Coal Tiger is a fictional character

Fictional character

A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...

 who appeared in the Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...

' MC2 series A-Next

A-Next

A-Next is the Marvel Comics' MC2 universe version of the Avengers. The team made its first appearance in What If? #105, the first comic featuring Spider-Girl, and the team's origin story was told in the A-Next #1, cover dated October 1998....

. He is the son of T'Challa, King of Wakanda and the superhero known as Black Panther

Black Panther (comics)

The Black Panther is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52...

.

Fictional character biography

When a racist team of villains called the Soldiers of the Serpent attacked T'Challa's friend N'Kano (who was on a diplomatic mission for Wakanda in New York), A-Next tried to save him. As the Serpents battled with the heroes of A-Next, T'Challa's son T'Chaka charged into battle. While Mainframe

Mainframe (comics)

Mainframe is a fictional character who appeared in the Marvel Comics series A-Next.-Fictional character biography:When Iron Man decided to retire from the hero business, he did not want to let his legacy end with him, so he designed an android patterned after his Iron Man armor. He called his...

 tried to convince the youth to leave the battle, T'Chaka shapeshifted

Shapeshifting

Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...

 into a feral black werecat

Werecat

A werecat is a therianthropic creature of folklore, horror, and occultism, described as being a shape-shifter similar to a Werewolf....

 called the "Coal Tiger". Coal Tiger's bestial abilities were able to turn the tide in A-Next's favor. He was offered membership with the team after the battle was won, but he declined, stating that he would be available to help if they needed him.

When all of the members of A-Next were captured by an evil version of A-Next called The Revengers, Coal Tiger was one of the many heroes who came to free the captured superheroes. When A-Next was freed and the Revengers were defeated, Coal Tiger finally agreed to join the team.

Powers and abilities

Coal Tiger can change into a humanoid cat creature. In his feline form, he has superhuman strength and agility, as well as enhanced senses and retractable razor-sharp claws on his fingers and toes.

Other Coal Tigers

Coal Tiger is also the name of an alternate universe version of T'Challa himself, who appeared in Avengers

Avengers (comics)

The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...

vol 1 #355 as a member of the Gatherers, a group of former Avengers from different universes.

A Coal Tiger is mentioned in Captain America

Captain America

Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...

vol 1 #389 as an opponent of the Zambia

Zambia

Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....

n villainess Impala

Impala (Marvel Comics)

Impala is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:Impala is female, and was apparently born in Zambia, Africa. She is a mercenary and professional criminal, but follows a strict honor code. A non-powered athlete and fighter, she carries various throwing...

.

In Black Panther vol 3 #60, the Coal Tigers are mentioned as being a rank in the Panther Cult.

The name "Coal Tiger" was one of several that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were bandying back and forth as a possible name for the character who in mainstream continuity in the Marvel Universe

Marvel Universe

The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...

 became Black Panther.

In other Media

While the character has never appeared, in Ultimate Avengers 2

Ultimate Avengers 2

Ultimate Avengers 2 is the sequel to Ultimate Avengers. The film was released on August 8, 2006...

 the powers of the Coal Tiger seemed to be part of Panther line. Both King T'Chaka and T'Challa transform into cat creatures during their fights with Kleiser

Herr Kleiser

Herr Kleiser is a fictional character that appears in Ultimate comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Ultimates #10 and was created by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch....

.