This was an exciting trip into the past. Jack Kirby’s wonderful first issue of Black Panther dwarfs the meager attempt of the more recent incarnation with an exceptional storyline, plot development, and cliffhanger ending. What a thrill to read something with so much brain behind it.

I have to say that for the layman there maybe many a word that is far from present in their modern vocabulary. Unfortunately, my fear is that only those careful readers of Conan and the villain, Penguin, will be able to somewhat understand many of the words within this book. Despite this setback, I have to also say that I fear many a modern collector, especially youth, will find themselves unimpressed by both books, or else simply uninterested in the original due to its limited modernity. There are no partial nudes or teasers, no heavy blood soaked scenes, and no jive or curse words. It is a book comprised of a simple, well thought out story, excellent art, and colors which are lackluster due to the printing constraints of its period – 1977.

I wish that all of you would check out and enjoy this book. My copy is at least a 9.4, and worth only 30 some dollars. This means that anyone can no doubt obtain a reader’s copy for under 10 dollars, and as it would make a great addition to any collection, you all should spring for it. I fear though that the recent series, despite the hype and the feature in the New York Times will have lackluster sales, and therefore limit demand for this older Jack Kirby piece. I also fear that the strictures of modern preference, love of multiple covers and extra large breasts will leave this book to steep forever on the back burner.

If you enjoy Jack Kirby, then chances are you already have this issue. If you love the Black Panther, then it should be in your collection. If you miss the sort of innocent, yet well thought out and complicated storylines of yesteryear, whose foremost quality was the extensive stretch of imagination necessary for acceptance, then this is, again, a book for you.