Wakanda (Marvel)

Infobox comics location
name=Wakanda


imagesize=
caption=Map of Wakanda from "Marvel Universe" #12.
Art by Don McGregor.
publisher= Marvel Comics
debut= "Fantastic Four" #52
(July 1966)
creators= Stan Lee (writer)
Jack Kirby (artist)
type=African country
country=African
residents=Black Panther
Man-Ape
Vibraxas
Storm
Gentle
races=Wakandans
locations=
subcat=Marvel Comics
altcat=
sortkey=PAGENAME

Wakanda is a fictional nation in the Marvel Universe. It is by far the most prominent of several fictional African nations in the Marvel Universe (others include Azania, Narobia, Halwan and Murkatesh). Wakanda first appeared in "Fantastic Four" #52 (July 1966), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The name is evocative of the Wakambe tribe of Kenya.

History

The Wakandan royal line began with Bashenga, an ancient Wakandan whose first and only appearance was in "Black Panther" vol. 1 #7 from 1978. Bashenga was supposedly the first king of unified Wakanda, and the first Black Panther some 10,000 years ago.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]

In the distant past, a massive meteorite comprised of the sound-absorbing mineral vibranium crashed in Wakanda, and is unearthed a generation before the events of the present-day. T'Challa, the current Black Panther is the son of T'Chaka, the Black Panther before him and a descendant of Bashenga. Knowing that others would attempt to manipulate and dominate Wakanda for this rare and valuable resource, T'Chaka conceals his country from the outside world. He sells off minute amounts of the valuable vibranium while surreptitiously sending the country's best scholars to study abroad, consequently turning Wakanda into one of the world's most technologically advanced nations. Eventually, however, the explorer Ulysses Klaw finds his way to Wakanda, and covers up his work on a vibranium-powered, sound-based weapon. When exposed, Klaw kills T'Chaka, only to see his "sound blaster" turned on him by a grieving teenaged T'Challa. Klaw's right hand is destroyed, and he and his men flee.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]

Wakanda has an unusually high rate of mutation due to the dangerously mutagenic properties of the Vibranium Mound. A large number of these Wakandan Mutates are working for Erik Killmonger.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]

Vibranium radiation has permeated much of Wakanda's flora and fauna, including the Heart-Shaped Herb eaten by members of the Black Panther Cult (although T'Challa once allowed a dying Spider-Man to eat it in the hope that it would help him deal with ), and the flesh of the White Gorilla eaten by the members of the White Gorilla Cult.

Wakanda's Cults

Panther Cult

After the vibranium meteor fell, a number of Wakandans were painfully mutated into "demon spirits" and began attacking their fellow Wakandans. T'Challa's ancestor, Bashenga became the first Black Panther and closed the vibranium mound to outsiders, forming a religious cult that guarded the mound and fought to keep the "demon spirits" from spreading across the kingdom. The Black Panther is a ceremonial and religious title given to the chief of the Panther Tribe. As part of the cult's ceremonies, a chosen Black Panther is entitled to the use of a heart-shaped herb that grants the person who consumes it enhanced strength, agility, and perception. [ [http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/BlackPanther.html The religion of Black Panther (T'Challa) ] ]

White Gorilla Cult

Wakanda evolved from a hunter-warrior society, and was traditionally ruled by its greatest warrior. The dominant Black Panther Cult outlawed the rival White Gorilla cult's worship in Wakanda.

M'Baku (Man-Ape) of the Jabari tribe is one of Wakanda's greatest warriors, second only to T'Challa, the Black Panther himself. While T'Challa, king of Wakanda, is on a several month leave of absence from Wakanda, the ambitious M'Baku plots to usurp the throne.

M'Baku flouts T'Challa's edicts and revives the White Gorilla Cult, killing one of the rare white gorillas living in the jungles near Wakanda. M'Baku bathes in the gorilla's blood and eats its flesh which "mystically" confers the gorilla's great strength upon M'Baku. [ [http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/m/manape.htm Man-Ape ] ]

Lion Cult

Sekmeht the Lion God could possess the form of any human worshippers or the bodies of those sanctified and sacrificed by its worshippers, it transformed these subjects into human avatars of itself. He has a number of other powers, some of which he has demonstrated. Sekmeht could grow in size, move at rapid speeds, teleport itself and others, and alter its specific density. The Lion God possessed superhuman strength and durability, and it was immortal. It can manipulate the minds of the weak willed.

