We officially have some updates about a couple highly-anticipated animated series from Marvel Studios, as well as an exciting new announcement to enjoy. At a preview screening for What If…? season two, Marvel also shared news about its other upcoming animated properties. Firstly, an already-announced Disney+ series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is now officially set to release in 2024. Additionally, Marvel revealed a new Black Panther animated series for its line-up titled Eyes of Wakanda.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a show that was once known as Spider-Man: Freshman Year. Although Tom Holland won’t voice this Marvel Studios Spider-Man, Charlie Cox will return to give life to Matthew Murdock/Daredevil. This series will follow Peter Parker on his adventures before his time in the MCU and delve into his life as, well, a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. We look forward to seeing it sooner rather than later.

Additionally, Marvel Studios revealed a brand new animated Black Panther series. According to IGN, Eyes of Wakanda will focus “on warriors from Wakanda’s past traveling the world to recover dangerous vibranium artifacts.” The publication notes that the official description shares, “Throughout Wakandan history, brave warriors have been tasked to travel the world retrieving dangerous vibranium artifacts. This is their story.”

Most recently, Marvel Studio’s Head of Television Brad Winderbaum gave an update on the series to Marvel’s Official Podcast, noting, “Eyes of Wakanda, more than any other show we’re doing in animation, ties directly into the MCU. This is a story about Wakandan history. It’s produced by Ryan Coogler and directed by Todd Harris who is one of our longtime storyboard artists who I first met when he designed the Hulk vs. Thor fight in Ragnarok.” Additionally, Winderbaum added, “It’s an awesome show. The action is insane and the storytelling is fantastic. It’s both about the history of Wakanda, but also expands into the greater MCU at different time periods. If you’re a fan of the movies, I think this show is going to be a real treat.”

Please note the above image is from season one of What If…? and not from the new Black Panther show. Marvel Studios has not yet shared any further cast, images, or plot details about Eyes of Wakanda. But we are super excited already. It sounds like it will be one epic adventure series.

Originally published on December 12, 2023.

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The future Avengers movies are in a state of flux. Avengers 5 was originally titled The Kang Dynasty. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, it seems Marvel Studios is moving away from Kang as the primary antagonist in the upcoming Avengers films. This has led to much speculation that Kevin Feige is pivoting toward Marvel Comics’ all-time greatest villain for Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars—Doctor Doom. Although in no way confirmed, it would not be shocking if Doom was our new Thanos for these next two Avengers films. Especially if you consider his important role in the original Secret Wars comics, where he was the primary antagonist.

Right now, there is a vocal group of MCU fans saying that Dr. Doom “needs more build-up” before a big Avengers two-part saga. He hasn’t “earned it” yet. After all, Thanos had all that build-up, right? Only, he didn’t really. Truthfully, Thanos only appeared in two very brief, post-credits scenes in Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Both of those scenes lasted mere seconds. The only film where he had a sizable speaking role before Infinity War was the first Guardians of the Galaxy.

Based on that template, Doom would only need a post-credits appearance in one movie, perhaps two. Then, he’d need a major villain role in another film. So, how could this happen? Well, a post-credits scene with Doctor Doom could take place in Fantastic Four. Then, we think the most obvious movie to showcase Doom in full villainy is a third Black Panther film. Of course, there’s comic book precedent as to why this makes sense.

Who Is Doctor Doom and What Is His Marvel Comics History?

Before we get into why Doctor Doom should be the “Big Bad” of a third Black Panther, here’s a brief history of Marvel’s most infamous villain. First appearing in 1962’s Fantastic Four #5, Victor Von Doom was presented as the ruler of the fictional Eastern European nation of Latveria. A genius in both utilizing science and sorcery, Doom was an egomaniac who blamed the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards, his old college friend, for the accident that disfigured his face, forcing him to wear a menacing metal mask. In truth, the accident was his own fault. Yet he blamed Reed just the same. He also couldn’t stand that Reed represented the only man alive who was smarter than he was. Doom believed that only by living under his dictatorship could Earth truly know order.

Why Doctor Doom Is One of Black Panther’s Greatest Enemies

The Latverian monarch not only clashed with the Fantastic Four regularly, but also Spider-Man, the Avengers, and the X-Men. Actually, just about every Marvel hero counts Doom as an adversary. But aside from Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, one other hero sees him as their greatest foe. It is none other than the Black Panther. In the comics, Doom coveted the vibranium of Wakanda, hoping to use the unique metal to conquer the world. In the 2010 Doomwar event, he even invaded Latveria in an effort to obtain it. This event solidified Doom as a major antagonist for T’Challa. It placed him in the same Black Panther villain rankings as Killmonger, M’Baku, Klaw, and Namor. And Doomwar should be at least the loose basis for a third Black Panther film.

Black Panther 3 Should Adapt Doom War

We know almost nothing about a third Black Panther film, aside from Ryan Coogler still being attached to direct it. But with the massive success of the second film, there is no doubt there will be a third. Will the third Black Panther take place shortly after Wakanda Forever, continuing the adventures of Shuri as Black Panther? Maybe. However, we have a feeling that we might get a big time jump, as much as a decade. We suspect that Black Panther III might involve an 18-year-old T’Challa II, returning to Wakanda to take his place on the throne and claim the mantle of Black Panther from his aunt Shuri.

Doctor Doom vs. Wakanda’s New Black Panther

A younger T’Challa would allow them to incorporate aspects of his father’s comic book backstory we didn’t see in the MCU the first time around. In the comics, a young T’Challa lived abroad when he was growing up, and he even had an alias while in University, Luke Charles. It was during these years that he met and fell in love with future X-Man Ororo Munroe, a.k.a. Storm. None of these aspects were part of the version played by the late Chadwick Boseman. Yet they could all be a part of T’Challa II’s history. Especially as the MCU can now use mutant characters like Storm, something the studio couldn’t do in the first Black Panther.

Imagine a Black Panther story where young T’Challa II, living years away from home as Toussaint, returns to his homeland at age 18. He’s ready to assume the mantle of both King and Black Panther. But just as Namor warned in Wakanda Forever, the outside world will eventually attack Wakanda and try to take the vibranium for themselves, straight from the source. It would be problematic to have a real-world country as the invading force. But what if it was Latveria? Doom attacking Wakanda would truly introduce the villain as a force to be reckoned with. It would not only provide a young T’Challa II with a major adversary to prove himself against, but setting up Doom as someone worthy of fighting the Avengers.

Fighting Black Panther Sets Up Doom as an Avengers-Worthy Enemy

Black Panther is Marvel Studios’ biggest solo character franchise, with only Iron Man coming close. With that series now wrapped up, it makes sense for Doctor Doom to appear first in a Black Panther story. Taking on an advanced nation like Wakanda would truly showcase what a threat he really is. Certainly, more than Thanos sitting in a floating chair in Guardians of the Galaxy, issuing evil orders to his lackeys. Doom attacking Wakanda would more than set him up for bigger things in Avengers 5 & 6, proving he is worthy of taking on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

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“That thing unnerves me. I think that one day, artificial intelligence is going to kill us all.”

-Queen Ramonda

This Black Panther: Wakanda Forever quote is not totally wrong. After all, in a lot of books, films, and TV, AI is met with suspicion, contempt or outright dread. In the MCU, Ultron was the epitome of how evil and destructive AI could be. Of course, there were counterparts of this like J.A.R.V.I.S., the faithful AI for Tony Stark who later on becomes Vision and then White Vision (I really want to know where White Vision is chilling at). There’s also F.R.I.D.A.Y., the replacement for J.A.R.V.I.S and of all names, Karen, the AI for Spiderman. Not all suits are created equal, however, as James Rhodes’ War Machine (Don Cheadle) and the new Captain America (Sam Wilson), do not have AI that they talk to.

Oftentimes, these AI have funny moments and provide their heroes with the assistance that they need. But Griot, the AI for Shuri and most of Wakanda, takes the significance of this technology in the MCU to a whole ‘nother level.

The Meaning and Significance of a Griot

First, let’s take a look at that name, Griot. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a griot is “a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies.” Griots functioned as record keepers, historians, and so many other roles. They would also inform their people of news or the village idiot to avoid, through songs or stories. The griot was highly important in their respective societies since a lot of ancient western African cultures relied on the oral tradition, not written. Basically, they were the West African version of Jaskier the Bard on The Witcher, but with much better music. (Yes, I said it. No wonder Henry Cavill left.)

In the same way that griots are there to keep track of events, relay information to people and advise, such is the function of Griot in Wakanda Forever. Griot helps Shuri with a variety of tasks, like synthesizing the vibranium on the bracelet given to her by Namor to remake their heart-shaped herb. It also acts as a translator between Shuri and the Talokanil.

Also, unlike the AI in the other MCU movies, which are usually just for one person and their suit, Griot is the people’s AI. Griot talks and more importantly, assists several characters from Okoye to Queen Ramonda. And it even helps those who are not Wakandan, like Riri Williams and everyone’s favorite colonizer. There are definite parallels between the highly communal nature of many African societies and how Wakanda’s AI functions similarly vs the American ideals of a very individualized AI that usually serves the suit’s owner only. 

It also seems like no small coincidence South African comedian Trevor Noah voices Griot. Noah, the former host of The Daily Show, was in a way, our griot for modern times. He literally told us the news, pop culture, and other current events through entertaining stories and humor. Noah’s role grows exponentially from the first Black Panther, working as a proxy of the late, great Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa. T’Challa was a stabilizing force for Wakanda and Shuri. So with him gone, Shuri relies on Griot for that stability, especially when Namor upends her life. Plus, Trevor is a native speaker of Xhosa, the South African language spoken by Wakandans. 

The Changing Depiction of Africa and Griot’s Importance in the MCU

As a Ghanaian-American, I watch Black Panther and Wakanda Forever with a certain amount of pride. When I moved back to the U.S. in the late ’90s, anything directly or indirectly associated with Africa got intense ridicule. But the lack of specificity annoyed me the most, with Africa being seen as this big blob without discerning culture, language or identity. There was no acknowledgment or investment in the cultural richness and humanity of our people, just the riches of the land and the labor of the people. Those prejudices usually came from a place of apathy at best and at its worst, racism.

Those prejudices against Africa obviously still exist, but I believe those preconceptions have improved somewhat. Beyoncé (‘nuff said) worked with a plethora of African musicians for her successful soundtrack album, The Lion King: The Gift. Just last year, The Woman King—starring Viola Davis and with direction by Gina Prince-Bythewood—became a box office hit film about the fearsome Agojie (whom the Dora Milaje are based on), the all-female warriors from the Kingdom of Dahomey (now modern-day Benin in West Africa).

In the same way as those titles, the Black Panther franchise has helped shift derisive views of Africa. Wakanda is not a real place; however, there is nothing artificial about the warm place it held in our hearts and minds. There is so much intentional thought in their clothes, speech, and AI. Unlike my childhood memories of American perceptions of Africa, there is no lack of specificity here.

There is a specific reason why this AI’s name is Griot. There is a specific reason why Trevor Noah plays Griot and why the communal nature of Griot gets emphasis. Wakanda Forever shows that when something’s done with consideration and care, it transcends its particular medium to mean much more. Queen Ramonda may feel a little nervous about Shuri using Griot. But I wish she could see it the way my 12 year old self would see it: as African Intelligence.

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Consistent conversations about systemic racism, oppression, and bias against Black people are leading to a flood of content to highlight and support Black films and TV shows. Major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO, along with endless lists of Black movies, shows, and documentaries (among other mediums) highlighting the reality of our experiences are all over the place—for now. Some of them are cringe-worthy suggestions, like The Help and Green Book, which prioritize pacifying White guilt, lean into White savior territory, examine Blackness through a White gaze, or sanitize the truth about privilege and oppressive standards in America.

Others are powerful, moving narratives that give people a window into the complexities of Black life. As a Black woman, it is disheartening to see that most of the suggested content centers on our pain. Authentic Black joy that isn’t seeped in stereotypes or associated with proximity to Whiteness is a vital part of our experiences. To engage with or only promote narratives about Black despair is to not see us complete human beings and, in the case of Hollywood, to continue the vicious cycle of profiting off of our pain.

Cultivating joy and humor is a part of our self-care, our culture, and our resistance—a revolutionary act in a world that is inherently anti-Black. Joy interweaves in the midst of our pain, rage, fear, and hope. It stands on its own in moments where we come together to sing, dance, celebrate, relax, and disconnect from a constant fight for rights that should be inherent. Black joy is a slice of heaven in a world that gives us hell.

These Black films and TV shows bring our joy to the forefront in stories filled with humor, life lessons, good times, and friendship.

The Wiz

This 1978 musical reimagines the Wizard of Oz with an all-star Black cast. Watching shy schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) explore a magical land with new friends, including Scarecrow (Michael Jackson) is pure joy. The original songs are funky and fun and the energy is jubilant while managing to touch on social issues that are relevant to Black history and culture.

B.A.P.S. (Black American Princesses)

B.A.P.S. is fun “fish out of water” comedy about Georgia waitresses and best friends Nisi (Halle Berry) and Mickey (Natalie Desselle), who dream of opening a hair salon and restaurant. They travel to Los Angeles for a music video and end up caring for a millionaire in Beverly Hills. Nisi and Mickey are vibrant, funny, caring, and extremely talented.

Predictably, the movie was slammed by White critics who called the leads “garish homegirls.” However, this film shows that there’s more than meets the eye. Nisi and Mickey get to have the “rags to riches” arc that’s usually reserved for their White counterparts. The ladies have fun, build unexpected bonds, set firm boundaries with their lovers, and have a lasting impact on those around them before getting the life of their dreams.

Girls Trip

There are plenty of movies about a group of White friends getting together for outlandish adventures (example: The Hangover). But, it’s not as common to see four Black girlfriends coming together to party, explore, and celebrate for an unforgettably wild vacation.

The Flossy Posse—Sasha (Queen Latifah), Ryan (Regina Hall), Dina (Tiffany Haddish), and Lisa (Jada Pinkett Smith)—turn New Orleans upside down as they drink, club, and fight their way through the city. Some unresolved issues and drama ensue but the ultimate message is about dynamic power of friendship and love between Black women.

Beyoncé’s Homecoming

Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella performance was not only groundbreaking as she was the first Black woman to headline; it also celebrated Black college life and culture. Beyoncé gave nods to Black fraternities, sororities, and bands through alternate versions of her songs. She gave us Nefertiti aesthetics, step shows, Black power messages, and Black feminist knowledge with a sample of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED talk. Homecoming dives deeper into how she crafted this masterpiece of a set.

The Photograph

There are quite a few Black “struggle love” movies that include an inordinate amount of pain, infidelity, and drama. The Photograph isn’t one of them. It’s a brilliant love story about Michael (Lakeith Stanfield), a journalist who falls in love with Mae (Issa Rae), a museum curator. The film tells two love stories at once and is a dreamy and passionate exploration of the joy and elation of falling in love.

Waiting to Exhale

Black friendship is a healing balm. This classic film, which follows four Black women’s tight-knit friendship through personal and professional ups and downs, will always reign supreme. Savannah (Whitney Houston), Bernie (Angela Bassett), Robin (Lela Rochon), and Glo’s (Loretta Devine) a quest for healthy love, which, along with the film’s music and all the little nuggets of joy they experience together, make for Black joy personified.

Living Single 

A lot of people love Friends, but Living Single is the originator. The show follows Khadijah (Queen Latifah), Synclaire (Kim Coles), Max (Erika Alexander), and Regina’s (Kim Fields) friendship as they live in close proximity to each other.

Like most ’90s Black sitcoms, Living Single features a lot of laughter, love, famous appearances, a great theme song, and a few iconic moments of this quartet loving life and having fun. There are some deeper issues explored throughout the series but there’s a lot of happiness and humor, too.

The Wood

There are a lot of Black coming-of-age stories, but The Wood is special. It taps into what it’s like to grow up in a disenfranchised California city, but the story primarily centers on a few guys’ nostalgic look back at childhood. Roland (Trent Cameron), Slim (Duane Finley), and Mike (Sean Nelson) get into a few misadventures: Mike standing up to a gang member, going to a school dance, teenage obsession with sex, and falling in love. There are a lot of sweet, funny moments in this comedy celebrating the Black joy of boyhood.

Chewing Gum

The world can never make enough movies or shows about Black girls. Our experiences, beliefs, and personalities are as wide ranging as any of our female counterparts from other races. Chewing Gum follows Tracey, a 24-year-old who grew up in a strict religious environment. She wants to explore the world, have sex, and enjoy adult life. Sadly, there are only two seasons of this show, but they are both great.

Coming to America

Eddie Murphy is known for hilarious movies featuring a lot of Black star power. Coming to America is all that and more with adult fairy tale-like story featuring a kind and idealistic African prince who comes to Queens, NY to find his queen. Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and Semi (Arsenio Hall) may be over the top, but supporting characters like Lisa, Cleo, and a group of trash-talking barbershop employees feel quite grounded. There are quotable lines, unforgettable moments, and a lot of raunchy humor.

Last Holiday

Last Holiday is another movie about a Black woman realizing her dreams. A health diagnosis encourages Georgia (Queen Latifah) to quit her job, take all of her money, and go on a dream vacation. She takes fun risks, indulges in self-care, and charms an entire resort full of people along the way. The film combines holiday delight with the musings we all have about what we would do if we threw caution to the wind.

Miss Juneteenth

Miss Juneteenth is a heartfelt story about Black motherhood and the impact of Juneteenth on Black Texans. Former Miss Juneteenth Turquoise is relatable to many young moms with dreams deferred and plans derailed.

She bonds with her daughter Kai after she enters in the same scholarship pageant years later. The film doesn’t aim to teach viewers some grandiose lesson. It’s simply one woman’s journey into reflection as she lives her normal life. Miss Juneteeth is beautiful and features some truly lovely mom-daughter moments.

Akeelah and the Bee

There’s nothing that sparks joy quite like an underdog story. Akeelah is an avid speller from Los Angeles who stands up against preconceived notions and odds to make her way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The film deals with a lot of issues including race, educational systems, self-esteem, friendship, and social stigmas, among others, while sparking a lot of joy every time Akeelah advances forward.

Black Panther

Black Panther brought people around the world a lot of joy. It was empowering and affirming to see Black people leading the most socially and technologically advanced nation in the world, for women to be effective leaders, and to see the film’s overall celebration of different cultures in Africa. It’s rare to see a superhero movie or series that centers on Black characters, and Black Panther proved that our stories can score big with audiences and box offices alike.

Christmas Everlasting

Yes, this is a Hallmark holiday movie. But, honestly, is there anything more joyful than a Christmas flick? The plots are mostly predictable, the romance is super sweet, and there’s always a lovely ending. A lot of network Christmas movies don’t have Black women protagonists, but Christmas Everlasting stars Tatyana Ali as Lucy, a woman who reconnects with her past. She returns home to claim property in her sister’s will and learns a lot more about her family history (and love) along the way.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 

Speaking of Tatyana Ali, most people were first introduced to her in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. There’s probably not too many ’90s kids who don’t know all about how Will’s life got flipped and turned upside down. In The French Prince, Will’s antics are just as colorful as his clothes as he pulls the Banks family into a ton of schemes. The Fresh Prince also shows that Black people face some of the same issues despite their socioeconomic status.

Motown Magic

This one is for the kids (and kids at heart). Netflix’s Motown Magic follows eight-year-old Ben who uses a magic paintbrush to bring the street around him to life. The show features songs from iconic Black artists like The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson, thereby bridging the gap between generations. There aren’t nearly enough magical/fantasy shows with Black protagonists so this is a true treasure.

Juju: The Web Series 

More Black witches is never a bad thing, especially when they are the focus of the story. The Juju webseries follows three millennial besties who discover that they are witches. There’s a lot of great humor, self-discovery, real talk, and fun friendship moments in this narrative on top of some magickal moments.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Miles Morales is the definition of joy. This Afro-Latino kid’s journey towards becoming a hero in his own way is heartfelt, striking, and inspiring for so many fans. Miles’ heart, laughter, self-doubt, and triumph is reflective of how the world should want to see Black boys not only survive but thrive while being their authentic selves.

As usual, this list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a start. There’s a lot of layers to the Black experience. We want to see more of our joy, wonder, fantasy, and magic being pushed to the forefront, because they matter just as much as our pain. Black joy is powerful and worthy of being seen.

Abbott Elementary

This TV show is not only sweeping awards shows, it is also capturing the hearts of people all over America. Abbott Elementary follows a group of educators and their experiences at a Philadelphia school. Funny, heartwarming, and real, there’s a lot of laughter and joy to be found here.

Originally published July 1, 2020.

The post These Black Movies and Shows Highlight Our Joy appeared first on Nerdist.

Ever since Black Panther changed the cinematic landscape in 2018, fans have been clamoring for the return of the hero. But in the wake of the death of Chadwick Boseman, who so memorably brought King T’Challa to life, there remained the question of who would on the mantle of Black Panther when the highly-awaited sequel hits screens. The release of Wakanda Forever, of course, brought answers. As many fans suspected, it is T’Challa’s sister Shuri who is the new MCU Black Panther. This was always a pretty smart guess, though, especially if we look at her comic backstory. Here’s a rundown of Shuri’s relationship to the mantle of Black Panther.

Has Shuri Been the Black Panther in Marvel’s Comic Books?

Shuri was first introduced in 2005’s Black Panther Vol. 4 #2, created by Reginald Hudlin and artist John Romita Jr. Just like in the movies, T’Challa’s younger sister is a powerful, funny, smart sibling to the Black Panther. But it wasn’t until nearly five years later in Black Panther Vol. 5 #5 when she’d take on the mantle of Black Panther herself. This came about during the Dark Reign saga at Marvel. As Norman Osborn gathered his Cabal, Namor asked T’Challa to join them in the fight. Soon, after the King refused, his ship crashed. This left T’Challa in a coma and Wakanda without a Black Panther. T’Challa’s wife, the X-Men hero Storm, suggests Shuri become the Black Panther in his stead. It makes a lot of sense as he’s long been training his sister to take his place. But when Shuri visits the Panther God, she refuses to let her take the mantle of Black Panther, claiming that she’s too arrogant.

Despite this rejection of Shuri, the Panther God allows her to live. That goes against everything the Wakandans expect, so Shuri decides it’s because she still has a greater purpose. With her brother in a coma, Storm in Limbo trying to recover him, and the evil Morlun encroaching on her country, she puts on the Black Panther costume and goes out to protect her people. It’s a controversial choice as Bast refused her, but it also gives Shuri more agency than her brother. After her bravery and smart wits defeat Morlun and save T’Challa and Storm from the underworld, the Panther God finally recognizes Shuri as the new Black Panther.

How Did Shuri Get Her Black Panther Suit in Marvel Comics?

