Who he is: Black Panther, a.k.a. T’Challa
His power: Black Panther possesses superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and agility. He’s also resilient, demonstrating a capability for taking hits and injuries that would cripple most people, though some of that is attributable to his vibranium mesh suit, essentially indestructible, like Captain America’s shield. The suit also possesses retractable claws made of vibranium.
His story: Black Panther’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in Captain America: Civil War, where he’s introduced by his real name, T’Challa, prince of Wakanda, at the United Nations signing of the Sokovia Accords—right before a bomb explodes, killing his father. Believing the The Winter Soldier responsible, he dons his birthright, the Black Panther habit (a mantle passed down through generations to someone who stands as protector of the country), and tracks him, fighting Bucky Barnes, The Falcon, and Captain America before they’re all apprehended. Black Panther subsequently joins Iron Man and the other Avengers to try and bring in Captain America, though his motive remains a personal quest of revenge, until he eventually follows Iron Man to the Siberian facility where he learns Helmut Zemo was actually responsible. Rather than kill him, T’Challa keeps Zemo alive to be imprisoned.
Played by: Chadwick Boseman
Currently, Black Panther is: Back home in Wakanda, where he oversaw the return of Bucky Barnes to cryosleep until a cure for his Hydra brainwashing can be found.
Where will we see him next? In Black Panther, due out February 16, 2018. It’s unlikely he’ll make a cameo in any of the films before that.