Updated April 23, 2019 1.4k votes 350 voters 22.6k views
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Vote up the coolest Black Panther Easter eggs and references you missed the first time around.
Black Panther, director Ryan Coogler's MCU debut, is different from most comic book films, and indeed from Marvel movies as a whole. The film provides audiences with pathos, profound social commentary, and real tragedy. What is familiar to the genre, however, are the Easter eggs replete in Black Panther. King T'Challa's first solo outing on the big screen stayed true to his comic roots, calling on some of the best Black Panther storylines to create a truly awe-inspiring experience (though, his history contains some decidedly disturbing elements, as well).
Black Panther has a rich history dating all the way back to the '60s, which means there's no shortage of trivia about the character and his origins, but beyond the fun facts are the fascinating peoples, technology, and spirit of Wakanda.
These are all the Black Panther Easter eggs. In case you missed any on your first viewing, you can keep an eye out the second time around. Seriously, if you're on the fence, you should absolutely see it again. And if you haven't seem the film, MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD.
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122 VOTES
Who Better To Play A Young T'Chaka Than The Actor's Actual Son?
John Kani plays King T'Chaka in both Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther. Despite the character's death in the former, he actually has a much larger role in this movie, including a flashback scene as a young man in 1992. The actor they cast for the T'Chaka of the '90s is an inspired choice, he looks almost suspiciously like a young John Kani. The actor in question is, of course, John Kani's son. Atandwa Kani plays young T'Chaka, and, though he has a limited role, he acquits himself beautifully.
122 votes
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73 VOTES
Killmonger's Tribal Mask Is A Combination Of Two Faces From The Comics
Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) is introduced during a scene at a museum exhibiting artifacts from various African tribes. He steals one of the masks, and wears it during a fight later in the movie.
Interestingly, the mask is reminiscent of one his character wore in the comics when he fought T'Challa, first seen in Black Panther #37. However, it is perhaps even more similar to the demon Mephisto's face, especially as he's drawn during Christopher Priest's run with the comic between 1998-2003.
73 votes
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65 VOTES
T'Challa Gets Thrown Off A Waterfall The Same Way In The Comics
As the second act of the film comes to a close, T'Challa finds himself in ritual combat against Erik Killmonger for the Wakandan throne. Killmonger prevails, carries T'Challa to the edge of a waterfall, and throws him over, effectively usurping his place as ruler. The very same thing happened in "Panther's Rage," one of T'Challa's early stories from the '60s.
65 votes
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77 VOTES
The Hatut Zeraze, The War Dogs Of Wakanda, Are A Huge Part Of Black Panther Lore
Lupita Nyongo's badass character Nakia is a member of the War Dogs, the Hatut Zeraze. They are a group of highly trained spies and assassins, founded in the comics by King T'Chaka. Interestingly, at one point in the comics the War Dogs are led by the White Wolf, the name the Wakandan children give Bucky in the post-credits scene.
As anyone familiar with the MCU suspected, Bucky Barnes did show up in the post-credits scene of Black Panther. His metal arm is still out of the picture, but he has a seemingly much more positive disposition. Bucky has now truly undergone his "reboot," to put him square in the midst of heroes just in time for Avengers: Infinity War, thanks to Shuri's ministrations.
While at first glance, having one arm seems like an obvious disadvantage. But it's indicative that Bucky's days of being the Winter Soldier (and the brainwashing that came with it) are truly behind him. Interestingly, it also looks like there's some real warmth between Shuri and Bucky.
Also, the Wakandan children call Bucky White Wolf, which is the name of a character from the Black Panther comics. He was an orphaned white boy named Hunter, who King T'Chaka adopted. Is it possible Bucky is being shoe-horned/adapted into a completely different comic book character?
We meet T'Chaka's brother, Prince N'Jobu, in a flashback scene at the beginning of the movie, set in Oakland. On N'Jobu's wall, viewers can see a Public Enemy poster. While the group didn't originate in Oakland, they very much paid homage to the Black Panther Party in both their music and attire. It's a subtle nod to the political movement, city of Oakland, and the undercurrent of hip hop culture that permeates the film.
