I finally got around to seeing Black Panther last night, and my early reaction echoes so much of the overwhelmingly positive response to the film. As so many superhero tales do, Black Panther weaves plex ideas within the often deceptively fantastical trappings of science fiction and fantasy.

A few themes among the many immediately leap out, especially the dynamics of isolationism and internationalism that face Wakanda throughout its history. The isolationist attitude is embodied by Wakanda’s past and especially its most recent leader, T’Chaka. Black Panther picks up with the transition to a new sovereign, T’Challa.

The new Wakandan King T’Challa faces immediate challenges

And with that transition new internationalist e to the fore. The first is represented by Nakia, T’Challa’s love interest. Nakia represents a call to a humanitarian vision of international solidarity. Wakanda possesses gifts to offer the world, and Nakia cannot rest while those who could benefit from these gifts suffer.

The second version of internationalism is represented by Erik Killmonger, whose goal is to bring Wakanda out of isolation in order to establish a militaristic, global Wakandan empire, one on whose possessions the sun will never set (echoing the great claims of the nineteenth century global empires).

Navigating these alternatives, and indeed seeking a way to authentically respond to the legitimate claims of national identity, munity, and global solidarity, is T’Challa’s great challenge and one well worth reflecting upon as it mirrors the challenges we face on the world stage in real life today.