T’Challa has returned to the throne of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, but his reign begins with a mystery that spans the stars. In the debut issue of Black Panther: Intergalactic, we find our hero isolated, a political vacuum growing on Wakanda Prime, and the ghosts of the old Empire rising to haunt the new. Here is the full breakdown of the story, from the first page to the shocking cliffhanger.
Lost in the Unknown
The story opens with T’Challa in a precarious situation. Despite reclaiming his title as Emperor, he is stranded on an unidentified planet, unable to explain how he arrived. He cannot contact Wakanda Prime, Planet Bast, or even the Avengers.
We learn that this predicament began with a noble act: T’Challa tried to bury a man with honor, unaware of the consequences it would trigger.
While trying to get his bearings, T’Challa is attacked by a massive “Snake Mother” near a river. In true heroic fashion, he realizes the creature is only attacking to protect her eggs. He spares her, noting that he, too, has family looking for him—specifically his sister, Shuri.
The Consul and the Paranoid General
On Wakanda Prime, Shuri is holding the fort as Consul. She enters a high-security area, the “Regent’s Chamber,” to meet with M’Baku.
M’Baku is hiding away, protected by his own private army, the Ebony Guard. He is deeply paranoid after a traumatic incident where a trusted friend turned out to be a Skrull imposter and stabbed him. He trusts no one, not even the Dora Milaje or Hatut Zeraze.
Shuri confronts him with the truth they are both avoiding: T’Challa has been missing for three days. They agree that finding the Emperor is the only priority.
The Ghost of N’Jadaka
Shuri’s investigation leads her to the School for Gifted Youth, where she meets a student named Femi. T’Challa’s royal beacon was last registered at Femi’s former home in a desert village.
Femi reveals the dark history of his family. His father was B’wete, a “1000x Engineer” who worked for the former tyrant Emperor N’Jadaka. B’wete was a genius who created a piece of technology called “The Crown” (or “The Seed”). N’Jadaka allowed B’wete unlimited funding and no oversight, which led to dangerous, unchecked innovation.
T’Challa had gone to the desert to bury B’wete with dignity after the engineer died during a Kree attack. It seems T’Challa’s curiosity about B’wete’s final invention is what led to his disappearance.
The Artificial Jungle
Back in the unknown wilderness, T’Challa is hunted by familiar faces—Zabu, the saber-toothed tiger companion of Ka-Zar. However, T’Challa quickly realizes something is wrong. When he fights back, the creature bleeds a strange fluid and reveals internal components of plastic and metal.
These aren’t just robots; they are highly advanced artificial lifeforms with components so well-integrated they surpass standard androids. T’Challa realizes he is in a manufactured environment, likely the result of B’wete’s unchecked experiments.
Using parts scavenged from the robotic beasts, T’Challa jury-rigs a communication device and briefly makes contact with Shuri. He tells her he is in a place that is “not a naturally occurring habitat” and mentions the artificial life. The signal cuts out, but not before he confirms he is alive.
The Door Opens
T’Challa finds a massive structure in the desert—presumably “The Crown” or the facility B’wete built. His visor can’t penetrate it, so he uses his comms device as a sonar to map the interior.
His sonic ping triggers something. A pair of massive doors on the monument slide open, and T’Challa sees movement inside. He steps back, preparing for a threat.
The Cliffhanger
The story shifts back to Wakanda Prime. M’Baku, seemingly convinced by Shuri to step out of the shadows, heads to the Royal Palace. He believes the Emperor is missing and security is lax.
However, upon entering, he is greeted by a voice. Someone is already there.
“M’Baku! Welcome. What brings you here today? … What brings you to see your Emperor?”
The issue ends there, leaving us with a massive question: Who is sitting on the throne? Did T’Challa somehow return before Shuri could find him? Is it an imposter? Or has the “Emperor” N’Jadaka returned from the grave?
