The Black Panther movie is only three years away (unless Marvel moves it again), and rumor has it the character may debut in a cameo in Avengers: Age of Ultron this summer, played by Chadwick Boseman. That makes this the perfect time to break down the character's history in the recurring feature we call Comics, Everybody! Cartoonist Chris Haley of Let’s Be Friends Again and colorist Jordan Gibson are your patient guides to the story of comics' first black superhero, created in the pages of Fantastic Four by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1966.

Whether you're new to comics, new to the world of Marvel's heroes, or a long-time fan looking to re-familiarize yourself with the eccentricities of superhero continuity (or maybe engage in some hardcore nitpicking), we hope you'll enjoy this special tribute to the sometime king of Wakanda. (What-kanda? So glad you asked...)

For more helpful guides to the complicated history of comics' best-loved characters (and Aquaman), check out the complete Comics Everybody archive: