Culture & Lifestyle
Published May 9, 2022

What Does It Take to Become a Member of the Dora Milaje?

The in-world 'Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual for the Dora Milaje' arrives this September!

Historically, the Dora Milaje are Wakanda's elite, all-female guards for the Black Panther. In the modern era, the "Adorned Ones" are one of the most formidable fighting forces in the world, willing to sacrifice everything to protect Wakanda and its people.

With Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual for the Dora Milaje, an in-world history and training manual, you can learn what it takes to become a member of the cadre of strong fierce women. Written by Karama Horne (founder of The Blerd Girl), Protectors of Wakanda is available everywhere books are sold on September 13, 2022Pre-order your copy now!

“It dawned on me that the Dora Milaje don’t really have a history in the comics,” Horne explained to The Root. “We see them come in and out, they’re these beautiful bald women who are warriors, but I was like where do they come from, how do they get picked? We know they come from all over Wakanda, but what does that look like? And that’s what I decided to explore in this book.”

Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual for the Dora Milaje cover art by Ashley A. Woods
Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual for the Dora Milaje cover art by Ashley A. Woods

[RELATEDMeet the Warrior Women of Wakanda]

The world of Wakanda, a technologically advanced society with a deep history and culture, prides itself on tradition, honor, courage, and strength. There is no greater symbol of that strength than Wakanda’s leader, the Black Panther. But protection of that symbol is tasked to the Dora Milaje—a team of women serving as Wakanda’s special forces.

Step inside Marvel Comics’ Black Panther universe and follow the elite society of warriors to discover what it’s like to train as member of the Dora Milaje. Recruited from across all tribes, the selected initiates undergo intense training, both physical and mental.

Passed down from elder Dora to initiates, with entries by General Okoye, Princess Shuri, and Queen Mother Ramonda, Protectors of Wakanda reveals not only the history and foundation of the unit, but collects the strategy, weapons, and combat training as well as the code of honor and nuances of service required to protect the Black Panther and the nation of Wakanda.

Added commentary and guidance from notable warriors, such as Mistress Zola, Ayo, Aneka and M’yra, fill the margins of this treasured text.

“This idea of Wakanda hadn’t really been codified, and there were all these amazing surprises, things that I found along the way that I think people who are fans of the movies are going to be surprised about. Because the comic book lore is a little bit different,” continued Horne. Read her full interview over at The Root.

Find out if you have what it takes to become a member of the Dora Milaje and bring honor to your tribe! Protectors of Wakanda is available September 13, everywhere books are sold

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'Protectors of Wakanda' Preview