Birnin Zana
Honorary Wakandan
A lot of people aren't comic book readers, so they don't even really know the character. They're just excited that he was in the movie and was an African king. That's where all of this recent fandom coming from. But he was the FIRST black superhero, and even preceded the Black Panther Party.
As a comic book character, I feel like he's been just "OK". I like him when he plays off of someone, but have not been enjoying the solo series. I did feel like Shuri added some life to the book. I love his beef recent with Namor. Hell, in the last decade he was stripped of his title, and powers, went to live in the hood to take over for Daredevil for a while, lost his wife, and was mollywhopped by Doom.
There are plenty of other strong black superheroes out there, so I don't think that you HAVE to like BP.
Speaking of Shuri, if they do her right in the film, Wakanda might be the home of the top 2 black comic book character in the near future.
Wakandan excellence for the brehs and brehettes