When Marvel released the poster for the new Black Panther film on Friday, fans were quick to point out the striking similarities to an iconic photo of Huey P. Newton, a political activist who co-founded the Black Panther Party in 1966.

The superhero film's poster shows lead actor Chadwick Boseman seated on a black throne with his hands out to his sides, calling to mind the photograph of Newton seated in a wicker chair with a shotgun one hand and a spear in the other.

Following the introduction of T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War, Boseman returns as the African prince masquerading as the crime fighting Black Panther in an all-star cast featuring Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, and Angela Bassett.

Revealed: Marvel released teaser poster for Black Panther on Friday featuring Chadwick Boseman, 40, in superhero garb sitting on throne; but it bears an uncanny resemblance to a famous photo of Huey P. Newton, who co-founded the Black Panther party in 1966

The poster and teaser trailer were released on Friday to much fanfare before Atlantic writer Vann R Newkirk II and ESPN editor Rhiannon Walker‏ pointed out the apparent homage

The poster and teaser trailer were released on Friday to much fanfare before Atlantic writer Vann R Newkirk II and ESPN editor Rhiannon Walker‏ pointed out the apparent homage.

The poster finds Boseman, 40, in his black skin tight costume in a nearly identical pose to Newton, who became a symbol of black power and leadership seated in a similarly high-backed throne.

Cheo Hodari Coker, the creator of Luke Cage weighed in, writing: 'You realize how brilliant this is, right? Match it with the old Huey P Newton gun spear portrait and you get it.'

Musician Questlove also chimed in with his approval, tweeting: 'This is some Huey P Brilliance right chea.'

Newton (center with raised fist in 1970), founded the Black Panther Party with Bobby Seale. The iconic photo of him seated in the rattan chair became a symbol for black power

Boseman (pictured in October) returns as T'Challa, the African prince and mighty warrior who masquerades as the crime fighting Black Panther

But some fans maintained their skepticism. Twitter user @eveewing wrote: 'I............ think he might just be sitting in a chair.'

@JAY_BZA wrote: 'Y'all think Disney would want to associate with Huey P Newton who is holding a gun and a spear? LMAOOOOOOO'

@Eddie_Vietnam also wrote: 'I'm 200% positive Huey Newton wasn't on anyone's mind when that Black Panther poster was made.'

The superhero studio revealed the film's official synopsis, which states: 'Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation.

'When a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.

'The young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.'

The film is based off the comic book character, who emerged in 1966 as the first mainstream black superhero.

The character was first seen in Captain America: Civil War in 2016; here Chris Evans is pictured

The movie, which also includes Forest Whitaker, Martin Freeman and Daniel Kaluuya, will be directed by Ryan Coogler who helmed critical darlings like Fruitvale Station and Creed.

Marvel is releasing three comic book movies a year with Black Panther hitting theaters in February 2018.