On Friday morning, the internet was blessed with the first poster for Marvel's upcoming Black Panther movie, which stars Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa/Black Panther, ruler of the fictional African nation Wakanda.
Check out the new #BlackPanther poster and tune in to game four tonight to see the world premiere of the teaser tra… https://t.co/7LxP4NnWMd
Though folks were less than enthused about the photoshopping in the poster, there was still excitement for the film, which stars an almost all-black cast.
@theblackpanther when the photoshop sucks but its a poster for black panther
It was only an image, but it was enough to send people into a frenzy.
@theblackpanther @secondkoan *hyperventilates*
People were, in a word, shook.
NEW BLACK PANTHER POSTER
Amid the chaos, Vann R. Newkirk II, a writer for the Atlantic, pointed out the image could be an homage to Huey P. Newton, founder of the Black Panther Party — specifically the iconic image of him sitting on a wicker chair while holding a firearm and spear on either side of him.
Obviously a callback to this photo of the Black Panther
BuzzFeed News has reached out to representatives for Blank Panther director Ryan Coogler, Boseman, Disney, and Marvel for confirmation about the alleged reference.
Newton created the Black Panther Party along with Bobby Seale in 1966, and the group would go on to become a symbol of black empowerment.
Others pointed out the similarities between the images too...
First thing that came to mind regarding the new #BlackPanther poster is the image of Huey P. Newton. @hammer_museum… https://t.co/gp2qvNXlBC
New Black Panther poster makes cool play on famous portrait of former Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P Newton
Yes visual. Yes Huey. Yes all black cast. Yes black panther (the movie & organization). Yes. https://t.co/7aURXm6rdI
Am I the only person who saw the new Black Panther movie poster & immediately thought of Huey P. Newton, co-founder… https://t.co/3bihueol1z
Including Cheo Hodari Coker, the creator of Marvel's Luke Cage series on Netflix, who called it "brilliant."
You realize how brilliant this is, right? Match it with the old Huey P Newton gun spear portrait and you get it. https://t.co/eDJ4TFVDmK
As did Questlove.
this is some Huey P Brilliance right chea. https://t.co/eggugrxh8t
The chatter continued throughout the Twitterverse...
As @fivefifths pointed out, it's kind of insane/amazing that Marvel echoed the actual Black Panthers in their Black… https://t.co/pO1PLvyyCj
But some people thought it was a stretch.
I............ think he might just be sitting in a chair https://t.co/K8hHSPAG35
I think that black panther/Huey newton comparison y'all doing is a reach
LMFAOOOOOOO, folks really tryna draw connections to Huey P with that Black Panther poster. Stop trying so hard.
Lots of people were not easily convinced.
People think it's Huey Neeton symbolism Cersei a Black Panther too bruh lmaooooo https://t.co/B3Ce7j22NK
Marvel couldn't even address white supremacy on Netflix and you think their poster for an int'l blockbuster is an homage to Huey P. Newton?
Y'all think Disney would want to associate with Huey P Newton who is holding a gun and a spear? LMAOOOOOOO
I wanna tell ppl that i think the Black Panther/Huey Newton images are just coincidences... But i aint got time, too many ppl are convinced
For now, the debate rages on, but what do you all think? Weigh in below!
