Warning: SPOILERS for Black Panther #13
Marvel's ing of Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman. It is thus all the more surprising that the ending of Black Panther #13 is the complete opposite of the ending of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The film deals with a clash between Wakanda and the armies of Atlantis, known in the MCU as Talocan. Talocan's ruler Namor believes Wakanda's existence is a threat to his kingdom and his people, and through posturing, poor decisions and a general misunderstanding, the two kingdoms to go war. Namor and Shuri, the two rulers of their respective nations, fight in single combat - but when Namor is close to death, Shuri saves his life, maintaining a rocky peace between Wakanda and Talocan (later, Namor believes this act means the Wakandans will come to his aid again, and if necessary, Talocan will defeat them if necessary).
But in Black Panther #13, written by John Ridley with art by German Peralta, Black Panther is on the back foot as the Avengers track down his ship, cripple the craft and force T'Challa to the ground. The Avengers, having recently learned of Black Panther's complicity in a recent cyberattack on America, fight T'Challa to a standstill, with Captain America hitting Black Panther him again and again until Wakanda's former king can barely stand. In his desperate hour, he's met by Namor...along with a massive Atlantean fleet. "Rise, T'Challa," says Namor "and know on this matter -- with you, and against all others...Atlantis fights at your side."
Black Panther Comics Reverse Wakanda Forever's Ending
This is quite a shock for readers aware of the history between Namor and Black Panther; the two are longtime rivals. While Namor and Shuri are rivals in the 2022 MCU film, they have only known one another for a few days at most. Instead of Black Panther saving Namor, as was the case in the film, Namor saves Black Panther in the comics - and everyone, especially Black Panther, is shocked.
The current John Ridley Black Panther run has landed T'Challa at rock bottom: he has lost his throne, many of his friends, and he is all but exiled from his home country. An ally such as Namor is certainly a shock, but T'Challa needs all the friends he can get. Black Panther will fight side-by-side with Namor in future issues, but will this mean the Avengers are now T'Challa's enemy?
