Birnin Zana
Honorary Wakandan
Below is the copy and paste of the Q & A on twitter. Placed spoiler tags on them as not everyone has read #5 yet.
The stuff in brackets is me adding clarification to some questions, since some of the users used pics to complete their thoughts.
The stuff in brackets is me adding clarification to some questions, since some of the users used pics to complete their thoughts.
Q: Will Brian Stelfreeze be returning for this run?
A: Yup. For third arc of A Nation Under Our Feet. Issues 8-12. Also doing covers.
Q: Where does the true concept of "power" lay in Wakanda and does that answer have any relevance in the real world?
A: Motivating (and open) question behind the whole series. Is it the throne? Vibranium? The people? My answer by #11.
Q: as a writer how do you feel if in 100 years this is the only thing you are remembered for professionally?
A: As a writer, I'd be happy if anyone remembers anything I do in 100 years. If it's Panther, I'd be proud as fukk.
Q: do you have a plan for the next issues, or are you making it up as you go?
A: Yes. Submitted outline to Marvel August 2015. Finished all 12 scripts April 2016.
Q: Does the Storm cameo trigger what's going to happen in #7?
A: Not really. But this is her second appearance. And third mention. "Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall..."
Q: will eden be around for a while & are you going to dig further into his story/background?
A: I love Eden. He kinda needs to be around right now for reasons that become clear later. But I'm a fan.
Q: considering he mentions Manifold's sacrifice, is it safe to assume BP remembers everything that happened in Hickman's run
A: Yup. And that memory is playing into everything. Also, not the first time T'Challa has alluded to it. See #4.
Q: is your run with BP over after these 12 issues or will you be continuing past that?
A: Keeping going far as I know. Just sent in a proposal for the next 12, last month. Eager to get writing.
Q: you seem to have painted T'challa as a ruthless autocrat. Would you call the antagonists freedom fighters? I think they are
A: Nah. He's the ruler of a country that's staked its identity on having never fallen. And then it did.
Q: first thank you for all of your writing. Why did you decide to jump into comics?
A: Because I love them. And I quickly learned to love making them.
Q: if you were a person of Wakanda, where would you stand during its current circumstances after #BlackPanther5?
A: Me, personally? I mean I'd probably be with Changamire. But it's not clear that I'd be right.
Q: What motivates T'Challa here [T’Challa making the pact with the captive]? Compassion or kingly duty to protect his ppl, even when they defy him?
A: Stupid as this sound, love. He mourns the lost of this kids brother in a way the kid can never understand.
Q: I'm curious. Who exactly sent out that video clip at the end? Thought Stane on 1st read, thought T'Challa on second.
A: Tetu and Stane.
Q: Did T'Challa really want their advice [the counter-revolutionary experts from the meeting] or was there an ulterior motive to gather info about his foes?
A: His advisors told him he should do it. He (skeptically) heard them out, and then rejected the advice.
Q: is there a well-known story arc in another comic you think is similar/comparable to what you/Brian have done early in BP?
A: A lot of comics influenced the book. But the arc really came out of history. Strong Ethiopian influence on #5.
Q: why would T'Challa seek counsel from those dictators? He's so conflicted that he's not seeing big picture..whatever that is.
A: His old advisors are dead or out. Ramonda and Shuri, out. Wakabi, dead. Zuri, dead. Newer cabinet recommended it.
Q: Why don't the Wakandan people blame Shuri for any of the mishaps that occurred in Wakanda. She was queen.
A: I mean they would if she were around, right?
Q: Quick follow up: so the antagonists feel he's not worthy of being king not that they shouldn't have one at all?
A: All revolutionaries claim to be against despotism...until they win.
Q: why would T'Challa hold meeting w/ those specific counter-revo ppl, knowing that he most likely would reject their advice?
A: Because he's facing a revolution. His cabinet suggested he talk to the best counter-revolutionary minds available.
