It took a hot minute to scoop this up at a reasonable price point, but, I had to get down with Black Panther in Fantastic Four #52 AND #53. A great deal about my love for Comics begins with this cat (no pun intended) — I wasn’t able to get down with these issues when I was younger, but, it’s worth the stretch to parse out my hard earned dividends for these 1st appearances that are building up my Dark Stars collection.

More than most of the other Black characters I’ve added to my collection, Black Panther is a character you can truly get down with..and look up to. The depiction of a strong Black male, intelligent, and a born leader makes for a solid role model. Definitely pleased to have this issue in the mix. Get down with it if you dare. Bahlactus has spoken.

Announcer: Welcome fight fans..it’s a CELEBRATION!!! BitterAndrew plays dead man walkin’ when he takes a slice o’ life out of the competition!!!

Announcer: But he’s not readin’ the Collected Editions favorite strip — Slobbernocker because it’s Bibbo! Always Bibbo! Because only Bibbo brings the steel and keeps it real!!!

Announcer: ..and somebody better warn the west, because Great Caesars Post decides he ain’t gettin’ railroaded anymore!!!

Announcer: It looks like Siskoid is confused with all the fanfare when he bets his Mama’s last dollar on the Tortoise vs. The Hare!!!

Announcer: Bully has a posse and celebrates by cuttin’ fur coats out of everyones hide!!!

Announcer: Holdin’ the line, Church says, this is the place where I make my stand!!! and takes a stick and draws a line in the sand!!!

Announcer: I am Jack’s sore forehead!!! Because Kitty says the first rule of Friday Night Fights is that EVERYONE dies tonight!!!

Announcer: Sizin’ everyone up like a Hungry Man dinner, Sims makes an offerin’ to the almighty Crom when he cannibalizes the entire ring!!!

Announcer: Vaklam got it all wrong when he says blame Bahlactus, but, in his new John Woo style documentary, Brutha’s Shot Into Space!!! he really captures why two-guns are better than one!!!

…till all are one…back in the day, this movie blew me away. I loved the big-screen hustle of the Transformers Movie. For a 7th-grade youngblood, this joint was fire. I’m hoping the new flick will rock some fanfare that is more than meets the eye. Bahlactus has spoken.

(Click the scan for a larger image!)

Death who’s coming to dinner?!? I mentioned in the latest ABSOLUTE GALACTUS post that I’d drop a panel or two from this issue. This page makes the whole joint worth reading.