Black Panther 3D print model

A bust of Black Panther with +/- 150 mm

T'Challa was the first biological son of T'Chaka, king of the African nation of Wakanda, a secluded technologically advanced country that contained the only source of the rare ultra-durable metal known as Vibranium. His mother, N'Yami, died a week after giving birth to her son as a consequence of a rare autoimmune disease she had contracted during pregnancy.[30] T'Challa's adopted older brother, Hunter, blamed him for her death.[31]

T'Challa was taught the properties of Vibranium when he was still a kid, and his lessons in royal duty began at age five. When he accompanied his father on border inspection for the first time, T'Challa got lost, but was found by outsider explorer Ramonda. After meeting T'Chaka, Ramonda remained in Wakanda and became a mother to T'Challa. He became the reason why Ramonda decided to stay in the country, and she ended up marrying T'Chaka.

During a ceremony held in the border of Wakanda, T'Chaka was approached by physicist Ulysses Klaw, who attempted to petition for the mining rights of the nation's rare metal called Vibranium. Klaw was backed up by a group of mercenaries, who opened fire as soon as T'Chaka refused. When Klaw's sonic weapon overwhelmed his father, T'Challa ran to his aid. Klaw prepared to kill the young prince instead, but T'Chaka shielded him, and died. After Klaw was disarmed by Zuri, T'Challa took his sonic blaster and maimed the invader's right hand, forcing him to retreat.[30] Not long afterwards, Ramonda left Wakanda abruptly. Only decades later did T'Challa learn she had been kidnapped and brought back to her native South Africa.[32]

When T'Challa was a teen, he was sent on the Wakandan rite of passage to roam the land. He saved a young orphan girl named Ororo Munroe from kidnappers, who then later used her mutant powers to control the weather to take out the same would-be kidnappers and killers when they came for him. The pair shared a romance and spent much time together, however, T'Challa's duties as a prince prevented them from further exploring their burgeoning mutual attraction. As a young man, T'Challa traveled to America[36] and Europe for school. B'Tumba, his childhood friend, was sent by his father N'Baza to study alongside him. While in the US T'Challa used the alias Luke Charles to remain incognito. It was during this time that he met another student Nicole Adams and the two had a short romance.[14] Another student, Kamal Rakim, was angered T'Challa was dating a white person and attacked the two. T'Challa was forced to defend himself and Nicole, easily taking down Kamal and his gang.[36] A similar incident would come up while meeting his future ally & fellow hero whom originally went by Carl Lucas. The two would get into a brief fight as the latter & his gangbanger buddies tried to rob him, ending when Lucas didn't like how T'Challa used a falsie alias, but took interest in the name 'Luke' irregardless. The former ruffian relenting as they exchanged good advice between themselves but refusing to shake Luke's hand when the college boy offered it in friendship.[37] He gained a Ph.D. in Physics from Oxford University.[27] Being bested at every sport and every endeavor, B'Tumba grew jealous and turned to A.I.M., plotting revenge against T'Chaka's son.