Art: Lego Royalty

Black Panther: World of Wakanda #3 Thoughts and Spoilers

Quick Spoilers... 

- The Doras agree to break away from T'challa and be more open minded. Folami doesn't agree and runs away bitter.

- Ayo and Aneka ask for a vacation. It is granted and they go to New York.

- Shuri and Ramonda talk about T'challa. It is the first rational conversation about what he did during the Incursions we have seen. Only good part of the book honestly.

- Folami shows and and tattle tells about the Dora's breaking away. Shuri and Ramonda basically shame her and shoo her away. She ends up being stopped by some guy who gives her an address. Folami ends up there and seemingly gets super powers? I don't know where the hell this is going.

- Ayo/Aneka romance stuff. They are eventually told to get back to Wakanda because the Black Order is back and it seems too late.


Thoughts...

- This book is a god damn waste of a good opportunity to explore so much about Wakanda in general or explore what happened to Wakanda in the various time jumps in Hickman's run.

- Instead, it moves at a break neck speed with the continued poor writing, painfully amatuerish dialogue, and meh story line. I don't see how this book propels the MA into popularity or does anything positive for the Black Panther mythos.

- The only decent panel Gay has done in three issues is the scene between Shuri and Ramonda. It was nuanced and adult like. A strict counter to the young adult romance crud we have been served throughout the rest of the book.

SHOULD YOU READ IT? No. Unless you are starving for LGBT representation in comics and will take whatever you can get.

T'challa and Shuri in Monsters Unleashed #1

- I didn't see this coming at all. Just ran into it on accident.

- The poor, poor Golden City is destroyed once again...

- Not only T'challa but Shuri appeared as well. You don't see that often. And with the new costume.

- And of course, true to form, right when we were about to get a cool T'challa feat (taking down the monster)... it cuts away. DAMN YOU WORLD!

Panther Powers Part 7: The HSH is Toxic? (conclusion)

This is Part 7 of a multiple post series going over the details and intricacies of the multiple sources of superpowers in Wakanda and how they have changed over the years. 

In Part 7, we take all the information we know about the Heart Shaped Herb and its potential toxicity and try and come up with some reasonable fan theories to make it all "work."]

When we first looked at the HSH toxicity, we went over what was shown to us, on panel, in regards to the herb nearly killing Killmonger.

We then went over the on panel instances where the HSH was shown to be non-toxic or implied to be non-toxic.

We are now going to try and fanfic a solution to this curious aspect of the Black Panther mythos using the facts that we have at our disposal.

But first, let's get this out of the way: I am fully aware that the real reason is simply that no one really cares about the history of Wakanda and the history of the Heart Shaped Herb, so the various writers told their story without thinking about the implications of what they were writing. Priest killed Killmonger because he wanted to (and maybe was going to get around to explaining what truly happened but it got cut short). Hudlin re-emphasized the tournament and Bast's explicit contribution, Spider-Man eating it, ect because that is the story he wanted to tell.

But, as comic book nerds and Black Panther fanatics, we owe it to ourselves to figure out what Marvel won't. So without further adeau...


1. The HSH IS poisonous outside the royal bloodline.... and superhuman individuals

- This theory keeps it simple. Parker is enhanced enough to not feel the effects of the herb. S'yan offered it to Storm because Storm is a mutant and powerful enough to handle the herb without the negative effects. Zawadi is nothing but conjecture and can't be proven she took the herb on panel.

Using this theory, you can also state that the herb kills the person before they can even be connected to or reach Bast.

The biggest issues with this theory is the Kasper Cole situation, why T'challa was so shocked and pissed Killmonger bit the dust, and that the entire one day tournament is rigged beyond belief.

2. The HSH reacted negatively with Killmonger's enhancements

- We have no idea what Killmonger did to give himself his powers. Despite Erik being one of the most well known and most frequent adversary to T'challa, we have never gotten a proper origin story to how he made himself into a metahuman fighting machine.

