Exiled from his home. Stewing in contempt and vengeance. Eyes on the throne. Xenophobia as a weapon. Erik Killmonger wasn’t always his name but it’s the one he’d use to gain infamy in Wakanda. How did he get exiled and become such a threat to the Black Panther throne and mantle? Let’s find out!
N’Jadaka was born and raised in Wakanda and was part of an affluent family. That all changed when Ulysses Klaw and his team of mercenaries, on a hunt to steal the Wakandan Vibranium reserve, forced N’Jadaka’s parents to assist him. When Klaw was defeated and it came out that N’Jadaka’s parents had assisted them, even though it was under force and they died in the process, the rest of the family was exiled. N’Jadaka would finish his education in New York, getting a PhD in engineering and further education at MIT. He’d change his name to Erik Killmonger and begin his plans for returning home not only welcomed, but as its new ruler.
He’d make step one happen, he’d be brought back into Wakanda while T’Challa, the Black Panther, was spending much of his time away from Wakanda on Avengers business. Erik would use this lack of their king to sow unrest, Wakanda had been a nation a part from the rest of the world and had been better for it. Now their king left them to go play superhero and aide others when Wakanda still had needs back home. The world at large had tried to conquer Wakanda time and time again, what was there to trust from them? Why would their king make allies with those who could just as easily seek to break past Wakanda’s defenses by simply walking in as their king’s guests?
By the time T’Challa would return he’d find a coup lead by Erik in full effect. When T’Challa came to face Erik, he’d be forced to fight these tribe champions who had powers similar to his own as the Black Panther. Eventually Erik would have to face the Black Panther himself, setting their fight to the death, Erik would lose and die from the chaos he had created.
Death would not be the end for Erik, the Iron Man villain, the Mandarin, saw potential in having Erik around so he used his powers to bring him back from the dead. The two would work together to take down both Iron Man and Black Panther but didn’t take into account that those two would be powerful working together too. Faked deaths and taking prisoners would lead to Wakanda standing once more, unconquered, even by its own.
Erik would come close when he’d unite the outsider tribes in Wakanda, those who didn’t worship the panther god of Bast. These tribes had their own champions, much like Bast had the Black Panther. Erik would strike from within while also striking from outside with financial threats. Successful if only for a brief time, Erik would get to be Black Panther until T’Challa was able to rally and reclaim his throne once more. Erik would try all manner of ways to get the throne again but they’d never really work, maybe next time.
There you have it! Erik Killmonger is going to be in the Black Panther film that arrives in the coming week of this article. Part of why this was done. He’s making it to the big screen and will see what machinations he comes up with this time. Tune in next week for Shuri, Queen of Wakanda and former Black Panther. See you then!
Suggested Reading
Jungle Action #6
Black Panther
Dr. Bustos
drbustos@comicattack.net
