The world of Wakanda-based streaming series to Disney+. Coogler's production company Proximity Media has signed a five-year television deal with Disney, and the first project will focus on the kingdom of Wakanda. But what Marvel comics could it draw from?
Not much is known about the series at this point, beyond the fact that it will be a drama. Is it an anthology? Will it focus on a single character or cast of characters? There are lots of possibilities in the comics the series could explore, from the past to the future of Wakanda, to other aspects of its fascinating present day.
World Of Wakanda
The streaming series could quite literally be the World Of Wakanda, a Marvel comic series with a brief run in 2018. The six-issue series functioned as a kind of anthology, exploring the history and culture of Wakanda, though primarily through the lens of Ayo and Aneka, two of the Dora Milaje. The series was primarily written by New York Times best-selling writer Roxane Gay, with poet Yona Harvey also contributing a story to the first issue. They were the first two African-American women to write for Marvel Comics.
Atlantis Attacks
Wakanda could also serve as a potential platform to introduce a major Marvel character, Namor. The kingdoms of Atlantis and Wakanda have a historically antagonistic relationship that goes back decades. Atlantis launched an attack against the world, including Wakanda, in the Atlantis Attacks crossover in 1990.
Things really escalated in the Avengers Vs. X-Men event when Namor used his newfound Phoenix Force powers to unleash a tidal wave on Wakanda. Though none of these events are likely to occur in the series, Atlantis and its rocky relationship with Wakanda could be explored.
Agents Of Wakanda
There has been an Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series and there could very well be an Agents Of Wakanda one. This 2019 series from writer Jim Zub and artist Lan Medina saw Black Panther bring together a motley crew of Marvel characters, like Gorilla-Man, Ka-Zar, and Wasp, to serve as an international and even interplanetary second line of defense for the Avengers.
One of their first missions involved gathering intelligence on Prince Namor and his potential plans against Wakanda and the world. Though T'Challa may not feature in the streaming series, another character could fill the role, like Okoye, the leader of the Dora Milaje, who served as his second in command on this team.
Kilmonger's Rage
Michael B. Jordan has expressed interest in returning for Black Panther 2 as Kilmonger. He could also return for the streaming series, and if he does, one story the show could explore is Kilmonger's Rage. This story took place in Black Panther #16-20, written by Christopher Priest and drawn by Sal Velluto.
Elements of the story, which explored the rivalry between Kilmonger and Black Panther, appeared in the first Black Panther movie. But the series could go deeper into Kilmonger's past and perhaps his future if he does in fact return.
Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion was a major Marvel crossover that touched virtually every other corner of the Marvel Universe, including Wakanda. A team of Super Skrulls tried to invade Wakanda, and Black Panther stopped them. With the story now becoming the basis for its own Disney+ streaming series, it's very possible that it crosses over into the Wakanda series also.
Numerous MCU characters could appear in Secret Invasion, and likewise in Wakanda if the Skrull invasion infiltrates that nation as well. Given the interconnectivity between the various Disney+ series, it's possible.
A Nation Under Our Feet
Ta-Nehisi Coates is an award-winning writer and journalist who brought Black Panther into a new age when he started writing the title in 2016. Coates' storyline A Nation Under Our Feet explored the complicated political history of both Wakanda and Africa, delivering a new and necessary perspective for the iconic character.
Coates also introduced the concept of the vibranium suit that absorbs kinetic energy in this run. Coates also has written for Captain America and is now writing a screenplay for a new Superman movie, with J.J. Abrams producing.
Strum Und Drang
Along with Namor, Black Panther has a sour relationship with another major national leader in Marvel Comics - Doctor Doom. Doom is one of the most heinous Marvel villains, and there is no love lost between Latveria and Wakanda. Christopher Priest explored the intriguing dynamic between Doom and T'Challa in Strum Und Drang, a story in Black Panther #26-29.
This story contrasted them not just as heroes and villains, but rulers and men. Though Doom and T'Challa may not play direct roles in the streaming series, introducing Latveria and the complicated history between the two countries is a possibility.
Avengers Of The New World
A major storyline by Ta-Nihesi Coates in Black Panther #13-18 is Avengers Of The New World. This story delved for the first time into the rich mythology and religion of Wakanda and it's easily a story that the streaming series could build off of.
The storyline explored beyond the mythology of the Black Panther into other Wakanda and African gods, continuing to deepen the lore of the fascinating world of Wakanda.
The Intergalactic Empire Of Wakanda
Coates' tenure on the title went in many different directions, including outer space. One of the most fascinating storylines he created was The Intergalactic Empire Of Wakanda. This extension of Wakanda in outer space was created by a group of Alpha Flight explorers who were sent by T'Challa to search for the origin of the Mena Ngai.
The explorers fell through a temporal anomaly into the past, where they established an empire named after their homeland. Given how broadly the MCU is expanding into the cosmic, this storyline could very easily show up on screen.
The Crew
Another team that could potentially serve as the foundation for the streaming series is The Crew. Written by Christopher Priest, with art by Joe Bennett, The Crew series involved teams of primarily black superheroes banding together in New York City to fight injustice, including Storm and Misty Knight, one of the Daughters Of The Dragon.
The concept could easily be transplanted to Wakanda, or perhaps melded together with Agents Of Wakanda to form a more international type of team. It would be different without T'Challa, but another character could serve in his place, like Nakia or perhaps even M'Baku.