The Black Panther in "King Solomon's Frog"

The Black Panther, written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby, is a well known and beloved Marvel comic. Here is the epitome of the superhero comic, complete with illustrated sound effects, witty banter, bright color palettes, and, of course, superhuman abilities. The 1977 story “King Solomon’s Frog,” serves the purpose for which it was made – solely immersive entertainment. The visuals are graphic and saturated, with complementary colors, bold shadows, and dynamic figures. The people portrayed in this story have extremely exaggerated facial expressions (even the Black Panther, with his full bodysuit, has eyes more expressive than even the most talented actor could hope to achieve), which help pull the reader more completely into the narrative. The panels are, for the most part, crowded, and leave the viewer wanting very little information. The gutters between the panels are not wide in their transitions from one frame to the next, as they serve less as a blank area to be filled in by one’s imagination and more as a tool to build momentum in the action. As a superhero, the Black Panther, otherwise known as T’Challa, is exactly what any child (or adult, for that matter) hopes for: athletic, clever, and unwaveringly righteous. In “King Solomon’s Frog,” T’Challa's character doesn’t once consider keeping the artifact for himself, therefore (morally) rising above the other individuals who make an appearance in this strip. The Black Panther certainly satisfies the desire for a classic superhero comic firmly rooted in the gimmicks of the industry.