Tech's Countdown to Black Panther 1: TODAY IS THE DAY!

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TODAY IS THE DAY, TODAY IS THE DAY,TODAY IS THE DAY, TODAY IS THE DAY,TODAY IS THE DAY, TODAY IS THE DAY,TODAY IS THE DAY, TODAY IS THE DAY

BLACK PANTHER in IMAX!

Yes, I am excited, yes i am counting down the hours till I get to see this movie and yes a I got a Black Panther shirt to wear.

Anyway, a few more tidbits to prepare you and get to know the Black Panther a little better.

Wakanda

"Tell me something. What do you know about Wakanda?"
"It's a third world country. Textiles, shepherds, cool outfits..."
"All a front. Explorers have searched for it. Called it El Dorado. They looked for it in South America, but it was in Africa the whole time."―Ulysses Klaue and Everett Ross[src]

The kingdom of Wakanda is a hidden nation in Africa. Its a small area around Lake Turkana, where Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia meet; the location of the Ilemi Triangle. To outsiders it looks like an African country with lush vegetation that operated as a third world country, but when you get in past the advanced technological holograms, you see an advanced city beyond belief that is decades ahead with its technological advances.

Over a Millennia ago, before any Europeans set foot in Africa an alien meteorite dense with Vibranium landed on Earth in Africa.  According to legend, the Panther God guided a worthy man from one of the surrounding African tribes and he was taught how to harvest and use the Vibranium.    A hear shaped herb grew from the Vibranium rich soil and the man drank from the fruit giving him power and a spiritual connection to the Panther God making him the first Black Panther.  

Flag of Wakanda

Wakanda's civilization grew with the surrounding tribal councils making up the government lead by the Black Panther whose rule was final.  Wakanda became to be known as the most technologically advanced nation in the world.

When Wakanda was created for the comics it was said that it would represent a country in Africa that was never invaded or touched by the outside world.  A place to show what advances Africans could do in agriculture and technology.

Vibranium

"It's stronger than steel and a third of the weight. It's completely vibration absorbent."
"How come it's not standard issue?"
"That's the rarest metal on Earth. What you're holding there, that's all we've got."―Howard Stark and Steve Rogers[src]

Vibranium is an alien nearly indestructible metal that gave birth to the Kingdom of Wakanda.  All of their technology are based on it. Its a re element that possesses some very unique abilities.  In a pure mass form, its a solid metal that is stronger than steal but a third of the weight and it can absorb vibration making it nearly indestructible.  This allows it to take on a wide variety of physical impacts like high caliber bullets on a molecular level without any damage. It also can deflect kinetic energy.

 It has many uses such as making weapons.  It is sown into the Panther Habit that T'Chall wears.  Wakandan weapons are also made out of it.  In the Marvel Cinamatic Universe we know that in the 1940's Stark Industry researchers found some Vibranium in which they used to make Captain America's shield.  

"The most versatile substance on the planet, and they used it to make a frisbee."―Ultron[src]

In the comics, Captain America's Shield is a combination of Vibranium and Adamantium, the other indestructible metal that makes up Wolverines skeleton. (:)Something we may now get to say thanks to the sale of Fox's film assets :))

S.H.I.E.L.D used Vibranium alloy to create cells to hold people with abilities and Nick Fury used it to make the Toolbox, a digital storage device that holds a collected database of classified S.H.I.E.L.D  filess that was given to Phil Coulson after he was made the new director.  Fury said that it could rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D after the evens of Captain American: Winter Soldier. Check out the T.V show Agents of Shield to see what else Coulson has been up too.

Ultron buys it from Klaue to make himself a Vibranium artificial flesh hybrid body which was taken by the Avengers and combined with the mind stone to become the Vision.  So, Ultron uses the Vibranium he has left to upgrade his body and to strengthen his Sokovia destroying device in Avengers Age of Ultron. 

Panther Habit

Simply put the Panther Habit are the vibranium suits used by the Black Panther.  As we can see from the trailers new technology allows for the suits to be summoned power ranger style by forming on T'Challa's body and has purple highlights; thanks to his sister Shuri.  We also see Erik Killmonger with his own Jaguar Habit.  

The Panther Habits makes its wearer bulletproof and dang near indestructible.  It also enhances the users durability and comes with Vibranium Claws. Shuri's upgraded habit also has advanced energy absorption and is able to release a kinetic energy pulse.