Little is known of the past history of the Lion God. It had apparently lost many worshippers over the years to the Cult of the Panther God, despite the fact that Sekmeht physically manifested before its followers, and the Panther God only appears to its priests. [ [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/liongod.htm Lion God (Egyptian god, Avengers foe) ] ]

Allies of the Black Panther

* Afrikaa - Afrikaa Ngala first appears in "Black Axe" #5 Marvel UK. Draws power from a magma pool known as the "Heart of Afrikaa". Marvel UK.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Black Axe - Scottish ally of Black Panther from Marvel UK.
* Black Musketeers - the trio of Dr. Joshua Itobo, Ishanta, and Khanata were all members of the royal family of the African kingdom of Wakanda. They were usually called to assist the king.
* Brother Voodoo - Jericho Drumm. The most powerful houngan on the planet. Revealed to be a Skrull agent trying to help the Skrulls take over Wakanda.
*Gentle - Young Wakandan who is a member of the New X-Men, who has extreme strength, by temporarily increasing the muscle mass of his body to impossible levels.
* Jiru - Assistant to N'Gassi, loyal warrior.
* Kasper Cole - The third White Tiger.
* Mokadi - A Wakandan mutate who can teleport.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Monica Lynne - A singer who saved T'Challa from drowning after being bested by Killmonger. His longest love interest, whom he pledged eternal devotion towards.
* Mubaru - Was a Wakandan cabinet member who represented the Mountain Tribes.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* N'Gassi - Advisor to T'Challa, acting regent when he goes away on missions.
* Queen Divine Justice - The street-smart queen of the Jabari tribe of Wakanda raised in Chicago, and former ceremonial betrothed/bodyguard of T'Challa. [ [http://www.marvel.com/universe/Queen_Divine_Justice Queen Divine Justice - Marvel Universe: The definitive online source for Marvel super hero bios ] ]
* Storm - Ororo Munroe, the Black Panther's wife and Queen of Wakanda.
* Vibraxas - ´The master of vibration. A Wakandan noble, and former member of the Fantastic Force. In a relationship with Queen Divine Justice.
* W'Kabi - T'Challa's competent second-in-command, and completely loyal to his liege.
* Zanti Chikane - A black South African gold miner during Apartheid.
* Zuri - A grumpy and gigantic elderly warrior. A close friend of the late T'Chaka, and one of T'Challa's most trusted advisors.

Enemies of the Black Panther

* Achebe' - a poor farmer somewhere in South Africa, Achebe sold his soul to the demon Mephisto.
* Anton Pretorius - South African politician and racist during apartheid.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Baron Macabre - Skull-faced ally of Eric Killmonger.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Black Dragon - An extra-dimensional dragon from K'un-L'un (Iron Fist).
* Blue Talon - Martial artist and agent of Damon Dran.
* Dragon Circle - A multicultural hate organization.
* Cockroach Hamilton - A hitman who worked with the villainess known as Nightshade.
* The Collectors - A loosely affiliated organization, brought together because of a common interest in obscure artifacts. The Collectors are ruthless and will do anything to get the prize.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Colonel Klaue - A WWII Nazi with an iron hand who existed in an apparently alternate continuity Wakanda where Chanda ruled during WWII instead of T'chaka.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Erik Killmonger - A powerful warrior and strategic genius in politics and economics. He has consistently bested the Panther in personal combat.
* Gore
* Hellrazor - Operative of Roxxon Oil with kineto-synthetic powers, killed by Scourge.
* Icon - A Black Panther villain named Dr. A'kurru whose body was made of living wood.
* Jakarra - Former Wakandan General turned world conqueror. Mutated by vibranium into a hulking purple brute. Living generator of sonic vibration, meaning he could generate waves of vibratory force.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* King Cadaver - Wakandan mutate. Had the ability to generate great psychic pain, causing delusions and possibly even controlling the minds of others.
* Kiber the Cruel - Frederick Kiber was a brilliant but mentally unstable black scientist who apparently created teleporter technology in the Marvel Universe. His body was altered by a teleporter accident. Black Panther vol 1 #12.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Kiber's Guards - Brown-skinned androids with super strength and the ability to phase through solid matter.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Lord Karnaj - Wakandan Mutate, ally of Eric Killmonger. Used handheld vibranium-powered sonic disruptors that fired destructive energy blasts.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Man-Ape - Now labeled a villain, M'Baku was Wakanda's greatest warrior second only to the Black Panther. He plotted to usurp the throne with the help of the outlawed White Gorilla cult who were ancient rivals of the Black Panther cult, which basically made them heretics since Panther worship is the state religion.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Madame Slay - Ally and operative of Eric Killmonger.
* Malice' - Agent of Eric Killmonger, Wakandan Mutate with superhuman strength, speed, and agility.
* Moses Magnum - The ruler of Canaan, a small offshoot of Wakanda.
* N'Gamo - Former aide to the Man-Ape.
* N'Grith - Alien race that experimented on human subjects, attempted to invade Earth.
* Princess Zanda - Ruler of Narobia, admirer of T'challa.
* Reverend Achebe - A grinning, unpredictable, lunatic, warrior-mystic, regularly talking to his mannequin "Daki" without delusions that it's truly alive, and engineering complex plots of social unrest for profit or entertainment.
* Salamander K'Ruel - A Wakandan Mutate, ally of Erik Killmonger.
* Sekmeht the Lion God - Leader of the Lion Cult of Wakanda. Believes he is an actual god, opposed to the Panther Cult whose worship diminished his own followers. Banished to another dimension by Iron Man and Mantis.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Six-Million-Year Man - A being named Hatch-22 who hailed from an alternate future in which human beings have evolved into nearly unrecognizable forms and live beneath Earth's surface in numbered hatches.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Solomon Prey - A villain and enemy of the Black Panther, he possesses bat-like wings that enable him to fly. Also has razor sharp claws.
* Sombre - An agent of Eric Killmonger and enemy of the Black Panther. Sombre's touch is highly corrosive and painful.
* Sons of the Serpent
* The Soul Strangler - An evil supernatural creature that referred to itself as the master of the Ku Klux Klan.
* Supremacists - Agents of the Azanian government, promoted apartheid and invaded Wakanda. The members were Barricade, Captain Blaze, Harrier, Hungyr, Voortrekker, and White Avenger. Appeared in "Black Panther" vol. 2 #2.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* Ulysses Klaw - Murderer and betrayer of T'Chaka and personal archenemy of T'Challa. A powerhouse with near-absolute control of sound.
* Venomm - Horatio Venomm was a hideously-scarred human snake charmer with a corpse-like face.
* Vibranium - The former king of Canaan. Baru was deposed by Moses Magnum and transformed into living vibranium by the villain Diablo.
* Wheeler - Former member of the Wakandan Air Patrol a group of armored warriors. Married T'challa's cousin M'Koni. Used his Air Patrol suit to rob a bank in order to pay off gambling debts, but reforms by the end of the story. Appeared in "Daredevil" vol. 2 #245 (1987).See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* White Avenger - Leader of the Azanian Supremacists, blindly patriotic national symbol. His powers included superhuman strength and durability, flight, enhanced vision, infravision, and hyper-awareness.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]
* White Wolf - T'Challa's adopted elder brother and the former leader of the "Hatut Zeraze", the espionage elite police of Wakanda. Exiled by T'Challa, due to using recurrent torture and assassinations in his zeal to root out potential threats to national security.
* Windeagle - Wore an anti-gravity costume which enabled him to fly and glide on wind currents.See [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Black Panther Index] ]

