It’s often said that Black Panther was the first black Marvel hero, and that is absolutely not true at all. Waku, Prince of the Bantu, predated him by a full decade in the pages of Jungle Tales, starting in 1954 (and would continue as a backup when the comic was retitled Jann of the Jungle). Inspired by H. Rider Haggard’s Zulu novels like “Nada the Water Lilly,” and by the work of anthropologist/classicist Andrew Lang (who’s work in the 1880s led to Zuluphilia in the British Isles), the series is about a Bantu tribal chief who hates violence (despite being very good at it), a reluctant warrior who resists fighting, even though it is a fully expected part of his martial society for a ruler. Therefore, every time he stands on principle, he receives tremendous resistance in a way that often may destabilize his rule…and losing your kingship also means losing your life as well. The stories are seldom resolved by a fistfight, but by some clever plan or maneuvering.
The series is extraordinary even among 50s jungle hero comics because of its use of the supernatural and horror as a major part of it. In the cultural context of the ultra rational 50s, this is absolutely extraordinary, but it fits the setting. Even today, in the Gambia (where the stories are set), magic is taken incredibly seriously. The comic is filled with sinister omens by fire gods and witch doctors who can command zombies and dead animals to rise from the grave. Waku is frequently visited by the ghost of his father, the previous chieftain, like Hamlet is. In short, it is a trip back to the old country….the oldest of old countries, that is.
It’s worth noting that it is not entirely clear when, exactly, the stories are set. There is nothing to plant them in time, which may be why Waku has not shown up for a return appearance in modern Marvel Comics, since it’s doubtful his adventures are contemporary. In fact…the absence of Arabs or Europeans from these stories could mean these stories could happen as far back as 1500 BC, during the early phases of the Bantu migrations out of the Congo region.
Unfortunately, there are two enemies even the mighty spear-wielding Prince of the Bantu cannot best. The first is the popularity of Jann of the Jungle, who pushed him out to make room for more stories with the headliner. The other great enemy is posterity, as the pre-Marvel Universe Marvel Comics are seldom read by anyone but collectors.