It’s unclear how Shuri got her Black Panther suit, as the suit simply exists when Shuri puts it on. That makes us think that she may have built it herself. Just like her brother’s iconic suit, it’s made of vibranium but is more form-fitting, especially in the eyes of series artist Ken Lashley and cover artist J. Scott Campbell. The biggest visual differences from T’Challa’s Black Panther suit are that Shuri has a slimmer helmet (which looks similar to the one Marvel Studios teased on their poster), cape, and a now instantly recognizable fur collar. In issue eight of the series, Shuri’s Black Panther suits gets many upgrades too. One of her Wakandan scientists, N’Iix, offers her weapons. These include “holopods, spider bites, desert sand, and shok-nets.”

The coolest part, though, are the kevlar and spider-silk mesh gloves, with adamantium-tipped, vibranium claws. Perhaps we could see the arrival of the metal, most closely connected to Wolverine, in Wakanda Forever?

Shuri as the New Black Panther in the MCU

Ever since Letitia Wright’s breakout performance in Black Panther, fans wondered whether she’d take on the mantle; would Shuri become the new Black Panther in the MCU? With Boseman’s tragic passing, Shuri seemed more likely than ever to follow in his footsteps. And indeed, she did. This choice not only fits with the comic book canon, but it falls in line with Marvel Studio’s current era of exploring legacy heroes.

We saw in early trailers that the new MCU Black Panther had a suit with markings that mirrored Shuri’s ceremonial white dots. And Shuri also keeps her favored gauntlets as her Black Panther weapons of choice. In Wakanda Forever, Shuri takes on the role of Black Panther but forgoes the crown. The Black Panther is greatly needed in the conflict with Atlantis, but where the mantle goes from here throughout the future of the MCU is not certain.

Of course, Shuri is not the only person in the comics to have donned the mantle of Black Panther. Among the few who have been called Black Panther are NYC cop Kasper Cole, T’Chaka (T’Challa’s father), and even Erik Killmonger. In fact, a new upcoming Marvel comic book series Wakanda will be a “definitive overview of all the Wakandans who have held the mantle of the Black Panther.”

But it seems like the most likely candidate for the next Black Panther will be a new MCU character, T’Challa’s son Toussaint, also known as T’Challa. Before that happens, though, it would be nice to see a few more outings for Shuri as the Black Panther in the MCU. Maybe she’ll even get to meet Bast.

Originally published on July 26, 2022.

The post The Marvel Comics History and MCU Future of Shuri as Black Panther appeared first on Nerdist.

In Chadwick Boseman’s first appearance as the Black Panther, T’Challa tells Steve Rogers, “The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle passed from warrior to warrior.” Just as T’Challa’s father, T’Chaka, was once the Black Panther and passed the mantle onto his son, in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the title changes hands again. After Chadwick Boseman’s heartbreaking death, and thus, T’Challa’s death, Wakanda is in need of a new Black Panther. As T’Challa himself knew, the title is not one person or one warrior but passes on so that Wakanda can remain protected and defended. But who is the new MCU Black Panther in Wakanda Forever? Many of us already strongly suspected who the next defender of Wakanda could be after watching the trailers for the movie, but now it’s official.

Of course, the MCU’s newest Black Panther is none other than the Princess Shuri, herself. We couldn’t imagine a person more deserving of holding the mantle in the wake of T’Challa’s passing. Shuri is a brilliant scientist and a terrific warrior. But most importantly, she has a compassionate heart and deep, fierce love for her family and nation. (Even if she briefly lost her way in a tsunami of grief, rage, and vengeance.) There’s no doubt Shuri will make for an incredible protector of Wakanda for as long as she holds the title in the MCU. Shuri also has a rich comics history with the role of Black Panther, which future movies will likely delve deeply into.

Shuri’s ascent to Black Panther in Wakanda Forever is bittersweet. In the world of the MCU, we learn retroactively T’Challa’s illness existed for some time. The disease T’Challa suffered from remains unspecified, but Wakanda Forever makes it clear this was not a sudden death. For Shuri’s part, of course, the tech genius sought to save her brother. But unfortunately, not even the brightest minds can always find an answer.

Shuri was unable to genetically engineer and 3D print a new Heart-Shaped Herb to save T’Challa. The Heart-Shaped Herb possesses many powerful qualities. And in the world of the MCU, ingesting/imbibing another one may have saved T’Challa’s life. But Erik Killmonger destroyed Wakanda’s garden of herbs in the first Black Panther movie. The Heart-Shaped Herb, of course, is also necessary to enshrine new Black Panthers. It grants them their superpowers of speed, agility, and healing, among others.

Ultimately though, once another highly advanced civilization, Talokan, enters the world of the MCU in Wakanda Forever, everything changes. Shuri and her AI computer are able to recreate the heart-shaped herb using a bracelet Shuri receives from Namor. The bracelet contains fibers that come from the same type of vibranium-rich soil as the herb. Along with Shuri’s intellect, the materials are enough for the herb to be restored. And from there, with the help of Nakia, Shuri rises as the Black Panther in the MCU.

We hope that Shuri can have a long run as the warrior protector of Wakanda. But in a lovely move, Shuri also plants a new garden of heart-shaped herbs at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Thus, Shuri ensures that, though she is Wakanda’s new Black Panther, the kingdom will always have its protector, from generation to generation.

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The Dora Milaje are the most elite fighting force in Wakanda, an army of women loyal to the death to their kingdom’s ruler. These elite bodyguards have existed in the comics since the late ‘90s, and have become pop culture icons since their introduction in the MCU. But as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever revealed, there is an elite force within the elite force, Marvel’s Midnight Angels. They were one of the definite highlights of the film.

If the Dora Milaje of Wakanda are the best warriors on Earth, then Marvel’s Midnight Angels are the best of the best of them. While the Dora exist to protect the sovereign, the Midnight Angels protect the people of the kingdom and the people’s best interests—sometimes against what the royal family wants. But who are the Midnight Angels beyond that? Here is the Marvel Comics history of the Midnight Angels and how it ties into their MCU counterparts.

Marvel Created the Midnight Angels to Fight Dr. Doom

The elite Midnight Angels first appeared in Marvel’s Doomwar #5, back in 2010. The creative team of Jonathan Maberry and Scott Eaton created them. The Doomwar story centered on Dr. Doom attempting to steal all the vibranium from Wakanda. King T’Challa originally formed the the group, hoping his elite strike team could take out Doom themselves (with a little help from Deadpool).

Marvel Comics’ Midnight Angels wore winged stealth suits and carried electric weapons. They gave the wearer advanced abilities, like strength and agility, along with flight. They, of course, made all their suits of pure vibranium. The warriors all communicated with one another through their Kimoyo beads and responded to direct threats to the Wakandan royals. In the pages of the comics, their headmistress Zola trained them, and among their most prominent members were Dora Milajemembers like Ayo and Aneka. The team went on covert missions aboard their own Avengers-like Quinjet, which they called the Dagger.

Dora Milaje Gone Rogue Form a New Team

In the comics, Aneka and Ayo began to have issues with T’Challa and the royal family—particularly with some of the decisions they made. Aneka took justice into her own hands against a terrible tribal warlord, killing him. Because she went against the code of the Dora, they stripped the Dora Milaje title from her and imprisoned her. But her fellow Dora and love, Ayo, stole the Midnight Angels prototype armor and busted her out of jail. The couple became a new Midnight Angels squad and swore to protect Wakandans without the backing of the royal family.

The Midnight Angels in the MCU

In Wakanda Forever, the MCU’s Midnight Angels have a very similar look and backstory. Shuri was developing a new armor called Midnight Angel at the start of the film. When the second attack from Namor and his Talokan forces happens on Wakanda, we see the armor in action. Unlike the comics though, it was not Aneka or Ayo who wore it first. The movie gave much of Aneka’s Marvel Comics arc—her being stripped of her rank and disgraced, and then becoming a Midnight Angel—to Okoye. Although Aneka and Ayo are still a part of the story and get to wear Midnight Angel armor, their main story beats go to the general.

At the end of Wakanda Forever, it appears Okoye still has her armor. We see her bust Everett Ross out of incarceration wearing it. It’s likely that when she gets her own series or film, as has been announced, the title will be Midnight Angel, and we’ll see her in the armor again. Given that Okoye called the armor “ugly,” we imagine it will get an upgrade or two. We think she’s earned whatever armor upgrades she wants.

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The beginning of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever starts with the death of King T’Challa, throwing the whole nation into disarray. His mother, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), assumed her duties as Wakanda’s sovereign ruler despite her grief. But problems beset her reign, including the governments of the world trying to obtain Wakanda’s vibranium and then with Namor and the Kingdom of Talokan waging war on them. Ultimately, in a brazen attack on Wakanda, Namor took Ramonda’s life. Then the line of succession really came into question and we were left wondering who Wakanda’s new ruler would be. In the end of Wakanda Forever, M’Baku became Wakanda’s new king. Here’s how it all shook out in the end when it came to Wakanda’s throne.

The Black Panther Is Not Always Wakanda’s Ruler

Traditionally, the ruler of Wakanda is often also the nation’s protector, the Black Panther. But sometimes, those roles are separate. When King T’Chaka grew too old to be Black Panther, his son T’Challa assumed the role. When we met T’Challa in Civil War, he was already the Panther. That was even before he was crowned king. Towards the final act of Wakanda Forever, his sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) recreated the Heart-Shaped Herb synthetically and became the new Black Panther. However, she did not take the throne. Instead, fan-favorite M’Baku, played by Winston Duke, ascended to the throne to become Wakanda’s new king.

M’Baku Is Wakanda’s New King (For Now) in Wakanda Forever

Shuri decided not to appear at the crowing ceremony after choosing to ally herself with Talokan. She sent M’Baku of the Jabari (Winston Duke) in her place to take the throne. While we don’t see what happens in the actual crowning ceremony, we don’t think anyone has the gumption to fight M’Baku for the throne.

Winston Duke himself discussed M’Baku’s Wakanda Forever journey. He noted, “It’s kind of cool, though, being revealed as the King of Wakanda at the end of the movie… That’s huge. So, whatever that entails, it’s gonna be a fun one.”

In addition to this confirmation, we know that M’Baku became a staunch ally of T’Challa in the aftermath of the first Black Panther film, as seen in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In Wakanda Forever, he showed solid judgment and a diplomatic sensibility that befits the throne. We’d like to think that, at this point, the people of Wakanda would gladly welcome him as their ruler. M’Baku has more than proven himself worthy of being Wakanda’s king.

Prince T’Challa II Could Become King of Wakanda After M’Baku

Of course, M’Baku is merely the steward of Wakanda’s throne for the foreseeable future. Because as the mid-credits sequence informed us, Nakia and T’Challa had a son, a child they kept secret from the eyes of the Wakandan ruling council. Given that young Toussaint (or T’Challa II, as is his royal name) was about six when we met him, it’s safe to say that he was born about a year after the events of Black Panther, so right before the Blip. Nakia, T’Challa, and Ramonda wanted him raised away from the pressures of the throne, so Nakia took him to Haiti. He is next in line to succeed M’Baku as king when he comes of age.

Will We See Adult T’Challa II Sooner Rather Than Later?

Now, you may be thinking that this means it’ll be at least a decade before we see T’Challa II take the throne and the Black Panther mantle. However, this is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Alternate timeline shenanigans are coming up soon in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. It would not be beyond the realm of possibility for time-traveling warlord Kang to take young T’Challa II (and perhaps other children of famous MCU heroes) to a place where time flows differently. They might emerge in our time instantly as young adults, or even older. We have a precedent in the comics, too, although it’s with a different character.

Marvel Comics did this with the character of Cable. He was the infant son of the X-Men’s Cyclops’ and Jean Grey’s clone, who barely had time to be a child. He was whisked away to an alternate future, and then emerged as the adult warrior Cable in our time. Don’t be surprised if the MCU pulls something like this with young T’Challa, if only so that he can be our Black Panther in a potential third film. But in the meantime, the ruler and king of Wakanda is still M’Baku. The outside world had better proceed with caution.

Originally published on November 14, 2022.

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In the MCU, we now have a new world power to contend with, the underwater nation of Talokan. In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we learn that Talokan is essentially the replacement for the Kingdom of Atlantis from the Marvel comics universe. Both cultures are hidden underwater cities with water-breathing populations. However, there are some significant differences. Chiefly, instead of in the Atlantic (or the arctic), the MCU’s Talokan is located in Yucatan area. But in both cases, their sovereign ruler is the man called Namor, who is both noble and unforgiving. Here’s what Wakanda Forever taught us about the powerful nation of Talokan.

Talokan Replaces Marvel Comics’ Atlantis in the MCU

Wakanda Forever‘s kingdom of Talokan does not exist in Marvel Comics. Instead, Marvel’s Atlantis is a small continent with a highly advanced civilization. The cosmic beings known as the Celestials caused a cataclysm thousands of years ago, one which resulted in its sinking into the oceans. For centuries, the remnants of that culture lay in ruins on the ocean floor. Later, a water-breathing offshoot of humanity called Homo mermanus, possibly created by the Celestials themselves, migrated to the remains of Atlantis. They created a new culture there, one which eventually gave birth to Prince Namor. However, although the MCU has no Atlantis per se, the underwater civilization of Talokan takes its place in Wakanda Forever and has many similarities to Atlantis. Including a water-breathing race. But there are also just as many differences.

The History of Wakanda Forever‘s Kingdom of Talokan

The name of Marvel’s new underwater kingdom of Talokan is based on Mexican mythology. Specifically, Talokan is inspired by Tlālōcān, a city ruled by the rain god Tlāloc. In ancient Aztec culture, the city was an afterlife destination for anyone who perished by drowning or by lightning. In the MCU, Talokan has become the replacement for Atlantis as their underwater civilization. Namor, the Sub-Mariner, rules this hidden kingdom. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever suggests that Talokan came into existence after a fragment of the meteor that gave Wakanda vibranium, or another similar meteor, landed in the part of the world where Mesoamerican culture flourished. This ties rival nations Wakanda and Talokan together in a way the comics never did with Wakanda and Atlantis.

While speaking with Princess Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Namor tells her his MCU origin story, as well as the origin story of Marvel’s Talokan. Some 500 years prior, his mother was a member of a tribe in the Yucatan area of what is now Mexico. This tribe was terrorized by Spanish colonists and tried to escape from them. Each member of the tribe drank a special herb from a glowing plant that looked just like the ones we know from Wakanda. This plant gave them the power to breathe underwater, but they could no longer survive on the surface. Centuries later, with breathing apparatus, they could emerge from the depths. But their skin would turn blue on contact with air. Only Namor was different from the rest of his tribe.

Namor, the MCU’s First Mutant

Namor’s mother was pregnant when she ingested the herb. And in Wakanda Forever, we see how he became the first child born underwater in Talokan. But possibly due to his being just a fetus, when the herb entered his body, he came out a bit different. A mutant. Namor could survive underwater as well as on the surface without assistance and could fly due to the tiny wings on his feet. He also had super strength and durability. All part of his mutation, a mutation no doubt connected to the herb.

Under Namor’s rule, the people of Talokan have harnessed the power of the oceans, and in some cases, sea life itself, to their advantage. In the finale of the film, we see them ride whales into battle. They are fierce warriors, although who they have actually fought against is a mystery. They seem almost totally isolated, even more than the Wakandans. Talokan also carries over the languages and myths of Mesoamerican cultures they sprang from, like the Mayans and Aztecs. Namor himself has the name Ku’ku’lkán, the feathered serpent god, a real Mayan deity. We also see the people of Talokan have a special gesture and phrase they perform to honor Talokan and one another. Their mantra of “Líik’ik Talokan” or “Rise Talokan” and the accompanying hand motions appear based on Mesoamerican codices.

At the end of Wakanda Forever, Talokan still has designs on conquering the surface world. It remains an open question as to whether they stay adversaries to humanity or eventually become its allies.

Originally published on November 11, 2022.

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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had plenty of surprises, but one unexpected development will impact the entire MCU going forward. The movie upended what we thought we knew about a certain shadowy figure. Turns out they are far more dangerous than we realized because they already wield far more power than we ever expected. Who is this person, and what does this revelation mean for the franchise?

We’ll tell you all about them and what this revelation means, but we have to spoil a major Wakanda Forever surprise to do so.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine: Deputy Director of the CIA

In a film that had a secret son and an unexpected cameo from a dead villain, Black Panther 2‘s biggest surprise was that Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine officially works for the United States government. She’s not part of some furtive, underground organization like we thought because her previous MCU appearances showed her working with a disgraced superhero and an international assassin. But even more shocking is that “Val” is Deputy Director of the CIA. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is not a Black Ops figure or spy running a secret group for the agency. She’s a public figure and one of the most powerful people in the country.

That not only reframes her entire story, it changes her earlier interactions in the franchise. And it fundamentally impacts Marvel Studios’ upcoming Thunderbolts.

Contessa Recruits John Walker

Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Val made her MCU debut on Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. She approached the disgraced John Walker in episode five after the government stripped him of both his title as Captain America and his military rank. Unlike the government’s public display of anger and disgust, Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine supported Walker’s extrajudicial killing of a Flag Smasher super soldier. She also told Walker his actions made him very valuable to certain unnamed people.

Contessa Valentina also made reference to a “dirty” state secret about the legal gray area of ownership of Captain America’s shield. But there was no way to assume that meant she worked for the CIA or any U.S. government agency.

In the next episode, Val also recruited Walker to become US Agent. That’s when told him “things are about to get weird,” and when they do “they” won’t need Captain America, they’ll need a US Agent. The “they” Contessa Valentina referenced now seems to have been United States officials.

It’s easy to imagine why the CIA would want its own superhero group. As General Ross learned over the years, the Avengers are all but impossible to control. The Sokovia Accords were a disaster that don’t even appear to matter to the world anymore. John Walker, someone willing to cross lines Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson never would, gives the CIA a super soldier it can send on sinister missions.

But it was Contessa Valentina’s second MCU appearance that is now far more ominous after Wakanda Forever.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine Contracts Yelena Belova to Kill Hawkeye

Val returned to the MCU during Black Widow‘s post-credits scene. She surprised Yelena Belova at Natasha’s gravesite. That scene revealed Yelena works for Val, though the exact nature of the missions was not specified. But it’s easy to imagine Contessa Valentina uses the former MCU Black Widow as an assassin since she sent Yelena out to kill Clint Barnes.

And now that we know the Deputy Director of the CIA, rather than an independent contractor, put out a hit on a famous Avenger, it raises questions that will change the entire MCU.

Is the U.S. Government Trying To Kill Avengers?

Wakanda Forever suggested the CIA and/or the US Government at large wanted one of its original Avengers dead. If so, was that because Clint caused his former employer so much trouble? Does he know too many secrets, and the CIA has decided he’s too big a risk? Is the explanation as simple (and sinister) as the government growing tired of powerful figures working without oversight? (Which would explain why Val is building her own cadre of replacement superheroes.) Does that mean every Avenger is in mortal danger?

Or was the attempted assassination of Clint Barnes not an official CIA mission, and the MCU’s Val personally wanted Hawkeye dead? That would be consistent with Contessa Valentina’s Marvel comic book history.

Is Valentina Allegra de Fontaine an MCU Double Agent?

In Marvel Comics, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is best known as a double agent. If that proves true in the MCU, it means the United States has a traitor as Deputy Director of the CIA. (This also means Contessa Valentina’s desperate desire to get vibranium in the MCU could be even more dangerous that we thought.)

That would also fundamentally change the franchise going forward, especially Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts movie that will feature Dreyfus’s character. Will the new superhero group—which will include a bunch of Russians—think it’s working for the United States while unknowingly serving an evil organization or foreign entity? Will all of them be unaware of that fact? Or will some of them be in on it?

And those are just some of the questions this revelation raises. Will we also find out the Power Broker Sharon Carter is also in cahoots with Val? And who, if anyone, might both be answering to?

No matter what this means for the future, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever revealed just how dangerous and mysterious Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is. Not because she’s a shadowy figure, but because she isn’t.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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We knew Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would deal with the death of the nation’s protector and the arrival of Namor. What we did not know was how many surprises the highly-anticipated sequel had in store. That included a surprise cameo from someone we did not expect to see. How did the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever pull off its big Killmonger cameo surprise, and what did it mean for Shuri and the whole of the MCU?

The answers to those questions involve discussing major spoilers.

Shuri Meets an Unexpected Family Member in the Ancestral Plane

Wakandans who imbibe the Heart-Shaped Herb visit the Ancestral Plane to speak with a deceased relative. T’Challa spoke with his father, King T’Chaka, when he traveled to that land of the dead.

When Shuri consumed that concoction—made from her 3D-printed version of the flower—she expected to see her recently deceased mother. Shuri thought Queen Ramonda would give her guidance. But when the Princess awoke there and found herself inside the Wakandan throne room, she was shocked and angered to see who was waiting for her. It was the original Black Panther movie’s main villain, Erik Killmonger.

We were also surprised. Why was her cousin, who took so much from Shuri, her family, and her country, the person to greet her in that sacred dimension? Because Shuri summoned Killmonger in her Wakanda Forever visit to the ancesteral plane.

Why Did Shuri Summon Killmonger in Wakanda Forever?

Early in Wakanda Forever, Shuri told her mother that if she allowed herself to grieve her brother’s death she’d get so angry she’d burn the world down. Her anger then erupted following the death of her mother. When she entered the Ancestral Plane, Shuri wasn’t looking for good guidance, especially not the kind of restraint her mother would advocate for. Shuri was seeking approval for what she really wanted to do: seek vengeance. The only family member that would push her down such a dark path in Wakanda Forever was her late cousin Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan.

This scene shows that the Ancestral Plane is what you make of it. You can use it to seek honest aid or comfort. Or you can use it to reinforce what you want to hear. That doesn’t mean who you meet there, friend or foe, can’t help you even if they don’t mean to.

In his surprise Wakanda Forever cameo, Killmonger told Shuri that her brother T’Challa put all of Wakanda at risk by showing mercy to the country’s enemies. He also said her father was a hypocrite. Death clearly did not soften his outlook on the world. Nor did it provide him with perspective on what hatred leads to. He said the only one with the will to kill Namor was him. For Shuri to do that she needed to accept his view of the world. With that Killmonger left her as the throne room in the Ancestral plane erupted in fire, a symbol of the very thing Shuri threatened to do to the world.

Shuri almost did exactly what Killmonger pushed her toward, too. So why did Shuri ultimately ignore the advice of the ancestor she summoned in Wakanda Forever? Because when the moment came, another member of her family spoke to her from beyond.

Why Didn’t Shuri Kill Namor Like Killmonger Wanted?

With Namor at her mercy and Shuri ready to deliver a fatal blow, she saw not only the destruction to both Wakanda and Talokan that would follow his murder, she saw her mother. Ramonda appeared to her daughter from the Ancestral Plane. The Queen was right, our family members are never really gone. And when she did, the kindness and wisdom of Shuri’s mother and brother overwhelmed her.

