10 Comics Superheroes With The Best Motivations

2. Black Panther

Black Panther is finally getting the mainstream recognition he's deserved since he first burst onto the scene in 1966's Fantastic Four #66, and that's also actually become one of the most gratifying things to see play out in recent years. There are plenty of reasons why he's so revered - one of the foremost being his representational qualities in a franchise dominated by white stars - but undoubtedly one of the biggest is what drives him.

King T'Challa is a hero unlike any other, and that stems largely from the context surrounding Wakanda. The nation has come to symbolise all of the continent's potential lost by centuries of imperial conquest, and the country - along with its ruler - stands out as one of Marvel's most salient symbols.

The Black Panther is the King of Wakanda, and not just any ordinary hero. His first responsibilities are to serve and protect Wakanda and its citizens, and this brings with it plenty of its own challenges. Plenty of writers have told Black Panther stories within the prism of geopolitics, diplomacy and African history, and it's proven to be a winning formula.

Most heroes have a lot of responsibility, but T'Challa holds the weight of his nation's expectations on his shoulders. Few - if any - characters can boast that same kind of drive, and it's what makes him so special.