Ok, I'm done, too excited, must head to the theater now!

WAKANDA FOREVER!

Tech's Countdown to Black Panther 2: Friend or Foe?

Zuri
Advisor

Zuri was the advisor to T'Chaka and continued to be the advisor to T'Challa.  He is a shaman who handles the coronation of the Black Panther and other Wakandan rituals.  To say more would spoil the movie so I will get to that in the review after I see it myself.

In the comics, Zuri was a warrior and loyal companion to T'Chaka and later served as a special attendant and warrior to T'Challa  He is also good friends with Thor. To say more may again provide spoilers for the movie.

W'Kabi
Head of Security for Wakanda Border/Best Friend of T'Challa

Well, from the sub title above is all I know about W'Kabi without some major spoilers. He did escape from his body being taken over by a white blind artist... wait no that was another movie...

In the comics, W'Kabi is the chief of Wakandan security and T'Challa's second in command. He also got his Winter Soldier on by having a bionic arm that could shoot blasts.

M'Baku
Leader of the Jabari Tribe

M'Baku, leader of the Jabari Tribe who have completely removed themselves from mainstream society.  M'Baku is also the Rival of T'Challa who believes he should be ruler of Wakanda.

In the comics, M'Baku is also know as Man Ape; a name not used in the movie for obvious reasons... The White Gorilla cult had been outlawed from Wakanda while the Panther cult was dominant.  T'Challa revived the White Gorilla cult going against T'Challa's edicts.  He even killed a rare white gorrila that lived in the jungles near Wakanda.  He bathed in its blood and ate its flesh gaining its strength.

Erik Killmonger
N'Jadaka

N'Jadaka is his Wakandan birth name that he changed to Erik Stevens who served as an American black-ops solder.  He gained the name Erik Killmonger from his acts in the Black-ops. As seen in the trailer, he is working with Ulysses Klaue a known enemy of Wakanda.  Erik is after the Wakandan throan for some spoilery reasons....

Ulysses Klaue (Klaw)
Enemy of Wakanda

If you know Black Panther you have heard the name Klaue.  A man who on countless times have tried to invade Wakanda and steal its Vibranium.  He succeeds, but is branded by T'Chaka's soldiers with the symbol for thief (There is a lot more to this story that we will get in Black Panther).  Klaue claims that he is the only outsider that has ever seen Wakanda... Anyway, Klaue sales the stolen Vibranium to Ultron to make his new body for billions in Avengers Age of Ultron. He can't leave well enough alone as he pushes Ultron's buttons calling out that Ultron is just one of Tony Stark's robotic designs.  In anger, Ultron grabbed his arms and cut his hand clean off.  So, yea this will lead to him getting that Vibranium Claw.  We will see what goes down and role he will have to play the Black Panther.

In the comics, Klaue was hired to kill T'Chaka if he didn't negotiate Wakanda's resources like Vibranium and he succeeded.  As he fled he was wounded by a young T'Challa.  He was taken care of the the Beljian government for over 10 years.  They experimented on him and had to amputate his injured hand and fitted it with a claw like prosthetic.  Ulysses Klaue became simple known as Klaw.

Ok, I'm done as in one more day, by this time tomorrow I would have seen the greatest maybe the grates Marvel movie to date!  One more blog before the review so until then be blessed and bahumbug have a Happy Valentines day

Tech's Countdown to Black Panther 3: The Dora Milaje

We talked about the Family of T'Challa, but there are others who are like family; Allies or Friends if you will, that will follow him into battle and protect Wakanda at all cost.

The Dora Milaje

Wakandan Special forces made up of elite, superior Wakandan women whose beauty is matched by their fighting skill and intellect.  They also serve as the Black Panther's bodyguards. 

In the comics, The Dora Milaje are made up of women from the different tribes in Wakanda, including the Panther tribe, and serve as potential wives/queens for the Black Panther; giving each tribe a chance to have someone on the throne and to keep the peace.

Ayo
Head of Security for T'Challa

We meet our first Dora Milaje member, Ayo, in Captain America Civil War where she is serving as T'Challa's body guard and head of security in the famous scene where she is escorting T'Challa to his car and she tells Black Widow to move or she will be moved.