By embracing who she truly is and letting go of her anger, rage, and pain, Shuri avoided following Killmonger’s path in Wakanda Forever. For though she summoned him to hear what she wanted, in her heart she knew what she should do. She needed to be more like the man who stopped Killmonger, her brother T’Challa.

That decision gave audiences the best of both worlds. Not only did the new Black Panther save countless lives, Wakanda Forever gave us one more scene with Jordan’s Killmonger, one of the MCU’s best villains. He was as compelling, powerful, and dangerous as ever. But maybe after he’s dead awhile longer he won’t be so eager to kill everyone he hates.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Enemies will always strike when they believe you are at your weakest. That’s true even when you’re the most powerful nation on Earth. But Namor wasn’t Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s only antagonistic force. The film featured multiple enemies of all kinds. But who are all the MCU villains in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? Here’s everyone—and everything—that came against Wakanda following the death of King T’Challa.

(Warning: you’re about to swim into major spoilers.)

Namor Is Wakanda Forever‘s Chief Antagonist

When King T’Challa decided to open Wakanda’s doors to the world and reveal the extent of his nation’s power, he had no way of knowing what that would mean for another secret society. The mutant King Namor rules over the underwater city of Talokan. Like Wakanda, it has an abundance of the most sought-after material in the world, vibranium. Queen Ramonda (rightly) refused to share her country’s supply of the priceless metal with other nations. But she did encourage them to search for it elsewhere, confident there was none to be found outside her borders.

That set off a conflict between Wakanda and Talokan in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. First, Namor wanted to kill the scientist (Riri Williams) who built the machine capable of locating vibranium. He believed that was the only way to keep his city and his people safe. Then he wanted Shuri and Wakanda to join him in a war against the other surface countries. That led to conflict between the two factions until their leaders agreed to a truce.

Namor might not have turned out to be wholly bad, but he is unquestionably the chief antagonist of the Black Panther sequel. He was far from the film’s only villain, though.

The Generals of Talokan Want War

Namor’s closest generals not only spent their lives preparing to fight the surface world, they seemed eager for war. Their superhuman strength and willingness to immediately kill anyone who threatened their underwater city made them as dangerous as anyone on Earth. And they helped lead a massive, formidable, and equally eager army of Talokan soldiers into battle.

Despite King Namor’s seeming acquiescence, it seems his generals’ desire for war is not satiated. And they might one day get it since another enemy of Wakanda wants what Talokan has.

The World’s Governments Are Complete Villains in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Other powerful nations, including the United States, want some of Wakanda’s vibranium. The strongest metal on Earth can cure disease and injury, but it can also be used to make weapons of mass destruction. France is so desperate to get some that they hired mercenaries to attack a Wakandan research outpost. Wakanda was ready for the attack, in part because they knew T’Challa’s death made them appear weak. And that makes the governments of the world the real villains in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

But even with Shuri assuming the mantle of Wakanda’s Black Panther protector, it’s unlikely other countries will stop seeking vibranium, even if that means conflict with Wakanda. Especially not the U.S.

Not only was it on the verge of attacking Wakanda with little (and wrong) reason, but the United States employs a powerful, ruthless woman in a position of great power. And she can’t stop dreaming of a United States with an abundance of vibranium.

CIA Deputy Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine Is Worse Than We Thought

One of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s biggest surprises is that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is not who we believed. And we don’t mean that because she’s Agent Ross’s ex-wife. The shadowy figure we thought was working outside the laws of any country this whole time is one of the most powerful people in the U.S. government. She’s the Deputy Director of the CIA, and she desperately wants vibranium. She’ll also jail anyone she thinks puts the United States at risk, including her former husband. We knew Val (don’t tell her we called her that!) was dangerous before. But we had no idea how powerful she really is.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is really shaping up to be an important new MCU villain, in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and beyond.

Black Panther’s Villain Killmonger Returns in Wakanda Forever

When Shuri entered the ancestral plane, she summoned her cousin Killmonger. Death did nothing to curb his outlook on life. He mocked T’Challa’s kindness and his uncle’s hypocrisy. And he pushed Shuri to be more like him and kill Namor, even though that would only lead to more bloodshed. For a dead character we did not expect to see, Killmonger reminded us why he was such a compelling villain in the original film.

Grief, Loss, and Anger Is the True Villain in Wakanda Forever

Aquatic superhumans, spiteful nations, deadly soldiers, the CIA, and a ghost with a taste for vengeance paled in comparison to the most dangerous villain of Wakanda Forever—grief. The death of Chadwick forced the Black Panther sequel to deal with an enemy we can’t escape. And the death of a loved one brings so many enemies into our lives. For Shuri, that meant trying—and failing—to bury her sadness and anger. For others like Nakia, it meant hiding from the world. And for others, it meant a loss of purpose and guilt.

Namor was Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s primary antagonist, but he wasn’t its greatest villain.

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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever featured only one additional scene after the movie ended. It was also unlike the kind we’ve come to expect during the final moments of an MCU movie. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s single mid-credits scene wasn’t funny, nor did it hint at future entries to come. It didn’t even take place at a future date. Wakanda Forever‘s last scene was an emotional and unexpected moment that ensured an important legacy will live on in the franchise. And it did so in a way that speaks to the pasts of Haiti, Wakanda, and Marvel Comics, all while raising an interesting question that could one day impact the entire franchise.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Mid-Credits Scene Brings Us T’Challa’s Son

Wakanda’s new Black Panther, Shuri, ended the film by taking up Nakia’s offer to come to Haiti. There Shuri burned the clothes she wore at her brother and mother’s funerals, a sign she’s ready to accept their deaths and move on. It was a powerful way to end a story of grief and loss. But the emotional weight of that moment didn’t end with the film.

In an atypical move, Wakanda Forever‘s only scene to take place during or after the credits rejoined Shuri along that shore. That’s when Nakia finally explained the real reason she did not attend the funeral of the person who was “everything” to her. Nakia and T’Challa had a son six years earlier. T’Challa’s son is known as Toussaint in Haiti, but his real name is also T’Challa. His parents decided it would be best for their child to be raised away from the stress and responsibility of Wakanda. In the Black Panther mid-credits scene, we learn that to protect him, Nakia and T’Challa kept their son’s true identity a secret from almost everyone, even his aunt. (Though his grandmother Queen Ramonda met her grandson before her death.)

While T’Challa’s son’s secret name honors his late father, the one he uses in Haiti, Toussaint, pays tribute to that country.

Why the Name Toussaint Means So Much to Haiti

The first name given to T’Challa’s son in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever mid-credits scenes is a powerful one. Toussaint is more than just an important or notable name in Haiti. It’s the name of one the country’s greatest heroes. François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture was born a slave and remained one for half his life. But he rose to become a general in Haiti’s Revolution. He came “to lead the most successful slave revolt in history—and help precipitate the downfall of European colonialism in the western hemisphere.”

He died in a French prison one year before Saint-Domingue gained its independence and renamed itself Haiti in 1804. But his heroism and leadership made him a legend in the country. More from History.com:

He was a singular leader who helped charter a revolution extraordinary in its insistence that any declaration of “inalienable liberties” rings hollow when constrained by notions of color or creed. His was a revolution that carried far wider geopolitical implications: Historians credit it with spooking France from further colonial endeavors in the hemisphere and inspiring Napoleon to offload the Louisiana territory to the United States, effectively doubling the young republic in size.

It’s easy to see why Nakia and T’Challa chose the Haitian name Toussaint for their son. It’s a name even Killmonger would have approved of. But beyond what it means to Haitians and those who stood up to slave owners and their oppressive regimes in the real world, it also has ties to their child’s fictional homeland.

How the Name Toussaint Connects to Wakanda

The name Toussaint translates in French to “all souls.” Haitians also celebrate All Souls Day every November 1st and 2nd. On those sacred days, people visit cemeteries to bring their deceased loved ones food, dark rum, and candles “to commemorate the country’s Vodou Festival of the Dead Fête Guédé.” And Port-au-Prince’s national cemetery is where priests and priestesses gather at the city’s oldest grave dressed in all white.

Considering Wakandans views on the afterlife, the Ancestral Plane, and how (as Queen Ramonda said) their relatives are never truly gone, it’s easy to see why the name Toussaint also became a fitting one for Nakia and T’Challa’s son. He is a living reminder of his own father’s legacy.

Of course, this is the MCU we’re talking about. And considering what this movie revealed about how Namor got his powers, the revelation in Wakanda Forever mid-credits scene about young T’Challa raises an obvious question: did he inherit his father’s powers?

Does Young T’Challa Have His Father’s Powers in Wakanda Forever‘s Mid-Credits Scene?

Namor genetically inherited the powers his mother gained from eating a special plant grown from vibranium-rich soil. Black Panthers gain their power from ingesting the Heart-Shaped Herb. But we don’t know if King T’Chaka had consumed the flower before siring his children. It’s unclear in the MCU if a Black Panther can pass on their superpowers to their progeny.

So is young T’Challa like Namor? Or is he just a regular kid? It’s hard to tell from Wakanda Forever‘s mid-credits scene. But the answer might come from Marvel Comics, even though T’Challa’s son on the page had a different mother.

Does T’Challa Have a Son in Marvel Comics?

T’Challa has a son in Marvel Comics on Earth-555326, but the child is known as Azari. And his mother is not Nakia, but rather Storm of the X-Men. But if the MCU’s Toussaint is anything like Azari, he will inherit his father’s powers bestowed by the Heart-Shaped Herb. That’s what happened to Azari in Marvel Comics, where he was also born with his mutant mother’s powers.

On Earth-555326 Azari fights with that dimension’s remaining Avengers to defeat Ultron. Could Marvel’s young T’Challa do something similar in the MCU’s Earth-616 someday? Could he be a Young Avenger in the near future?

We don’t know the answer to that question and might not for a very long time. But it doesn’t matter either. What matters is that the MCU honored its fallen king in a way that ensures both his name and his legacy will live on.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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One of Marvel Comics’ greatest and sometimes heartbreaking love stories is that of the X-Men’s Storm and T’Challa, the Black Panther. Even if they didn’t have a romantic history, the two share the honor of being the publisher’s most prominent African superheroes. But the bond runs far deeper than that for the Kenyan mutant weather goddess and the King of Wakanda. Although, it took decades for both characters to tie the knot. But could we maybe see that history play out, in a way, in Wakanda Forever? Before we get to that, here’s a history of the romance between the King and Queen of Wakanda.

The Marvel Comics History of X-Men’s Storm and Black Panther

Storm’s history in the comics is far more expansive than anything we saw in the Fox X-Men films. She was born Ororo Munroe, the child of an American photojournalist and a Kenyan Princess. Although born in the U.S., Ororo’s parents eventually moved to Cairo, Egypt. While still a child, both her parents died in a tragic accident, leaving Ororo homeless. Left to wander the streets of Cairo alone, she became a child pickpocket, stealing for Achmed El Gibár, who was essentially an adoptive parent for her. She would later work for the Shadow King, which facilitated her first encounter with a young Charles Xavier.

Childhood Sweethearts

Eventually, she left Cairo to discover her roots in her mother’s homeland of Kenya. On her way there, she came across a young T’Challa, who had left Wakanda to learn about the world. He ended up getting kidnapped, and Ororo rescued him using her recently emerged mutant weather-controlling powers. The two teenagers had an instant bond, and young love blossomed between them. But the duties of the throne called to T’Challa, and the two would not reunite until they were both adult superheroes, one an Avenger, and one an X-Man. This story was told by the Uncanny X-Men dream team of Chris Claremont and John Byrne, in 1980’s Marvel-Team Up #100.

However, that’s not the only version of how the pair met. In a later Storm mini-series in 2006, their first encounter was retconned. It was now a young T’Challa who saved a young Storm. At the time, Marvel Comics was giving more importance to their Avengers franchise than the X-Men, so they probably wanted to uplift one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes over an X-Man. Regardless of what the “true” first meeting was, their young romance was still a part of their past. It was shocking that it took Marvel Comics over 25 years to revisit it in a meaningful way.

The Marriage of King T’Challa and Queen Ororo

In the mid-2000s, T’Challa rekindled his love for Ororo, and helped her reunite with both her American and Kenyan relatives. In 2006, in Black Panther Volume 4: #14 and #15, King T’Challa finally proposed to Storm. Ororo, having broken up with her former X-Man love Forge, said yes to her childhood sweetheart. The wedding took place in Black Panther Volume 4: #18. This occurred right in the middle of the superhero Civil War, and the Avengers and others called a truce so everyone could attend the festive occasion. For one day at least, they all put their grievances aside to celebrate the happy couple.

Wakandan Power Couple

For the next six years, the royal couple had a fairytale romance. Well, as much as can be possible for two active superheroes. During the Civil War, both Black Panther and Storm were on team Cap (something MCU T’Challa was definitely not at first). For a brief time, both Black Panther and Storm were members of the Fantastic Four. In fact, the FF’s Baxter Building served as the Wakandan embassy in the United States. When T’Challa slipped into a coma after the events of Dark Reign, after which his sister Shuri became Black Panther, Ororo stayed by his side as Queen until he awoke. What would ultimately tear them apart for good was their loyalties to their respective superhero families — the Avengers and the X-Men.

Why Did Black Panther and Storm Divorce?

Ultimately, what broke the royal couple apart was the Avengers vs. X-Men event, or AvX. When the Phoenix force was returning to Earth, the mutant population, which had been decimated by the Scarlet Witch, believed the Phoenix could reactivate the X-gene. The Avengers saw the destructive Phoenix Force as too unpredictable, something that needed stopping. This caused a massive war between the two teams. Black Panther took the side of the Avengers, and his wife, the side of the X-Men.

When Namor the Sub-Mariner, now powered by the Phoenix and on the side of the X-Men, flooded Wakanda, the casualties were severe. Unable to forgive his wife for taking the side of the X-Men over the kingdom she ruled over, T’Challa had the High Priest of the Panther Clan annul their marriage. It just so happened that the Black Panther was the High Priest. The two heroes separated, and although there was much bitterness between them at first, they are now fairly amicable exes.

Black Panther and Storm’s Son, Azari

Although Storm and Black Panther split up in the 616 universe, there were worlds in the Multiverse where they not only didn’t divorce, they actually had a child. On both Earth-555326 and Earth-10943, the two had a son named Azari T’Challa. In the animated film Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, they introduced us to the first version of Azari, a teen who inherited his father’s powers of the Heart-Shaped Herb, and the control over lightning of his mutant mother.

For the comics, another teenage version of Azari debuted in 2010, with the same power set. He lives on the same Earth as other next-generation heroes like Spider-Girl. So far, there’s no sign that T’Challa and Ororo in the 616 are getting back together, much less having a child. But anything is possible in comics. And eventually, those comics might inform the MCU.

Could Storm Make Her MCU Debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?

For years, fans have speculated that Storm might make her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Janelle Monáe even petitioned Ryan Coogler to play the part. But so far, it seems like Storm is not in the film. At least, that’s what they’ve told us. Marvel has held on to some pretty big secrets before. So we wouldn’t be that shocked to see Storm show up. One popular fan theory suggests that Nakia is an assumed name for Ororo. One that she used as a Wakandan War Dog, and her mutant powers will activate in Wakanda Forever. Thus, revealing that she has always been Storm. Now wouldn’t that be wild?

And if Nakia becomes Black Panther, it would mean our second protector of Wakanda is an iconic X-Man. But since Nakia is a long-time comic book character, we’re not sure Marvel would want to erase one character to serve another. While we sadly won’t ever see Chadwick Boseman’s Panther romance Storm, the Multiverse is vast. So who knows? Maybe Storm and another version of T’Challa are happily married on Battleworld? Meaning we may see a version of the royal couple in Secret Wars. Stranger things have happened in the MCU.

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The high-impact release of 2018’s Black Panther made one thing crystal clear: the MCU would return to Wakanda before long. At this point, T’Challa already had slated appearances in that year’s Avengers: Infinity War and its 2019 follow-up Endgame; but his standalone feature whetted appetites for more stories about the African royal and hero. Thus, Marvel Studios immediately set the gears in motion for a second Black Panther feature, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Here’s everything we know about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever so far.

Title

The title of the second Black Panther film is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Plot

The film’s trailer reveals that the nation is morning the death of King T’Challa. This turns of events is a heartbreaking reflection of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died after a longstanding battle with colon cancer. Kevin Feige previously said that T’Challa would not be recast. Shuri, Nakia, and the Wakandans are facing a new threat from Namor, the ruler of Atlantis.

In the movie’s most recent look, we get an even better look at Namor and our new Black Panther, as well as the rest of our cast of characters. Every trailer is more emotional than the next.

Namor, Shuri, and Ironheart especially come into sharp focus in the film’s second trailer.

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever plot synopsis reveals:

In Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli.

In new production notes, Marvel Studios has explained more about how Wakanda Forever begins and what its timeline looks like. Per IGN, director Ryan Coogler explains:

Ramonda realizes that it’s been a year since T’Challa’s passing and Shuri’s still not healing—she’s not taking steps to move forward in a healthy way. They take a retreat—stepping away from the city, from the technology—to sit with no distractions and perform what is essentially a grief ritual. That’s when Namor shows up.

Our hearts are breaking already. Additionally, a new featurette takes us deeper into the world of Black Panther 2. It highlights the presence of Chadwick Boseman in the movie and also all the new worlds and characters we’ll meet.

Behind the Scenes

Ryan Coogler, director of the first Black Panther movie, will write and direct Black Panther 2. Autumn Durald Arkapaw will be the film’s cinematographer and Ludwig Göransson will return to compose the film’s score.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Cast

The following Black Panther stars would revive their roles in the sequel: Letitia Wright (Shuri), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Winston Duke (M’Baku), Angela Bassett (Ramonda), and Martin Freeman (Everett Ross). In November 2020, The Hollywood Reporter teased the possibility of Tenoch Huerta joining the cast as the story’s villain. And we found out during the film’s San Diego Comic-Con panel that this news is true! Tenoch Huerta is playing the aforementioned Namor.

Variety previously reported Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You) joined the cast. She is now confirmed to be playing Aneka, who was a combat instructor for the Dora Milaje in the comics. Also, Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) will make her live-action debut in the film as Ironheart.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Release Date

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit theaters on November 11, 2022.

This piece was originally published on April 14, 2021.

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One of the most anticipated and emotional outings for the MCU, perhaps ever, will be Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The movie, of course, must contend with the loss of Chadwick Boseman in our universe and the loss of the great King T’Challa in the world of the MCU. Two incredibly powerful griefs, as both actor and character are beloved. But Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s trailer also reminds us we will see tremendous action and evolving characters in Wakanda Forever, in addition to the moving narrative we are sure to experience. The first trailer for Black Panther 2 revealed Namor to us, along with glimpses at Ironheart and the new Black Panther, and now the most recent Wakanda Forever trailer brings them all into sharp focus.

In the Black Panther 2 trailer, we get a better look at the mighty Namor as he flies through the sky with his winged ankles. M’Baku reveals to us that his people, the people of Talokan, call him the “Feather Serpent God.” This indicates to us he likely has joined the MCU’s pantheon of gods in some way.

Joyously, we also get to see Riri Williams, otherwise known as Ironheart, take to the air in her Ironheart suit, whooping as she sails into the sky. And, of course, we get a good hard look at our new Black Panther. Although Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s trailer doesn’t reveal who wears it, the wearer appears to be a woman. Squinting at the silhouette, it seems quite likely the new Black Panther is Princess Shuri herself, but the MCU has surprised us before.

The release for Black Panther 2‘s trailer reminds us more about the story:

In the film, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of Talokan, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli. 

Tickets for Black Panther 2 are now on sale, Wakanda Forever releases in theaters on November 11.

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In anticipation of the upcoming release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the folks at LEGO are releasing the ultimate collectible honoring the great King T’Challa. Right now via their official online store, you can pre-order this Black Panther build-and-display bust. It stands 18 in. (46 cm) high, and is 16″ (39cm) wide. This one is indeed worthy of Wakanda.

This new LEGO build is a true work of art, and allows the builder to recreate the ceremonial helmet of the protector of Wakanda in reflective black and silver details. Everyone who sees it will want to do the Wakanda Forever salute in its honor. You can see several images of the incredibly detailed LEGO Black Panther display model right here:

Click To View Gallery

The Black Panther model comes with his powerful necklace that summons the helmet and suit. It also features purple and blue colors that emulate the power of Vibranium. This is the substance unique to Wakanda that powers the suit. Another cool feature is the detachable hands with articulated fingers, so the owner can make a custom display. As with most of the LEGO deluxe models, it comes with a sturdy display base as well. When completed, it really looks like the costume of the ruler of Wakanda, as its proportions are nearly life-size.

This is just the latest amazing LEGO Marvel Cinematic Universe build for the adult collector. Recently, they released an amazing Sanctum Sanctorum set from the Doctor Strange films. Thor’s Asgardian hammer Mjölnir also made for an excellent LEGO build. And we’ve also seen a pretty amazing Iron Man Infinity Gauntlet. Not to mention, the original Infinity Gauntlet of Thanos. Black Panther’s bust will make a fine addition to that collection. LEGO fans can create quite the impressive MCU display in their home. The new Black Panther build-and-display set will set you back $349.99, and arrives on October 1.

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You’ve heard bold claims like “you’ll never watch ___ the same way again!” accompanying most in-depth looks at your favorite movies. Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Dreams of Wakanda is one of the rare books that absolutely delivers on that promise. It’s not an exaggeration to say Dreams of Wakanda will forever change what it means to you the next time you hear, “Wakanda forever!”

The compelling collection of essays on Black Panther comes from the voices of Black journalists, authors, poets, writers, and artists from around the world. None of these remarkable pieces pull their punches. Each one unflinchingly examines the impact the film has had both personally and globally.

Among the book’s contributors is Ruth E. Carter, the costume designer who won an Academy Award in 2019 for her work on the landmark Marvel Studios film. You can read an excerpt of her incredible essay below.

Excerpt from essay titled “Afrofuturistic Beauty” by Ruth E. Carter

We made over a thousand costumes with five concept artists, three assistant costume designers, specialty costume companies, agers/dyers, mold makers, set costumers, and jewelry craftspeople to honor the beauty and history of Africa and the Dinka, Dogon, Himba, Lesotho, Maasai, Ndebele, Suri, Surma, Tuareg, Turkana, Wagenya, and Zulu peoples. The final product is Wakandan Afrofuturistic looks that have expanded our vision of beauty.

My life’s passion and work is about telling diverse stories through costume design. Before a word of dialogue is uttered, costumes begin to tell the story of a character—who they are and where they have been. It is a visual narrative using fabrics, colors, and patterns that bring to life characters, whether they are real, historical, or imaginative.

