at www.marvel.com/blackpanther
