Creating Marvel's Black Panther: Sins of the King

Mohale Mashigo

By Sheena McNeil
March 8, 2021

A few weeks ago I was thrilled to receive a press release about the audiobook and e-book series Marvel's Black Panther: Sins of the King. Narrated by William Jackson Harper, the story follows Black Panther against an army of the undead that threatens Wakanda. Black Panther turns to his long-lost father for help against the worst opponent -- the demons of his own past! Each episode is written by a different writer or writing team, and we are excited to present this interview with one of them: award-winning South African author Mohale Mashigo (The Yearning, Intruders).

Sequential Tart: How did this concept come about? How did the different writers get involved?

Mohale Mashigo: Serial Box approached me. It was one of those moments where you have to read an email a few times before it actually sinks in. I work on South Africa's favourite superhero, Kwezi, and I'm a comic book nerd, so I said yes immediately.

ST: What continuity does this fit into? Comics, MCU, animated series, or is it its own thing? What "rules" did the writers have to abide by to make it fit?

MM: It's not necessarily a standalone story because it incorporates some of the Avengers and some other comic book characters. In terms of rules: it was basically knowing the backstories of the characters we ended up using. I specifically wanted to lean into Queen Ramonda's South African heritage (which is not something that is spoken about in MCU specifically).

ST: What did you have to balance in order to keep your episode with the overarching story?

MM: In high school, I used to write Sweet Valley High (yes, it's okay to laugh) fan fiction with a friend. She would write one chapter, then I would write one, etc. I had no idea my racy fan fiction was preparing me for this Serial Box collaboration. We went into the writing process knowing what each episode entailed and where the plot was going. The real challenge was trying to weave the same thread through all our different episodes, and making sure that we kept reading the episodes written before, for continuity and accuracy. Characterisation was also challenging because we all had to have the same picture of the characters in our minds.

ST: What impact has the death of Chadwick Boseman had on this work?

MM: I'm not sure I know the answer to that because it feels like it's too close and too soon to say. We had already wrapped up all the major writing at the time of his passing. He brought dignity to the role of T'Challa, and I had him in mind when writing some scenes. He will forever be T'Challa to me.

ST: What are you most excited about with knowing the stories can be both read and heard?

MM: I am really excited for people to be immersed in the story. Whether they are reading it or listening, we made sure that it would be a wild ride from beginning to end.

ST: What do you do differently with your writing knowing it is intended to be read aloud?

MM: Writing for audio exercises different writing muscles for sure. My fiction does not include fight scenes, and comic book writing is a team effort, so the artist can deliver on that. Writing for audio? Oh goodness! I had to learn how to describe the way people's bodies move during fight scenes while keeping it interesting. I'm glad I learned to do it, though.

ST: What do you hope this story will bring to fans of Black Panther?

MM: Fans will definitely see T'Challa the son, brother, and king, who struggles with his own personal demons. It is intimate and exquisite.