My journey into this profession began when I was a girl growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts. The youngest of eight siblings, I relied on everyone in our home to entertain me. My brother was the artist, and I was incredibly inspired to be like him. I spent hours in my room at my desk being creative, whether it was drawing, coloring, or reading poetry and literature. One afternoon, I serendipitously discovered a sewing machine tucked inside the desk. My creative playground expanded. With the most modest of beginnings, this girl who knew how to dream, and pursue that dream by any means necessary, began building her love for creating art.

I nurtured my artistic curiosity over the years, and it led me to follow my family legacy at Hampton University, a historically Black college on the shores of Virginia.

Hampton is where the first freed enslaved persons and indigenous people were educated under the giant tree on campus, known as the Emancipation Oak. It is also where the Emancipation Proclamation was read aloud. It was here that the stories I read and learned connected me to who I was and where I came from. It lit up in me a passion to share these and other stories yet to be discovered and because of it, I enjoyed being in the theater department. I was drawn to it like a calling. This is where I discovered all my talents as an artist merged, and I found myself the costume designer on campus.

Coming up with the costumes for Black Panther was a full-circle life moment for me, personally. I think back to the moment I discovered the sewing machine. It was not unique to just our household; this was a common appliance in Black family homes. It was a staple, just like an iron. It connects me to my ancestors, who arrived in shiploads on these shores from Africa, vulnerable and naked, and had to learn to make clothes. From picking cotton all day in the heat to sewing, cutting, and dyeing, they were making clothes for themselves to maintain their dignity. Some became artisans behind closed doors, never earning the credit for creating such couture fashions for their owner, owner’s wife, or employer.

That sewing machine I discovered was a direct connection to this legacy. To be able to use the same skills that my ancestors perfected to survive in order to tell the stories that give names to the nameless, elevate us, and allow us to understand ourselves better, has given me more understanding of a purpose I achieve every day.

To be recognized for designing costumes for Black characters living in all their glory without knowing colonization is a full-circle moment for me as an artist. I cherish knowing that my ancestors led me here. Seeing Ryan Coogler’s vision through and adding my own signature to designing Afrofuturistic looks where people can find their own beauty represented is the greatest gift of my art. Giving new generations the confidence these characters carry by seeing a part of themselves on-screen. With that power, I hope they have the ability to live their purpose and manifest their own freedom in the vision of their futures.

Other standout essays include a stunning metaphorical analysis of vibranium from writer Tre Johnson and a deep-dive into the film’s soundtrack from journalist Hannah Giorgis. Don’t miss your chance to read these thoughtful analyses and more when Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Dreams of Wakanda comes to bookstores on September 6, 2022.

Kelly Knox is a pop culture and entertainment writer in the Seattle area. She’s the author of Star Wars: Be More Obi-Wan and a co-author on the upcoming book Star Wars Everyday. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox to talk Star Wars, pop culture, and bad dad jokes.

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Marvel Studios’ monster of a Hall H panel at Comic-Con ended with our first look at Ryan Coogler’s much anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The movie was the subject of a lot of speculation given the absence of the titular character following star Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing. But Wakanda is more than just one man! And the kingdom of Wakanda has many more heroes, as the emotionally charged trailer revealed. Plus, we got our first look at actor Tenoch Huerta as Prince Namor. That’s right, the Sub-Mariner himself.

The sense of loss is palpable in the trailer to a cover version of “No Woman, No Cry.” It’s clear that the movie will be about the loss of T’Challa. The void on the throne has been filled by T’Challa and Shuri’s mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett). She is angry that she is the queen of the most powerful nation in the world but her family is all gone. Does that mean Shuri (Letitia Wright) is gone too? Well, not necessarily.

But, among the familiar returning faces, like Danai Gurira as Okoye, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, and Winston Duke as M’Baku, we also saw new faces. The most prominent of these is none other than Namor, the Sub-Mariner. As the trailer indicates, Wakanda will have to fight against the kingdom of Atlantis. Or maybe they’ll team up eventually? Who can really say. The Atlanteans we see seem to have a cool Mayan-inspired look, which might point to the direction Coogler will go with them. Huerta had already indicated he was learning the Ancient Mayan language, so. Yep.

So you might ask yourself, “how can this be a Black Panther movie without Black Panther? Well, we’re fairly positive it will be none other than Shuri herself who will don the familiar costume to fight as Wakanda’s protector. It happened in the comics, don’t ya know!

We truly cannot wait to see Coogler’s second outing for Marvel. His first was an unmitigated success and this new one looks to truly tug at the heartstrings amid the action.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit cinemas November 11, 2022.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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It’s not always a lab accident, but scientists with PhDs often seem to end up with superpowers. And a lot of times it is due to unethical behavior, questionable funding sources, and even illegal human experimentation. One of the best moments in Thor: Love and Thunder is our new superhero’s refusal to be called “Lady Thor.” It’s Mighty Thor, or Dr. Jane Foster. She is the latest to join the club of highly-educated people with remarkable abilities. Let’s meet some of the others.

Dr. Bruce Banner

With an MD and 7 PhDs, Banner is a standout even among this crowd. The military exploited his expertise in gamma radiation to recreate the Super Soldier Serum. Believing it was for a higher purpose, he experimented on himself (still not legal or a good idea). Out came the Hulk, which gave him super strength and healing powers. Banner eventually managed to fuse with this with his intellect to achieve the best of both worlds. His other contributions to the Avengers include work on artificial intelligence, time travel, and lots of laboratory technobabble. 

Dr. Erik Stevens

Also known as Erik Killmonger or N’Jadaka. He becomes the Black Panther for a time, gaining the superpowers that go along with that honor. In the MCU, we at least know that he went to MIT for graduate school. In the comics, it’s more clearly stated that he has both a PhD in engineering and an MBA. Though not mentioned in the MCU, his rival T’Challa also has advanced degrees in the comics. Either way, it’s Dr. Black Panther.

Dr. Hank Pym

The original Ant-Man, Pym is apparently both an entomologist and physicist. He creates and dons the super-suit thanks to Pym Particle technology that shrinks the space in between molecules. While there are undoubtedly people on Earth who specialize in subjects as diverse as bugs and physics, Pym’s knowledge of engineering, technology, and business are truly all-encompassing. His protégé Dr. Darren Cross continues the research, creating super soldier-like suits.

Drs. Otto Octavius and Norman Osborn

Doc Ock and Green Goblin are from a different Earth and only recently joined the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Both of these allegedly smart people were victims of avoidable lab incidents. They gain superpowers but lose rational thought and end up as villains.

Drs. Charles Xavier and Reed Richards

While we’re on the subject of people from other Earths, let’s not forget 838’s Professor X and Mr. Fantastic. Though neither’s credentials are explicitly stated in the MCU yet, Richards is introduced as “the smartest man alive” and Xavier as “professor.” It’s not a huge stretch to assume they have the same advanced degrees as they do in the comics and other movie iterations.

Dr. Jane Foster

Mighty Thor has mighty powers, including strength, harnessing lightning, and making Stormbreaker jealous. With her, Mjolnir also has some new abilities, breaking apart to hit multiple targets at once. But she’s still workshopping her catch phrase. Foster has a PhD in astrophysics and was at one point even being considered for the Nobel Prize in physics. She deserves every statue built to honor her.

Welcome to the club, Dr. Foster!

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. At eight years old, she was correcting people to call her mother Dr. Kelley. Melissa also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

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The MCU is rapidly introducing multiple secret societies, communities, and kingdoms, each with a powerful army or collective of fighters. The latest additions to this growing trend comes with Ms. Marvel‘s ClanDestine and Thor: Love and Thunder‘s Omnipotence City. But what does it all mean? Well, of course, we have a theory about the next phase of the MCU and it’s one that could change the franchise forever. We think the MCU is heading into Secret Wars in Phase 4. But first, let’s look at the secret societies that exist within the sprawling superhero series and how they might signal a massive war is coming.

Jump to:

• Every MCU Secret Society, So Far: Wakanda // Ta-Lo // Kamar-Taj // The Eternals // Mount Wundagore // The Ennead // The Illuminati // The ClanDestine // Omnipotence City (Spoilers for Thor: Love and Thunder) // Other MCU Secret Organizations // Non-Canon Possibilities // Black Panther 2 and Atlantis
• How These Secret Societies Point Phase Four of the MCU Toward Secret Wars
• How Secret Wars Could Change the MCU

Ever Secret Society, Organization, and Kingdom the MCU Has Introduced So Far

Wakanda

Marvel Studios

The earliest example of a secret society that we saw in the MCU was Asgard. While that seems to have been a template for these secret locales, it no longer exists in the same way. So where do we go from there? The most obvious place is Wakanda. T’Challa’s homeworld is not only an advanced Techno Jungle; it’s also a militarized base of operations. It has the potential to defend itself on a massive scale. Basically, Wakanda could be a major player in any intergalactic, cosmic, or universal war that might be coming. In the comics, Wakanda already established itself as a stronghold against extraterrestrial attacks too. So they’re ready should the MCU dive into Secret Wars.

The Secretive Enclave of Ta-Lo 

Shang-Chi introduced us to Ta-Lo. The new MCU location originated in 1980’s Thor #310. It was recontextualized here from the home of the Xian aliens to the enigmatic and hidden homeland of Shang-Chi’s mother. This was the first big hint that phase four of the MCU could be heading towards Secret Wars. Organized as both a collective and army, the community hides huge dangerous secrets—in the form of monsters and dragons—that could also be used as weapons. Not just that but they have unique fighting skills and can harness supernatural powers. Ta-Lo is only able to be visited by those who know the way. It essentially acts as its own pocket dimension—which it was in the comics—perfect for a potential MCU Secret Wars Phase 4 story.

Kamar-Taj and the Mystic Arts

Another key example of an MCU secret society is Kamar-Taj, where the Masters of the Mystic Arts train. The secret locale has a ton of powerful people ready to protect or attack whenever they’re needed. Speaking of the mystic arts, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness saw the Scarlet Witch visit the infamous Mount Wundagore. In the comics, the scenic locale houses the High Evolutionary’s secret scientific base, filled with mutated humanoid animals known as New Men. While we didn’t see that in the film, it introduced the secret location and the unseen magical creatures that live there.

The Cosmic Secrets of the Eternals

Eternals also definitely fit the MCU secret society bill. The reclusive beings in the movie lived a secluded life. They can only interfere with the human world if the Deviants are causing problems. Both groups are wildly powerful and have lived without wider human knowledge… until now. Eternals was also the first place we got a hint at the bigger cosmic war we could see coming to the MCU. The introduction of the Celestials set the stage, and the Arishem’s judgment of Earth promised an epic conflict. We’d definetly expect to see these superpowered groups should Secret Wars come to the MCU.

Doctor Strange’s Mount Wundagore

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness saw the Scarlet Witch visit the infamous Mount Wundagore. In the comics, the scenic locale houses the High Evolutionary’s secret scientific base, filled with mutated humanoid animals known as New Men. While we didn’t see that in the film, it introduced the secret location and the never before seen magical creatures that live there.

Moon Knight and the Ennead 

While Moon Knight introduced two new heroes to the MCU, its relevance in this piece comes down to the gods they embody. The MCU’s Ennead works as a secret society on Earth through a collective of humans who are the avatars that represent the gods in the mortal world. This makes them a really interesting addition to the secret societies of the MCU. They’re perhaps the most secretive and elite of all with only nine members. So though Steven and Layla are the most prominent avatars of the Ennead, their fellow avatars on Earth could become a large part of the future of the franchise.

Earth-838 and the Illuminati 

Sure, they didn’t last past the end of the movie, but we had to include the MCU’s lluminati. The most infamous of Marvel Comics’ secret societies, the fact that the Illuminati exist at all in the MCU is worth noting. That they were from a different dimension adds even more relevance in this piece as the recent comics’ Secret Wars was a cross-dimensional event. Either way, the fact that in one universe a team of superheroes created an ultra-secretive society to protect the world hints that in other MCU universes that could happen again. Especially as our universe’s Stephen Strange knows that an alt-version of himself founded it…

Ms. Marvel, the Noor, and the ClanDestine

Marvel’s newest hero continues this tradition too. In the Disney+ Ms. Marvel series the creators reimagined her powers. They’re no longer connected to the Inhumans—another comic book secret society—but instead a new MCU group. As Najma reveals, Kamala is part of a long line of extradimensional visitors labeled Djinn, known amongst themselves as ClanDestines. Just like most of our other entries here, they’re not only part of a secret society but also a culture cut off from the rest of the world. In the case of the ClanDestine that’s the Noor Dimension, a world behind a veil which gives Kamala and her family their powers. 

Thor: Love and Thunder and Omnipotence City (Spoilers for Thor: Love and Thunder)

In case you hadn’t already noticed a theme here, Thor: Love and Thunder also introduces a powerful new world hidden from mortal eyes. This time it comes in the form of Omnipotence City. While gods have been a part of the MCU from its outset—thanks, Thor—we’re now delving into the wider deity pantheons. Omnipotence City is home to Zeus and his godly council. The location is so secretive that Zeus actually tries to trap Thor and his comrades there forever to protect it. Alas, as the mid-credits stinger showed us, Zeus is not happy that they didn’t comply—and tried to kill him. You can expect to see that conflict and Omnipotence City likely come into play again soon. 

Other MCU Organizations That Fit the Bill

Marvel Studios

The MCU has actually seeded secret societies and organizations since Phase One. S.H.I.E.L.D. launched the Avengers Initiative and Captain America: The First Avenger introduced us to HYDRA. Each of these organizations has shaped the stories and heroes within it. And yes, throughout their histories they’ve been incredibly militarized and ready to partake in any warlike activities at the drop of a hat. Far From Home seemingly introduced, and WandaVision fleshed out the next evolution of the MCU secret organization, with S.W.O.R.D. It’s a space-set protection agency, with deep connections to the Skrulls. While the Skrulls don’t have a locale, their lack of a home planet is deeply connected to their conflict and they are another secretive sect with immense power and abilities.

Next up is the TVA. While they might not seem like as much of an obvious military power as the rest, they are an unknowable organization with a huge amount of power in the multiverse. If Secret Wars does occur in the MCU in Phase 4, it’s likely we’d see the TVA brought in to either protect, attack, or erase certain parts of the multiverse.

At the beginning of this piece we referenced the Ten Rings. While they’re now run by Shang-Chi’s badass sister Xialing, they’ve been in the MCU since Iron Man. That makes them an influential and long-running secret org that could have a big part to play going forward. That’s especially likely now that Xialing has her super crew to help her. But while Wenwu ran them as a solely nefarious organization, we think Xialing might have a little more nuance to her criminal dealings. They may turn up as both allies and antagonists going into the battles to come.

Some Places and People That Might Not Be Canon But Should Be Mentioned

Marvel Studios

While it’s unclear whether the Jeph Loeb era of Marvel TV is canon, those shows did seed multiple secret societies that could come into play. The clearest and most terrible was the Inhumans. The moon-dwelling superfolks are one of the Marvel Universe’s most well known secret societies. We also got to visit K’un-Lun in Iron Fist. Plus, there was the Hand in Daredevil and the Pride on Runaways. Although they may well have been retired from the MCU at this point, we’ve already seen Feige and co. reimagine pieces from these shows like the Darkhold. So don’t feel surprised if when the war begins we get some slightly familiar faces.

Rumors About Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Marvel Comics

As reported by CBR, Production Weekly ran an exciting (unconfirmed) plot description of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Both Wakanda and Atlantis are hidden civilizations with advanced technology and increased militaristic abilities that decided to separate themselves from the rest of the world for their own safety, and in a way, out of fear. Wakanda feared that their technology would be abused. Atlantis feared that surface dwellers would come and desecrate the mythical city just as they did so many years ago. And yet their fears escalate even further when these two once-hidden nations clash with each other. Wakanda and Atlantis have a shockingly intertwined history. Wakanda is the only county in the world with access to vibranium. However, rumors of its power spread throughout the world, and Namor’s human father was sent searching for this rare material in Antarctica…

This fits with the comic history of both places. The inclusion of Namor makes a lot of sense as he’s a common Wakandan ally and antagonist. But it’s the description of both locales as “hidden civilizations with advanced technology and increased militaristic abilities” that is most interesting here. It once again plays into the notion of multiple organized nations ready and able to fight. Both are also secret societies that disconnected from the outside world for years. Those aren’t the only secret locations the MCU hints at, though. The final line of the description hints at another famed hidden community in the Marvel Universe: the Savage Land. Most well known for its connection to the X-Men, the Savage Land is in the Antarctic and known as one of the few places on Earth where you can find Vibranium. And it sounds like we’re headed there.

Jump to:

• Every MCU Secret Society, So Far: Wakanda // Ta-Lo // Kamar-Taj // The Eternals // Mount Wundagore // The Ennead // The Illuminati // The ClanDestine // Omnipotence City // Other MCU Secret Organizations // Non-Canon Possibilities // Black Panther 2 and Atlantis
• How These Secret Societies Point Phase Four of the MCU Toward Secret Wars
• How Secret Wars Could Change the MCU

How These Secret Societies Point Phase Four of the MCU Toward Secret Wars

Marvel Comics

Secret Wars has been in conversation since we really started to see the multiverse in the MCU. The 2015 series took the multiple worlds of Marvel Comics, combining them in the so-called Battleworld. Though it was essentially a way for them to bring the Ultimate Universe, Marvel 2099, and more to the main continuity, it was also an epic line-wide crossover event which pitted the biggest heroes and villains against each other in a battle for multiversal survival. So with the Multiverse headed to the MCU in Phase 4, thinking of Secret Wars only makes sense. But the MCU doesn’t have multiple battling universes to set up Battleworld. Instead the MCU has many secretive societies, nations, and organizations who could easily be pitted against each other as the multiversal madness begins.

What Is Battleworld?

Marvel Comics

In case you haven’t read the awesome nine-issue main series from Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribić—or its many many spinoffs and tie-in books—here’s a primer on Battleworld. It’s essentially one world made up of different universes and storylines. It’s particularly interesting in the MCU because not only can they introduce a battle between all the nations and organizations we’ve mentioned, but it’s also a way to bring in any other Marvel live-action property they want. If they follow Battleworld rules, we could see them bring in multiple versions of the same character. That could be a lot of fun and could satiate fans’ hopes for different universe heroes.

How Secret Wars Could Change the MCU

Sony Pictures

Well, let us count the ways. The first and most obvious is by setting up a huge multiversal battle featuring all the many realms, universes, and heroes we know from the MCU. Then we get to the potential of introducing other heroes from Fox, Sony, and Marvel TV properties. There’s also the matter of mutants. If Secret Wars sees heroes from around the Marvel Universe team up against or with multiversal additions to the MCU, there’s no reason why the MCU can’t introduce the X-Men.

Aside from those broader strokes, there are some direct character beats we can expect. Doctor Doom as God Emperor Doom is the primary antagonist of Secret Wars. He also fits into the recent trend of secret societies and nations with his homeworld of Latveria. With the Fantastic Four headed to the MCU, seeing Doom soon would make a lot of sense. Long Live Latveria!

One of the other resounding takeaways from Secret Wars was the introduction of Ultimate Spider-Man, Miles Morales, to the main Marvel Universe. Fans have been desperate for Miles to arrive in the MCU for years and Secret Wars would be the perfect way to introduce him in Phase 4. Not as a friend of Peter’s or new student. But as a hero in his own right.

The MCU is in a transitional phase, so anything is possible. But our odds are on the blockbuster franchise taking on Secret Wars sooner rather than later. And we are ready! MCU Secret Wars, here we come.

Jump to:

• Every MCU Secret Society, So Far: Wakanda // Ta-Lo // Kamar-Taj // The Eternals // Mount Wundagore // The Ennead // The Illuminati // The ClanDestine // Omnipotence City // Other MCU Secret Organizations // Non-Canon Possibilities // Black Panther 2 and Atlantis
• How These Secret Societies Point Phase Four of the MCU Toward Secret Wars
• How Secret Wars Could Change the MCU

Featured Image: Marvel Comics/Alex Ross

Originally published September 13, 2021.

The post The MCU’s Secret Societies and How Phase 4 Points to SECRET WARS appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s time to return back to Wakanda in more ways than one. Not only are we getting Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in November but incredible new comic material is on its way, too. Marvel announced that a limited series, Wakanda, is coming in October with some well-known writers and artists bringing it to life. It will derive from the recent events of John Ridley’s Black Panther where T’Challa is not welcome in his homeland anymore. 

Each issue will explore what Wakanda is like without T’Challa. And the stories will focus on incredible characters like Shuri who rise to protect their people. Writer Stephanie Williams of Nubia & The Amazons fame and artist Paco Medina will bring the Shuri story to life as she reminds people exactly why she was once the Black Panther. It’s a short saga that Williams cannot wait to share with the world. “I’ve been such a huge fan of the Black Panther over the years, especially the evolution and expansion of the women of Wakanda,” Williams affirms. “It’s truly an honor to kick off the new series with the Shuri story I wrote. I hope I can add to her and Wakanda’s already impressive lore.”

Each Wakanda comic issue will have a “History of the Black Panthers” backup story. They feature writer Evan Narcisse with artwork by Natacha Bustos. According to Marvel, it will give a “definitive overview of all the Wakandans who have held the mantle of the Black Panther,” which is quite exciting. And, there will be a Killmonger issue too, although details aren’t available yet. But more of Shuri—especially with Stephanie Williams penning it—is enough to get us invested into this five-issue run. Wakanda #1 will hit stands on October 12.

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A new series is placing the Marvel Comics pantheon alongside literary classics such as Pride and Prejudice and Oliver Twist. For the first time ever, Penguin Classics is taking on some of Marvel’s most famous characters. The gorgeous editions collect iconic storylines from the heroes and amazing writers introduce each book. Nnedi Okorafor writes the foreword for Black Panther, Gene Luen Yang introduces Captain America, and Jason Reynolds takes on the epic task of doing the same for Spider-Man. It’s an impressive collection of writers who have shaped these characters.

To celebrate the collections, we talked with Elda Rotor (series editor and Penguin Classics publisher) and Ben Saunders (series editor and comics historian). They spoke to us about the project, its origins, its aims, and making comics accessible for everyone.

Nerdist: How did the project come about? It seems overdue. What was the process of bringing Marvel comics to Penguin Classics?

Elda Rotor: Sven Larsen at Marvel reached out and we discussed the publishing program of Penguin Classics and explored the idea of placing early Marvel comics by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and others in the Penguin Classics canon, framed with the question we post to all our titles: what makes a classic? The idea of contextualizing Marvel comics as Penguin Classics was exciting and our intention was to treat these works as we would any other classic, with thoughtful curation of selections, a scholarly introduction, a foreword that explored the timeless and timely quality of the work, and suggestions for further reading.  

