Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Black Panther" #4 / "Aquaman" #1 / "Batman" #2

Black Panther #4: With its complex philosophy and politics running so deep, and its characters being wonderfully ambiguous instead of only black and white, the only thing really missing was some kick-ass action. With #5 promising exactly that, "Black Panther" could manifest itself even more as one of 2016's best comic book series.

9/10

"Aquaman" #1: The story plays it relatively safe, as Aquaman is plagued with some well-tested enemies and personal conflicts. However, Walker's light art and Eltaeb's impressive color palette capture the beauty of Atlantean life in great fashion.

7/10

"Batman" #2: The slow pace and art style feel welcomingly retro, and Tom King has a real sense for the kind of dry humor that benefits both Batman himself and Commissioner Gordon. Anybody who was skeptical after Scott Snyder left the main series should now be convinced that Batman is indeed in good hands here.

9/10

Review: "Black Panther" #3

The noose around T'Challa tightens more and more in Black Panther #3, as enemies manifest themselves and friends thin out. It's also the first time that the Panther engages in an extended fight scene, and it is here that we see one of the comic's rare shortcomings, as artist Brian doesn't manage to translate the Damisa-Sarki's raw power onto the comic's pages. 

Nevertheless, Coates' storytelling is still brilliant, and the constant change in narrative perspective adds multiple and valuable perspectives to Black Panther's themes, making for an overall exceptional comic experience. 

8/10

Further Links:

Black Panther #1

Black Panther #2

Review: "Black Panther" #2

You should be happy to hear that Black Panther #2 ties up some of the loose ends of its inaugural issue. And you should be delighted to hear that for every mystery solved Ta-Nehisi Coated will give you at least one new. 

Always engaging and never satisfied with itself, Black Panther constantly expands on the lore and people of Wakanda, whose distinctiveness in the Marvel universe is impressively visualized by Brian Stelfreeze's art and Laura Martin's colors. This is a classic in the making. Believe the hype!

8/10

Further Links:

Black Panther #1

Review (finally): "Black Panther" #1

This one will demand a little dedication and endurance from its readers, as virtually every character motivation and story threat is left in the dark initially. But if you stick around you will eventually be rewarded with one of this year's most skillfully crafted comic stories. 

Highly political, writer Ta-Nehisi Coates constantly explores the difficulties of responsibility for one's own fate and that of a larger society, culture and history, while artist Brian Stelfreeze meticulously captures the majestic nature of Black Panther's characters and surroundings. 

9/10