The God Killer!

Things didn't look hopeful for the Black Panther following his rematch with Erik Killmonger, which saw him regain consciousness in the harsh sub-frozen mountain region where he'd tracked his ruthless foe only to be set upon by a pack of wolves, an encounter which he barely escaped with his life. With his uniform ripped and leaving parts of his flesh exposed to the elements, and far from any safe haven, that life seemed in danger of not surviving the night--so it's surprising indeed to open the issue and find that the Panther not only lives, but has stalked his way back to Resurrection Altar, the cavern where another of Killmonger's subordinates, the mysterious Sombre, exposes others to rays which transform them into something more (or, in some cases, less) than human.

As "Panther's Rage" continues in Part 8, the Panther is ready for Round Two with Killmonger--but in his foe's absence, he'll have to settle for those who aided Killmonger in abandoning him to the wolves, men who will learn that even this wounded and weather-beaten king can still strike back.

Unlike Tayete and Kazibe, the fretful lackeys of Killmonger who reluctantly accompanied T'Challa to this harsh clime, these men are armed and dangerous. For himself, the Panther can only lay claim to the latter, but those he struggles with find it's enough; and as that struggle plays out, we have a few questions answered which lingered over the events of Part 7, points that address not only how the Panther managed to survive (by taking a leaf from Han Solo's book, no less), but also why Resurrection Altar hasn't proven to be more of a boon for Killmonger's plans.

Obviously the tracks which T'Challa follows weren't left by Killmonger--but he follows them impulsively nonetheless, towards a destination that will bring him face-to-face with certain myths of his people, "gods" which will unfortunately take deadly, living form.

As for Killmonger, he takes a different path, one which leads him to Serpent Valley (more of which will be explored in Part 9). As he makes his way south with his regiments, we find that he has reclaimed both Kazibe and Tayete--though he hasn't forgotten that they willingly acted as T'Challa's guides in pursuit of him to Resurrection Altar, a betrayal which in his eyes merits death. But in response to Killmonger's wrath, Tayete reveals that he yet has a spine, and, unquestionably, steadfast feelings of friendship.

Killmonger's trek into Serpent Valley is one of several interludes this story offers; but with writer Don McGregor limiting himself to only fifteen pages per issue, the Panther is left with only eleven to meet and hopefully overcome this story's threat. Soon enough, he sees that he has his work cut out for him.

It would seem that Sombre is communing with these beasts--these gods that have been the subjects of Wakandan fables and are in effect a religion that rivals that of the Panther. But whether at Sombre's command or from some other instinct, one of the white gorillas has advanced on the Panther's position--and while the others remain in a frenzy, one religious symbol confronts another in maddened rage, as if this meeting was long in coming.

McGregor makes frequent use of his god allegory vis-à-vis the gorillas, presumably to elevate this story as something other than a clash between the Black Panther and a white gorilla--a concept we've already been treated to in the lesser but still brutally powerful form of M'Baku, the "Man-Ape," who gained his mega-strength from the flesh and blood of his namesake and openly fought to replace the Panther cult with his own. Now, of course, T'Challa battles the real thing--and while its form and expression reflect more of Bill Everett's wild-eyed monster style than that of artist Billy Graham, it seems certain that the Panther is in no less danger.

Back in Wakanda, the story pauses to check in with Monica Lynne, T'Challa's lover, who has struggled to make peace with a tribeswoman named Karota, the widow of a victim of Baron Macabre. From day one, Karota has distrusted Monica as an outworlder, wishing to keep her from befriending her son, Kantu, a boy the Panther rescued from a charging rhinoceros in the same tale. The more fascinating aspect to the scene McGregor presents is how a modern hospital might be regarded by Wakandans who live in settlements and huts; but though we don't yet realize it, it's really Karota's absent son who's being groomed by McGregor for a greater role in this story.*

*Sorry, my lips are sealed! (Or, put another way, "MMFFMMMF, RRMMM FRRFFF!")

Elsewhere, down T'Chaka Path (according to our trusty map), T'Challa's head of security, W'Kabi, is having his own culture clash, as he and his wife, Chandra, argue over what she perceives is his incessant preoccupation with his job and the tools of his trade. It's our first meeting with Chandra--and if W'Kabi continues on the path we see him tread here, she may see to it that her appearances are even less frequent.

It's a scene which seems to come out of left field, and fits oddly into the "Panther's Rage" ongoing story--a very blunt way of suddenly opening the door to this aspect of W'Kabi, who had only recently mended his tense relationship with his king and now is given some new frustration to vent. It's a sub-plot which could have benefited from a little more lead-in time.

As for the Panther's predicament--mauled and nearly exhausted, his life-or-death battle with the white gorilla is coming to a head, as this legend come to life prepares to hurl T'Challa to his doom. It's unclear to what extent Sombre's influence extends to these gorillas, though his scenes with them prove that he's in no danger in their midst. What is clear is that the Panther holds him in contempt, perhaps mostly for not leaving well enough alone and manipulating a revered childhood myth into viciously attacking him. It's a strange mix of perspective to see in the Panther, with his life on the line against the onslaught of (when all is said and done) a wild beast out for blood; he isn't nearly so contemplative when battling other deadly foes such as Killmonger or Klaw. Regardless, McGregor has done well at giving these pages more substance than man vs. beast, and the battle's end resolves at least that part of the story.  (Though stopping short as it does, it almost feels like someone putting on the brakes.  There are a lot of other vicious gorillas down there, aren't there?)

In spite of the Panther's words to Sombre, he doesn't look like he's in any shape to go after anybody, does he? But Sombre's reckoning isn't long in coming--and as the Panther makes his way to warmer tracts, he's resolved to apply the same sentiment to Killmonger.

COMING UP:

The Beasts of Serpent Valley!

Jungle Action #13 Script: Don McGregor Pencils: Billy Graham Inks: Craig Russell Letterer: Joe Rosen