Ben Saunders: My understanding is that both publishers thought it made sense to acknowledge the cultural status of such foundational Marvel titles as Lee and Ditko’s Spider-Man, but were considering a variety of possibilities as to the mode of presentation. Sven Larsen of Marvel Publishing was familiar with my work as a comics scholar and suggested my name to Elda Rotor at Penguin as a possible series editor. Elda got in touch and we exchanged several letters and emails about the idea.

I wanted to break from the “completist” model of pre-existing reprint collections and to cherry pick some of the more influential stories from the first few years worth of several key series, and to provide a genuinely scholarly apparatus—just as you would find in a Penguin Classics edition of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens. I also thought we could find some interesting supplementary materials to include in the back of the books.  

The goal was to create collections that would appeal to fans, but would also be useful to teachers trying to figure out how to take a historical approach to the genre—and perhaps even to a younger generation of creators who might be more familiar with recent comics, but not this older “classic” material.

To my delight, Elda liked these ideas, and endorsed this new approach from the beginning—as did Sven at Marvel. It has been great to have such supportive editors and collaborators.

When it came to curating the first three editions how did you come to choose the selected characters and comics?

BS: From the beginning, the focus was to be on “classic” Marvel. That is, material dating from the 1960s and 1970s, which is when the foundations of the modern Marvel Universe were first laid down.  

But with certain characters, such as Captain America, I was able to reach back to the so-called Golden Age. It has always frustrated me as a teacher that I could not find a “one volume” collection that allowed students to read World War II Captain America comics by Simon and Kirby alongside the revived Cap tales of the 1960s by Lee and Kirby—and to compare and contrast the very different versions of this iconic hero. Now we have just such a book. And it even includes the [Jim] Steranko illustrated tales from the late 1960s, too!  

We actually chose six different foundational Marvel titles for this series of books, with a view to releasing them in two groups of three. So the characters in the current volumes are not the only ones represented in the series. There are three more volumes to come. But the goal, as I say, was to provide accessible single volume collections devoted to foundational series from the 1960s (and, in the case of the Panther, the 1970s).  

I can hardly wait for people to see all six volumes, and I hope we get a chance to do six more after that!

Panther’s Rage is such a foundational book. Previously, it had been hard to find reprinted until the last few years. Could you talk a little about its importance and the vital work of Billy Graham?

BS: The Black Panther volume will include not only “Panther’s Rage,” but the iconic origin of the character from the pages of the Fantastic Four by Lee and Kirby.  

Lee and Kirby set out to reverse the cliches of the Tarzan movies and jungle adventure pulps with which they grew up. So, for example, instead of imagining Africa as “primitive” they decided to make it the site of the most technologically advanced nation in the world, Wakanda.  As a result they kind of fell backwards into Afro-futurism! 

But having made this remarkable leap, they perhaps did not fully recognize the potential of their own creative discovery. It would be writer Don McGregor [and artists] Rich Buckler, and Billy Graham—the first Black creator to work on Panther—who began the process of unpacking that legacy by setting the first Black Panther series in Wakanda. In so doing, McGregor, Buckler, and Graham made T’Challa’s relationship to Wakandan history, society, and culture exert central to their narrative. And this is something that almost everyone who has worked on the Black Panther since those days has been similarly compelled to do. It’s there in Priest’s groundbreaking work, and is the main focus of the first year of Coates’s run. But that extensive creative speculation about life in Wakanda really begins with McGregor, Buckler, and Graham. 

You’ve got a really impressive selection of creators to introduce each of the books. Could you talk a little about them?

ER: When we commission contributors for Penguin Classics, we think about what it means to introduce a classic. These forewords are meant to be an invitation to something special and also an opportunity to share, from one reader to another, why the work they are about to read is particularly relevant. I decided to commission YA authors, because like the founding creators of Marvel comics, these authors are greatly influencing and impacting young people’s reading lives. They are introducing themes and characters that may very well be personally canonical in time, much like the superheroes that they celebrate in their forewords.

BS: I still cannot quite believe that my name is appearing along the names of Jason Reynolds, Nnedi Okorafor, and Gene Luen Yang. I admire all of them so much. I mean, American Born Chinese was among the first graphic novels I ever taught.  

What’s wonderful about reading their introductions, though, is realizing that they feel the same way I do about these iconic characters. They write well—and often movingly—about how the comics of their youth inspired them and set them on the path to becoming the creators they are today. And that was my experience too, in a slightly different way. I don’t have their creative talent, but my early encounters with these comics also shaped me, and influenced my life choices. These comics also inspired me to read, to become a professor of literature, and a teacher of the comics form.

It’s just amazing to consider how these comics have shaped the lives of so many different people, have touched us all in similar ways. By writing about those experiences, Jason, Nnedi, and Gene help to demonstrate—if further demonstration is needed—the value of these classic Marvel comics as shared cultural touchstones.

Something that really excites me about these collections is how accessible they make these landmark stories. A big part of that is the low price point. Could you talk about that aspect of creating the books and why it was so important to the collection?

ER: Channeling the founder of Penguin Books, Allen Lane, Penguin Classics is committed to providing readers with the most authoritative, accessible, high-quality editions of the world’s classics. Having the Penguin Classics Marvel Collection available not only in gorgeous gift-worthy hardcover editions, but also in our signature black spine Penguin Classics paperbacks hopefully provides editions that will be appealing and affordable especially to students, and we encourage educators and librarians to use these editions in classrooms, book clubs, and reading groups.

BS: I wasn’t really part of that choice but having seen advance copies I can say I am *stunned* at how good the books look. The low price point has not meant any loss of quality. Iin fact, I think the books look even better than the old Marvel Masterworks, because the paper stock we have used is more suitable for the coloring techniques of these reprints.  

What do you hope the Penguin Classics editions achieve?

BS: Well, the comics themselves have already achieved so much! But I hope that these Penguin Classics editions will introduce a younger generation of readers to the source material for the contemporary franchise that they enjoy. And hope that libraries, schools, and teachers will find them a useful resource here, too.  

These comics are both the templates or Ur-texts for a huge swathe of modern culture AND potential gateways to literacy. If these collections can help these comics to continue to do what they have always done—to inspire readers, to inspire story-tellers, to inspire positive emulation—then their existence is justified.

The Penguin Classics editions of Black Panther, Captain America, and The Amazing Spider-Man hit shelves on June 14. 

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As Marvel Studios moves closer to fully embracing horror for the first time since Blade (1998), you’re going to hear a lot about two horror-adjacent Marvel teams. Midnight Sons debuted in the ’90s and featured some iconic supernatural heroes. Marvel Knights, however, focused on darker superhero stories and later became an unofficial team. Both came from publishing initiatives to focus on Marvel’s edgier characters. That’s the bare bones of what you need to know to get started, and we’re going to dig deep into the details of both Midnight Sons and Marvel Knights below.

Who Are the Midnight Sons?

In the early ’90s, Ghost Rider was on a hot streak. The character got relaunched with a new #1 in 1990 as Danny Ketch, a younger and more contemporary version of the Spirit of Vengeance. As Howard Mackie’s series picked up steam, Marvel took their other supernatural and horror-focused characters along for the ride.

Kicking off in 1992’s Ghost Rider Vol. 3 #28, the Rise of the Midnight Sons crossover event saw Danny Ketch and Johnny Blaze—Marvel’s original Ghost Rider—join forces with seven other heroes. This included Blade, the Nightstalkers (Hannibal King, Frank Drake), the Darkhold Redeemers (Louise Hastings, Victoria Montesi, Sam Buchanan), and Morbius. Doctor Strange gathered these nine supernatural warriors to defeat Lilith, the powerful Mother of Demons, and her evil children known as the Lilin.

Is Midnight Sons a Team?

This group of spooky heroes never formed a true team. They just had more of a team-up. In Ghost Rider Vol. 3 #31, their final crossover issue, Doctor Strange refers to them as the Nine. And on the last page of the issue, a defeated Lilith calls them Midnight Sons. The latter classification fueled Marvel’s supernatural offerings for the next couple of years, with Midnight Sons banners or logos often gracing their horror-themed comics. It was a convenient way to consolidate their edgier characters under an editorial banner increasingly overseen by Bobbie Chase.

This would evolve into the Marvel Edge imprint in the mid ’90s, of which Chase shaped as editor-in-chief. Her edgy fiefdom included Daredevil, Punisher, and Doctor Strange titles too. Characters such as Black Panther and Elektra also received solo stories in the imprint’s Over the Edge anthology series. Although Marvel Edge folded in 1996 as Marvel entered into financial straits, this branding would prove prophetic, paving the way for massive success yet to come.

Who Are the Marvel Knights?

While the name is likely better known than Midnight Sons, Marvel Knights has never been the name of an official team in the Marvel Universe. Most of its brand recognition comes from the fact that it was a publishing banner for darker and more mature Marvel books featuring street-level heroes. The initiative began in the late ’90s as an imprint overseen by former freelancers Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti. Launching with a new Black Panther series spearheaded by Christopher Priest, Marvel Knights was seen as a reinvigoration of the company’s comics and soon landed Quesada Marvel’s editor-in-chief job.

Marvel Knights #1 hit shelves in 2000, featuring an unofficial team led by Daredevil. The crew consisted of an ever-shifting roster including Black Widow, Dagger, Shang-Chi, Luke Cage, and Moon Knight. As most of those characters are now in the MCU, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a version of this team appear. Interestingly, Marvel formed the team in response to the violence of the Punisher. So if the anti-hero appeared in the MCU, that could be a reason for the street-level team-up to happen. Frank Castle really doesn’t fit the MCU’s more wholesome world. However, if he’s played as an antagonist rather than a conflicted hero, it could be a far better fit.

Marvel Knights Had Books, Motion Comics, and Even a Movie Imprint

Like Midnight Sons, Marvel Knights began as a publishing initiative. A number of titles featuring the characters named above, as well as darker takes on characters like Elektra and the Inhumans, used the label. As the line grew, it eventually expanded to Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Captain America, and many more. The success of Marvel Knights inspired the publisher to take their edgier stories even further, creating the MAX imprint for mature readers in 2001.

But Marvel Knights had another life outside of comics. If you’ve ever watched the lesser known Marvel Studios movies like Punisher: War Zone and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, you’ll have seen the name used as an opening ident. Around the same time, Marvel began releasing motion comics as “animation” DVDs under the Marvel Knights name. While neither branding stuck, it seems like Marvel might have interest in bringing it back. With the addition of the Marvel Netflix shows—which are decidedly un-PG-13—to Disney+, the company will need a new banner for their more mature fare. And Marvel Knights would make a lot of sense.

Could We See Midnight Sons and Marvel Knights in the MCU?

As often happens in superhero comics, the lore of the Midnight Sons expanded over the past 30 years. Most recently the 2018 Damnation event forged a new team-up. Wong and Bats—the ghost of Doctor Strange’s dog—gathered Blade, Doctor Voodoo, Elsa Bloodstone, Iron Fist, Man-Thing, Mr. Knight, and Scarlet Spider. They battled a demonic Stephen Strange. And it doesn’t stop there. Marvel will soon release a highly anticipated video game developed by Firaxis Games. While the tactical RPG uses the homonym Midnight Suns, it looks to bring the supernatural shenanigans of the darker Marvel characters to the AAA game space.

Meanwhile, the Marvel Knights branding lies dormant except for a 2018 miniseries. But for how long? With nearly 25 years under its belt, the name recognition and nostalgia is high for this once dominant initiative. Could Moon Knight possibly mean that Marvel Knights will find new life in the MCU? Incorporating the Marvel Netflix series into a new Disney+ segment alongside Moon Knight seems like a no-brainer for a Marvel Knights rebrand.

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Did Peter, MJ, and Ned Get into MIT?

Let’s start at the beginning. We learn Peter, MJ, and Ned have all applied to the same three colleges. MIT is their collective first choice. But in the wake of the Spider-Man controversy and Peter’s unmasking, none of them get in. If that was all we got of MIT we could argue this might be a coincidence, but the rejection is the inciting incident of the film. It’s what causes Peter to go to Doctor Strange and ask for his help. After botching the spell, Strange is infuriated to realize that Peter didn’t even plead his case to MIT. It’s a really good point and Peter sets out to find the MIT Assistant Vice Chancellor (Paula Newsome) to get Ned and MJ a second chance. He saves her from Doc Ock on the bridge and she promises to put in a good word for all of them.

Of course, as the film ends no one remembers Peter Parker, let alone the MIT Assistant Vice Chancellor. But when Peter visits MJ at her coffee shop hoping to tell her what happened, he sees that she and Ned did indeed get into MIT. Not only that but they’re both happy, safe, and oblivious to Spider-Man and the chaos they recently escaped. So, naturally, he leaves them be. It’s a heartbreaking moment that puts the three previously inseparable friends on different paths. And they’re not the only ones who got into MIT as Flash Thompson will be joining them.

Why Is MIT Important to the Future of the MCU?

So why does MIT matter? Well, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had the rare privilege of being able to shoot on the MIT campus. Although many films have been set there, the university rarely approves productions to actually shoot on location. But MIT released a statement that said they believed there was true value in having the film represent MIT. And that makes a lot of sense. The first Black Panther film was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. So why would they be shooting at MIT at all? Well the most obvious answer comes from the fact that we now know that Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) will debut in the film. In the comics, she’s a student at MIT and that’s where she designs her Ironheart suit. We also know she’ll have her own show; it’s likely that MIT will play a key role there too.

It would be very easy to connect Shuri’s role at the end of Black Panther—sharing the resources of Wakanda with Oakland and the world—to her potentially ending up as a professor at MIT. We also know that Erik Killmonger was an MIT alumnus, so the connections are there. It could also simply be that Wakanda needs Riri and her intelligence. Either way, we cannot wait to see how this all plays out. And, of course, in light of Spider-Man: No Way Home, it seems even more vital. So don’t count out meeting Newsome’s Assistant Vice Chancellor again soon…

How Could No Way Home Connect to Black Panther 2 and Ironheart?

The obvious answer is that we could see Ned and MJ attend MIT alongside Riri. It would be a really smart way for the two fan faves to stay in the franchise even without their connection to Peter. We now know Ned has magical powers and MJ is a force to be reckoned with. Plus, it could add a lot of emotional heft to have MJ and Ned becoming close with people who also once loved and worked alongside Peter. We don’t know where Black Panther 2 or Ironheart will fit into the timeline, but we know that Ned and MJ will be heading to MIT soon. So this really feels like it could lead to big things for both of Peter’s besties. Also, wouldn’t it be cool to watch MJ working alongside Riri and maybe even Shuri? We would love to see it!

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Although Marvel is now one of the most famous brands in the world, there’s a whole generation who only knows these characters from the movies. But what if you want to explore their comic book origins, where do you start? Well, it’s always best to start at the beginning. And thanks to publisher Penguin Random House, these early stories of Marvel’s iconic heroes will be available to fans at a reasonable price.

Three collections are coming from this Penguin Classics/ Marvel Comics collaboration. They feature Spider-Man, Captain America, and Black Panther. All three collect formative stories from each hero’s earliest years. All three collections come in hardcover ($50.00) and softcover ($28.00) editions. Arriving in 2022, you can pre-order each of these by clicking on this link.

The Amazing Spider-Man 

Penguin / Marvel Comics

Although it’s unknown exactly which issues these collections contain, their official descriptions give some hints. It looks like Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s first Spidey story from Amazing Fantasy #15, but also the marriage of Doc Ock and Aunt May. They also hinted at early appearances from Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy for this twelve-story collection. It also features a foreword by author Jason Reynolds.

Captain America

Penguin / Marvel Comics

For Cap, the cover suggests we’ll get a reprint of Cap’s first WWII era comics, from Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. But it will also collect Captain America (1968) #187-205, Annual #3, and Marvel Treasury Special: Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles. A foreword by Gene Luen Yang offers insight into the enduring significance of Steve Rogers.

Black Panther

Penguin / Marvel Comics

The Black Panther anthology includes T’Challa’s 1966 origin tale. It also includes all of the critically acclaimed “Panther’s Rage” storyline from his 1970s series. It features a foreword by Nnedi Okorafor, a scholarly introduction by Qiana J. Whitted, and a general series introduction by Ben Saunders offers further thought into the enduring significance of Black Panther.

Each classic Marvel Comics deluxe hardcover edition features gold foil stamping and gold top stain edges. Also, special endpapers with artwork spotlighting series villains, and full-color art throughout. Each book arrives in June 2022.

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Just when you thought that the Mad Titan was gone… he’s back. And while Thanos’ return in this week’s episode of Marvel’s What If…? on Disney+ might surprise MCU fans, it won’t be a shock to avid comic book readers. Resurrection, return, and rebirth are all key parts of Thanos’ comic book backstory. And this awesome episode introduces us to our third MCU iteration of the Mad Titan. But this time he’s a lot more chill and a lot less mad thanks to the intervention of T’Challa. The new Star-Lord had a chat with Thanos that set him on a more magnanimous path. But it’s not only a cool character beat in this episode—it could set up the future of Thanos in the MCU.

Looking at Thanos’ Past to Understand His Future

Marvel Comics/Ron Lin & Al Milgrom

Thanos in the MCU is relatively simple. He wants to kill half of the population because he’s a weird eco fascist. But in the comics, he’s far more esoteric and complex. Jim Starlin’s riff on Darkseid was originally obsessed with the Cosmic Cube and defeating the Avengers. But Death herself brought him back to life, and he professed a deep and undying devotion to the deity. He gathered the Infinity Gems to gain the power to be worthy of her love, and decided to snap his fingers and erase half of the universe in tribute to her.

Sadly though, Death spurned the lovelorn Titan and he found himself conflicted. After losing the Infinity Gems, he settled into his massive home/laboratory hidden on a remote farm. Since then, Thanos’ adventures have ranged from familial to intergalactic. He’s cloned himself many times over and fought to exterminate the duplicates. He’s ended the entire Marvel Universe and rebirthed it. Witnessed himself become a raging cosmic entity in the far flung future and even experienced Death’s loving kiss at long last. And there’s even another side to the character that might be the most unexpected of all…

Thanos Was a Good Guy?!

Marvel Comics/Ron Lim

In one of this episode’s most powerful examples of how T’Challa changed the universe, we see a whole new version of MCU Thanos. Not only is he a new man who is totally over the concept of genocide (almost), but he never killed Drax’s family and perhaps most surprisingly is a member of the loose Ravagers and Guardians crew. But that’s not unprecedented. In fact, during the Infinity War miniseries, Thanos actually fought alongside Marvel’s most famous heroes. They’re trying to defeat the evil side of Adam Warlock’s soul known as the Magus. It’s all very comic book-y. So while seeing the Mad Titan turn over a new leaf here might seem shocking, it’s actually par for the course for the purple-faced villain. Could it stick? Let’s think about it…

How Could We See This Come Into Play in the MCU?

Marvel Comics

As we’ve mentioned before, What If…? is canon. That means there’s a universe in the MCU where Thanos never killed half the population and is fighting alongside T’Challa and other heroes. While it’s not yet confirmed, it seems like What If…? could translate to the live-action MCU. And with Thanos being one of the most well known characters in the MCU, it’s likely that we’ll see him again. In another franchise it might be hard to imagine how you can bring a character back from two deaths. But, as we know, Thanos is all about reincarnation. Plus, audiences have already seen and accepted three different iterations of the villain now, so why not another one, or two, or three… thousand.

In that case, introducing him as an ally rather than an antagonist makes a lot of sense. It’s familiar yet different, and would highlight just how dangerous whoever the new big bad will be. Imagine how terrible things must be if you have to reach out to a different universe’s Thanos in order to save the world? Kang does seem like a potentially world-shattering villain that will drive the heroes to despair, so maybe that’s why we’d see a good Thanos appear? In the comics, Thanos is often driven by selfish intentions even when he’s doing something that appears good. So perhaps he’s doing it to save his universe where he rules? Or one where he’s finally made Death love him? So much potential! After all what is What If…? if not fan theories persevering.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios

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Ever since the events of Loki we’ve been wondering if What If…? might have a larger impact on the future of the MCU. With the first two episodes out in the world, we know we were probably right. Last week it was the inclusion of Shuma-Gorath, and this week it’s T’Challa and his cosmic adventures. So why does Wakanda’s space connection matter? And what does T’Challa’s journey tell us about how Wakanda could play into Secret Invasion?

The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda

Marvel Comics, Daniel Acuña

During this exceedingly fun episode of What If…? we see T’Challa in a new role. Here he’s Star Lord, a cosmic adventurer with two families. Not only is he the son of the king of Wakanda, but he’s raised by Yondu in the wilds of space too. This is incredibly cool and enjoyable throughout but is most important to our theory as the episode ends. After being reunited with his Wakandan family we see the Ravagers join them for a huge feast. It’s the beginning of what seems like it could be a fruitful relationship for the secretive nation, hinting at a future of space exploration that was recently explored in the comics.

During Black Panther Vol. 7 written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and featuring artists including Daniel Acuña, Jen Bartel, and Kevin Walker, we were introduced to the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. The basic idea is that T’Challa sends an Alpha Flight team into space on a mission. Yes, that’s very exciting as that’s a mutant connection, but it’s not our main focus here. They’re out there looking for the origin of Mena Ngai, the asteroid which introduced Vibranium to the nation. The team ends up creating a space settlement named after Wakanda. Over the next 2000 years, it becomes a massive power in the cosmos, spanning galaxies. While we don’t expect to see that directly adapted here, it does set a precedent for Wakanda in space. That’ll come into play after we delve into Wakanda’s role in the Secret Invasion comics.

Wakanda During Secret Invasion

Marvel Comics

Whatever happens with the future of Wakanda in the MCU, it’s likely it’ll become a key player in the Secret Invasion series. Why? Well, it’s the only major location in the Marvel Universe that wasn’t invaded by Skrulls. During the Secret Invasion comic book event, Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo’s Black Panther #39-#41 showcased what happens when you try to invade Wakanda. The arc called “See Wakanda and Die” focuses on the Skrulls trying to implement their invasion after “successfully” putting Skrulls into every level of Wakandan society. But when they arrive they discover all their envoys have been killed, heads mounted on spikes as a warning to any other potential conquerors. It’s a radical issue that establishes Wakanda as one of the very few safe places during the shapeshifting alien invasion. And that’s not all…

What If…? the Skrulls Won

Marvel Comics, Lenil Yu

It’s not only in that arc that Wakanda is proven as a place the Skrulls cannot infiltrate. In What If? Secret Invasion #1, we visit a world where the Skrulls’ Secret Invasion actually worked. And while the rest of Earth is being transformed into Skrulls under Skrull rule, Wakanda is the last human stronghold and the base of the heroes trying to stop them. So basically Wakanda has a big role to play in Secret Invasion no matter the outcome. But we’re guessing the heroes are going to win… spoiler alert.

