Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has been somewhat of a diamond in the rough for the MCU, as it's the only 2022 MCU project that received universal acclaim from both fans and critics. The live-action version of the character is the most adored, but it isn't the only great adaptation. The Wakandan hero has been portrayed quite magnificently in animation, too.
Over the years, Black Panther has appeared in numerous Marvel animated projects either as a supporting character or as the hero at the center of proceedings. Fans can enjoy the animated movies and TV series featuring Black Panther as they wait for news about the next MCU offering.
Updated on February 3, 2023, by Scoot Allan: Fans are enjoying the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on the Disney+ streaming service after a successful run in theaters. However, there are a few successful animated versions of the character as well. Some of those versions can also be found on Disney+ alongside Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
13 Black Panther's And Klaw's Rivalry Shined
Marvel Future Avengers
A group of young heroes who had been enhanced by Hydra was taken in by the Avengers and trained to become heroes in the Marvel Future Avengers anime series. While Black Panther wasn't a recurring member of the team, he did appear in the first season episode "Black Panther."
The Avengers and their young trainees answered a call for help from Black Panther. They set out to help T'Challa take on one of Black Panther's most iconic villains, Klaw. The duo's rivalry was captured perfectly, and Black Panther's spotlight in the series was a successful albeit brief adaptation of the character.
12 Black Panther Needed Help To Stop Doc Ock
Spidey And His Amazing Friends
A new animated series for younger audiences based on a toy line called Spidey and his Amazing Friends featured a few different Marvel heroes. While Gwen Stacy/Ghost-Spider and Miles Morales/Spin were the usual allies, Black Panther also appeared to help take on one of Spider-Man's most iconic villains.
Black Panther also helped Spider-Man learn the value of patience, which tied into the series' overall mission to teach children using the fun adventures of superheroes. Spidey and his Amazing Friends version of Black Panther was a simplified but also stylized version of Black Pantehr's vibranium suit of armor from his first MCU film.
11 Black Panther Was Trapped In A Playable Disk
Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers
One of the most unique animated adaptations of Marvel's heroes appeared in the hit anime Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers. The series followed a group of teenagers who took control of members of the Avengers Loki had trapped in high-tech identity disks.
The young heroes were able to play their heroes to take on other villains being played by enemies trying to gather other characters trapped on the disks for their own purposes. Red Skull set up a secret base in Wakanda and trapped Black Panther on a disk, forcing the hand of the Avengers. This animated Black Panther featured a gold motif instead of his usual silver or purple looks.
10 Black Panther Helped Defeat M.O.D.O.K.
The Super Hero Squad Show
The Super Hero Squad Show is as much a villain fest as it is a superhero fest, pitting some of Marvel’s most important villains against the protagonists. For the most part, Black Panther stays out of the proceedings, but he stepped in to help stop M.O.D.O.K.'s rampage after he and Lokie toppled Dr. Doom.
Black Panther didn't get much character development, but he had a few great fight scenes that showcased his special abilities. Marvel Super Hero Squad also highlighted the Avenger’s teamwork as he worked alongside the Squad to accomplish their various goals.
9 Black Panther's Son Took Over The Mantle
Next Avengers: Heroes Of Tomorrow
Like Wakanda Forever, Next Avengers dives into grief and uncertainty as it explores a world without Black Panther. This time, Ultron is to blame as he brutally murdered the King of Wakanda and most of the Avengers. While T’Challa’s demise was heartbreaking, fans got to see two different versions of Black Panther follow in his footsteps.
The first was Iron Panther, a deadly Marvel robot created by Iron Man to counter the threat of the formidable Ultron. T’Challa and Storm’s son Azari took over the mantle alongside the other children of the Avengers who hid away from Ultron's massacre. Azari is a powerful young hero with enhanced fighting skills and powers from both his parents.
8 T’Challa Became The Ravager Known As Starlord
What If...?
A downside of some comics and the MCU is that events usually have to be canonical to ensure the story flows well from one issue or project to the next. Luckily, fans have recently been treated to some of the most creative tales outside of established continuity in the animated What If...? series.
In Black Panther’s What If...? episode, the Ravagers accidentally abducted a young T’Challa instead of Peter Quill. As a result, he grew up to become Star-Lord. What If...? posed T’Challa as a better Starlord than Peter Quill who reshaped the Ravagers as galactic heroes. The character is so proactive he even convinced Thanos to change his genocidal plans and join the Ravagers.
