X-Men/Black Panther: Wild Kingdom
Grade 7 Up–This story combines two issues ofX-Menand two ofBlack Panther. It seems that someone is mutating wild animals in the African region of Nigand, and the X-Men must investigate. Black Panther, a popular but usually elusive Marvel character who makes his home in Africa, is also investigating the strange happenings. Storm accompanies the X-Men and the sparks fly between her and Black Panther. The X-Men team is unusually bumbling in this volume; still, the plot keeps moving. Throw in an evil scientist who wants to take over the world and his übersmart talking apes and you have a clichéd story that is still enjoyable. The romantic tension between Storm and Black Panther is sealed with a kiss on the last page. The possibility of a future story arc involving these two characters adds to the appeal ofWild Kingdom.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public LibraryCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.