So How Could This Impact the Secret Invasion MCU Series?

Marvel Studios

Now that we know What If…? is canon, it’s hard not to think about episode two in the context of what it could all mean. Seeing as we end this episode with Wakanda making a connection to space exploration, we’re thinking that we might see a world where Wakanda makes a space colony just like the comics. But with Secret Invasion on the way and Phase Four so clearly focused on space travel and exploration, we think that it might take on an interesting place in the context of Secret Invasion. If Wakanda does create a space settlement, it could become a cosmic stronghold that the Skrulls can’t infiltrate. It would make a lot of sense as we know that S.W.O.R.D. has a base in space and that Monica Rambeau was headed up there. So now with the multiverse unleashed it’s likely we could see Wakanda do the same.

Seeing as the nation of Wakanda is more public in the MCU than in the comics, a secret space base would be far harder for the Skrulls to infiltrate. And it would allow this radical bit of Secret Invasion canon to be put to screen in the show. Plus, Nick Fury teaming up with the Wakandans in space is just far too good an opportunity for the MCU to miss. While this is all speculation, What If…? introducing a cosmic connection to Wakanda seems intentional. With Secret Invasion happening the heroes are going to need somewhere to hide, so why not Wakanda? And why not the Intergalactic Empire that’s likely going to exist post What If…?

What If…? episode two is on Disney+ now.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios

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What If…? episode two is here and, if you can believe it, this episode of the Disney+ Marvel series was even better than the first. This time the new universe centers around T’Challa. Here, though, he isn’t a king of Wakanda… at least not in name. Instead, he’s taken on a new mantle. This hopeful romp through the cosmos gave us some awesome action and a ton of great Easter eggs. So let’s go, space cowboys!

A New Guardian of the Galaxy

Marvel Studios

Let’s begin with this episode’s core concept: what if Yondu and the Ravagers kidnapped T’Challa instead of Peter Quill? It’s an interesting reimagining of the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy and one that has huge implications for the universe. Those implications can be simply summarized: if T’Challa becomes Star-Lord, the universe is a much better place.

Star-Lord!

One of the biggest changes is that T’Challa is actually well known and loved. We get a great callback to Guardians of the Galaxy that proves as much early on. As T’Challa recreates Peter Quill’s famed opening heist, Korath discovers him. When Peter declares he’s Star-Lord in the movie, Korath is baffled. Here, he’s excited. In fact, he’s Star-Lord’s biggest fan. It’s a fun way of introducing the new status quo while paying homage to Quill.

“Are you sure you cannot fly or shoot lasers out of your eyes?”

Warner Bros.

How often do we get a DC Comics reference in a Marvel project? Not that often, so this one stands out. When the Ravagers pick up T’Challa they think he’s Ego the Living Planet’s son. They’re quite surprised when he has no powers. But this question about flying and shooting lasers from his eyes is clearly a nice little nod to Superman. And it’s not unintentional because in this universe T’Challa is essentially an adopted alien baby, who becomes a prodigal son, and makes the world a better place—a la Superman.

The Slightly Less Mad Titan

Speaking of the power of T’Challa, one of the biggest reveals of this episode is Thanos. T’Challa talked the Mad Titan out of his genocidal mania. This makes sense in the context of the MCU as we know that Quill was the reason the Avengers didn’t get the Gauntlet in Infinity War. So in a world where Quill never became Star-Lord, we get peace. And even funnier than that, we get to see Thanos as a member of Yondu and T’Challa’s Ravager/Guardians.

The Boot of Jemiah

Marvel Studios

Correct us if we’re wrong, but it seems like, when we join the Ravagers in the bar, they’re in the Boot of Jemiah. You might remember the bar as the place where we first met Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1. In this universe, it seems like Drax still works there. He too is a big fan of Star-Lord, though Drax is apparently not a Guardian.

We also see more of T’Challa’s impact here. Not only is Drax not a Guardian, but his family is still alive because Thanos never killed them. Why? Well, that would be because T’Challa turned Thanos good! Love this for him.

Nebula’s Back, Baby

Another returning character we see is Nebula. But seeing as her dad has turned good, she’s looking far happier and more glamorous. She, like everyone else, has a deep connection to T’Challa. The pair are close friends and often partner up on missions.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

We got a funny and unexpected little period nod here. Yondu references T’Challa’s love of Robin Hood, but calls him Robin Leach. Leach was the host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. It seems like a relevant gag as we’re about to meet a very fancy man and his very fancy house of fancy things…

The Embers of Genesis

Marvel Comics

So what are the new Guardians looking for? That would be the Embers of Genesis. While there’s no comic book basis for them that we know of, they do remind us of something. When we see the Embers used later in the episode, they speed up the growth of one of the Black Order. So we think that it’s a shattered Time Stone. Not only is it green, but when it hits its target here, the target blooms, growing exponentially. In 1990s comic The Thanos Quest, Thanos collects the Time Gem from the cosmic elder known as the Gardener. The being used it to create an immense and everblooming garden, and even attempts to grow vines to strangle Thanos. Seems like proof and a cool comics Easter egg to us!

The Collector and His Collection

Just like in the original version, our heroes come up against the Collector. Where else would you find something as mysterious as the Embers of Genesis. But here he’s more of a tyrant, which means he has even more cool stuff in his collection. Two big things that we caught are Cosmo the Spacedog and Malekith. The first is the real life USSR dog astronaut who showed up in the Collector’s museum in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 and has even been a Guardian in the comics. He’s also now in the Guardians ride at Disneyland! Secondly, Malekith is the powerful Dark Elf from Thor: The Dark World. Basically, the collector has been collecting, baby.

An Unexpected Team Up

Marvel Studios

Folding in one of the MCU’s favorite Easter eggs, Howard the Duck, into the wider story was a masterstroke. Here T’Challa asks the duck for directions. Howard gives him an Easter egg-filled answer referencing the Frost Giants before T’Challa frees him. The smart mouth bird plays a key part here which will make old school Marvel movie fans happy.

Sitting on the (Collector’s) Docking Bay

As T’Challa attempts to escape, we venture into the Collector’s aircraft hanger. It’s filled with some really cool ships that reference a bunch of our favorite MCU movies. We think that in the blink and you’ll miss it scene we saw: Peter Quill’s ship, the Milano, from Guardians of the Galaxy, the Grandmaster’s party ship from Thor: Ragnarok, the glass globe that looks like the ship Rocket and Groot used in Guardians Vol. 2, and a spiky star ship that looks like a lot like the Nova Corps ships we see in the first Guardians film.

Korg’s Arm and Other Strange Weapons

Marvel Studios

As T’Challa faces down the Collector, we meet a very unexpected weapon: Korg’s arm. And that’s not the only weird and familiar weapon we see this episode. The Collector is ready to fight, which leads him to wield a few awesomely powerful artifacts. There’s a dagger forged in Dark Matter. That comes from the leader of the Dark Elves, Malekith, who we saw earlier. Next up is Hela’s Helmet and her powerful Necrosword. It’s a badass little display, but of course it’s no match for our powerful Wakandan hero.

Some Other Interesting Artifacts

As the fight heats up we see a vault that includes some massive MCU Easter eggs. Not only do we see Captain America’s shield, but the box also includes Thor’s hammer Mjölnir and what looks like Loki’s horned helmet underneath. It raises a few key questions. Without Thanos raiding the galaxy for Infinity Stones, did the Avengers ever even exist? And if not, how did the Collector find these artifacts? He could have sourced Cap’s shield even if Cap was never thawed, but Loki and Thor are far more intriguing.

“Not crazy. Mad.”

Marvel Studios

As Thanos runs back to fight the Black Order members who now serve Tivan, Nebula calls him crazy. “Not crazy. Mad,” he replies. That’s a nice little nod to his other alias, the Mad Titan. But here he’s more like the Heroic Titan thanks to T’Challa’s influence.

Daddy Issues

As the episode ends, we meet Peter Quill. He never got kidnapped by Yondu and he’s working at Dairy Queen. First of all, this is a nod to the beginning of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. There we saw Ego take Peter’s mom Meredith to the Dairy Queen, where he apparently buried a piece of his essence. Here, instead, we see him hunting down Peter, likely to kill him. As the Watcher says, this might cause the end of the universe ,but that’s a story for another day. That could well be an episode we get in a potential second season. It also means that there’s a canon universe where Peter Quill died.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios

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As the MCU dives into its multiverse with the upcoming What If… Disney+ show, Marvel also continues to expand its world in our timeline. Recently, Square Enix announced that Marvel’s Avengers Expansion: Black Panther – War for Wakanda will release on August 17. This free update will bring with it a new hero, the Black Panther, and other gameplay additions, including, of course, a new story.

To get fans excited, Marvel released an animated short that tells the story of T’Challa, the Black Panther, and his sister, Shuri.

In the trailer, narrated by Okoye, T’Challa’s fierce guard and close confidant, viewers meet “the children of T’Chaka.” Though the short touches on ideas important to gameplay, such as Klaw’s villainous ways and the tense nature of Wakanda’s relationship with the Avengers, it mostly introduces T’Challa and Shuri as characters.

This sibling relationship has been an important one across the Marvel Universe. While the MCU has shown the pair to be friends and allies, the comics tell a more contentious story. War for Wakanda‘s incarnation of the duo hints at both visions. Okoye reveals that T’Chaka’s death left T’Challa more withdrawn and haunted. Meanwhile, the brilliant Shuri is laughing and social in a crowd, positioning the characters as opposites. Okoye even pauses to wonder what Wakanda would be like if Shuri had taken the crown, while Shuri and T’Challa argue in the background.

Marvel

But ultimately, Okoye concludes, setting up a narrative arc for this expansion, “The children of T’Chaka will have to work together.”

Players excited for new content should tune into Marvel’s Avengers WAR TABLE for WAKANDA on August 16. This presentation will offer an even deeper dive into Wakanda, T’Challa, and everything else this expansion holds.

Featured Image: Marvel

Rotem Rusak is the East Coast News Editor for Nerdist. Her bylines have appeared in The Mary Sue, Screen Rant, Bam Smack Pow, and more. 

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Beasts Made of Night writer Tochi Onyebuchi will write the comic. And Bunheads illustrator Setor Fiadzigbey will illustrate. The comic series will explore “the moments that made T’Challa who he is, using both familiar elements of the character’s origin and exploring never-before-seen corners of the story and the character.”

Marvel Comics

“Black Panther Legends is a deeply personal book, and I was given the opportunity to situate T’Challa and his family in a specific political and social context,” said Onyebuchi when speaking to SYFY Wire.

Onyebuchi continued, “There’s some really cool stuff in here, but it’s also a book about a family at a very particular time on the African continent. And I’m super grateful to Marvel for giving me the freedom to explore that and to ask, through his character, some very knotty questions about responsibility.”

Further details reveal that the series will feature not one Wakandan prince, but two! Black Panther Legends will look at T’Challa’s childhood and the life of his adoptive older brother, Hunter. The story will definitely contend with sibling rivalry. Young T’Challa is already destined to lead Wakanda, while his older brother must figure out his own place in the world. 

And for those Storm fans out there, fear not. The comics promise to tell the story of the future Wakandan King’s first encounter with Ororo Munroe. And yes, you’ll even see a little Fantastic Four in there as well! 

The publisher has yet to reveal which other heroes it has lined up for their new kids series. But with Black Panther, they are off to a fantastic start.

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Between the upcoming Black Widow, as well as 2019’s Captain Marvel, the MCU is fully embracing the prequel concept. In a Black Widow press conference (via Slashfilm), Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige said “The notion of exploring the past, present, and future of the MCU is certainly in the cards for all of our characters.”

Essentially, between the movies and the series coming soon on Disney+, we could see more MCU prequels in the future. Of course, we have some ideas of which characters deserve a spotlight on their backstories. And here are a few we hope make the cut.

Captain America and the Invaders

Marvel

Rumors swirled earlier this year that Chris Evans was coming back to the MCU in some capacity. But unless it’s under old-age makeup as “Grandpa Steve,” we don’t see how he can be in the present MCU. Many of his adventures in World War II are still untold, however. We’d love for a Captain America prequel, set in that era that defined him.

Instead of going solo, we think a Cap prequel should show him going on a special mission with the classic Marvel Comics WWII team, the Invaders. The original Human Torch (who was teased in The First Avenger) and Namor, the Sub-Mariner had roles in this group.  Imagine Cap, Bucky, and these guys punching Nazis left and right. You know you want to see it.

Tales of Asgard

Marvel

They might not look it, but Thor and Loki are old. Like, thousands of years old. After all, they inspired all those Norse myths. Back in the ’60s, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby had a series of backup features in Thor called The Tales of Asgard. A new version of this might be a perfect way to tell stories of our favorite Asgardian characters’ youths.

In a live-action Tales of Asgard, we could see the teenage Odinsons, getting into all kinds of trouble in the Nine Realms. And if they’re teens, we shouldn’t see any backlash at recasting such iconic roles. Although it would be fun to get Hemsworth and Hiddleston back for part of it. Maybe for a story set in something closer to the modern-day? This could be a film, but might be even more suited for a series on Disney+.

Captain Mar-Vell

Marvel

In the comics, the original heroic Captain Marvel was the Kree warrior Mar-Vell. And, he was a dude. But the MCU reimagined Mar-Vell as a woman, played by Annette Bening. In the backstory given in Captain Marvel, the Kree sent her to Earth as an emissary, but then she ultimately turned against her own people. She took on the human name of Dr. Wendy Lawson. In the comics, the male version of Mar-Vell took on the human identity of Dr. Walter Lawson.

Much like her comics counterpart, she likely lived on Earth for decades before her death in 1989. It would be fascinating to explore her life and career, perhaps working in secret as the heroic Captain Marvel, long before Carol Danvers ever did. Also, in the comics, the Young Avenger named Hulkling was the child of Mar-Vell and a Kree Princess. A Mar-Vell project could give us the origin story for one of the few Young Avengers not yet teased in the MCU.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 

Marvel Studios / Marvel Comics

The MCU’s current Ant-Man and Wasp are Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne. But we know that in the past, Dr. Hank Pym and his wife Janet were the original Ant-Man and the Wasp. And in the ’80s, they both went on secret missions for S.H.I.E.L.D. One where Janet disappeared into the Quantum Realm for decades. Since both Hank and Janet have long and storied careers as heroes in the comics, we’d love to see these adventures explored in some form. Much like Tales of Asgard, a young Hank and Janet series on Disney+ would be ideal.

Black Panther: The Adventures of T’Chaka 

Marvel Studios 

Many Black Panthers came before T’Challa—a long line of Wakandan Kings, going back thousands of years. A Disney+ series or  a movie exploring these different Black Panthers throughout the centuries would be amazing. And we’d start with T’Challa’s immediate predecessor, his father T’Chaka. Imagine a movie set in the 1970s, with a young King having adventures outside of Wakanda for the first time. Something that’s a cross between all the great Black action films of that era and an MCU superhero movie. We think this would be an instant hit.

The Rampaging Hulk

Marvel Studios 

The MCU’s Hulk has been a cornerstone Avenger since day one. But the films have never fully explored his backstory. The Edward Norton Incredible Hulk showed us how Bruce Banner became an irradiated monster in brief flashbacks in the opening credits. But we didn’t see much. With She-Hulk getting a series on Disney+, maybe her famous cousin should be next. Mark Ruffalo couldn’t really play a young Banner anymore. But at this point, we’ve had three actors play the character in less than twenty years. What’s one more?

Featured Image: Marvel

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Not too long ago, we learned that Marvel was developing a Wakanda-based series for Disney+, with Ryan Coogler producing. But that’s not the only Black Panther spinoff series coming to the streamer. Via a profile on showbiz “Power Lawyers” in The Hollywood Reporter, we’ve discovered that Danai Gurira is not only returning for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but is also getting her own Okoye spin-off origin series for Disney+. As Okoye was easily one of the most popular characters in the whole MCU, this is richly deserved.

So what do we know about this Okoye series? Well, right now, not much. Only that it’s far enough in development to have already secured Dunai Gurira’s return. Of course, due to her years on The Walking Dead as Michonne, we all know we’re in for a treat. One imagines we will see the rest of the Black Panther’s royal guard, the Dora Milajae, in some form on the Okoye series.

Marvel Studios

In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Dora member Ayo also impressed viewers. So here’s hoping she’s a guest star at least. Of course, there is also the romance between Okoye and Daniel Kaluuya‘s W’Kabi to explore. He will almost certainly appear as well. If it ends up as a flashback series, then perhaps King T’Chaka too? Okoye served him long before T’Challa. Her friendship with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) is also something we hope to see more of.

Okoye debuted in the Marvel Knights Black Panther series in 1998. Aspects of her backstory which may appear include Okoye helping to recruit Queen Divine Justice into the Dora. Divine Justice, the actual queen of the Jabari tribe of Wakanda, grew up in Chicago. She would be another great character to see in an Okoye series. In the comics, Okoye also has a brief flirtation with Kasper Cole, the White Tiger. Any of these aspects of her past are worthy storylines. When it comes to the captain of the Dora Milaje, the possibilities are endless.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios

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Marvel Studios shows no hesitation in rolling out its own red carpet. Ahead of its return to theaters by way of the long-awaited Black Widow, Marvel has dropped a new promotional video. And this three-minute ad dives headfirst into the sentimentality of the occasion. The video begins with the words of Stan Lee lain over misty-eyed moments of the past 10 years of Avenging. But then comes the real meat: the yet-to-come. Marvel shows off teases of its big Phase 4 entries before revealing the titles for some eagerly anticipated upcoming movies.

Promising new looks at Black Widow and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings show off the expected high-flying action. Black Widow will mark the MCU’s first new movie since 2019; Natasha’s years-in-the-making flick will hit theaters and Disney+ concurrently on July 9. Later this year, we’ll get Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings; though release strategy remains TBD, we know we’ll be seeing the film on September 3.

The video’s peek at Eternals may be quick, but manages an air of wonderment. (You can take your first look at Chloe Zhao’s forthcoming film right around the 2:20 mark.) Given the Nomadland director’s recent victories at the Oscars, this should be one of Marvel’s hottest new properties. Eternals will be 2021’s third (and not even final!) Marvel release, coming out on November 5. On its tail, we’ll get Spider-Man: No Way Home on December 17; no footage for that one yet.

Marvel Studios

Frankly, the biggest moments in the video don’t take the form of footage, but of simple text. The back half of the ad shows off the erstwhile unknown titles for the sequels of Black Panther and Captain Marvel. The former—whose mention is especially evocative given the world’s loss of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman—dons the subtitle Wakanda Forever, and will release on July 8, 2022. Captain Marvel’s follow-up appears to go simply by The Marvels (intriguing), and will come out on November 11, 2022. And then, of course, there’s the briefest of tease for Jon Watts’ upcoming Fantastic Four film. Marvel has yet to reveal just about anything from the upcoming film, from cast to release date, but even the blink and you’ll miss it flash of the logo is enough to have fans hyped. (And speculating as to how exactly the quartet will make their MCU entrance.)

Find the rest of Marvel’s Phase 4 titles and release dates below:

Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness — March 25, 2022

Thor: Love and Thunder — May 6, 2022

Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — February 17, 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 — May 5, 2023

The post Marvel Reveals ETERNALS Look, BLACK PANTHER 2 and CAPTAIN MARVEL 2 Titles appeared first on Nerdist.

Warner Bros.

Wings (1927)

Director William A. Wellman spent months figuring out how to shoot realistic air-combat sequences featuring Thomas-Morse MB-3s. An airborne camera system was developed by 2d Lt. Clarence S. “Bill” Irvine. He also choreographed the dogfights and flew one of the planes. The resulting footage is still stunning nearly 100 years later. 

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

Although most of his films were released before the creation of the Oscars, silent comedian Buster Keaton was known for his athleticism and jaw-dropping stunt work. I dare you to watch an entire house fall on Buster and tell me he didn’t deserve an Oscar for not flinching!

Stagecoach (1939)

Yakima Canutt’s work in Westerns is unparalleled. His drop from the titular vehicle is harrowing to watch. This iconic move inspired a similar moment in Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. Canutt received an Honorary Oscar in 1967.

The Black Swan (1942)

Swashbuckling has mostly gone out of favor, but you can still see its reverberations in a Star War occasionally. We must shout out to Errol Flynn, but for me the ultimate swashbuckler is Tyrone Power. His fights in this and The Mark of Zorro remain unparalleled. 

Seven Samurai (1954)

There’s no fight choreography without Akira Kurosawa’s samurai films. Thrilling in their own right, their influence on the films that came after them is undeniable. Also, no one had the charisma even in the midst of a brawl like Toshiro Mifune.

Ben-Hur (1959)

While William Wyler won best director, the chariot sequence was actually co-directed by Andrew Marton and Yakima Canutt, with Sergio Leone assisting. An inspiration for the pod-racer sequence in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, this sequence took a year to plan, five weeks to shoot, and utilized 78 horses.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Although I love the many scenes with Peter O’Toole riding a camel, the attack on Aqaba sequence remains the film’s action standout. You can feel this scene’s influence on pretty much every battle sequence going forward through cinema history.

The French Connection (1971)

While the car chase in Bullitt is also nifty, its complete disregard for San Francisco geography disqualifies it for me. Thus, I present The French Connection, in which Popeye (Gene Hackman) commandeers a 1971 Pontiac LeMans to chase an elevated train. Filmed on location in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, this scene remains as nerve-racking to watch now as it ever was. 

Enter the Dragon (1973)

Bruce Lee’s final film before his untimely death at 32, Enter the Dragon uniquely combined elements of spy films with blaxploitation, and catapulted martial arts into the mainstream. To put it simply, to watch Lee fight is to watch a master at work.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

With a boulder, a whip, and a killer fedora, Steven Spielberg brought adventure films to a new generation and introduced audiences to the iconic Indiana Jones. While real-life archaeologists may gripe at the inaccurate portrayal of the profession (hi, dad), I don’t know anyone who isn’t entertained and impressed by Indy’s stunt-filled antics. 

Police Story (1985)

There is no one quite like Jackie Chan, a comedic performer who combines slapstick acrobatic fighting with innovative stunts. Police Story and its sequels best showcase the breadth of his talent. After over 200 movies and breaking many bones, Chan received an Honorary Oscar in 2016 for his contributions to cinema.

GoldenEye (1995)

In the pantheon of wild and crazy James Bond stunts, nothing stops my breath quite like when he bungee jumps from the Contra Dam in Switzerland. This wondrous feat, by stuntman Wayne Michaels, set a world record at the time.

The Matrix (1999)

The ’90s really belonged to Keanu Reeves. The man started the decade jumping of a plane with no parachute in Point Break. Then he boarded a bus going 50 miles an hour by jumping out of a Jaguar convertible in Speed. This supremacy concluded as he learned kung-fu via computer, warped time to dodge bullets, and saved Morpheus from a high-rise by leaping out of a helicopter. All hail. 

