Black Panther (vol. 3) #19
Freefall
When faced with the return of Erik Killmonger, the Black Panther (T’Challa) has predicted his foe’s use of the global economy as a weapon. To pre-emptively fight back, the Panther has dissolved the Wakandan government and nationalized all industry. This, in turn, has caused the economy to quickly slide towards a global depression.[1] The move has shocked all parts of the world, including fellow business man Tony Stark (aka Iron Man). When the President of the United States hears the news, he demands to speak to Everett Ross — T’Challa’s American attaché — immediately.
At that moment, Ross is dealing with an intruder, namely an assassin sent by Killmonger to eliminate him. Luckliy, Queen Divine Justice of the Dora Milaje is there to rescue Everett. Even though she is relatively new to this role, Queen grew up on the streets of Chicago and knows how to deal with a male attacker. She kicks him squarely in the nuts and bitch slaps the assassin to the ground.
Meanwhile, Erik Killmonger has launched his final attack against the Black Panther. His armies have been deployed to the Resurrection Altar where Killmonger was recently brought back to life and clash with T’Challa there.[2] Killmonger attacks from the sidelines with T’Challa’s lover, Monica Lynne, his prisoner. Erik already sees his battle as won as world leaders will be gearing up to go to war believing the Black Panther has gone mad.[3] Killmonger relishes finally getting his revenge against the royal family after he was taken from their home and enslaved by Ulysses Klaw before being abandoned in Harlem to fend for himself.[4]
Back in America, Queen Divine Justice is starting to fair poorly against the assassin sent to kill them. Luckliy, Okoye steps in and shoots the would be killer four times in the back. This doesn’t kill him however, as their assailant is actually a resurrected zombie. As Everett finally answers the phone and speaks to the President, a second zombie comes crashing in through the door. When he makes his way toward Everett, Queen grabs onto the zombie from behind and bashes his brains in with the butt of her gun. That’s when Nikki Adams comes charging into the room armed with a toaster. Everett is relieved to see she is ok before remembering he is mad at her.[5]
Meanwhile, the battle rages on in Wakanda, as Zuri pulls back to treat his injuries he sees Brother Voodoo apparently standing on the sidelines. However, the voodoo practitioner is assisting in his own way. He sends out the spirit of his brother, Daniel Drumm, who floats unseen toward Killmonger.[6] Erik is too busy trying to get some kind of emotional reaction out of the Black Panther. T’Challa explains that he intentionally accelerated Killmonger’s plot so that he can only achieve victory by killing him. That’s when the spirit of Daniel Drumm takes possession of Killmonger’s body. Drumm’s spirit then forces Killmonger to drive off his Death Regient by opening fire on them.
With the immediate battle now over, Monic Lynne hits Killmonger in the face for using her as a hostage. While Erik assures her that he would never have harmed her, that does very little to comfort her. When it comes to what to do about Killmonger, the Black Panther tells the others that imprisoning or executing Erik will only make him a martyr and promote his cause. As this is a matter of honor it can only be resolved in one way: A one-on-one battle to the death where it all began, at the edge of Warrior Falls.[6]
Back in the United States, the battle is now over and a Wakandan Air Force craft has arrived to pick up Everett, Queen, and Okoye. While in at the same time, Tony Stark calls his accountant to discuss purchasing the Wakandan Design Group.
Recurring Characters
Black Panther, Erik Killmonger, Brother Voodoo, Everett Ross, Queen Divine Justice, Monica Lynne, Okoye, Zuri, Iron Man
Continuity Notes
T’Challa tanked the Wakandan economy on purpose last issue.
This is in reference to how, at this point, Killmonger has managed to cheat death more than once. He was killed in a life or death battle with the Black Panther in Jungle Action (vol. 2) #17. He was briefly resurrected as a zombie slave of the Mandarin in Iron Man Annual #5, however he was brought back to full life in Over the Edge #6. How he cheated death this time around was explained last issue.
Erik Killmonger states that T’Challa’s father must be spinning in his grave. He is referring to T’Chaka, who was killed by Ulysses Klaw (also mentioned) when T’Challa was still a boy as originally told in Fantastic Four #53. Like any sacrificial father figure, T’Chaka remains among the deceased. He’s probably the only other character who stays dead long enough to keep Ben Parker company.
Being abandoned by Wakanda is Erik Killmonger’s who raison d’etre as originally told in Jungle Action (vol. 2) #7.
Everett is mad at his boss/girlfriend when he learned that she had a previous relationship with T’Challa. This was kept secret from Ross for some time and he saw it as a kind of betrayal. See Black Panther (vol. 3) #6 and the last two issues for all that melodrama.
Brother Voodoo is possessed by his brothers spirit after Daniel was murdered as told back in Strange Tales #169.
During their first battle, Erik Killmonger defeated T’Challa at Warrior Falls, as seen in Jungle Action (vol. 2) #7. This was also where Killmonger died the first time, as seen in issue #17 of that series.
Topical References
Queen refers to Killmonger’s assassin as “Shaquille”. This is a reference to former NBA basketball player Shaquille O’Neil. He played in the league from 1992 until 2011, and was at the height of his popularity at the time this comic was published. Speaking of heights, that’s why the reference is being made because O’Neil stood at a towering 7”1’. This, however, should be considered a topical reference as a more contemporary example could be used in its place.
When smelling her assassin’s breath, Queen suggests that he use a Tic-Tac. This is a real world brand of breath mints and, as such, should be considered a topical reference.
Everett is depicted as having a flip style cell phone that requires a visible antenna to pick up signals. This should be considered topical as this technology is now considered obsolete.
The Job
Back when the Black Panther was a ruler without a country, he and his entourage were on their way back to T’Challa’s Brooklyn headquarters when they are suddenly stopped by a gang of local thugs looking to steal their limo.[1] When Okoye asks T’Challa how to proceed, he tells her to go easy on them as they are only children.
When the leader — a young man who calls himself X-Ray — orders them to get out of the car, Everett tries to take control of the situation by flashing his State Department credentials. This does little to scare off the gangster. But, before X-Ray can shoot Ross in the head, a flashbang goes off blinding them all. While the gang is distracted, Okoyo incapacitates most of them while Zuri flips their car with his titanic strength. One thug manages to get into the limo and tries to drive off. Unfortunately for him, Okoye has activated the vehicle’s anti-theft device and it shocks him into submission the moment he tries turning the engine.
X-Ray, however, manages to make a run for it but he doesn’t get very far before the Black Panther nabs him. T’Challa then tags X-Ray with with his energy dagger, marking him invisibly so the Panther can always track him. T’Challa warns X-Ray that he will hunt him down if he preys on his own people again and that in the future he works for Wakanda. He then tells X-Ray that they’ll be in touch and tosses him off an overpass just as subway train is passing by before vanishing in the night.[2]
In the aftermath of the battle, T’Challa and the others return to their limo and continue on as if nothing happened. Everyone, that is, except for Everett Ross who — now cramped up next to Zuri again — once again laments how much he hates his job.
Recurring Characters
Black Panther, Everett Ross, Zuri, Okoye
Continuity Notes
This story takes place during Achebe’s coup of Wakanda which took place between Black Panther (vol. 3) #1-12. According to the Marvel Chronology Project, this story in particular takes place between issues #5 and 6.
Topical References
The gang members that fight T’Challa in this story use slang and mannerisms that were common in the African-American community during the time this comic was originally published in 2000. As many of these characterizations would make the characters seem dated, their usage here should be considered topical as they reflect the era of publication.