Debuting in Fantastic Four #52, the Black Panther brought forth concepts that helped pave a path towards black superheroes becoming increasingly commonplace across the comic book medium. From Luke Cage, John Stewart, Ororo Monroe, and many more, the African/African-American coalition in the comic book community has developed into a steadfast one.
Therefore, when one of the most prominent, if not most prominent, black superheroes are rolled over to the silver screen, comic book fans and general audiences alike would travel in droves to see it. Being one of the most skilled martial artists across comics, the movie's fight scenes were notably distinct from other fights throughout the MCU, let's take a look at 10 of them.
10 Opening Jungle Fight
Following the opening sequence that explained Wakanda's past and set up N'Jadaka's origin, the present-day picks up one week following the death of T'Challa's father, T'Chaka. While on his way back to Wakanda to assume the throne, he detours on a mission to extract his love interest, Nakia, from an undercover mission in the Nigerian Sambisa Forest but must subdue a band of mercenaries holding her captive.
Executing a great opening fighting scene, bullets bounce off his Panther Habit and T'Challa makes quick work of his opponents, defeating the bad guys and making sure they learn their wrongdoing.
9 T'Challa vs. Umbaku
Arriving in Wakanda, T'Challa must now go through the proper process of ascending to the throne, and part of this tradition is to have the abilities granted by the Panther God, Bast, stripped from him and battling in a one-on-one battle against the championed warriors of other tribes.
Challenged by the brutish M'Baku, leader of the mountain-dwelling Jabari Tribe, T'Challa now lacks his enhanced speed, strength, and agility against a noticeably larger warrior than himself. The battle would have T'Challa up against the ropes, having M'Baku nearly defeat him until T'Challa finds the spirit to overcome his opponent and force him into submission otherwise he'll kill him.
8 T'Challa vs. Killmonger (Mineshaft Scene)
Let's cut to the chase, the final fight between T'Challa and Killmonger in the Vibranium mineshafts was, unfortunately, less than stellar. If it wasn't for the ad-hoc effects of this closing fighting sequence, which came across as a videogame cut scene, this could've landed higher on the list.
Nevertheless, engaging in a potent dose of suspension of disbelief, the scene still manages to pull through with the two cousins battling it out for the future of Wakanda, and by extension the world. Defeating Killmonger, T'Challa honors his adversaries powerful dying wish of dying a free man rather than allowing him to live in bondage as his ancestors did.
7 T'Challa vs. Klaue (Casino Scene)
When N'Jadaka and Ulysses Klaue robs The Museum of Great Britain to steal a Vibranium artifact, they intend on selling it on the black market at an underground casino in Busan. Having a tainted history with Klaue, T'Challa hears of this offense and is convinced to bring him to justice.
Planing to intercept the deal between Klaue and the mysterious client, it is revealed the buyer turns out to be a CIA agent, Everet Ross. Sabotaging the sell, T'Challa alongside Okoye and Nakia instigate a scene that provokes a shootout, leading to Klaue narrowly fleeing the scene.
6 T'Challa vs. Team Cap (Civil War)
Taking a second to jump outside of the movie proper, Captain America: Civil War would pit the Avengers against one another, creating a schism that shattered the team as a whole and amongst Iron Man's squad was the Black Panther. Pursuing Bucky Barnes to the Leipzig-Halle Airport, T'Challa alongside Ironman, War-Machine, Vision, Wanda, and Black Widow battle against several Avengers who sided with Cap in one of the most memorable conflicts in the MCU.
Demonstrating how much a cut above the rest he was, T'Challa's martial arts expertise made quick work of his opponents in spectacular fashion.
5 Battle for Wakanda
Returning from failure, T'Challa's defeat at the hands of Killmonger would be short-lived when he would reemerge in Wakanda to confront Killmonger on Mount Bashenga. Now with a Pather Habit of his own, Killmonger alongside his Wakandan forces battle against T'Challa, Shuri, Nakia, Ross, the Dora Milaje, and the Jabari Tribe.
Preventing weapons from being flown outside of Wakanda, T'Challa suspends Erik's plans of retribution and retakes his place on the throne to lead a country of bridge-building as opposed to it being a faucet of destruction. Nonetheless, T'Challa would adopt Killmonger's theory of opening the borders of his country to lead the world to a better tomorrow, albeit without violence.
4 T'Challa vs. Killmonger (Waterfall Scene)
Following Klaue's capture, the alliance he held with Killmonger is revealed to be a temporary one. A mere chess piece towards Killmonger's greater scheme of usurping the throne of Wakanda, Killmonger rescues Klaue from CIA detainment only to murder him and deliver the body as a "right of passage" into Wakanda. Being part of the royal bloodline, Killmonger believes the throne to be his and challenges T'Challa to a ritualistic duel.
Being one of his greatest adversaries in comics, the scene exhibits T'Challa's defeat & in a homage akin to Jungle Action #6, Killmonger hurls his body off of the edge of the waterfall.
3 Killmonger vs Dora Milaje
The Dora Milaje is regarded as one of the most elite fighting forces across the Marvel Universe and as the personal protection detail to the King of Wakanda, they're expected to quell any immediate threat to the king. A duty they undertake with the utmost seriousness, they are to serve and protect whoever claims the throne which after T'Challa's defeat, would justly be Killmonger.
However, having reservations in the onset, they would eventually turncoat in favor of fighting for T'Challa's reclamation. Debatably doing the right thing, the Dora Milaje engage in a conflict with Killmonger who with his now enhanced capabilities, overpowers the group with relative ease.
2 Klaw's Car Chase
Following the casino engagement, Klaue flees with a couple of goons in which he's then pursued by T'Challa, Okoye, & Nakia in a wicked car chase, and with the use of some Wakandan tech, T'Challa's sister, Shuri, joins the pursuit by controlling a vehicle via A.R. from Wakanda. The high-speed chase with superheroics was a great combination that highlighted just how far ahead Wakanda and its people were compared to the outside world.
Stopping SUVs with spears and absorbing bullets upon impact, the scene ends with T'Challa nearly executing Klaue in public before he's emotionally reeled in and takes him captive instead.
1 T'Challa vs. Bucky (Civil War)
Given that Black Panther segues into the greater MCU following the fall out of Civil War, this fight yet again takes place outside of the movie proper, and because it's Black Panther's first appearance/battle, it holds special significance. Believing Bucky Barnes to be responsible for the death of his father, T'Challa takes the law into his own hands and confronts Bucky in an amazing one-on-one battle that exemplifies how efficient T'Challa's martial arts skills were against the ex-assassin.
Giving him a run for his money in combat prowess, T'Challa nearly subdues Bucky before being distracted by gunfire which allows Bucky a window of opportunity to gain the upper hand and temporarily escape.