The first black superhero in mainstream American comics was not Luke Cage or the Falcon, nor was it DC Comics' Tyroc, Black Lightning, or Green Lantern John Stewart. Several years before these early African-American heroes made the scene, the Black Panther debuted in Fantastic Four #52 in July 1966 and appeared in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The trailblazing lionheart was created by legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Also known as his alter ego T'Challa, the character made his live-action film debut in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, played by actor Chadwick Boseman. This well-received characterization gave rise to an eponymous 2018 movie and sparked a new wave of Black Panther action figures and other items based on the king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. And guess where you'll find those wonderful goodies - right here at Entertainment Earth!