Many stories providing background for the new Black Panther movie mention how, in Fantastic Four #119 (February 1972), T'Challa changes his super-hero name...
But none of them mention when or why Marvel reversed the name change!
As we pointed out HERE, Marvel had been using the Panther's civilian name on covers, which was a little silly since he was in costume...
...even on the book where he changed his name from Black Panther to Black LEOPARD...
...thus, T'Challa's name change was firmly established!
Or was it?
T'Challa's next appearance was in Daredevil #92 (October 1972)
...where this symbolic cover shows Daredevil, the Black Widow, and the Black Panther!
Nope, I'm not kidding!
A villain kidnaps the Black Widow and figures out Matt Murdock is Daredevil!
He sends a martial arts-trained assassin to kill Murdock...
Note something a little...off..about 'ol Hornhead?
Figure out what's going on?
Clue: Daredevil doesn't use his billy club...his primary weapon!
T'Challa's calling himself "Black Panther" again!
Why?
Did writer Gerry Conway forget the name change in FF #119?
Guess what, True Believer?
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(which reprints the complete story we excerpted...but in black and white)
I'm fascinated. I was there, reading these comics in real time and this totally eluded me.
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As was I, good sir!
DeleteLooking back on that era, you see how editor Roy Thomas was the ultimate "continuity cop" making sure everything hung together in a coherent timeline!
These days, with everything at DC and Marvel being rebooted with every company-wide "event", it's impossible to even become invested in the characters, since there's no way to keep track of what's still "canon" for a character or series!