In the comics Ayo has a pretty deep an interesting story where she defects after trying to plead to Queen Ramonda to free her lover Aneka, and fellow member of The Dora Milaje, from a death sentence.  She goes on to rescue Aneka and the two joined a group called the Midnight Angels who rescued and liberated other women in Wakanda.  A lot more happens, but in the end this leads to the Black Panther making Wakanda a more democratic government.

Okoye
Head of the Dora Milaje

Okoye was sent by then King T'Chaka with T'Challa when he was sent to save the Wakandan hostages to report on his progress in becoming the Black Panther.  After the mission she told T'Chaka how T'Challa proves himself leaving out how she helped him rescue the hostages.

Okoye has killer skills with the spear and is a master martial artist.  She is an extreme traditionalist when it comes to the ancient ways of Wakanda.  Because of this she find herself torn when T'Challa begins to challenge Wakandan rules.

In the comics, the Dora Milaje had become inactive for a while until T'Challa brought them back and the first was Nakia and Okoye, but instead of being potential wives he saw them more as his daughters.

Nakia
War Dogs/Spy

Nakia is a Wakandan spy and member of the War Dogs which are a central intelligence group that are sent out into the world to gather intel.  She is always jumps into conflict just to help others who are need.

She wields the ring Ring Blades and like the others is an expert martial artist. Also, it seems that she is going to be the former lover of  T'Challa.

In the comics, Nakia, was obsessed with T'Challa.  So much so that she attempted to kill his girlfriend.  T'Challa had her dismissed from the Dora Milaje and Wakanda.  Later she was kidnapped by an enemy of the Black Panther and nearly tortured to deat, but rescued by another, Killmonger who restored her health through mystical means giving her increased strength and flawless accuracy.  She then took on the moniker of Malace and sat out for revenge on Wakanda.

As far as the Marvel Cinamatic Universe goes I see these women being loyal to Wakanda and to the Black Panther as we even see them fighting alongside the Avengers in the Infinity War trailers.. Or hey there could be some twist and turns, we will just have to wait and see.

Tech's Countdown to Black Panther 4: The Black Panther Family

There is nothing like family; from the love and support to the crying and laughter.  Even though Black Panther is one of the baddest of the bad, he has a strong family behind him.  Now, there will be some differences from Comic to Movie but since this is a countdown to the movie we will focus more on that and maybe mention a comic tidbit...

Shuri
Sister of T'Challa

The princess, the younger sister of T'Challa is the head of the Wakandan Design Group and she is the creator of much of Wakandan modern tech including the Panther Vibranium Gauntlets and Black Panther's vibranium laced suit aka the Panther Habits.  Shuri has genius level intellect that is only rivaled by Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Hank Pym, Erik Selvig and Helen Cho.

Shuri also has an algorithm that will deprogram the Winter Soldier Bucky Barns without affecting his memories since T'Challa brought him back to Wakanda after the Avengers Civil War.

In the comics, Shuri's dream was to always become the Black Panther.  She gets to done the suite and even gains some Super Powers.  With her intellect in the movie and the one to design the suits I am sure we will see Shuri suit up.

T'Chaka
Father of T'Challa

T'Chaka was the ruler of Wakanda and former Black Panther until T'Challa reached the age to take over the mantle. After seeing Tony Stark out himself in Iron Man 1, sent T'Challa to save Wakandan hostages.

And, If you have been keeping up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain American Civil War, T'Chaka had agreed to sign the Sokovia Accords (Documents saying that all Super heroes would be identified and under the control of the government) after seeing Scarlet Witch accidentally killed many innocent bystanders (many who were Wakandan) while trying to save Captain American and others from Cross Bones' bomb.

T'Chaka along with T'Challa went to attend the signing of the Sokovia Accords in the Vienna International Center where he was disappointed that Captain America had refused to sign.  Maybe hinting to us that like in the comics that he (or his father depending on timeline) had fought along side Captain America. He also gave a speech talking about how Ultron used Vibranium stolen from Wakanda and how Cross bones had killed so many stating that Wakanda would come out of the shadows and fight for the world.  As he gave his speech a bomb was detonated outside the building casing the room to be engulfed in a fireball hitting him. T'Challa tried to save his father, but he died in his arms.