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)

Zhang Ziyi is an invincible sword goddess. She dominates and decimates an entire teahouse full of idiots, fights Chow Yun-fat atop a bunch of trees, and faces off with certified badass in her own right Michelle Yeoh. 

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Speaking of badass women, it’s been 20 years since Angelia Jolie was Lara Croft: Tomb Raider! Another ass-kicking archaeologist, Jolie dons some truly aspirational short-shorts and combat boots, as she fights everything from random commandos to robots to the Illuminati. 

Death Proof (2007)

Zoë Bell, who had worked as Uma Thurman’s stunt double in the Kill Bill franchise, plays a version of herself in Tarantino’s ode to grindhouse cinema. Few sequences are as anxiety inducing as when Kurt Russell terrorizes Bell she hangs from the front of a 1970 Dodge Challenger. 

Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Tom Cruise’s absolutely bonkers stunts continue to impress both audiences and auteur filmmakers alike. I will never forget seeing this stunt in IMAX and frankly I’m still filled with anxiety from it. Cruise scaling the glass windows of the world’s tallest building—Burj Khalifa in Dubai—with just sticky gloves?! How? Why? Who cares! It’s bananas and I love it. 

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

You’re either pro-Doof Warrior or you’re wrong. Who doesn’t love a red leotard-clad man strapped to a giant truck playing a guitar that shoots fire? Blazing its way out of development hell, this entry into the Mad Max canon proved George Miller to be a unique talent. Using mostly practical effects and stunts, the action in this movie is the epitome of “goes so hard.” 

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Developed by Derek Kolstad and directed by Keanu Reeves’ former stunt doubles Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, the John Wick franchise has revolutionized grounded stunt work and fight choreography. You see this in Leitch’s Atomic Blonde and even Gina Prince-Bythwood’s The Old Guard. Riffing on a similar scene in Enter the Dragon, Reeves fighting baddies in a neon-lit room of mirrors is a wonder to behold. 

Black Panther (2018)

Ryan Coogler’s best picture-nominated Black Panther features everything from a casino heist filled with multi-level action, hand-to-hand combat on top of a waterfall, and parkour onto a moving car. That sequence in particular involved shooting in two locations (Atlanta and Busan), multiple cars, and 214 iterations of the shot before Coogler was satisfied. And man was it worth it.

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The great thing about nerds is there are all types of them. Including extremely wealthy ones who are willing to drop $30,000 on a Batmobile desk clock. Or, for the ultra-well-heeled Marvel fans, somewhere north of $100,000 on a limited-edition Black Panther wristwatch from Swiss luxury watchmaker, Audemars Piguet. And while each one of Piguet’s watches has an absurd level of detail, it seems, sadly, they don’t consist of any Vibranium whatsoever.

Design Taxi reported on Piguet’s new line of Black Panther watches, which it unveiled at a recent press event. During the event, the watchmaker auctioned off a watch for charity. And while the bidding began at $100,000, the pricey bauble ultimately cost its buyer $5.2 million. (The unnamed buyer was probably not Iron Man.)

Audemars Piguet writes on its site that the watch’s “futuristic design recalls the cutting-edge suit” Black Panther wears. The watchmaker adds that the watch has a sandblasted titanium case with black, ceramic trim. And at the center of the watch face? T’Challa, the king of Wakanda, looking like he’s ready to claw Thanos’ face off. Or, if the watch reads midnight and you’re still awake, maybe claw open a bag of crackers.

While the centerpiece Panthers are initially 3D-printed out of white gold, they’re hand-finished and painted. Every piece of each flying tourbillon is also hand-placed with tweezers; a deeply satisfying process you can watch on Piguet’s site.

The only part of the watch that sounds a bit pedestrian for the price tag is its wristband, as it’s mostly rubber. Speaking of that price tag, that’s a ballpark estimate on our part. Piguet doesn’t outright say how much each one of the 250 available watches costs; no doubt people would find out during their appointments.

Audemars Piguet

But the bidding for the watch at auction did begin at $100,000. And other Audemars Piguet watches go for $150,000-plus easily on eBay. Which means any ultra-wealthy nerds out there better get to bidding if they want people to marvel at their swag.

Feature image: Audemars Piguet

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Though chaotic by nature, the 78th Golden Globe Awards featured some sincerely touching moments. Minari director Lee Isaac Chung’s adorable daughter cheering on her dad’s victory; Jane Fonda celebrating the impacts of her nominated colleagues; Chloe Zhao’s delighted acceptance of two awards for her wonderful Nomadland. And among these was the incredibly moving speech delivered by Taylor Simone Ledward, wife of the late Chadwick Boseman. Ledward spoke on behalf of Boseman following his posthumous win for Actor in a Drama for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. If you happened to miss her emotional acceptance speech, you can watch here.

A very humble Ledward endeavored to capture of the spirit of the speech her husband may have given. In doing so, she created something altogether powerful; this both as a tribute to the beloved actor and as an expression of love, passion, and gratitude.

Netflix

Boseman’s legacy may foremost adhere to his work in Black Panther, as evidenced by another moment in the Globes ceremony. TikTok star La’Ron Hines interviewed a collection of young kids about issues Globe-related. While they seemed adorably clueless about the work of most celebrities mentioned, they all knew one name: Chadwick Boseman. Clearly, the actor and his Black Panther T’Challa have left their mark. (You can watch that one right here for a pick-me-up tribute to Boseman’s influence.)

But all that said, Boseman’s win for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is an important reminder of the actor’s colossal range. The film, which you can watch on Netflix, stars Boseman as a fictional 1920s jazz trumpeter Levee Green. The one-setting film showcases Boseman at his most joyful, most pained, and most chaotic.

We’ve all been in awe of Boseman for quite some time. And on Globes night, we felt that awe for Taylor Simone Ledward as well. Ledward claims she doesn’t have her husband’s capacity with words; but what she constructed was touching, inspiring, loving, and wonderful.

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It turns out Ryan Coogler wasn’t kidding when he popularized the phrase “Wakanda Forever” in his mega hit film Black Panther. According to Deadline, Coogler has just signed an exclusive five year deal with Disney to develop television series for them. And the first one out of the gate with be a series for Disney+ focusing on the Kingdom of Wakanda. Black Panther 2 is also still coming from Coogler, which will start principal photography this year for a 2022 release.

Black Tree TV

In a statement, Disney’s Bob Iger said, “Ryan Coogler is a singular storyteller whose vision and range have made him one of the standout filmmakers of his generation. With Black Panther, Ryan brought a groundbreaking story and iconic characters to life in a real, meaningful and memorable way, creating a watershed cultural moment. We’re thrilled to strengthen our relationship and look forward to telling more great stories with Ryan and his team.”

Marvel Studios

So what could this Wakanda series entail? We have no idea as of yet. In Marvel Comics, there was a World of Wakanda series a few years back, which seems ideal for adaptation. A Disney+ series focusing on the lineage of the Black Panther line and the different kings would be amazing. Or perhaps an anthology series showing how the secretive Wakandans intersected with historical events while keeping their nation hidden. We are pretty sure that whatever the show becomes, it will honor the legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman.

In a statement, Coogler said, “We will be taking our first leap with Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso and their partners at Marvel Studios, where we will be working closely with them on select MCU shows for Disney+.”

Notice he said shows, plural. We may be getting far more than the Kingdom of Wakanda series from Coogler and Marvel. We couldn’t be more excited about it.

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For a quick refresher: T’Challa’s ingenious sister Shuri invents the wryly named Sneakers for, among other uses, her brother’s superhero suit. In a memorable scene, Shuri tells T’Challa, “Fully automated, like the old American movie Baba used to watch. And I made them completely sound absorbent.”

Jake Laser, who goes by JLaservideo on YouTube, has created countless other IRL versions of pop-culture props before; including a bunch that a (very sanitary) Spider-Man would love. In the video above, Laser shows how he iterated a real-life pair of the Sneakers from various materials, with the singular goal of making the shoes fully sound absorbent. As well as self-folding? (They’re supposed to mimic the Sneakers’ ability to work autonomously, but without CGI, that just means rolling rubber.)

JLaservideo

After ruling out options like memory foam, leather, socks, and “pink foam,” Laser lands on using aerogel. Aerogel, as Laser notes, is an ultralight material made from a gel in which the liquid component for the gel has been replaced with a gas without significant collapse of the gel structure. Incidentally, space missions employ aerogel, as it is one thousand times less dense than glass, as well as extremely good at collecting dust.

As for the results? There’s no question Laser’s Sneakers quiet footfalls with a vengeance. Laser demonstrates, using a decibel meter, that the Sneakers make walking so quiet, a wearer’s footsteps are no louder than ambient noise. And even though there are some real-world limitations—creaky wood is going to creak—these Sneakers got it where it counts.

Feature image: JLaservideo

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This past November 29 would have been Chadwick Boseman’s 44th birthday. The man who brought King T’Challa of Wakanda to life in four different Marvel Studios films tragically died after a four-year battle with cancer on August 28. But on the day of his birth, the folks at Disney found a way to honor their king.

Via Variety, we’ve learned that Disney+ has redesigned the Marvel logo intro to Black Panther to honor Boseman. The new intro features footage of the actor portraying the character, as well as several candid behind-the-scenes moments. You can check out the newly redesigned introduction here:

The announcement came from Disney executive Bob Iger, who tweeted out the news. He said, “To all fans of Black Panther: watch the film on DisneyPlus late tonight, for a special tribute to someone that was and will always be near and dear to our hearts.”

Along with Iger’s tweet, Marvel Studios’ CEO Kevin Feige also chimed in on social media. He tweeted out one simple but heartfelt message: the words “miss you.”

Along with images from the films in the special intro, there are also quotes, including one from an iconic moment in Captain America: Civil War. It’s from the scene when the young prince addresses the United Nations Assembly, saying, “In times of crisis, the wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers.” We couldn’t think of anything more timely to include.

Marvel Studios

The future of Black Panther as a film franchise is cloudy right now. We know that production for Black Panther II is scheduled to begin next summer, so we imagine news of who will wear the mantle is forthcoming. A lot of people think it will be T’Challa’s sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright. Some think that the part of T’Challa will simply be recast, perhaps with a totally different T’Challa, from somewhere in the Multiverse. But one thing is for sure. The man who first brought T’Challa to life onscreen, Chadwick Boseman, will never be forgotten.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios

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It’s been nearly a month since the tragic and untimely death of actor Chadwick Boseman. And we’re all still collectively in shock and feeling tremendous sadness. But one person has found a way to channel their grief into something positive and beautiful. Something which reminds us all of just how much of an inspiration Boseman was to so many.

Artist and former Disney Imagineer Nikkolas Smith showed his love for the beloved Black Panther actor by creating this sweet painting. It’s now on display as a large mural at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California. The piece shows Boseman exchanging the Wakanda Forever salute with a young childwearing a Black Panther mask.

In a statement on his Instagram, Smith wrote “This one is special. My King Chad tribute is now on a wall on display at Downtown Disney. It is a full circle moment for me: my final two projects as a Disney Imagineer last summer were working on the Children’s Hospital project and the Avengers Campus. To millions of kids, T’Challa was a legend larger than life, and there was no one more worthy to fill those shoes than Chadwick Boseman. I’m so thankful to be able to honor Chadwick’s life and purpose in this way. I am grateful to the Disney family for being so supportive of my journey as an artist.”

Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios themselves released a lovely tribute to Boseman a few weeks after his death. Since then, many more artists posted images in his honor on social media. But there’s just something different about art one can stand in front of and take in. Although the Disneyland Resort still remains closed to the public, Downtown Disney is open. So anyone who wants to see this piece up close now can do so and pay their respects to a life well lived.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios

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Hasbro’s Marvel Legends collector’s toys are usually the state-of-the-art in modern action figures. Sophisticated sculpts and articulation is usually the name of the game. But their latest offerings are delightfully retro and low tech. Hasbro has just announced (via Gamespot) a brand new Marvel Legends wave under the Kenner label hitting this fall. And if you grew up with the old school figures of the ’80s and ’90s, then these figures will be tickle all your nostalgic feels.

Hasbro

These Marvel Legends retro action figures are featured in a Marvel Comic Presents box, an homage to the beloved ’80s comic book team-up series. Each box has a design which looks like the cover of one of those classic Marvel Comics issues. Two figures come in each pack, with each one measuring 3.75 inches a piece. The two-packs will set you back $20 a pop.

Hasbro

First in the line are Captain America and Black Panther, followed by Iron Man and the X-Men’s leader Cyclops. The wave rounds out with Spider-Man and his nemesis Electro. All figures in this wave feature the characters in their Silver and Bronze Age costumes. They call to mind the classic Secret Wars toy line of the ’80s. ’90s kids will no doubt be reminded of the old Toy Biz Spider-Man and X-Men: The Animated Series action figure lines as well.

Hasbro

There’s no word yet if this retro series is going to continue past this initial wave, but we sure hope so. We’d love to see a Walt Simonson era Thor and Loki two-pack, not to mention the Hulk and Abomination. And bring on versions of the Fantastic Four and the X-Men in the style of artist John Byrne as well! All of these figures will be arriving this fall, and available for pre-order at Hasbro Pulse beginning on Friday, September 25 at 5 PM EST.

Featured Image: Hasbro

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We are still reeling from the tragic and untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman last week. He passed after a four year battle with colon cancer. Although the 43 year old actor was known for many iconic roles, millions around the world will remember him first and foremost as Black Panther, King T’Challa of Wakanda. Now, Marvel Studios has created a special video tribute for Boseman, highlighting his performance as T’Challa. They compiled the tribute from several candid moments and interviews with his fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe cast members and directors.

You can watch the entire moving tribute video below:

You’ll see many familiar faces throughout this video. They include Boseman’s fellow Marvel co-stars like Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and others. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler discuss just how lucky they were to have been able to cast Boseman for the role—a role we can all agree he was born to play. The clips originate from behind-the-scenes interviews from all four of Chadwick Boseman’s Marvel films. Those films being Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Marvel

Since Boseman’s passing, most of these same actors have released statements of their own. Ryan Coogler wrote a beautiful tribute to his friend that will move you to tears. But it’s nice to see everyone share their praises for Boseman when he was still alive in the tribute video. Hopefully, this means that he had at least an idea of how much his colleagues cherished him while still on this Earth. It is beyond sad that we will never see Boseman in the role again, or any role, to be honest. We feel nothing but compassion and sympathy for his family and loved ones. But we consider ourselves fortunate to have been able to experience his talent at all. His work will live on through the ages, inspiring several more generations to come.

Featured Image: Marvel

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His portrayals of baseball legend Jackie Robinson (42), funk music progenitor James Brown (Get On Up), and groundbreaking Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall (Marshall) brought history to life with a mesmerizing mix of passion, flair, and incredible care for preserving their humanity. Chadwick expertly dug past the general public’s larger-than-life understanding of these men to exhume their humanity and frame their lives in the midst of racism, tragedy, and triumph.

His work represents the breadth and depth of what it means to be Black. It examines how we somehow manage to be profound agents of change and creativity under the pressure of oppression and systemic racism. So his casting as the incomparable T’Challa felt like a thrilling yet natural next step in depicting our stories. Chadwick brought such nuance, physical prowess, and exhilarating charm to the Wakandan king. He certainly made a global impact through the popular Marvel character, proving what we already knew to be a fact. A Black superhero can have international appeal.

Rolling Stone/YouTube

Yet, Blackness is still an undeniable cornerstone in Black Panther‘s story. The film touched a legion of Black people in a deeply personal and collective way.  Seeing him don that epic Panther suit made countless Black nerds, geeks, and movie fans feel an indescribable level of self-empowerment and validation. It left us with this swelling of pride and unbridled excitement. We had a pocket of hope and joy in a world that tries to snuff it out of us at every turn.

How lucky are we to have walked the Earth at the same time as Chadwick? To have experienced his work and level of brilliance in real-time? Thank God we went incredibly hard for Black Panther, showing up to theaters with incredible costumes and Afrocentric outfits. We cheered, we cried, and we shared a transformative and healing experience together.

Kayla Meyer, a Black woman, created the viral hashtag #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe which inspired fans to speak up on Twitter about how the film changed their lives. Chadwick got to see and acknowledge a lot of this love. And, he deserved every ounce of that positive energy, that joy, that celebration, and the understanding that his art holds a sacred space in the sphere of our experiences.

In a speech honoring his one time benefactor and eventual co-worker Denzel Washington, Chadwick says, “Let he who has watered, be watered. Let he who have given, be given to.” Hopefully, the outpouring of support and love from fans of his work made him feel as those he received proper honor.

In Da 5 Bloods, Chadwick’s character is an ancestor, a guiding light, and revered leader who has made a profound impact on his squad. It’s another befitting role for the South Carolina raised and Howard University trained director and thespian who quickly became a hero and legend to so many. He found his life’s calling and walked in it well—something many of us aspire to do.

Chadwick embodied grace, poise, and a quiet power that felt both regal and everyday man. He was an incredibly dapper and smooth ass dude with unique style, an infectious sly grin, an swoon worthy appreciation for books, and a gait that oozed confidence. Chadwick didn’t owe us anything outside of his work but he gave so much of himself anyway. He honored us with countless Wakanda Forever salutes and hugs to groundbreaking statements about what it means to be young, Black, and gifted. Chadwick stood for Black liberation and justice and for our stories to be at the forefront. He was always for the culture.

He balanced such an ethereal presence with moments of clever wit. He was the King of Shady Looks and keeping Marvel details under wraps. The secret comedian who loved to laugh in interviews and poke a bit of fun at himself (and T’Challa) on Saturday Night Live. The guy who carries a tune with such Southern flair and playfully chops it up with fans. Those moments gave fans lovely peeks into his personality—a true treat considering his intense privacy.

It’s incredibly heartbreaking to think that he poured his heart, body, and soul into his craft while trying to take care of himself. It’s also understandable why he chose to keep this knowledge within his inner circle. The world has a troubling way of filtering a person’s entire life and experiences through a diagnosis.

It tries to tell people what they can and should be doing while living with a disability and that’s not okay. It was his life and he was able to maintain some control and privacy over it. The mere fact that those around him respected him enough to not speak on his private life says so much. It shows how much they loved him and speaks to his keen discernment to surround himself with real ones.

Perhaps there is a gorgeous ancestral plane on the other side of this life. A wide, expansive place of peace with lovely swaying grass, lush trees, and a brilliantly colorful sky. If so, I hope Chadwick’s ancestors are embracing him there. His energy, work, ideals, and legacy transcend mortality. We will feel it for generations to come.

The words “thank you” feel too small to acknowledge the gift Chadwick gave to us. I am sending love to those who worked with him and know him best. And, I will love and adore Chadwick Boseman forever.

Featured Image: Rolling Stone/YouTube

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Marvel Cinematic Universe fans knew Boseman best for his role as T’Challa. He first appeared as the hero Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War in 2016. Boseman was captivating and commanding in the role of the Wakandan prince and then king. He portrayed T’Challa across four Marvel films, including (and most importantly) a solo outing focused entirely on Black Panther. Boseman was the first Black actor to lead a Marvel Cinematic Universe film, inspiring so many. In the message his family posted on Twitter, they said, “It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”

It was an honor for the fans as well. We truly received a gift.

Marvel

Of course Chadwick Boseman’s career was about far more than Marvel films. As an actor, he was a powerhouse. His presence demanded attention in any scene he appeared in. Among his many exceptional roles, Boseman played icons from history such as Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall. He co-produced the latter film. His acting resume goes back to an appearance on All My Children in 2003. He is gone far too soon—especially to those close to him.

Boseman passed at home with his wife and family at his side. We send them the deepest of condolences and peace.

Featured Image: Marvel

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Although we are still several months away from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision hitting Disney+, that doesn’t mean we won’t be getting some extremely cool Marvel-related content in the near future. Debuting this fall, Marvel 616 is a docuseries that explores Marvel’s “rich legacy of stories, characters and creators exist within the world outside your window.”

Marvel Entertainment/Disney+

Each chapter of this documentary series will be helmed by a distinct filmmaker and will explore the intersections of storytelling, pop culture, and fandom within the Marvel Universe. Topics this anthology series will cover include world-spanning artists, the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics, discovering the “forgotten” characters of Marvel, and more. Disney and Marvel have released two clips from the first two chapters, which you can view below:

The first clip is from the episode “Higher, Further, Faster”—a phrase that should be very familiar to Captain Marvel fans. Directed by actor/director Gillian Jacobs, this episode focuses on the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics. In the clip above, Marvel VP Sana Amanat shares her personal stories of growing up Muslim in America and how they helped create the Kamala Khan version of Ms. Marvel. Also featured is Kamala’s co-creator, writer G. Willow Wilson.

The second clip is from the Paul Scheer directed the episode “Lost and Found.” It showcases Scheer’s often hilarious journey to discover the “forgotten” characters of Marvel Comics. Some are silly (anyone remember Typeface?), but some are characters that were unjustly relegated to the B-list. Scheer talks to writer Reginald Hudlin, who in the late ’90s took Black Panther and gave him a fresh makeover—one which greatly informed the blockbuster movie.

Oh, and if you’re wondering just what the numbers 616 stand for? That’s for “Earth 616,” the Earth in the Marvel Comics Multiverse where most of their mainstream heroes reside. The directors of both these episodes will join Marvel 616 executive producers Sarah Amos and Jason Sterman with moderator Angélique Roché on July 23, 1:00 p.m. PT for the virtual panel at this year’s virtual Comic-Con.

Marvel: 616 will debut on Disney+ this fall.

Featured Image: Marvel Entertainment/Disney+

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This summer’s movie schedule is unlike any other in recent times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is usually a slate of blockbuster films to keep fans in their local theaters with snacks and drinks in hand.  Movie theater chains like AMC and Regal are opening back up in a few weeks, but a lot of people are understandably wary of going back into a traditional theater any time soon. Amazon Studios/Prime Video and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society are teaming up to offer an alternative with “A Night at the Drive-In,” a summer screening schedule celebrating diverse films.

The series will kick off on July 1 with a slate of previously released movies to celebrate love, pride, laughter, and stories that will inspire and enlighten viewers. “A Night at the Drive-In” will feature two movies each week through the end of August at select drive-in theaters. Fans will be able to enjoy a few popular flicks in a social-distancing approved environment along with snacks from Black/brown-owned businesses Path Water, Pipcorn Popcorn, and Partake Cookies. It’s a great way to bring people together, uplift representation on screen, and support businesses with owners from marginalized communities.

Amazon Studios released a video featuring Michael B. Jordan breaking down the partnership and inviting fans to join in each week. He also pokes fun at his beard and Afro by saying it’s obvious he has been in quarantine.

