Warning! Spoilers for Ultimate Black Panther #1 ahead!Black Panther is back with a brand new comic series and a new wife who has accomplished plenty in the MCU. With the launch of a new Ultimate Universe from Marvel Comics, fans can explore new avenues and timelines of their favorite characters. T’Challa is now back on the throne of Wakanda with his new queen, the former commander of the Dora Mijale, Okoye.
Ultimate Black Panther #1 by Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli kicks off with T’Challa as King of Wakanda, ruling alongside his queen, Okoye. While they deal with an invading force that threatens Wakanda, Okoye stands by her king and husband as they both make the hard choices no one else can.
With T’Challa struggling to face his enemies and even trust his own family, Okoye has been a guiding hand to support him. Fans of the MCU see Okoye as the stone-cold militant warrior who never wanted the throne. But now, she can change her country for the better and show her feelings towards her loving husband, T’Challa.
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How Does Okoye Compare To T’Challa’s Other Love Interests?
Okoye going from Dora Mijale General to Queen of Wakanda is a huge character change that sees her finally romantically linked to Black Panther. During Okoye’s comic debut in 1998’s Black Panther #1 by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira, she and fellow warrior Nakia are chosen to be a part of the Dora Mijale when they are still kids. They are trained to become bodyguards to the royals of Wakanda and eventually selected to marry the young prince, T’Challa. Though Nakia has always had feelings for T’Challa growing up, Okoye’s relationship with the prince has always been platonic, including in the MCU’s Black Panther films.
Ultimate Black Panther #1 sees T’Challa married to a woman he has seen in the main continuity as a true friend and nothing more. However, Okoye has all the makings of a wonderful love interest for Black Panther. Many of T’Challa’s loves have been incredibly powerful women with extraordinary gifts like Storm of the X-Men and Nakia. Similar to Storm, Okoye is an African-born hero whose loyalty lies with her people, and she lives to protect them no matter what. Tough and rigid on the outside, Okoye can finally show her softer demeanor as Queen as she comforts her conflicted husband.
T’Challa and Okoye Rule as King and Queen
A war is coming between Wakanda and Moon Knight’s forces, but King T’Challa and Queen Okoye will be ready for it. As the former leader of the Dora Mijale, Okoye is well-versed in battle and knows when exactly is the right time to strike. Black Panther must be prepared to face some old enemies and old lovers, with Storm joining Erik Kilmonger as “Wind-Rider.” Okoye will have many chances to show her love for T’Challa through battle and focusing on keeping their home safe. Both King T’Challa and Queen Okoye of Wakanda have many trials ahead of them, but Black Panther has always shown to be even stronger with love guiding him.
Ultimate Black Panther #1 is now on sale from Marvel Comics!