Q: is the entire convo being broadcast to Wakanda? Even the part when the guy acknowledges T'Challa isn't going to wild out?
A: No. Not the entire. It's been edited.
Q: do you write full scripts, or work in the Marvel method with your artists?
A: Full script. But at the artist to honor the look and layout.
Q: Did you read more poetry to prepare for writing in this form? There is a clear poetics in the dialogue and inner monologues
A: Yes. Even tried to become one years ago. Didn't work.
Q: What went into fleshing out Wakanda as a Nation. You've introduced many areas I never knew existed in the country
A: Thought a lot about the country's history--pre-vibranium. A lot about the diff peoples.
Q: I LOVE the call back to Priest's "we shall have a pact" line
A: Always thought that line was so cool.
Q: Love the question of the extent to which a king's good intentions should matter to the people. What's your personal opinion?
A: I mean they should, theoreticall I guess, But they don't...
Q: How do you reconcile your vision of BP with other writers? Like how do you take into account events like Civil War 2?
A: I try hard not to contradict. But accidents happen. Sometimes I get scripts. Editors are pretty good at watching out
Q: any chance for doing a Wakandan Dictionary for your names/ labels? Something we get in World of Wakanda?
A: It'd be awesome to do one of those Marvel Universe joints from back in the day on Wakanda...
Q: as a former reactionary, what gave you the insight to write T'challa's treatise on weakness (council) & honor towards wabena [the captive]
A: I just tried to think of what he might make of these guys. Like what's in his head as he listens to them.
Q: What is your favorite issue you've written so far?
A: #12
Q: have really enjoyed Tetu as an antagonist with depth. Anyone or any events that specifically influenced you on him?
A: Yup. A lot. Wish I had more time with him. 14th century peasant revolts in France. (Jacquerie) Big influence.
Q: almost sounds like T'challa is agnostic even though Bast is real, or is it more that he knows of bigger threats than Namor?
A: Bast ain't been seen in a long, long time...
A: Yup. For third arc of A Nation Under Our Feet. Issues 8-12. Also doing covers.
Q: Where does the true concept of "power" lay in Wakanda and does that answer have any relevance in the real world?
A: Motivating (and open) question behind the whole series. Is it the throne? Vibranium? The people? My answer by #11.
Q: as a writer how do you feel if in 100 years this is the only thing you are remembered for professionally?
A: As a writer, I'd be happy if anyone remembers anything I do in 100 years. If it's Panther, I'd be proud as fukk.
Q: do you have a plan for the next issues, or are you making it up as you go?
A: Yes. Submitted outline to Marvel August 2015. Finished all 12 scripts April 2016.
Q: Does the Storm cameo trigger what's going to happen in #7?
A: Not really. But this is her second appearance. And third mention. "Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall..."
Q: will eden be around for a while & are you going to dig further into his story/background?
A: I love Eden. He kinda needs to be around right now for reasons that become clear later. But I'm a fan.
Q: considering he mentions Manifold's sacrifice, is it safe to assume BP remembers everything that happened in Hickman's run
A: Yup. And that memory is playing into everything. Also, not the first time T'Challa has alluded to it. See #4.
Q: is your run with BP over after these 12 issues or will you be continuing past that?
A: Keeping going far as I know. Just sent in a proposal for the next 12, last month. Eager to get writing.
Q: you seem to have painted T'challa as a ruthless autocrat. Would you call the antagonists freedom fighters? I think they are
A: Nah. He's the ruler of a country that's staked its identity on having never fallen. And then it did.
Q: first thank you for all of your writing. Why did you decide to jump into comics?
A: Because I love them. And I quickly learned to love making them.
Q: if you were a person of Wakanda, where would you stand during its current circumstances after #BlackPanther5?
A: Me, personally? I mean I'd probably be with Changamire. But it's not clear that I'd be right.