In the comics, T'Challa had two wives, the first being T'Challa's mother and the second Ramonda being Shuri's mother and Step-mother to T'Challa

Romonda
Mother of T'Challa

Ramonda is the Queen Mother of Wakanda, the wife of T'Chaka and the mother of T'Challa and Shuri.  Nothing is known about her role in the Marvel Cinematic universe yet except unlike the comics I believe she is T'Chaka's first and only wife and the mother to both T'Challa and Shuri.

From the trailers we can see her encouraging T'Challa to fill his father's role and become King and to care on his Legacy.

Tech's Countdown to Black Panther: 5: T'Challa the Black Panther

Just who is the Black Panther? Who is the man behind the mask?   Well, T'Challa is heir to a century old dynasty African kingdom called Wakanda and he is ritual leader of its Panther clan. He was trained by his father T'Chaka who always taught him to think two steps ahead of his enemies and three steps ahead of his friends...

In the comics he saw super heroes as potential threats to Wakanda; so when he first became an avenger it was just to spy on them, but soon he came to regard them as true friends and allies. 

In the Marvel Cinematic universe we meet T'Challa in Marvel's Captain American Civil War where he is a Wakandian politician (which he hates) and comes to the IFID with his father T'Chaka who is there to sign the Sochovia accords.  The IFID is attacked and T'Chaka is killed in the process leaving T'Challa the throne.  T'Challa set out to kill Captain American's friend, Bucky aka the Winter Soldier.  This draws him into the Avenger's Civil War where he sides with Iron Man just to get to the Winter Soldier.  He later learns that it was Helmut Zemo who orchestrated the attack on the IFID who he doesn't kill but forgives.   He even takes Bucky back to Wakanda where he is put on ice so that he can be deprogrammed. 

Now this leaves T'Challa as king.  This and the movie trailers lead me to believe that this will be the main plot of the movie. To show T'Challa becoming king and having to fight and prove that he is Wakanda's  rightful king while also finally revealing the once secretive Wakanda to the world.

BLACK PANTHER

Real Name 

T'Challa

Height 

6'

Weight 

200 lbs.

Powers 

T'Challa's senses and physical attributes have been enhanced to superhuman levels by the heart-shaped herb.

Abilities 

T'Challa is a brilliant tactician, strategist, scientist, tracker and a master of all forms of unarmed combat whose unique hybrid fighting style incorporates acrobatics and aspects of animal mimicry. T'Challa being a royal descendent of a warrior race is more

Group Affiliations 

Formerly Fantastic Four, Secret Avengers, Avengers, Pendragons, Queen's Vengeance, former Fantastic Force financier

First Appearance 

Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #52 (1966)

Marvel's Wiki Black Panther

Tech's Countdown to Black Panther: 6: The First Black Hero in Mainstream Comics

Black Panther was the first hero of African decent to appear in a mainstream comic!  He first debuted in Fantastic Four #52 (thats my number right there) in the Silver Age of Comics back in 1966.  He was created by non other that Stan the Man Lee and Jack Kirby.

Black Panther's first stroy line that ran through 13 issues of the Jungle Action series is considered to be Marvels first Graphic Novel!

The Black Panther is a man, no a king of an African nation known as Wakanda.  A skilled hunter, tracker, strategist, politician, inventor, and scientist.  He is also a trained gymnast, acrobat, and a master of various African contemporary martial arts. In addition, he is a king with the connection to the Wakandian Panther god giving him superhuman senses, enhanced strength, speed, agility, stamina, durability, healing, and reflexes.  Later on in the comics, he would later be crowned as King of the Dead; giving him the abilities to control the dead and have the knowledge of all past kings before him!

Black History Month: It's that time Again

It's that time again where Tech gives you little known Black History Facts during the month of February.   Even though this month celebrates Black History, this year, the past year has been big
How big?  I'll just let these kids tell you how Black excellence is at an all time high....

I love how love how my dude in the top left is wearing a Black Panther Mask, which brings me to the next couple of days.  On February 16th Marvel's Black Panther hits theaters, hits history, hits records, hits every thing!  Although, Tech will be seeing it on the 15th Thursday night in IMAX!

This will be a movie that will not only bring in comic book fans, but the general audience and probably every black person around the world so up until the release, each day Tech is going to count down with little known Black Panther facts ending with a review on Friday.  So stay tuned!

And look back at past Black History posts starting with a brief history on Black History Month.