The Panther's Rage story arc from Jungle Action (by Don McGregor, Rich Buckler, and Billy Graham with Gil Kane covers) is well recognized as the grandaddy of superhero graphic novels; an early example of comic books for the long format. It has superb script with rich and detailed art.Why hasn't Marvel collected this in a glossy TPB (or any TPB ever), or an Essential Black Panther volume with a few of T'Challa's Fantastic Four and Avengers issues included? Is there a reason it's been omitted by their collections department, while Essential Dazzler exists?!
Here's what Dwanye McDuffie has to say about Panther's Rage:
"This overlooked and underrated classic is arguably the most tightly written multi-part superhero epic ever. If you can get your hands on it (and where's that trade paperback collection, Marvel?), sit down and read the whole thing. It's damn-near flawless, every issue, every scene, a functional, necessary part of the whole. Okay, now go back and read any individual issue. You'll find seamlessly integrated words and pictures; clearly introduced characters and situations; a concise (sometimes even transparent) recap; beautifully developed character relationships; at least one cool new villain; a stunning action set piece to test our hero's skills and resolve; and a story that is always moving forward towards a definite and satisfying conclusion. That's what we should all be delivering, every single month. Don McGregor and company did it in only 17 story pages per issue."Update 1: Obviously, other people agree with me.
Update 2: Apparently, here's my rage.
Update 3: And now there's finally Essential Black Panther v1, containing Panther's Rage and the best of the Kirby solo series. Here's my review of it on Amazon.