Q: What motivates T'Challa here [T’Challa making the pact with the captive]? Compassion or kingly duty to protect his ppl, even when they defy him?
A: Stupid as this sound, love. He mourns the lost of this kids brother in a way the kid can never understand.
Q: I'm curious. Who exactly sent out that video clip at the end? Thought Stane on 1st read, thought T'Challa on second.
A: Tetu and Stane.
Q: Did T'Challa really want their advice [the counter-revolutionary experts from the meeting] or was there an ulterior motive to gather info about his foes?
A: His advisors told him he should do it. He (skeptically) heard them out, and then rejected the advice.
Q: is there a well-known story arc in another comic you think is similar/comparable to what you/Brian have done early in BP?
A: A lot of comics influenced the book. But the arc really came out of history. Strong Ethiopian influence on #5.
Q: why would T'Challa seek counsel from those dictators? He's so conflicted that he's not seeing big picture..whatever that is.
A: His old advisors are dead or out. Ramonda and Shuri, out. Wakabi, dead. Zuri, dead. Newer cabinet recommended it.
Q: Why don't the Wakandan people blame Shuri for any of the mishaps that occurred in Wakanda. She was queen.
A: I mean they would if she were around, right?
Q: Quick follow up: so the antagonists feel he's not worthy of being king not that they shouldn't have one at all?
A: All revolutionaries claim to be against despotism...until they win.
Q: why would T'Challa hold meeting w/ those specific counter-revo ppl, knowing that he most likely would reject their advice?
A: Because he's facing a revolution. His cabinet suggested he talk to the best counter-revolutionary minds available.
Q: is the entire convo being broadcast to Wakanda? Even the part when the guy acknowledges T'Challa isn't going to wild out?
A: No. Not the entire. It's been edited.
Q: do you write full scripts, or work in the Marvel method with your artists?
A: Full script. But at the artist to honor the look and layout.
Q: Did you read more poetry to prepare for writing in this form? There is a clear poetics in the dialogue and inner monologues
A: Yes. Even tried to become one years ago. Didn't work.
Q: What went into fleshing out Wakanda as a Nation. You've introduced many areas I never knew existed in the country
A: Thought a lot about the country's history--pre-vibranium. A lot about the diff peoples.
Q: I LOVE the call back to Priest's "we shall have a pact" line
A: Always thought that line was so cool.
Q: Love the question of the extent to which a king's good intentions should matter to the people. What's your personal opinion?
A: I mean they should, theoreticall I guess, But they don't...
Q: How do you reconcile your vision of BP with other writers? Like how do you take into account events like Civil War 2?
A: I try hard not to contradict. But accidents happen. Sometimes I get scripts. Editors are pretty good at watching out
Q: any chance for doing a Wakandan Dictionary for your names/ labels? Something we get in World of Wakanda?
A: It'd be awesome to do one of those Marvel Universe joints from back in the day on Wakanda...
Q: as a former reactionary, what gave you the insight to write T'challa's treatise on weakness (council) & honor towards wabena [the captive]
A: I just tried to think of what he might make of these guys. Like what's in his head as he listens to them.
Q: What is your favorite issue you've written so far?
A: #12
Q: have really enjoyed Tetu as an antagonist with depth. Anyone or any events that specifically influenced you on him?
A: Yup. A lot. Wish I had more time with him. 14th century peasant revolts in France. (Jacquerie) Big influence.
Q: almost sounds like T'challa is agnostic even though Bast is real, or is it more that he knows of bigger threats than Namor?
A: Bast ain't been seen in a long, long time...
got me nervous with this one brothas. I really don't want to see Bosemans live version catching Ls like comic Panther has been taking the past few years 
Didn't know some of them rolled like that.
and 
at the same damn time
Just looking for key issues for BP like FF #52 1st appearance, 1st joined the avengers #52 and Avengers #87 origin of T'challa. If you know more let a brotha know. Not sure of any MM key issues besides his first appearance which I got 
