Hudlin, Romita Jr. to relaunch 'Black Panther'

The New York Times also has the scoop -- I think -- on a new Black Panther series, set for a February release to coincide with Black History Month. The writer? Reginald Hudlin, director of House Party and co-author of Birth of a Nation. John Romita Jr., who's been long-rumored for the project, will illustrate. Here's the item, from today's "Arts, Briefly" column:

The Black Panther, below, the first African-American superhero, is being polished for comic book stardom by Marvel Comics. The character, created in 1966, is receiving a new monthly series in February to coincide with Black History Month. The Black Panther will be written by Reginald Hudlin, the writer and director of the 1990 film House Party and a producer and director of The Bernie Mac Show on Fox. John Romita Jr., a longtime illustrator of Spider-Man, will provide the art. The first six issues of the series will deal with the Panther's origin. The next six issues will have the Panther take a greater role in the Marvel Universe, interacting with the Avengers, Spider-Man and the X-Men, and meeting many other black heroes, including Blade, Luke Cage and Storm.