The Deadliest of the Species, Part 5

The totemic leach known as Morlun has come to Wakanda to feast upon the life energies of the dying Black Panther (T’Challa). When this threat arrives at Wakanda’s borders, W’Kabi orders a missile strike immediately. Amazingly, Morlun shrugs off the blast and continues onward!

Meanwhile, in the limbo between life and death, T’Challa has been fighting for his life. Having to face the unending horde of Death itself, he is joined by his wife, Storm (Ororo Monroe), who has arrived in this domain through mystical means to save her husband.[1] With her mutant ability to control the weather, the couple are able to fend off the endless legions of the dead.

In the world of the living, Shuri wakes up from her trance after eating the heart-shaped herb. While T’Challa is in a coma, she was selected to succeed him as the Black Panther. However, she was rejected by the Panther God (Bast) and tells Zuri and S’Yan this when she comes out of her trance.[2] However, Zuri points out that she somehow survived this encounter and suspects that the Panther God has a role for her to play still. S’Yan is disappointed that Shuri didn’t pass the test, saying that they still need a Black Panther. She then asks what has happened while she was in the astral plane.

Back in limbo, Storm and T’Challa have defeated the horde of the dead and seemingly Death itself. However, T’Challa knows that they have only staved her off for the time being. When he suggests that they both return to the world of the living, Ororo tells him that there is something she needs to say.

Simultaneously, Shuri learns how Morlun is cutting his way through the capital city and Wakanda’s armies with ease. Preparations are being made to move T’Challa’s body because Storm will not be able to help defend it. At the same time, Storm tells her husband that, thanks to the magic used to get her to the limbo, she has to trade her life for his. He learns about how Ororo sought out the help of Zawavari, the local witchdoctor to pull off this feat. However, T’Challa refuses to accept this. That’s when the “remains” of Death begins to speak. She confirms that for him to leave, Storm has to remain behind. In order to make sure that this deal is honored, the armies of the dead begin reassembling themselves to fight if need be.

Meanwhile, the situation in Wakanda is becoming more and more grim, especially after Ramonda learns that Shuri was rejected by Bast. Seeing that all of this is making Zawavari grin, Ramonda demands that he say whatever it is he is keeping to himself. He points out that Shuri was spared by the Panther God to fill some kind of purpose and suggests that she has a higher purpose to serve. He suggests that the solution to this crisis won’t be one that entirely relies on either science or magic. Shuri quickly reflects on her encounter with the Panther God and realizes that her hubris was in now believing enough in the supernatural and becoming too reliant on modern Wakanda. She realizes now that what Zawavari says is true and she now knows what she has to do. She tells Zuri and W’Kabi to guard the king while she makes preparations to kill Morlun once and for all.

While Shuri suits up in a Black Panther habit and arms herself with a spear, W’Kabi and Zuri stand guard at the door to T’Challa’s room. When Morlun arrives he kills the two warriors with ease and makes his way into the room where T’Challa’s body is suspending in a regeneration tank.[3] Morlun pauses to savor the fact that his next victim is helpless. That’s when he is impaled through the chest by Shuri. Dressed as the new Black Panther, she tells him that while he has faced Wakanda’s muscle, he now has to face its claws!

Recurring Characters

Black Panther (both Shuri and T’Challa), Storm, Morlun, Death, S’Yan, Ramonda, W’Kabi, Zuri, Zawavari

Continuity Notes

1. T’Challa was put on the brink of death after he was ambushed by Doctor Doom. This whole ordeal has been going on over the last four issues.

2. Shuri has been training to become a Black Panther for years, as first seen in Black Panther (vol. 4) #2. Storm chose her to succeed T’Challa in Black Panther (vol. 5) #2. She was rejected by Bast last issue due to the fact that she was arrogant.

3. As of this writing (March, 2024), Zuri and W’Kabi are still considered among the deceased.