Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is just weeks away from launching on the silver screen, and fans worldwide can’t hide their excitement about the upcoming sequel. Admittedly, many of the pending questions were answered with the news trailer that just recently came out, which reveals Tenoch Huerta as Namor the Sub-Mariner, and showcases the conflict between Atlantis and Wakanda.
Still, fans are scrubbing both trailers, frame by frame, trying to scope for some new information about the upcoming film. Many have already made some interesting assumptions. While some theories are just too wild to ever be plausible, many cite different storylines from the Black Panther comic books, making them even more apparent.
In the end, Wakanda and its rich history are heavily depicted in the comics. While the beauty of this sovereign nation was barely scratched in the MCU, the upcoming film could feature some amazing Easter Eggs from Wakanda’s comic book history that would bring smiles to the faces of true comic book connoisseurs. Oh, and the priceless look of confusion on the faces of those who haven’t read the comics.
Here are 5 Easter Eggs we hope to see in the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever:
The Necropolis
We previously discussed the possibility of Shuri becoming the next Black Panther. That is something that seems more and more possible as the film’s release date draws near. Her ascension to the throne and becoming the Black Panther seems to be the premise of the next film. It’s also well known in the Marvel Comics canon.
In the comics, Shuri becomes the Queen of Wakanda and the prime Black Panther after her brother’s death. T’Challa himself is appointed the King of the Necropolis or the Wakandan City of the Dead — the place where Black Panthers go to die. The Necropolis is prominent in the comics since T’Challa is made the King of the Dead. It also doubles as a home to the Illuminati, whom T’Challa refused to join at one point in the comics.
The Techno-Organic Jungle
There’s no denying that the upcoming film depicts the ravaging of Wakanda by Atlantean forces, who, naturally, came by water. Besides the obvious reason, like water being their domain, it would be nice to see the upcoming film mention Wakanda’s techno-organic jungle and the fact that no invaders can move through it without being detected.
The jungle is a fusion between Vibranium and African fauna and has served different purposes throughout the comics. The jungle trees have roots that turn into optic fibers running underneath the surface and act as Wakanda’s massive alarm against intruders. Something like the country’s peripheral nervous system.
The Hulkbuster Armor
In the Avenger’s universe, everyone fears what would happen if the Hulk ever truly lost control since the green monster is the Breaker of Worlds — or at least he becomes one in the comics. So in response to that threat, King T’Challa used Wakanda’s advanced scientific knowledge and technological prowess to design the Wakandan Hulkbuster armor.
The armor was never used against Bruce Banner’s Hulk. Considering Banner became Professor Hulk, the need for the armor became obsolete. Still, it would be nice to, at the very least, get a glimpse of the technological marvel, with one of Wakanda’s scientists or techs working on it or actually having someone casually mention that the armor now has no use since [SPOILER ALERT] the Hulk isn’t on Earth anymore. The last we saw him, he was leaving Earth on a Sakaaran ship in She-Hulk.
Anti-Galactus Plan
Despite being the lowest-rated MCU film, Eternals set the stage for the later appearance of Galactus — a cosmic entity that consumes entire planets to sustain his life force, also known as the Devourer of Worlds. Well, as it turns out, Wakanda has known about this galactic threat for quite some time, and following Thanos’ attack on the African nation, T’Challa had a contingency plan prepared in case of intergalactic assaults.
Agent Everett Ross, who is already in Wakanda in the MCU, happened to stumble upon this plan — titled “Galactus — Contingency Plans and Procedures” — in the comic book narrative. The plan includes sentences like: “form a single line and exit the planet in an orderly fashion.” Admittedly, the MCU is still a bit far from Galactus’ appearance, but it would be nice if we could actually get a silver screen adaptation of agent Ross picking up that plan.
Broken Spears
The Dora Milaje, who were actually modeled after the Dahomey Warriors of West Africa, are the personal bodyguards to the ruler of Wakanda, recruited from every tribe. In addition to their protective function, the Dora Milaje are regarded as a pool of superior Wakandan female warriors. As per ancient traditions, they were assembled as potential queens for an unmarried king and spoke only to the royal family and among themselves.
Following the Infinity War in the comics, the Dora Milaje learned of T’Challa’s meetings with Namor, rejected him, and disclosed his dealings to Shuri. In addition, the entire group symbolically broke their spears before coming under the orders of Queen Shuri. Of course, it’s highly unlikely for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to depict T’Challa and Namor’s meetings, but the symbolic breaking of spears — perhaps as a part of the pledge of allegiance ceremony — before coming under the orders of the new King, or in this case, Queen, would be a nice nod towards comic book history.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, a single feature-length film isn’t enough to depict Wakanda’s rich comic book history. However, Easter Eggs could be a fun way to pique the interest of moviegoers to pick up the Black Panther comic book and learn more about the characters, the fictional nation, and its contributions to the MCU universe. But why stop there? There’s plenty of history to be read on the cradle of humankind itself.