Faux Africa

* Azania - A faux South Africa with its own white supremacist superheroes. First appears in "Black Panther" vol. 2, #1-4. [ [http://www.comicboards.com/marvelguide/blackpanther1v2.html blackpanther1v2 ] ]
* Canaan - Ruled by Moses Magnum, it is apparently a small offshoot of Wakanda located to the west. First appears in "Deathlok" #22, 25.
* Genosha - Former mutant homeland. Was first seen in "Uncanny X-Men" #235.
* Ghudaza - Appears in "Black Panther" vol. 3, #3.
* Halwan - Country that Brillilae attempted to invade with the Black Tiger's help. "Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu" # 20.
* Imaya - Appears in "War Machine" #1-4 and "Night Thrasher" vol. 2, #17.
* Kwarrai - The small South African nation from which Vibrania hails. First appears in "Marvel Super-Heroes III" #4.
* Murkatesh - Homeland of Brillalae, which means "She Who Glistens". She attempted to recruit Abe Brown of America as the new Black Tiger. "Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu" #20.
* Narobia - Homeland of Princess Zanda. "Black Panther" vol. 1 #4, 11.
* Niganda - Neighboring country with deep enmity for Wakanda. "Black Panther" vol. 4, #5.

In other media

Features

* Wakanda appears in the straight-to-DVD animated feature "Ultimate Avengers 2" as a central location and the focal point for the Chitauri invasion. Here the country is portrayed as extreme isolationist nation who views all outsiders as enemies. This is due to a previous attack on their nation by the Chitari decades ago for their vibranium mound here portrayed as a large mountain going great depths. Despite claims made by the new Black Panther T'Challa that they need help, the Elders believe, to the point of arrogance, that they can defend themselves. When T'Challa seeks help from the Avengers he is stripped of his power by the Elders. After the Avengers and Black Panther stop the invasion however, Black Panther's power is restored.

* Wakanda appears in the "Prey Of The Black Panther" episode of the 1994 Fantastic Four animated TV series where the Black Panther lures the Fantastic 4 to Wakanda to test them if they were worthy enough to help him fight Klaw.

References

External links

* [http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appblackpanther.htm Marvel Universe Appendix: Black Panther]
* [http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/BlackPanther.html The Religion of Black Panther]
* [http://www.aub.dk/%7Ehenckel/Sitemap.html Marvel Atlas Project]
* [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/liongod.htm Marvel Universe Appendix: Lion God]
* [http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/m/manape.htm Marvel Directory: Man-Ape]
* [http://www.marvel.com/universe/Queen_Divine_Justice Marvel Universe Online: Queen Divine Justice]
* [http://www.blacksuperhero.com/ The Museum of Black Superheroes]
* [http://www.comicboards.com/marvelguide/blackpantherindex.html Black Panther series index]