By Marc Strom
After surviving a horde of zombies, a Skrull gladiatorial ring and the Microverse, can the Black Panther possible hope to make it through…his homecoming?
Since the end of Civil War, Marvel's premier royal couple of the Black Panther and Storm have taken some time off from their courtly duties for a little inter-dimensional adventuring with one half of the Fantastic Four in the Thing and the Human Torch. Now, with the return of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman to that fabulous foursome, King T'Challa makes his way back to Wakanda on March 26 in BLACK PANTHER #35.
No one ever said running your own country would be all fun and games, though, especially when that country happens to stand as one of the world's most developed nations. According to BLACK PANTHER editor Axel Alonso, Wakanda's powerful status lies at the root of some looming troubles, and may explain the presence of a few U.S. Navy carriers near Wakanda's coast.
"Look at Wakanda," Alonso notes. "Never conquered, big army, strong leader, isolationist stance and Spartan ethic. It's not too hard to see how it could be viewed as a threat [by the U.S. government]."
T'Challa's troubles won't stop there, though. When he returns to Wakanda, the Panther will find himself without his queen for the first time since their marriage while Storm helps her fellow X-Men safeguard the future of mutant kind during "Messiah CompleX" and its aftermath.
"Marriage is a tricky thing, and compromise is a key ingredient," Alonso explains. "In T'Challa and Ororo, you have two strong-minded 'professionals' with two rather large families. This is bound to present some challenges. Storm has adopted Wakanda as her new family, just as it has adopted her as its Queen, but that doesn't mean she has turned her back on her first family."
With or without Storm, the Black Panther will face the return of an old menace when Killmonger makes his presence felt once again.
The only foe to ever beat T'Challa, Erik Killmonger even ruled Wakanda for a time as its Black Panther. But does he still have enough support within the country to cause more than a little trouble for the Panther?
"Wouldn't you like to know," Alonso teases. "Bottom line, Killmonger is a seductive dude. Read and find out."
While in most cases absence makes the heart grow fonder, it can't help T'Challa that a few of his country people haven't looked kindly upon their leader gallivanting around overseas rather than watching over his own populace.
Alonso admits that "there are certainly some who frown on T'Challa's absence—including T'Challa's mother—and those who [will] look to capitalize on this." Better watch your back, Panther!
Even if he manages to beat Killmonger this time around, T'Challa won't have much time to relax and celebrate his victory. Not with a certain invasion on the horizon, at least.
"After [the Killmonger arc], there's Secret Invasion," Alonso warns. "Wakanda has something that the Skrulls need, so they're going to send an armada to do what's never been done before: conquer Wakanda."
Let's hope they remembered to pack some shape-shifting body bags when they left for earth!
BLACK PANTHER #35 comes your way March 26, but you can get caught up on T'Challa's adventures via Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
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