Stan Lee was a pillar in the comics community who created and co-created some of the most important comic book characters of all time. As a writer, editor, and publisher, he helped shape Marvel comics, and the larger comics industry, which continues to thrive on the foundation that he built. With the approach of what would have been Lee’s 100th birthday on December 28, 2022, we are celebrating Lee’s legacy in comics.

The Black Panther/T’Challa, a Stan Lee and Jack Kirby creation, was the first mainstream black superhero in comics. He was introduced in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) and followed that up with guest appearances in other Marvel comics before joining the Avengers in 1968. His first starring story wouldn’t be until Jungle Action #5 in 1973; his series in that book was critically acclaimed and ran until 1976.

The Black Panther hails from Wakanda, an advanced African nation, and the title of “Black Panther” is actually a ceremonial one given to the head of the Panther Tribe. T’Challa inherited the title from his father, T’Chaka, and took on the task of leading the Panther Tribe and the country at large. One of his biggest responsibilities was to protect the mineral of Vibranium from reaching the outside world so that it wouldn’t be exploited by outsiders – especially Ulysses Klaw. T’Challa eventually left Wakanda to join the Avengers for an extended stay, but would return to his home country to defeat a usurper. He later became embroiled in Civil War, and married Ororo Munroe/Storm during that conflict.

T’Challa’s powers come from his connection with the Wakandan Panther God, and include acute senses, enhanced strength, speed and agility. He also has access to a variety of mythical artifacts and technology, and has the strength of the Wakandan military behind him. Outside of his abilities as the Black Panther, he has a Ph.D. in physics and is considered one of the smartest people on the planet.

The Black Panther made his live-action film debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, introducing the late Chadwick Boseman to the MCU. Boseman starred in the Black Panther solo film in 2018, and he played him again in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Boseman’s final role was voicing Black Panther for the animated series, What If…?