Jordan made a further statement about why “A Night at the Drive-In” matters in a joint press release with Amazon Studios.

“With this drive-in summer series, I hope that friends and families are able to not only enjoy, but to learn and grow. Now more than ever, amplifying Black and Brown stories means engaging culture to speak to hearts and minds about the world we live in. As we use this opportunity to reimagine community and proximity, I am excited that these films will be shared and celebrated all across the country.”

Check out this amazing poster of movies curated by Michael B. Jordan along with a list of theaters below:

Amazon Studios/Outlier Society/Prime Video

Participating Theaters 

Vineland Drive-In – Los Angeles, CA
Overlook Drive-In – New York, NY
Solano Twin Drive-In– San Francisco, CA
Sacramento Drive-In 6 – Sacramento, CA
Las Vegas 6 Drive-In – Las Vegas, NV
Shankweiler’s Drive-In – Philadelphia, PA
Galaxy Drive-In – Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
Showboat Drive-In – Houston, TX
Ford Wyoming Drive-In – Detroit, MI
Springmill Drive-In – Cleveland, OH
South Drive-In Twin – Columbus, OH
Jesup Drive-In Twin – Savannah, GA
Bengies Drive-In – Baltimore, MD
Ocala Drive-In – Orlando, FL
Parkway Drive-In – Knoxville, TN
Midway Twin Drive-In – Cleveland, OH
Glendale Drive-in – Phoenix, AZ
Transit Drive-In – Buffalo, NY
Badin Drive-In – Charlotte, NC
Monetta Drive-In – Augusta-Aiken, SC

Show times, ticket information, and details about the locations can be found on the “A Night at the Drive-In” website. Grab your tickets and get ready to relive a few awesome films.

Featured Image: Amazon Studios/Outlier Society/Prime Video

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In an effort to make this as easy as possible, and give your brain the least amount of work to do, we’ve simplified our order, basing it on the last scene in each film. That means that if the majority of a story takes place in the past (e.g. World War II or the 1990s) we’re still going to base its order on the very last scene in the movie. This way, after the credits roll and post-credit scenes unfold, you’ll have a crystal clear understanding of where you are in the MCU timeline.

To simplify further, we’re only including MCU movies on this list. While we appreciate/love the fact that television series like Agent Carter, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, etc. fit into this timeline as well, with shows Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. having a very specific place in history, we’re sticking to the films for now. 

Are you ready? Let’s begin!

Iron Man

Marvel Studios

This is the one that started it all. Originally, we believed that Iron Man took place in 2008, the year it was released. After its sequel in 2010, however, the timeline moved up. Short answer: The Avengers takes place in 2012. Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Incredible Hulk all take place over a year before that, and the original Iron Man takes place around six months before that. There’s conflicting information about whether Iron Man takes place in 2008 or 2009, but the important thing is, we know what order it goes in. It opens with the kidnapping of Tony Stark and ends with Nick Fury making a visit to Stark’s house to tell him about the… well, you know.

Iron Man 2

Marvel Studios

Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Incredible Hulk all take place over the course of the same few days, which, thanks to some great tie-in comics, have been dubbed “Fury’s Big Week” due to what Nick Fury had to deal with. But we’re gonna start with Iron Man 2 for a few reasons. It opens in Russia, where our villain Ivan Vanko is watching the iconic press conference where Tony Stark announced his identity to the world, so it’s a nice bridge from the first Iron Man movie. We pick up six months later, where Iron Man defeats Vanko and Justin Hammer at the Stark Expo. The film also ends with Fury teasing the rest of his “Big Week” to Stark, and Agent Phil Coulson finding Mjolnir in the desert.

Thor

Marvel Studios

Phil Coulson is an excellent (rainbow) bridge to our next movie, which takes place around the same time as Iron Man 2. Thor opens with Jane Foster, Erik Selvig, and Darcy Lewis finding the banished hunk of a man, Thor Odinson, marooned on Earth. We follow our heroes for a few days until Thor defeats the Destroyer in Puente Antiguo, New Mexico, and beams up to Asgard to kick his brother Loki’s ass. After Thor destroys the bifrost and cuts himself off from Midgard, a.k.a. Earth, we see Nick Fury approach Erik Selvig about working on the Tesseract. And here’s the kicker: this is the first (of many) times we think Loki’s dead when—NOPE! He’s alive and manipulating the good doctor’s mind.

The Incredible Hulk

Marvel Studios

Finishing up “Fury’s Big Week” is a movie that takes place around the same time as the events of Iron Man 2 and Thor, but which ends a little further in the MCU timeline. The Incredible Hulk opens with Bruce Banner living in Brazil as a fugitive from the U.S. Army. Over the course of the film, he faces his enemy General Thaddeus Ross, reconnects with the love of his life, Betty Ross, fights the Abomination in the streets of Harlem, and saves the city from a true monster. Thirty-one days later, Bruce Banner is learning to control the Hulk up in Canada. Down in the United States, S.H.I.E.L.D. sends a “consultant” over to Ross to talk about a team. Setup: Tony Stark walks into a bar…

Captain America: The First Avenger

Marvel Studios

Although the majority of the movie takes place in World War II, The First Avenger is bookended with scenes set in the present day (2011), which means the whole story is technically a flashback. First, S.H.I.E.L.D. finds a famous frozen shield in the arctic, and then we travel back in time to 1942. We meet the Red Skull, Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Agent Peggy Carter, and a perfectly cast Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips. We remain in the past until Captain America heroically sacrifices himself, and the war is eventually won in 1945. Back in the present, Steve wakes up, just in time to realize he missed his date. In the post-credits scene, we get a tease of the events in 2012 where Fury recruits Steve to possibly lead the Avengers…

The Avengers

Marvel Studios

Here it is—the big show. Thankfully, this movie takes place exactly when it was released: 2012. Also, notably, the time heist from Avengers: Endgame. It opens with The Other, who gifts Loki with the Scepter, which gives him command over the Thanos’ Chitauri army. Then, shit gets real. Loki tesseracts to Earth, brainwashes Hawkeye, and escapes S.H.I.E.L.D.’s clutches. Nick Fury recruits Black Widow, Iron Man, Captain America, and Bruce Banner to stop him. Thor shows up. Banner hulks out. History was made. The Avengers assemble to stop Loki at the Battle of New York and celebrate their victory with shawarma. Thor brings Loki back to Asgard, and Tony begins building Avengers Tower. The next day, Thanos hears how unruly Earthlings are from The Other, and smiles. 

Iron Man 3

Marvel Studios

The first MCU holiday movie! Lots of clues tell us this takes place during the first winter after The Avengers, either late 2012 or early 2013. Iron Man 3 technically opens with Tony recounting recent events to (we learn later) Bruce Banner, making the film another flashback. He then tells the story of New Year’s Eve 1999, where we see Ho Yinsen (yay!) meet Aldrich Killian, Maya Hensen, and Happy’s haircut. Back in the present, Tony is dealing with PTSD from the Battle of New York. Rhodey becomes “Iron Patriot,” the two iron dudes battle the Mandarin… and then fight the actual Mandarin. The day (and the President) is saved! Tony then destroys his excessive suits, removes the shrapnel in his chest, and comes to terms with who he is: Iron Man. Then he bores his science bro Bruce to sleep.

Thor: The Dark World

Marvel Studios

Though it’s arguably the worst in the MCU, Thor: The Dark World is actually made better by Avengers: Endgame! Don’t skip it! Let’s power through, people! We begin with some backstory on the Dark Elves. 5,000 years ago, Odin’s father clashed with Malekith the Accursed, who sought to use a weapon known as the Aether against the Nine Realms. Malekith eventually escapes with some of the Dark Elves, while the Aether is hidden away on Asgard. In present day, one year after the events of the Battle of New York, Thor reunites with Jane Foster on Earth when portals start popping up throughout the realm. Loki is eventually freed and fakes his death (again), Thor and his allies save London from a returned Malekith, and Loki rules Asgard disguised as Odin. Later, Sif and Volstagg take the Aether (the Reality Stone) into space and the waiting hands of Taneleer Tivan, the Collector.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Marvel Studios

Many of the films in the MCU thankfully take place at the time the movie was released, and The Winter Soldier is no different! We open two years after The Avengers, in early 2014, where Steve Rogers first meets Sam Wilson. He then learns on a mission that S.H.I.E.L.D. might (definitely) be up to some shady business. When Fury is attacked by the Winter Soldier, Captain America and Black Widow discover that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been taken over by HYDRA. In between fighting his way out of an elevator, Steve also recruits Sam Wilson, reconnects with an older Peggy, and saves the day! Most importantly, Steve saves and is saved by his old friend Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. the Winter Soldier. Later, we learn that HYDRA agent Baron Strucker has been experimenting on a pair of twins…  

Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel Studios

SPACE! This now-classic movie opens with a heartbreaking scene in 1989 where we meet young Peter Quill, who is abducted by aliens. 26 years later, in 2014, adult Peter discovers a mystical Orb (the Power Stone) and meets Gamora, an assassin sent by Thanos flunky Ronan the Accuser, to retrieve it. Along with Groot and Rocket Raccoon, Peter and Gamora are by intergalactic military force Nova Corps and sent to space prison. This rag-tag group of would-be heroes escape with the help of Drax the Destroyer and learn that instead of delivering the Power Stone to Thanos, Ronan plans to use it to rain destruction down on the planet Xandar. The Guardians guard the Galaxy, Groot “dies” (leaving a sapling behind), and the group decides to stay together. In the Guardians of the Galaxy post-credits scene, we meet the one and only baby Groot!

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Marvel Studios

Taking place after the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., our next movie opens in 2015 and gets the big “heroes assembled” shot out of the way pretty much immediately. The Avengers take down HYDRA agent Baron Strucker, meet Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, and dunk on Hawkeye a lot. (Can you blame them?) The science bros then create Ultron as a way to protect Earth, which… does not go well. J.A.R.V.I.S. also becomes Vision, the twins defect and join our heroes, and Ultron attacks their native home of Sokovia. Hawkeye inspires Wanda, Quicksilver dies, Fury returns, and Vision kills the last Ultron. Despite their victory, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, and Hawkeye decide to leave the team, making way for new recruits: Scarlet Witch, Falcon, War Machine, and Vision. They assemble for the first time about a month later, in the New Avengers facility upstate.

Ant-Man

Marvel Studios

The final film in Phase Two, Ant-Man opens in 1989 with physicist Hank Pym punch-quitting S.H.I.E.L.D. because he knew they were shady AF. In the present, sometime after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, we meet Scott Lang. Newly released from Prison, Lang can’t find a job and resorts to his criminal past to rob an older Hank Pym of his cool-looking Ant-Man suit. Or so he thought. Pym and his daughter, Hope van Dyne, were actually recruiting Scott for a job to stop the evil Darren Cross from using his Yellowjacket technology for evil. They stop Cross! Scott meets The Falcon! Scott and Hope kiss! Luis is the man! The movie ends with a tease of Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson in 2016, needing some… unique backup.

Captain America: Civil War

Marvel Studios

Black Panther! Spider-Man! EVERYONE ELSE! The Russo Brothers’ audition to direct Avengers 3 and 4 is pretty damn great, and mostly takes place about a year after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Civil War opens in 1991, where we see the Winter Soldier activated for a mission. In 2016, General Thaddeus Ross (same actor!) reveals the Sokovia Accords and the creation of a UN panel to oversee the Avengers. After the events of The Avengers and Age of Ultron, Tony Stark is convinced the Accords will help save more people, while Captain America distrusts the government after the whole HYDRA debacle. When vengeful Soviet soldier Baron Zemo re-activates the Winter Soldier’s assassination protocols, Black Panther is brought into the mix to avenge (heh) his father’s death. The Avengers quickly split into factions: those for and against the Sokovia Accords. Tony Stark recruits Peter Parker to his side in one of the most epic battle sequences of the franchise. Tony Stark learns that the Winter Soldier killed his parents, Steve once against saves his pal, and Baron Zemo is eventually captured. We end Civil War with half of our heroes arrested due to the Accords, and weeks later, Rogers brings Bucky to Wakanda.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios

Remember when we mentioned that we get a lot of conflicting information about the MCU’s timeline? Here’s Exhibit A. While Spider-Man: Homecoming does have some on-screen errors concerning these dates, we can still place the first solo MCU Spider flick. It opens in 2012, right after the Battle of New York, where we meet Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. the Vulture. Then, in September 2016, Peter Parker’s back from his adventure with the Avengers and itching to be Spider-Man! When he learns about the Vulture’s nefarious deeds, Peter attempts to stop him and gets in way over his head. When father figure Tony Stark takes away the upgraded Spider-Suit to try and teach him a lesson, Peter must redeem himself with his old homemade number. The film ends with Peter turning down The Avengers (for now) and the Vulture befriending Mac Gargan (soon-to-be the Scorpion) in prison.

Black Panther 

Marvel Studios

Even though the majority of this movie takes place almost immediately after Civil War, it’s about where that last post-credits scene places us. After a flashback to 1992 Oakland and the assassination of N’Jobu, we join King T’Challa as he returns home to Wakanda after the events of Civil War. Michael Jordan’s compelling villain (who was kind of right!) Killmonger tracks down Wakanda and almost immediately usurps T’Challa’s throne. T’Challa goes on a personal journey, as every hero does, and regains his Black Panther powers. With the help of M’Baku and the Jabari tribe, his sister Shuri, lost love Nakia, and badass warrior Okoye and the Dora Milaje,  Black Panther defeats Killmonger and takes back his country. A few months later, in late 2016, Bucky Barnes wakes up and earns the nickname “White Wolf.” 

Doctor Strange

Marvel Studios

The movie that introduces the world of magic to the MCU actually spans a few years, but the important thing is where the last scene ends. We open in 2015, where the Ancient One is fighting off rogue sorcerers who stole an important book. Then, in 2016, we meet Stephen Strange, a hotshot doctor who’s about to take a tumble. He injures his hands in a car accident, pushes his girlfriend and colleague Christine Palmer to leave him, and months later travels to Kamar-Taj looking for a cure. He finds something more, trains for months, and learns actual magic.

Disillusioned sorcerer Kaecilius (aka Mads Mikkelsen) then murders the Ancient One. (Oh no!) With Wong’s help, Stephen saves our reality from big bad Dormammu and becomes our new Sorcerer Supreme. Sometime later in late 2017, Doctor Strange is visited by Thor… 

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2

Marvel Studios

Instead of picking up where Doctor Strange left off and joining Thor mid-adventure, we’re going with this movie that ends just a bit before Thor: Ragnarok does. It’s all about that last scene, folks! After a flashback in 1980 featuring a young Meredith Quill and Peter’s dad, Ego, we return to 2014, just a few months after the events of the first Guardians movie. Our heroes save the Sovereign from a huge worm monster, recapture Nebula, get SAVED by Ego, learn he’s a galaxy-class jerk, and team up with Mantis, Nebula, and Yondu to stop him from spreading his *unwanted* seed all over the universe. Ego is destroyed but at the cost of Yondu’s life. We all cry. But what a funeral, right? Then FOUR YEARS later in 2018, about a week before the snap, Star-Lord asks teen Groot to clean up his room. 

Thor: Ragnarok

Marvel Studios

Now we can see what Thor was up to! Taking place mostly when the movie was released, we join Thor in late 2017 as he kicks major ass in Muspelheim and takes Surtur’s crown back to Asgard. He learns Loki’s been posing as Odin in disguise, so the brothers go to Earth to find dad. Doctor Strange interjects to help the search, but Odin dies right before Hela shows up and takes over Asgard. She kills the warriors three, while Thor and Loki end up on Sakaar at different times (space travel!). We meet our queen Valkyrie, who captures Thor for Jeff Goldblum’s Contest of Champions. Thor reconnects with his friend from work and recruits Banner, Valkyrie, and Loki to save Asgard. Though they can’t save their actual home, they manage to save the people of Asgard, which is what truly matters. Months later in 2018, Thanos’ ship shows up! Which leads us right into… 

Avengers: Infinity War

Marvel Studios

The beginning of the end of the Infinity Saga. Picking up directly where Thor: Ragnarok left off, Thanos and his children attack the Asgardians and kill Loki. Thor bifrosts Hulk to Doctor Strange, while Thor ends up smacking right into the Guardians ship. And then it just doesn’t stop. All of Infinity War takes place a little over 24 hours, from Wednesday (as it says on Tony’s flip phone) to Thursday. Stark, Strange, Wong, and Bruce try to defend Earth from Squidward, while fugitive Avengers Rogers, Romanoff, and Wilson show up to help Wanda and Vision fight of Thanos’ children. All the while Thanos is collecting Infinity Stones… He touches down in Wakanda, defeats the Avengers, and snaps his fingers. As people start to disappear, Fury barely manages to page someone…

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Marvel Studios

While yes, most of this movie takes place about a week before the events of Infinity War, it still technically ENDS further along the timeline than Avengers did. And more importantly, we can maintain the surprise that Thanos was actually able to pull it off! After a 1987 flashback with Catwoman Janet van Dyne, we come back to Scott Lang, who has been under house arrest for two years (relatable). Hank and Hope recruit him to try and save Janet from the Quantum Realm. They do have to fight Ghost, a woman with molecular instability who can phase between objects, but eventually save Janet! More Michelle Pfeiffer in the MCU, please! A week later, a routine trip leaves Scott trapped in the Quantum Realm after Hank, Janet, and Hope are dusted. Sometime after Thanos’ snap, during an emergency broadcast, a giant ant plays some drums. 

Captain Marvel

Marvel Studios

We can definitively place most of this movie in June 1995, but the post-credits scene occurs three weeks after Infinity War. The movie opens in ‘95, with “Vers” on the Kree homeworld, dealing with nightmares she can’t understand. She is kidnapped by Skrulls and crash-lands on Planet C-53 (Earth), where young S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Nick Fury and Phil Coulson arrive to investigate. Fury teams with “Vers” and they learn she’s actually Carol Danvers, a human Air Force pilot lost in space. She reunites with her friend Maria, discovers that the Kree are the bad guys and Skrull Talos is good. After defeating Starforce and the Supreme Intelligence, Carol leaves Earth to help the Skrulls find a new home. 23 years later, she answers Fury’s page and returns to Earth… But Fury is already gone. 

Avengers: Endgame

Marvel Studios

Right after the events of Infinity War, Clint Barton loses his family to the blip, while Captain Marvel rescues Tony Stark and Nebula from certain death in space. The rest of the Avengers assemble when they return to Earth, track down Thanos, and learn that the stones have been destroyed. Thor goes for the head, and then we jump to FIVE. YEARS. LATER.

In 2023, life is bleak. Until Scott Lang comes back from the Quantum Realm with a fragment of a plan: the time heist. The remaining Avengers time travel to hopefully find other copies of the stones to bring everyone back. Most of them make it back (RIP Black Widow) but have to defeat a 2014 Thanos and his army. And they do. Spectacularly. The movie ends with Tony’s funeral, Steve Rogers returning the stones to their timelines, and a much older Steve passing the Captain America shield to Sam Wilson.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios

The epilogue to the Infinity Saga is easy to place in the timeline, as it all obviously takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame. In 2024, eight months after the blip, Fury and Maria Hill (or so we think) are back at work finding world-ending threats, while Peter Parker and his classmates go on an international class trip. In Europe, Fury recruits Spider-Man and beefcake superhero Quentin Beck to help them on a mission. Spidey, the sweet little fool he is, gives Tony Stark’s E.D.I.T.H. glasses to Beck—a.k.a. Mysterio! Though Mysterio is eventually defeated, the latest installment in the MCU gets an amazing cliffhanger: J. Jonah Jameson reveals Peter Parker’s identity. WHAT THE F–

And there you have it! The most accurate chronological viewing order for the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For reference, here’s the order again:

Iron Man
Iron Man 2
Thor
The Incredible Hulk
Captain America: The First Avenger
The Avengers
Iron Man 3
Thor: The Dark World
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ant-Man
Captain America: Civil War
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Black Panther
Doctor Strange
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Thor: Ragnarok
Avengers: Infinity War
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Captain Marvel
Avengers: Endgame
Spider-Man: Far From Home

Special shout out to the geniuses over at the unofficial Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki, who have done incredible work! These folks have even gone so far as calculating when full moons are taking place and cross-checking with our real-life lunar calendar to piece together this timeline. Give them a visit next time you feel inclined to head down an MCU rabbit hole.

Marvel Studios

How will Black Widow fit into this timeline? Will it take place after Captain America: Civil War in 2016? Right before the events of Avengers: Infinity War in 2018? Will there be a scene that brings us up to the “present” day of 2024? Will we finally get to see a funeral for Natasha Romanoff?

We have until November 2020 to speculate, and you’ve got until then to rewatch the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Enjoy!

Header Images: Marvel Studios

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It’s safe to say that T’Challa’s run as the Black Panther would not be as great without Shuri’s brilliant mind. The Wakandan Princess is responsible for taking the country’s vibranium source and crafting into brilliant technology, including his infamous suit. She’s used to working behind the scenes but now Shuri is stepping into her own destiny with Shuri, a Black Panther novel.

The Nic Stone penned adventure isn’t Shuri’s first independent print storyline (she’s had her own comic series) but it will take fans into the character’s mind and life in a new way. The novel is set for a May 5 debut but Marvel, in partnership with Scholastic, is giving fans a small snippet of Shuri what to expect.

Scholastic

In this story, the heart-shaped herbs that give the Black Panther powers are dying—and no one understands why it is happening. Shuri’s investigation of this issue leads her outside Wakanda and into her own journey. The excerpt reveals that Shuri will run into some unknown dangerous man with no one to depend on but herself. She isn’t used to fighting but she’s willing to defend her country at all costs.

Readers will get a peek into the origins of her precious lab, her innermost thoughts, and her typical teenage struggles within her family.  Some of the snippet includes mission logs (presumably from her lab) while others look into a funny interaction between Shuri and her mother Ramonda. Shuri is missing her father and willing to do anything to help her brother stay safe and alive as the King and Black Panther. The novel is aimed towards “tweenage” kids but, of course, anyone can enjoy the ride.

Here, Shuri gets the chance to step outside of her royal comforts, whiz kid lab, and the shadow of her infamous older sibling to prove that she is a force to be reckoned with too. Read the entire excerpt at Marvel.

Featured Image: Scholastic

The post Marvel Releases SHURI: A BLACK PANTHER NOVEL Excerpt appeared first on Nerdist.

After reevaluating their plans for the release of Black Widow, originally set to hit theaters in May, Marvel looks to be shifting the entire Phase 4 lineup in wake of current events. Dan breaks down all the details in today’s episode of Nerdist News!

What Phase 4 movie are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!

The post MARVEL: Phase 4 Timeline Update (Nerdist News w/ Dan Casey) appeared first on Nerdist.