The origins of Black Panther’s frequent nemesis Killmonger will be expanding in time for the ensuing Wakanda series. Debuting on October 12th, Wakanda will be spinning out of John Ridley’s Black Panther as a limited series focusing on a different Black Panther character in every issue, each with its own unique creative team behind it. The first issue focuses on Shuri, the second will take a look at M’baku, and the third issue will take a special look at Killmonger.
To say that Killmonger has had a wildly eventful run in the comics would be an understatement. This is a character who has battled T’Challa countless times but also has ruled over Wakanda as the Black Panther himself. In addition, Killmonger has lived, died, and returned from the dead. Now, Wakanda hopes to put a spotlight on the ever-polarizing character.
WAKANDA #3 (OF 5)
Written by HO CHE ANDERSON & EVAN NARCISSEArt by SEAN DAMIEN HILL & NATACHA BUSTOSCover by Mateus ManhaniniRelease Date: December 21, 2022The spotlight on great characters who have defined Wakanda continues, taking us back in time into the heart of KILLMONGER! A haunting story that explores his earliest days under the thumb of Ulysses Klaw, and the early foundations of the man who will one day bear a scar for each of his kills…Plus, the third chapter of Evan Narcisse and Natacha Bustos’ History of the Black Panthers, focusing on the mysterious Nehanda as she bands together with the Medieval Avengers!
As evident both from the cover art and even from the synopsis, Wakanda #3’s portrait of Killmonger is heavily influenced by the MCU. The influence is confirmed in AIPT’s preceding statement from Ho Che Anderson.
Truth: Killmonger wasn’t a character that was much on my radar. But like a lot of people I fell in love with him after watching Michael B. Jordan’s amazing performance in Black Panther. The power and the pathos of the man stayed in my mind, and I have to admit I’ve found myself often wondering how someone could evolve into such a person. What experiences must someone endure to mold them into someone worthy of the name, “Killmonger.” Then out of nowhere the chance to explore those musings fell into my lap. It’s a cliche because it’s true: sometimes life works in mysterious ways.
Anderson certainly isn’t alone in not being savvy about the Killmonger character until after the Oscar-winning Black Panther hit theaters. As such, it makes perfect sense as to why the decision was made to lean further into the ethos of the character as he was presented in that movie. It would be interesting to see how Anderson and company decide to combine the sensibilities of the character as he always appeared in the comics alongside the sensibilities that were revamped for the 2018 movie.
Anderson and his team are in a particularly interesting spot in revising (so to speak) the Killmonger character for modern audiences most familiar with the MCU interpretation. As the MCU revamped the character for the MCU, the villain gained an unexpected cult following from audiences who sympathize with the Killmonger character. Knowing that most readers are going to open up Wakanda #3 already having a soft spot for Killmonger, this presents a unique opportunity to write Killmonger with more shades of gray than fans are used to seeing. In contrast to his movie counterpart, Killmonger in the comics is more often than not protrayed as pure evil, but the character’s new core fanbase opens the door for a more nuanced portrayal.
Readers can anticipate the Black Panther fan-favorite, KIllmonger, getting his own spotlight when Wakanda #3 by Ho Che Anderson, Evan Narcisse, Sean Damien Hill, and Natacha Bustos hits comic book stands and digital stores starting December 21st, 2022.
