There are few people who, when they die, everyone has something nice to say about them.

Leaving behind a legacy of kindness and joy is something we should all strive for, but it often gets forgotten in the hustle, bustle and emotions of day-to-day life.

But there was one real-life superhero who managed it (while keeping a ridiculously busy filming schedule, btw) – Chadwick Boseman.

The world was heartbroken to learn of his death in 2020 at the age of 43, and not just because he played Marvel’s titular Black Panther in the 2018 movie and other Avengers movies.

Boseman was an all-around incredible human being who spent his time helping children and inspiring others.

With the premiere of Black Panther 2 on November 11, his loss is being felt as keenly as ever. The movie will feel incomplete without him – but more than that, it’s time to reflect on whether or not we’ve lived up to one of the few real heroes the world has given us.

In the two years since Boseman’s death, the world has been to hell and back – and even though he’s not here to continue to inspire us, Boseman reminds us what we can be when we’re the best of us.

Not only did the OG Black Panther feature the first African protagonist in a superhero movie, but it also featured a mostly-Black cast, paving the way for a tomorrow that looks more inclusive and diverse than in the past. If you add that to Boseman’s legacy, it quickly becomes apparent why he is so dearly missed and why the advent of the Black Panther 2 premiere is a bittersweet moment for fans and the world alike.