Ta-Nehisi Coates' Black Panther #1 Is The Best Selling Comic Of 2016 To Date

The King of Wakanda has returned to prominence, both on screen and in the comics the character originated from.

If you asked Black Panther which was most surprising, he would most likely say the comic side of that equation as he hasn't enjoyed this type of success in the medium for quite awhile. The Black Panther title, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, drawn by Brian Stelfreeze, and colored by Laura Martin, has sold a truly impressive 253,259 issues up to his point, and will most likely surpass 300,000 shortly. Even at its current number, the book is already the best-selling title of 2016.

It far outpaces the 2nd book on that list, Star Wars: Poe Dameron, which has sold 175,000 copies. Going up against a Star Wars book isn't easy, but Coate's take on the character is truly resonating with fans. Add in the immensely well received Chadwick Boseman take on the character in Captain America: Civil War and you've got a recipe for success.

To put the sales in perspective, Invincible Iron Man #1 (2015) sold 279,000 and Spider-Gwen#1 (2015) sold 254,000. Those are hugely popular characters, and Black Panther is right in the thick of it numbers wise right alongside them. Things should only get better for the character from here with his upcoming solo film, which will be directed by Creed helmer Ryan Coogler.