Black Panther titles are free right now on Comixology

Amazon-owned cloud-based comic book platform Comixology appears to be offering a wide selection of Marvel’s Black Panther comics for free this weekend. The unannounced sale was noticed by tweeters and Redditors; many Marvel comics related to the fictional African country Wakanda, where Black Panther is set, are available for free.

It’s not clear how long the “sale” will last, however; there doesn’t appear to have been any official announcement. The timing of the free event follows a week after the untimely death of Chadwick Boseman, the actor who played King T’Challa in the 2018 blockbuster Black Panther film, and other movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Boseman had battled colon cancer for four years, and died August 28th. Included on the list of free comics at Comixology, at least at the moment, are the Black Panther series by Ta-Nehisi Coates, the comic Shuri so named for the sister of King T’Challa by Nnedi Okorafor, and the Rise of the Black Panther series by Evan Narcisse. Marvel joined the Comixology Unlimited subscription service back in 2017, which gave subscribers access to some of its biggest story arcs. Members pay $5.99 a month for unlimited access to what Comixology says is more than 25,000 titles, from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and other indie publishers. It doesn’t appear that a subscription is necessary to get the free Black Panther titles, however. The holiday weekend seems like a perfect time to get into the wonders of Wakanda.

Chadwick Boseman dies at age 43

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died at the age of 43 after a 4-year battle with colon cancer. Chadwick's death was announced in a statement posted on his official Twitter account on the morning of Saturday, August 29. "It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman," the statement said.

Chadwick was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, which progressed into stage 4 within 4 years. "A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much From Marhsall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy," the statement said. “It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther," it added. Chadwick died in his home, surrounded by his wife and family. “The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during the difficult time," read the statement. Boseman became the first black superhero to get his own standalone film in the record-breaking Marvel franchise with 2018's Black Panther. The movie, set in the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, was adored by critics and audiences, becoming the first comic book film to be nominated for best picture at the Oscars and grossing over $1 billion worldwide. Advertisement Earlier in his career, Boseman played black icons Jackie Robinson in 42 and James Brown in Get on Up. He recently appeared in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods and was set to appear in a sequel to Black Panther due in 2022.