7 Black Panther Faced The Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four: The Animated Series
Heroes choosing to fight each other before shaking hands is a common trope in superhero crossovers, which is how events played out in the '90s Fantastic Four animated series. When Black Panther first met the Fantastic Four he attacked the superhero team.
Fantastic Four's animation quality might seem subpar by today’s standards, but the storylines and fight scenes were still entertaining. Black Panther even faced The Thing in a brutal fight before the rest of the FF intervened. They soon came to an understanding and teamed up against the larger threat, much like the original comic storyline the episode adapted.
6 Iron Man And Black Panther Formed A Close Friendship
Iron Man: Armored Adventures
Whenever Black Panther and Iron Man share the screen, the rest of the Avengers are usually involved as well. However, in Iron Man: Armored Adventures, it’s just the two of them. It all makes sense, as the task involved stropping vibranium smugglers. The two heroes were the experts with iron and precious metals, leading to a team-up against the bad guys.
Fans watched Armored Adventures' take on T'Challa grow from a proud ruler who’d rather not ask for help to one who realized the importance of having friends. The duo developed a close friendship that helped them take out their enemies. Black Panther wore his own advanced Panther Habit that stood up to some of Iron Man's most powerful armors.
5 Black Panther Impressed The Ultimate Avengers
Ultimate Avengers 2
The vast lands of Wakanda often serve as a battlefield in live-action and animated adaptations. In Ultimate Avengers 2, Black Panther and the Dora Milaje joined the Avengers to stop the Chitauri invasion of Earth. These events mirrored those of Loki and Thanos in the MCU as both were partially inspired by The Ultimates comic series.
Superhero battles weren’t Black Pantehr's only appealing addition to Ultimate Avengers 2. Fans enjoyed succession politics after King T’Chaka died, as well as a few heartwarming scenes with the Avengers. One of the best moments saw Captain America and Black Widow establish themselves as one of the best Marvel couples by kissing to celebrate the victory.
4 Black Panther Had A Few Brief Cameos
X-Men: The Animated Series
Black Panther’s only appearance in X-Men: The Animated Series came in the two-part "Sanctuary" episode. Throughout the episodes, the X-Men dealt with Magneto's plans to create an asteroid sanctuary for all mutants around the world.
Black Panther appeared in a non-speaking cameo as viewers were shown mutants preparing to accept Magento's offer in Africa. It wasn't the Black Panther's most recognized animated appearance, but it highlighted the larger Marvel universe that existed within the continuity of the animated X-Men series.
3 Black Panther Faced The Shadow Council
Avengers Assemble
Comic storylines are usually separated into volumes. Avengers Assemble emulated this by adapting major Marvel comic events in different seasons of the series. The last season of Avengers Assemble specifically focused on Black Panther’s efforts to stop the mysterious traitors in the Shadow Council.
Putting several Wakandans in conflict with each other resulted in a beautiful tale about power games. For once, Black Panther faced a test that was too big to handle alone. Luckily, he could always count on his fellow heroes in the Avengers for help. Hawkeye, Black Widow, Iron Man, and a few other new members came through for T'Challa and Shuri in Avengers: Black Panther's Quest.
2 The Black Panther Motion Comic Was Short And Sweet
Black Panther
The plot of Black Panther is a familiar one as it explores the origins of the hero when Klaw murdered T’Challa’s father in a bid to take over the kingdom. Nonetheless, the payoff was satisfactory for fans. The Black Panther motion comic adapted the hit comic series from Reginald Hudlin and John Romita, Jr. across six episodes.
Black Panther’s strength neither lies in the story nor the animation, but in the voice work. With Djimon Hounsou voicing T'Challa, Stan Lee voicing General Wallace, and Kerry Washington as Princess Shuri, Black Panther feels very cinematic. Furthermore, the episodes are only 20 minutes long, making the series easy to binge.
1 Black Panther Is The Perfect Team Player
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
Fans who prefer team-ups to solo stories will definitely enjoy The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, one of the best animated superhero shows. The series received acclaim from critics and fans for adhering to the source material while also updating the characters for modern audiences.
Black Panther officially joined the team after meeting them, exciting fans of the character who usually saw him only in cameo appearances. Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes adapted quite a few comic events that didn't always include Black Panther, so fans got to see how things played out differently with T'Challa on the team.