Once an only occasionally appearing figure in both comics and clix, Black Panther has become a fixture in both.

But… nearly 10 years ago, I complained that one of my favorite Marvel heroes, Black Panther, had never gotten a complete dial.

In his first appearance, Black Panther took on — and took DOWN — each of the Fantastic Four, then Marvel’s premier team. And in a (much) later pair of stories, when faced with the devil Mephisto and a rampaging Hulk — both well out of his weight class — instead of calling the Avengers, he was like, “Why?”

All this time later, I still find myself complaining about BP figs lacking at least one of the following must-haves:

SMARTS:

That’s because Outwit is his signature power. A Panther dial really shouldn’t be without it (or, at minimum, one of the other “smart” powers).

SOVEREIGNTY:

He’s a king, whether on the throne or in exile, and frequently heads his own teams. He ought to have Leadership or better.

SPEED:

He can haul a grown man up a building in 10 seconds. That’s Improved Movement:Elevated at minimum, with some sort of moving attack.

STEALTH:

It’s a signature power. ‘Nuff said.

STRENGTH:

Even at the character’s weakest, he’s able to wrestle down a charging rhino barehanded. He’s known for his anti-metal Vibranium claws and energy knives and more, hidden weaponry on his habit. BP should be able to reliably hit even above his weight class for 3-6 clicks damage top dial — even without using Outwit.

and SURVIVABILITY:

Speaking of his outfit, the Vibranium weave habit he’s worn since the late 1990s is highly resistant to damage. Reducers of any kind are a must. Also, he should have high DV — 18 total or better — with Reflexes or Super Senses or something.

I’m going to spend several posts reviewing Panthers once and future on these metrics — both the standards of back in the day to the present — giving THE KING’S VERDICT.