2018 is bringing even more superheroes to the silver screen from the Marvel universe and, while the mind-boggling scope of Avengers: Infinity War is definitely on fans’ minds, it’s Black Panther that looks as gorgeous as it is intriguing.
If the glimpse you and the kids got of Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War was all too brief, check out these ideas for getting to know T’Challa before you see him on the big screen in his solo film this February.
Black Panther: The Young Prince
Black Panther: The Young Prince is a new middle-grade novel by Ronald L. Smith that you’ll probably want to borrow as soon as the kids are done reading it. The story follows T’Challa when he’s just twelve years old and the future king of Wakanda. When his father sends him to America for his safety, culture shock is the least of his problems. Bullies, making friends, and homesickness will challenge the young prince just as they would any kid who finds themselves far away from home. Oh, and there might be warlocks infiltrating his new middle school.
Best of all, readers learn small snippets of Black Panther’s lore, like the members of his family who will play a large role in his life to snapshots of what it’s like to live in the fictional nation of Wakanda. This middle grade novel is a quick-paced, action-packed read that lightly touches on tough topics in the real world. The Young Prince couldn’t be a better introduction to T’Challa for kids.
From Page to Screen Featurette
Speaking of Civil War, Marvel released a video last week for a quick refresher of T’Challa’s debut and what it took to get Black Panther from comics to cinematic universe. Grab the kids for a rundown of the character’s history in this short sneak peek.
“There’s something very special about him,” says creator Stan Lee.
Black Panther – Start Here
Marvel is also keeping comic book fans in mind with the release of a Black Panther sampler at the end of January. Available in your local comic book store on January 31, Black Panther – Start Here is a free issue that collects excerpts of stories from T’Challa’s 50 year comic book history.
Whether you go into the film prepped or not, Marvel’s Black Panther looks to be an unforgettable movie experience.
GeekMom received a promotional copy of Black Panther: The Young Prince for review purposes.
All Images: Disney / Marvel
