Panther’s Rage

The Black Panther has returned to his homeland of Wakada to find it in a state of unrest.[1] Patrolling the jungles he comes across two men named Tayete and Kazibe torturing on of his people in a cage. Driving them off, the Panther frees his subject from the cage. Dying, the man warns T’Challa that there is a growing resistance that is threatening his rule of Wakanda that has grown in his absence. When the man dies, the Black Panther carries him back to the village in Central Wakanda, there the people mourn the loss of one of their elders.

Meeting with W’Kabi, T’Challa’s chief of security, he asks who is responsible for the unrest in his kingdom. W’Kabi tells him that the leader of this resistance is a man named Erik Killmonger, who lives in the Northern Hills. Wondering how they managed to get advanced weapons, T’Challa orders W’Kabi to form a party to investigate. W’Kabi also expresses his dislike of speaking about tribal business in front of Monica Lynn, who T’Challa brought with him from America.[2] Monica makes a big deal about this until she realizes that a man has died and comforts T’Challa, who deeply upset by this senseless death.

Later, the Black Panther takes a party up river along with W’Kabi, and Taku, his communications expert. As they pass a village that has been pillaged, T’Challa can hardly believe the destruction that was caused. W’Kabi explains that this all happened during T’Challa’s long absence from Wakanda, and heavily criticizes his king for spending so much time away. Seeing the death and destruction up close, the Panther puts in a call for medical teams to come and provide aid. When he saves a survivor from the river, W’Kabi warns his king that Killmonger is not a foe to take lightly as he takes pleasure in inflicting pain and lacks any mercy.

Following the trail, Black Panther arrives at Warrior Falls where he runs into Tayete and Kazibe again. He easily defeats them for the second time when he is suddenly ambushed from behind by Killmonger himself. Trying to whip the Panther with his spiked belt, Killmonger narrowly misses the Wakandan monarch. During the ensuing battle, Erik is surprised that T’Challa doesn’t recognize him. When the Panther evades his attacks, Killmonger orders his leopard — Preyy — to attack. The Panther struggles with the big cat but ultimately Killmonger pulls the beast away before it can make the kill. With the Panther bloodied and beaten, Killmonger lifts the hero up and tosses him over the falls to his doom.

Recurring Characters

Black Panther, Erik Killmonger, Monica Lynn, W’Kabi, Taku, Venomm, Tayete, Kazibe, Preyy

Continuity Notes

1. T’Challa has returned to Wakanda after a prolonged tenure on the Avengers that ran from Avengers #51-126.

2. Monica first met the Black Panther when he and the Avengers clashed with the Sons of the Serpent in Avengers #73-74.

Supplement Material

This issue also features a map of the nation of Wakanda as well as a more detailed view of the city of Central Wakanda.

This map states that Wakanda is located along the coast of the Atlantic ocean on the west end of the country. However, this has been proven to be inaccurate. A later revision of the map in Jungle Action (vol. 2) #8 changes the nearby ocean from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean and it is no longer visibly represented on the map itself.

Per Marvel Atlas #2, Wakanda is surrounded by the nations of Niganda, Rudyarda, Ujanka, Ghudaza, Mohannda, Zwarthied, Azania, and Canaan. While the map featured in Black Panther (vol. 6) #4 indicates the only major body of water is the Nyanza Lake, aka Lake Victoria, which is located on the east of Wakanda.

When comparing the maps in Jungle Action (vol. 2) to the one featured in Black Panther (vol. 6) #4, they are vastly different. It’s my view that the maps are different based on the following: The maps featured in Jungle Action were focused on the geography of Wakanda, focusing mostly on mountain ranges, forest, jungles, and bodies of water, while the map featured in Black Panther is intended to identify major cities within Wakanda and their positions on the map.

Secondly, discrepancies could be chalked up to the fact that Wakanda was a hidden nation for many centuries and remained highly secretive following T’Challa’s first interaction with the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four #52. One could assume that earlier maps were created out of what little information was known about the country by the outside world.