Warning: spoilers for Black Panther #3!Vibranium, mined from the Black Panther's native Wakanda, just got even stronger. Vibranium has earned a reputation as one of the strongest metals in the Marvel universe, but T'Challa's escapades in Birnin, T'Chaka as an exiled Batman-esque vigilante just exposed the fullest potential of Vibranium. However, in a rare occurence, T'Challa isn't the one who made this discovery.
T'Challa gets better acquainted with Natima (aka Beisa) in Black Panther #3 by Eve L. Ewing, Chris Allen, Mack Chater, Craig Yeung, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Sabino. In the s, the Black Panther's new "interesting" rival is surprised to see that the man she mistakes as an impostor to the mantle is not in her home to fight. Instead, he just wants to talk. He learns that she's been investigating a series of kidnappings that link to a crime boss by the name of Baba Nkisu. In the midst of all this, T'Challa snoops around Natima's place and is shocked to discover a hand-crafted kunai forged in Vibranium "in the ancient style, but treated with differential tempering for a superior cutting edge."
Wakanda's Vibranium Just Got Sharper
An alien ore, Vibranium has the unique property of redirecting kinetic energy. This makes it ultra-resistant to damage, and focuses its cutting edge like nothing else. Weapons made of Vibranium are the ultimate cutting tools - rivaled only by Adamantium - and these feature heavily in T'Challa's armory, from his claws and throwing knives to his new spear. However, the idea of tempering Vibranium for a superior edge shows that there are ways for the skillful to enhance Vibranium further. While so far Beisa has been a rival to Black Panther, the two have interests in common, meaning Black Panther may soon be wielding tempered Vibranium - and certainly will in future, as his genius mind now knows how to improve his weaponry.
A Major Weapon Upgrade Beckons for Black Panther
This is the first time in Panther lore that such a method has been used to give Vibranium a sharper edge, thus making it all the more effective as a blade. In previous issues, readers have seen this weapon attached to Beisa's whip, which she uses to travel from building to building, as well as wrap around someone's neck to subdue them. As for the actual blade, the part edged with Vibranium, the closest that it has been used in combat is when it is launched directly at T'Challa in the last issue, which he narrowly blocked with his shield. Given that Black Panther is using a whole new armory of bladed weapons, the discovery of even sharper Vibranium is a major upgrade, making him effective even against Wakandan villains who have access to the anti-metal.
Needless to say, readers have yet to see the full extent of what this uniquely tuned Vibranium kunai can do, but the possibilities are endless. For all intents and purposes, there is a chance that it could be powerful enough to slice through T'Challa's suit - maybe even Adamantium - if given the chance. Surely, since such a brief but major spotlight is put on the weapon, it's likely that readers will learn how powerful it is in due time, if not this very issue. It certainly poses Beisa as a far more dangerous threat so early into her introduction, not only because she has this weapon in her possession, but because she was capable of crafting something even the Black Panther doesn't have in his arsenal.
Black Panther #3 is out August 23 from Marvel Comics.