Perhaps whatever sorcery, chemistry, experiments, ect that Killmonger did to himself simply mixed with the chemical properties of the HSH, thus nearly killing him. In his capitalistic ways, he turned this set back into a money making venture, creating a "synthetic" version of the herb and creating a story about the toxic nature of the herb.

This theory is... boring but effective. It allows for Killmonger's near death to simply be a one-off thing that no future writer has to worry about. It works, but it feels kinda lazy.

3. Hunter poisoned the HSH

- Hunter acted like a shady MOFO right before Killmonger bit the dust. These backhanded methods of getting what he wants fits right up his ally. The biggest strike to this theory is that no one ever figured it out, including T'challa. But it is a personal favorite of mine because it is something Hunter would do.

4. The HSH wasn't prepared properly

- We have seen instances where the HSH needed to be prepared by elders to be used effectively. Perhaps Killmonger eating it like an apple wasn't the best idea in the world.

Unfortunately, we saw both Spider-Man and Shuri eat the herb with little to no preparation and the first appearance of the HSH had T'challa eating it raw, so, this theory is not greatest fit.

5. Bast judged Killmonger unworthy of the title

- This is my personal favorite theory and likely the best fit.

We know the Panther powers have some component of the Panther God/Bast involved since way back in Gillis's mini series. This got adapted further by Hudlin and then even more by Hickman.

The HSH doesn't directly give you the powers, but Bast does. The HSH "connects" you to Bast, and you are then judged. Wakanda lore states that those who are unworthy are destroyed, but we saw Shuri deemed unworthy and lived. And, Bast works in mysterious ways and is never, ever straightforward. Whether its sparing Shuri, or seeing the future and doing nothing about it, or letting Doom take all the vibranium... Bast is a fickle, irritating God.

It is also important to note that Priest outright said that the HSH connects you to the Panther God. So even in Priest's continuity, the connection is that. 

So, Killmonger was brought before Bast or had his spirit connected to Bast, Bast saw nothing by evil and vanity, deemed him unworthy of the Black Panther title, and put him in a coma. She didn't outright kill him as that would have permanently put an asterisk on T'challa's Black Panther career, her favored son.

The only flaw to this theory is that it wasn't shown on panel. Otherwise, it checks all the boxes, fits with the current mythos established by Hudlin, Mayberry, and Hickman. and makes the Killmonger mess as neat and tidy as possible.

Panther Powers Part 4: The Rite of Ascension

[This is Part 4 of a multiple post series going over the details and intricacies of the multiple sources of superpowers in Wakanda and how they have changed over the years. 

In Part 4, we discuss what every perspective Black Panther must go through to get access the Black Panther powers: the Rite of Ascension.]


The first mention of any rituals or rites was in T'challa's second appearance in Fantastic 4 #53 in a one-off panel as T'challa spoke with The Thing.

Fantastic 4 #53

The first Rite of Ascension was put on panel in T'challa's first origin story in Avengers, vol 1 #87. When he finally returned to Wakanda after getting educated in the United States and Europe, the witch doctor N'baza put him through a variety of tasks to prove his worthiness. This included combat with six Wakandan warriors, a night of vigil in the temple of the Panther God, then traveling the Great Plateau to the HSH.

McGregor in his various stories made it so T'challa had to undergo a "mini" Rite of Ascension every time he needed the HSH. This task was simplified to "beat up some people." More interestingly, McGregor added in an actual religious ceremony to taking the HSH  instead of simply eating the HSH and moving on.

Jungle Action #8

Panthers Prey #2

Defeating six of Wakandan's greatest warriors was once again mentioned during Priest's run both in the Client arc and the Killmonger as Black Panther arc. The Kasper Cole arc added some more detail to T'challa's Ascension and journey to the HSH.

Priest #5

Priest #60

What is perhaps more interesting during Priest's run is the fact the king and the Tribal Council could modify the Rites as necessary. They are not static and stuck in stone. In Killmonger's case, it was more than six warriors as the Tribal Council decided that due to his enhancements, more was necessary to truly test him. T'challa also waved the Rites altogether and it was within his right as King.

