In the last few years, Marvel Comics has continued to diversify its roster of superheroes—from debuting an Asian Hulk, a Chicano Ghost Rider, to introducing a Black and Boricua web-slinger and a Muslim Ms. Marvel. Throughout its history, the comic book powerhouse has always aimed to reflect the times with hopes that its readership will see a bit of themselves in their dynamic collection of characters. Black Panther is one such character.
With an all-new comic book series written by National Book Award winner and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, Ta-Nehisi Coates, with artwork by Brian Stelfreeze, and the spectacular first-ever on-screen portrayal of the Wakandan Warrior King by Chadwick Boseman in the box office hit, Captain America: Civil War, having both debuted recently, Marvel has taken their PR game to a whole ‘nother level with the release of their video series titled “Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet.” The all-new and monthly initiative was designed to introduce — or reintroduce — Black Panther to the public and offer up some highlights on the character’s latest journey directly from the comic book creators themselves.
The first episode of the series features Coates breaking down the first issue of Black Panther while animated panels from the issue are displayed on-screen. The presentation is also taken up a couple of notches as the amped-up instrumentals to the banger “Oh My Darling” by Hip-Hop duo Run the Jewels plays throughout.
“When we got down to talking soundtrack for these videos, we wanted to come out strong, with an audiovisual presentation that knocked viewers back on their heels and sent a loud-and-clear message that we weren’t playing around,” says Marvel’s ‘LLERO-in-Chief Axel Alonso, adding, “The first artists that came to mind were Run the Jewels, who’re one of the most respected and innovative Hip-Hop groups of the last few years. I think the results speak for themselves, right? Ears don’t lie.”
Check out a prelude as well as the first episode of “Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet” below, and make sure to check back as our friends at Marvel will be updating this video feed with a new episode every month!
