Not only did Marvel generate positive buzz around its Black Panther franchise by tapping National Book Award-winner Ta-Nehisi Coates to write the character's new comic book series, but they continue to push for the property's popularity in innovative ways. A new series of video recaps of each monthly installment are planned to roll out before the new issues hit shelves. The hook: Coates himself will be narrating the recaps for Marvel.

So not only does Coates get the opportunity to lend his signature storytelling style to the modern-classic-in-the-making of "Black Panther," but now he literally gets to lend his voice to the story as well. Including an author's commentary on any story of interest is enough to capture my attention but having Coates step in to provide commentary on his own ongoing series as it unfolds and permeates the culture is a step above the rest. The first trailer narrated by Coates, called "Black Panther 101," will drop before the next issue, but until then, you can get a taste of what the recaps will look like thanks to a new preview video.


Image via Marvel[/caption]

Hear Coates himself talk about the title character of "Black Panther" and where the comics will take his story in a video over at THR. Fair warning, it's on auto-play, otherwise I would have presented the video here for your viewing pleasure.

Another cool aspect of this marketing plan is that Marvel will team up with production house Bow & Arrow with the aim of creating hip-hop-driven trailer recaps. Each month will see a new "Previously On" recap released, each featuring music from established and rising hip-hop acts. It rings of an advertising campaign cooked up in a Marvel office meeting, but it's a pretty solid one nonetheless.

The first issue of "Black Panther," which just hit shelves this past April, sold more than 330,000 copies in its first week. That likely made Marvel pretty happy, especially considering that the character will be making his big-screen appearance in this weekend's Captain America: Civil War. Hopefully the character will only continue to gain in popularity since Chadwick Boseman will go on to star in the title character's solo film on February 16, 2018.

For more on all things Black Panther, take a look at some of our recent coverage below:


Image via The Atlantic[/caption]

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Image via The Atlantic
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Image via The Atlantic
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Image via Marvel Entertainment