Wakanda (comics)

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Wakanda is a fictional nation in the Marvel Universe. It is one of many fictional African nations in the Marvel Universe, including Azania, Canaan, Narobia, Halwan and Murkatesh.

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[edit] History

The Wakandan royal line began with Bashenga, an ancient Wakandan whose first and only appearance was in Black Panther v1 #7 from 1978. Bashenga was supposedly the first king of unified Wakanda, and the first Black Panther some 10,000 years ago.[1]

T'Challa is the son of T'Chaka, who was the Black Panther before him. In the distant past, a massive meteorite comprised of the sound-absorbing mineral vibranium crashed in Wakanda, and was unearthed a generation before the events of the present-day. Knowing that others would attempt to manipulate and dominate Wakanda for this rare and valuable resource, T'Chaka concealed his country from the outside world. He would sell 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 found his way to Wakanda, and with lies and subterfuge covered up his work on a vibranium-powered, sound-based weapon. When exposed, Klaw killed T'Chaka and many other Wakandans, only to see his "sound blaster" turned on him by a grieving T'Challa, then barely a teenager. Klaw's right hand was destroyed, and he and his men fled.[1]

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 went to work for Eric Killmonger.[1]

Vibranium radiation has permeated much of Wakanda's flora and fauna, including the Heart-Shaped Herb eaten by members of the Black Panther Cult, and the flesh of the White Gorilla eaten by the members of the White Gorilla Cult.

Panther Idol, art by Jack Kirby
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Panther Idol,
art by Jack Kirby

[edit] 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 of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. In addition to ruling the country, he is also chief of its various tribes (collectively referred to as the Wakandas). The Panther uniform is a symbol of office as well as a religious vestment.

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.[2]

[edit] 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 was one of Wakanda's greatest warriors, second only to T'Challa, the Black Panther himself. While T'Challa, king of Wakanda, was on a several month leave of absence from Wakanda, the ambitious M'Baku plotted to usurp the throne.

M'Baku flouted T'Challa's edicts and revived the White Gorilla cult, killing one of the rare white gorillas living in the jungles near Wakanda. M'Baku bathed in the gorilla's blood and ate its flesh which "mystically" conferred the gorilla's great strength upon M'Baku.[3]

[edit] 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.[4]

[edit] Black Panther Allies

  • Afrikaa - Afrikaa Ngala first appears in Black Axe #5 Marvel U.K. Draws power from a magma pool known as the "Heart of Afrikaa". Marvel UK.[1]
  • Black Axe - Scottish ally of Black Panther from Marvel UK.
  • The 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.
  • Jiru - Assistant to N'Gassi, loyal warrior.
  • Kasper Cole - The second White Tiger.
  • Mokadi - A Wakandan mutate who can teleport.[1]
  • Mubaru - Was a Wakandan cabinet member who represented the Mountain Tribes.[1]
  • N'Gassi - Advisor to T'Challa, acting regent when he goes away on missions.
  • N'Kantu - The Living Mummy.
  • Queen Divine Justice - Queen of the Jabari tribe of Wakanda, former betrothed of T'Challa.[5]
  • Storm - Ororo Munroe the Black Panther's wife and Queen of Wakanda
  • Vibraxas - Was former member of Fantastic Force.
  • Zanti Chikane - A black South African gold miner during Apartheid.

[edit] Black Panther Villains

  • Anton Pretorius - South African politician and racist during apartheid.[1]
  • Baron Macabre - Skull-faced ally of Eric Killmonger.[1]
  • Black Dragon - An extradimensional dragon from K'un-Lun (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.[1]
  • 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.[1]
  • Eric Killmonger - A long-time enemy of the Black Panther.
  • 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.[1]
  • King Cadaver - Had the ability to generate great psychic pain, causing delusions and possibly even controlling the minds of others. Wakandan mutate.
  • 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.[1]
  • Kiber's Guards - Brown-skinned androids with super strength and the ability to phase through solid matter.[1]
  • Klaw - Murderer and betrayer of T'Chaka and enemy of T'Challa.
  • Lord Karnaj - Ally of Eric Killmonger, Wakandan Mutate. Used handheld vibranium-powered sonic disruptors that fired destructive energy blasts.[1]
  • Man-Ape - Now labelled 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.[1]
  • 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.
  • Salamander K'Ruel - A Wakandan Mutate, ally of Erik Killmonger.
  • Sekmeht the Lion God - Leader of the Lion Cult of Wakanda. Believes himself to be an actual god, opposed to the Panther Cult whose worship diminished his own followers. Banished to another dimension by Iron Man and Mantis.[1]
  • 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.[1]
  • Solomon Prey - A vilain 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.
  • 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. Black Panther vol. 2 #2.[1]
  • 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).[1]
  • 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.[1]
  • Windeagle - Wore an anti-gravity costume which enabled him to fly and glide on wind currents.[1]

[edit] Faux Africa

  • Azania - A faux South Africa with its own white supremacist superheroes. First appears in Black Panther (2nd series) #1-4.[6]
  • 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 (3rd series) #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 Trasher (2nd series) #17.
  • 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 (1st series) #4, 11.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u See Black Panther Index
  2. ^ http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/BlackPanther.html
  3. ^ http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/m/manape.htm
  4. ^ http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/liongod.htm
  5. ^ http://www.marvel.com/universe/Queen_Divine_Justice
  6. ^ http://www.comicboards.com/marvelguide/blackpanther1v2.html

[edit] External links

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