Lexus and Marvel will mark their collaboration during Comic-Con after-hours at an exclusive Black Panther-themed event on Friday, with performances by DJ Lulo Café and a surprise headliner.
During the invite-only event, six variant covers for the graphic novel will be revealed to industry guests and comic enthusiasts. Comic-Con International: San Diego is being held from July 20-23.
The LC 500 uses a 5.0-litre V8 that produces 471hp and sprints from 0-100kph in 4.4s. Lexus said it is the most powerful Lexus V8 ever built and is also one of the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 mills in the world.
It has a driver-centric cockpit that comprises optimised driving position, magnesium paddle shifters and LFA-inspired digital performance gauges.
“This campaign clicked from the get-go,” said Mindy Hamilton, Marvel’s SVP of global partnerships. “We have this bold, sophisticated hero stepping into the spotlight for the first time, and it’s been a blast to work with the Lexus team to build out a story that’ll familiarise fans with T’Challa as well as his advanced home nation of Wakanda.”
Directed by Ryan Coogler, and starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, the film follows T’Challa, who, after the events of Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War,” returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King.
“Marvel continuously captures audiences through charismatic characters and inspiring stories — the ideal fit for Lexus’ mission to craft amazing, engaging experiences,” said Brian Bolain general manager, Lexus marketing. “And the LC’s aggressive styling, high performance and agile handling are a perfect fit for the Black Panther’s quick, cat-like reflexes and superhuman feats. We’re excited to see the duo in action.”
To accompany the collaboration between Lexus and Marvel, Lexus also teamed with Marvel Custom Solutions to create an original graphic novel, with storytelling driven by famed writer Fabian Nicieza and cover illustrations by emerging graphic artists Scott “Rahzzah” Wilson and Szymon Kudranski. Centered around the balance between human and machine, the comic features the Lexus LC 500 with a new, Wakandan spin and its role in helping the Black Panther defeat a villain.
The LC 500 is expected to be launched in Malaysia at the end of this month.