Priest #24

Although Kasper Coles Rite of Ascension is likely not as accurate as a true Rite of Ascension, it still kept many of the same aspects of previous Rites as well as going into further detail into T'challa's Ascension. Kasper had to fight four Wakandan warriors (while being quizzed on Wakandan history), went on a journey of sorts (to replicate T'challa's six day journey for the HSH), and then Kasper had to fight the Chieftain which, as we said before, doesn't really fit with the rest of the mythology.

Priest #60

Priest #61

Kasper's Ascension once again shows just how malleable the process is by both the King and the Tribal Council.

Priest #60

Shuri's Rite of Ascension is the most recent in the comics, coming during the Deadliest of the Species arc when T'challa was almost dead. Surprisingly, it completely skipped the "defeat six Wakandan warriors" part that had been part of the mythos since, well, forever. It did have the meditation and mountain/plateau aspects along with some other more trivial tasks.

Deadliest of the Species #3

Putting it all together, the Rite of Ascension typically looks something like this:

1. Defeat Wakanda Warriors: This numbers seems to vary but six seems to be the most consistent.

2. Spiritual Task: This has varied from run-to-run but some sort of spiritual task takes place. That can be walking on coals, meditation, or dodging spears. This is sometimes combined with the last part of the Rites.

3. Journey to the Heart Shaped Herb: There is always a journey to the Great Plateau or mountain for the HSH. The spiritual task is sometimes combined with the journey, such as in T'challa Ascension when he was without food or water for six days until he found the HSH.


In Part 5, we start a three post series examining one of the most perplexing and iconic moment in Priest's Black Panther run... the Curious Case of Killmonger.

Panther Powers Part 3: the Annual Tournament and Tribal Challenges

[This is Part 3 of a multiple post series going over the details and intricacies of the multiple sources of superpowers in Wakanda and how they have changed over the years. 

In Part 3, we take a comprehensive look into the Annual Tournament and Tribal Challenges]

The Tournament

Once a year, Wakanda holds a tournament so any Wakandan can challenge the current Black Panther in unarmed, hand-to-hand combat. The winner has the ability to conduct the Rite of Ascension and get access to the HSH, and presumably, become the Black Panther.

The tournament stems from the belief that every warrior in Wakanda has the strength and ability to protect Wakanda from outsiders. And only a fit king is capable of it.

We have seen only two tournaments: a glimpse at one of T'chaka's defenses and three isntances of seeing T'challa's initial victory int he tournament.

The tournament was basically a battle royale of sorts one participate jumped in after the one before was dealt with. A notable difference in regards to the Tournament and the Trial by Combats is that a knock out was sufficient in the tournament while it has been stated in previous Trial-by-Combats that someone must die or yield.

The first tournament in the comic timeline shown was one of T'chaka's defenses, before the birth of T'challa. We only got a one panel glimpse but this panel made it clear that this happened yearly and that some challengers would repeat the challenge despite defeat.

Rise of the Black Panther #1

The first tournament that apearred int he comics was shown in Kirby #8. It doesn't outright state it was an annual tournament but everything about it is consistent with future portrayals. The biggest difference between Kirby and Hudlin is that the Black Panther is unnamed in Kirby's run while it was S'yan in Hudlin's. But, due to the reagent not really having a name, we can safely assume it was S'yan under the habit in Kirby #8.

Kirby #8

Hudlin in his Who is the Black Panther arc basically told the same story but updated it and fleshed it out substantially. Plus the introduction of Shuri as well.

Hudlin #2

In the Rise of the Black Panther book, we got another look at T'challa's tournament win over his uncle. However, the edition changed the tournament once again. T'challa first had to win against some unnamed Wakandan warriors, then defeat a group of Doras, and then he was given a chance to fight the Black Panther. The use of weapons is also new. As is the information that the tournament location changes yearly to prevent people from prepping, although T'challa was still able to do it. 

