According to the initial story, the Black Panther is the ceremonial title given to the chief of the Panther Tribe of the very advanced African nation of Wakanda. In addition to ruling the country, he is also chief of its various tribes (collectively referred to as the Wakandas).

The Panther habit is a symbol of office (head of state) and is used even during diplomatic missions. The Panther is a hereditary title, but one still must earn it. In the distant past, a meteorite made of the (fictional) vibration-absorbing mineral vibranium crashed in Wakanda, and was unearthed. Reasoning that outsiders would exploit Wakanda for this valuable resource, the ruler at the time, King T'Chaka, like his father and other Panthers before him, concealed his country from the outside world.

After his father's death, T'Challa became the Black Panther and swear to avenge his father (murdered by the adventurer Ulysse Klaus) and to protect his people. He will appear as a supporting role, in several comics and he will join the Avengers, beginning a long association with that superhero team. The Black Panther also got super abilities : his senses and physical attributes have been enhanced to near-superhuman levels by the heart-shaped herb, he got a genius level intellect, he is a skilled combatant, gymnast, hunter, and tracker and wears very sophisticated uniform and equipment.

He's been so popular in the afro-american community that according some, black activists Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton decided to give his name to their African-American revolutionary organization (Founded in Oakland, California, on October 15, 1966).

BET (an american TV channel) has recently ordered to Marvel a animated series inspired by the Black Panther adventures. Some episodes are available on youtube. I also heard about a live action movie planned to be released in 2014. I am looking forward to see it. I definitely like this kind of superhero because Black Panther is very far from classic stereotypes which decks out in some afro-american heroes. He had and could provide positive inspiration to million of black youngsters.

Source : Wikipedia

http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/whattheflick/djimon-hounsou-is-the-black-panther/ http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/18/black-panther-exclusive-first-look/