NPR

'Black Panther': Science, Heroes — And How Comics Changed The World

Hidden in the narratives of 1970s comics like the Black Panther was an idea that grew like a seed in the imagination of kids like me: Science and heroism were indelibly linked, says Adam Frank.
The link between science and superheroes is evident in Marvel Studios' <em>Black Panther. </em>Science is why T'Challa's nation, Wakanda, is globally preeminent.

You don't need me to tell you how exciting or important Marvel Studio's Black Panther has become. It's one of the most anticipated films of the year — and broke records for pre-release ticket sales.

The story of a black superhero who is king of an African nation that is the most technologically sophisticated society on Earth has struck a deep cord in a country being reminded, once again, of the long, sad place of racism in its cultural fabric. Many for Black Americans (examples are and ).

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