So not being a Marvel boy for so long, there is so much about these popular characters that I know nothing about. When Black Panther debuted I didn’t see it in theaters, I didn’t go as I had done with nearly every other Marvel film to date. I eventually saw the movie when it came to Netflix and after that viewing, I immediately regretted not sharing in this story in the theater. I fell in love with this character, the story of the people of Wakanda and suffice to say that T’Challa has become my favorite Marvel character to date (Captain Marvel will probably give him a run for this fan boy’s money.) Early in the film, T’Challa has a rather significant emotional moment, that captured my fandom completely.
My father passed away in May of 2018 after a long battle with cancer. He was so very much a center point to my world and for the longest time in my youth, I could not imagine a world with out him in it. As the final years of his life progressed, it became apparent to me that his time was coming to an end. Many conversations with him throughout the years, signaled this event for my conscious mind and I began to realize that I he had been preparing me for the day when he would leave. Hours after he was gone, I began to push my emotions into a little box, so that I could process the world and move forward.
So when T’Challa visits the Ancestral Plane for the first time and communes with the spirit of his father, King T’Chaka, I took a deep breath and prepared myself for a highly charged moment.
T’Challa: “I am not ready to be with out you.”
T’Chaka: “A man who has not prepared his children for his own death, has failed as a father. Have I ever failed you?”
The lid of my grief, went flying off. In a good way 🙂 Because I knew that my father had indeed not failed me and I had not failed myself. In that moment, I identified so much with T’Challa and as his story continued throughout the film, I knew this was a hero that I wanted to be more like.
When I created this piece, I wanted to touch on that moment in the film. The colors, the landscape and of course the ever present watchful eyes of those that have gone before us.
It was a pleasure working with Converse Ninja on this shoot, as a part of the birthday/cosplay celebration in honor of Tony Julius and Comicare. We had a great conversation and I hope to be able to create with him again! Special thanks to Parkwood Studios for hosting this amazing evening of art and creativity!
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Cosplayer: Converse Ninja Cosplay
Location: Parkwood Photography Studios
Photography and Photoshop art: Reality Reimagined
#blackpanther #marvel #tchalla #king #comics #cosplay #composite #art #photography #photoshop #parkwoodstudios #realityreimagined #converseninja
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