Meet the Hatut Zeraze, Wakanda’s War Dogs

Wakanda is the most technologically advanced nation in the Marvel Universe. To defend itself and its interests worldwide, the African state employs numerous special and elite forces, the most formidable of which are the Hatut Zeraze. In the Wakandan language, “Hatut Zeraze” translates to “dogs of war.” Also known as the Wakandan Security Forces, the Hatut Zeraze operate separately from other organizations such as the Dora Milaje.

The War Dogs are highly trained and armed with the latest technology Wakanda has to offer, making them one of the most lethal fighting forces in the world. Whenever the Hatut Zeraze show up, they signify the appearance of a threat so great that even Black Panther might require reinforcements. Let’s take a deeper dive into the Hatut Zeraze, the role they play in Wakanda, and their impact on the wider Marvel Universe.

WHO ARE THE HATUT ZERAZE?

The Hatut Zeraze, also known as the War Dogs, operate as both a black ops force employed by the Wakandan royal family and a secret police organization that often crosses the line via extrajudicial means. Over the years, the Hatut Zeraze’s questionable practices earned them a controversial reputation, with T’Challa often speaking out against their methodologies. Nonetheless, the elite special forces unit has operated in some capacity even after T’Challa ascended to the Wakandan throne, working with or without his begrudging approval.

When the Black Panther disavowed the Hatut Zeraze, he cut any Wakandan support to the organization. The War Dogs retaliated by rallying behind T’Challa’s estranged adoptive brother Hunter, otherwise known as the White Wolf. In this capacity, the Hatut Zeraze operated as mercenaries around the world, putting their lethal skills to use.

Despite their change in status, the Hatut Zeraze maintained a fanatical devotion to Wakanda. The War Dogs fought for their perception of the nation’s best interests, regardless of whether those interests aligned with the throne.

THE ROLE OF THE HATUT ZERAZE

From the Hatut Zeraze to the Dora Milaje, Wakanda possesses multiple elite fighting forces that exist alongside each other and fulfill different roles. A highly trained organization of female warriors, the Dora Milaje is assigned with protecting the Wakandan royal family at all costs. The Midnight Angels are a subgroup of the Dora Milaje who employ a wider range of advanced weapons, often on assassination missions or other proactive initiatives that protect Wakandan interests.

Contrastingly, the Hatut Zeraze recruits Wakandan men into its ranks and uses whatever advanced weapons they deem effective in getting the job done as discretely as possible. Echoing Black Panther’s outfit, the Hatut Zeraze wear vibranium-mesh suits, identifiable by their white color and energy-dampening boots. Their uniforms are also fitted with cloaking technology that facilitates their stealth operations. Initially, the Hatut Zeraze’s equipment and weaponry were based on technology by the rogue Hyena Clan until they received more illicit support from the Wakandan government in WAKANDA (2022) #4.

THE HISTORY OF THE HATUT ZERAZE

When Ulysses Klaw assassinated King T'Chaka, the Hatut Zeraze led the investigation to track down the mercenary in BLACK PANTHER (2005) #3. It was not until the death of T’Challa's father that the Wakandan government revealed the existence of the Hatut Zeraze to the public. However, T'Challa subsequently banished the organization upon his ascension to the throne due to their extreme methods. This led Hatut Zeraze to regroup under the White Wolf's leadership outside of Wakanda.

On the White Wolf's orders, the Hatut Zeraze actively hunted T'Challa in BLACK PANTHER (1998) #4, resulting in a brawl across New York City rooftops. The special ops unit even used explosives against Black Panther, who immediately understood that his estranged brother had sent the War Dogs after him.

When T'Challa vocalized his grievances about the Hatut Zeraze, the White Wolf reminded the Wakandan king that T'Chaka utilized the War Dogs first. The White Wolf even acknowledged that he and the Hatut Zeraze had become mercenaries since T'Challa exiled them from Wakanda over their use of excessive force. This tense interaction set the tone between T'Challa and the Hatut Zeraze until mutual enemies forced them to find common ground.

SHURI AND THE HATUT ZERAZE

In AVENGERS VS. X-MEN (2012), a Phoenix Force-empowered Namor attacked Wakanda and turned the animosity between the two kingdoms into an all-out war. When T'Challa’s younger sister Shuri claimed the Wakandan throne, she quietly brought the Hatut Zeraze back under the royal family's control as a clandestine strike force for her kingdom. Shuri mobilized the Wakandan military to attack Atlantis in NEW AVENGERS (2013) #8, which included the Hatut Zeraze, much to T'Challa’s chagrin.

An unknown adversary also programmed robots that resembled the Hatut Zeraze and sent them to assassinate Namor in SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP (2013) #8. However, the combined might of the Sub-Mariner and Superior Spider-Man thwarted these efforts.

The reintegration of the Hatut Zeraze into the Wakandan government drove a wedge between Shuri and T'Challa. In NEW AVENGERS (2013) #12, the growing tensions between brother and sister culminated in a temporary rupture in their relationship. When T'Challa reclaimed the throne, he tenuously employed the Hatut Zeraze on black ops missions around the Marvel Universe. However, those tensions between him and the elite organization remained. Factions of the Hatut Zeraze in fact still pledged allegiance to the White Wolf, following his lead on missions around the world.

THE HATUT ZERAZE VERSUS OTHERWORLDY THREATS

Whenever crisis looms over the entire Marvel Universe, the Hatut Zeraze defend Wakanda from all manner of threats, cosmic and otherwise. In EMPYRE (2020) #4, the plant-based Cotati launched a full-scale invasion of Earth, with the Hatut Zeraze defending their nation alongside their king. When Knull's symbiote army conquered the world, T'Challa commanded the War Dogs to secure the perimeter of Wakanda's capital in KING IN BLACK: BLACK PANTHER (2021) #1. Beyond protecting Wakanda from routine alien invasions, the War Dogs also defended the nation from more supernatural threats too. The Hatut Zeraze fought back against Vernae's vampires in BLACK PANTHER: BLOOD HUNT (2024) #1.

Whether stationed abroad or within the borders of Wakanda, the Hatut Zeraze are ready to defend their nation's interest at a moment’s notice, even if from the shadows.

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