Rise of the Black Panther #2

Tribal Challenges/Trial-by-Combat

Tribal Challenges are basically like free-style annual tournaments. They seemingly can be issued at anytime and anywhere and have their own specific rules to them. We have seen a handful of Tribal Challenges on panel that varied in their formalities.

T'challa vs M'baku in Avengers, vol 1 #62

- This was actually the first Trial Challenge in the history of the mythos. You can see the full fight between the two HERE. This wasn't much different than a normal fight, other than T'challa felt the need to fight M'baku alone.

T'challa vs Killmonger in Priest #19-21

- This is easily the most famous and most detailed Tribal Challenge in the history of they mythos. You can find the full fight HERE. This fight introduced many of the formalities of the Tribal Challenges, such as having to yield or die, the ruling king could declare the match over, the multiple breaks taken and the length of the fight, and that fact a location could be chosen.

T'challa vs M'baku in Priest #34-35

- This was another detailed Tribal Challenge in Priest run, this time issued by M'baku. It first started by a battle-by-proxy with T'challa using Gyrich has a pawn as he freed Vibraxas. As Queen Divine Justice forbid M'baku from killing T'challa, T'challa knew Gyrich would be safe.

Gyrich had another trick up his sleeve though. Due to his knowledge of Wakanda Tribal Law, he declared D'narga, making it that the challenge became skill based only and not to the death.

T'challa then proceeded to take back over the Challenge and preceded to defeat M'baku rather easily. You can find that full fight HERE. What is interesting is that he was not killed however, which contradicts the "yield or die" thing seen in the Killmonger fight.


Shuri vs G in Age of Heroes #4

- The last Tribal Challenge on panel was way back in 2010 in an obscure Age of Heroes mini series. Following Deadliest of the Species and Doom War, Wakanda quickly went through a huge transition period, ushering in a new ruler and losing their Vibranium. Under these circumstances, Shuri's rule was challenged by G'tuga. What is interesting about this Tribal Challenge is that it was in the format of the annual tournament. It was held in a ring in front of a great crowd of people.

One Tribal Challenge I have not mentioned is Kasper vs Killmonger during Priest's run during the Ascension arc. That is because it didn't follow any of the established rules and wasn't a "true" Tribal Challenge. The Tribal Challenge has historically come before the Rite of Ascension (as defeating the Black Panther gives you the ability to take the Rites) but in this case, Kasper completed the Rites first. The Rite of Ascension was modified from the very beginning by T'challa so nothing about the situation was "normal" and it was more of a one-time thing.

Peter Gillis introduced a different type of Tribal Challenge during his four issue mini series. When the Panther Spirit left T'challa and he was depowered, Mendinao and the Tribal Council put T'challa through various challenges to determine if was still a worthy champion of the Panther God.

T'challa first had to undergo the Ordeal of the White Ape, He had to climb a sacred mountain that was inhabited by the Great White Ape, take a leaf from a tree at the peak, and make it back down. In this particular challenge, T'challa failed as Bomvana cheated the process to help T'challa.

Gillis #1 of 4

T'challa was also challenged by T'swana the Powerful  to confirm it T'challa was still blessed by the Panther God or not. Mendinao stated this wasn't a true test to determine his ability to rule, it still serves as a Tribal Challenge of sorts, even though T'swana did not want the title or the throne. T'challa was losing this fight until the Supremacists interrupted.

Gillis #2 of 4

After T'challa defeated the Supremacists, the Council decided that was enough evidence for T'challa to remain ruler.

In our next installment of this series, we take a detailed look at what any Black Panther hopeful must complete before becoming the true protector of Wakanda: the Rite of Ascension.

[Edit 01-05-2017: Added in a few pages from Kirby #8, which seems to show T'challa's victory in the annual tournament, waaaaaaaaaaaaay before Hudlin thought it up.-- Shadow]

[Edit 02-12-2018: Added new information from Rise of the Black Panther #1 and #2.-- Shadow]