In this reimagined timeline of Ultimate Black Panther #1, the geopolitical landscape is darker, the gods are restless, and T’Challa is a king tested by enemies both known and unknown. Here is a detailed, page-by-page breakdown of the story so far, leading up to the shocking reveals.
The Silent Observers
The Scene: West Africa. The story opens in the dead of night. Two Wakandan spies, cloaked in stealth gear, watch a brutal occupation unfold. Invaders claim the land “in our name,” signaling a conquest driven by religious zeal or fanatic belief.
The Conflict: One spy urges intervention, arguing that Wakanda must bring its “truth” to the suffering people. His brother stops him cold, reminding him of their orders: They cannot act.
The Threat: The spies speak of witnessing the “anger of Ra and Khonshu,” hinting at divine—or superhuman—forces backing the invaders. As they withdraw, they promise that the Justice of Wakanda will come, even if not tonight.
The King and His Queen
The Scene: Wakanda. T’Challa is introduced as King and Black Panther, but his rule is described as uneasy—not entirely traditional, not fully accepted.
Okoye: Former General of the Dora Milaje, now Queen to T’Challa.
The Dynamic: Okoye gently asks if he’s plagued by nightmares. When she calls him “My King,” T’Challa rejects formality, insisting they are equals. Tradition matters, he says—but tradition must also evolve.
The World of the Maker
The Context: A text page lays out the larger reality. This is the Ultimate world, reshaped by The Maker—an evil Reed Richards—who erased superheroes through time manipulation and installed a ruling council of villains.
The Status Quo: The Maker is imprisoned, but his council still rules. Among them are Ra and Khonshu—Moon Knight—who now control Africa.
Wakanda’s Role: Wakanda remains hidden and untouchable, only beginning to open itself to the outside world.
The Burden of Dreams
The Scene: The Citadel of Knowledge. T’Challa wakes from a nightmare and is greeted by the spirit—or memory—of his father, T’Chaka.
Fatherly Advice: T’Chaka asks if his son is still haunted by “the brutal dreams of a king.” He suggests the dreams are divine messages—and that T’Challa suffers because he refuses to listen.
The Vodu-Khan: T’Challa confesses he feels trapped in his father’s shadow. T’Chaka urges him to consult the Divine Mother of the Vodu-Khan. T’Challa distrusts them, seeing superstition and fear. T’Chaka responds with cold strategy: keep them close, use their power, and destroy them only after they reveal themselves as enemies.
Prophecies of War
The Scene: Temple of the Vodu-Khan. T’Challa meets Matron Imala, the Sacred Mother.
The Warning: Through deep meditation, Imala senses a “violent becoming”—threats rising both within Wakanda and beyond its borders.
T’Challa’s Stance: He refuses to rule through paranoia or suspicion of his own people. Imala urges him to choose awareness instead of fear, offering the Vodu-Khan as Wakanda’s eyes.
The War Room
The Scene: The Royal Palace. Spies Faxul and Anon report the West African massacre to T’Challa, Okoye, and Princess Shuri.
Shuri’s Rage: Described as a woman-at-arms, Shuri burns with fury. She wants the Dora Milaje mobilized immediately.
T’Challa’s Caution: He refuses to march into war blind. First, he must know who the enemy is and what they want. Shuri argues their father would have acted without hesitation.
The Strategy: T’Challa insists Wakanda’s secrecy is its greatest weapon. Okoye supports him—precision now will mean survival later.
The Cost of Peace
The Scene: Private quarters. T’Challa and Okoye speak in quiet honesty.
Soldiers vs. Peace: T’Challa reflects that “the only people who fear peace are soldiers,” because peace strips them of purpose.
The Burden: Okoye reassures him, acknowledging the weight of the crown he carries.
Shuri’s Vision
The Scene: The Wakandan armory and balcony. Shuri speaks with Abeni, Captain of the Dora Milaje.
Ambition: Shuri believes Wakanda should do more for the world. Abeni answers simply—she wants Wakanda’s enemies to fear them.
The Charge: Abeni urges Shuri to channel her frustration into invention. Build something beautiful.
The Massacre
The Scene: A village in West Africa. The focus shifts to civilians.
The Attack: Violence erupts—gunfire, flames, panic. Cries of “more are coming” fill the air.
The Despair: A man turns to the woman he loves, telling her to bless their children as death closes in.
The Villains Revealed (Page 28): The attackers slaughter without mercy. One delivers a final, chilling proclamation:
“People of this village… your gods and hidden kingdoms will not protect you. But Killmonger and the Wind-Rider will.”
The Celebration of Life
The Scene: Wakanda. The narrative pivots abruptly from bloodshed to beauty as the nation gathers for its annual Celebration of Life—a public affirmation of unity, heritage, and hope.
T’Challa’s Speech: Standing before his people, T’Challa speaks not as a distant monarch but as one of them. He calls Wakanda a kingdom built by collective effort, declaring its citizens his strength, his family, his faith. When he names them his legacy, it sounds like a promise.
The Assassination Attempt: The promise shatters in seconds. From within the crowd, suicide bombers rise, screaming “FOR KHONSHU! FOR RA!!!” before detonating. Celebration turns to carnage in an instant.
Wakanda at War
The Scene: The Royal Chambers. T’Challa lives, but the man who emerges is changed.
The Call to Arms: For the first time, he issues commands as a wartime king. He orders the Queen, Shuri, and the Vodu-Khan to be summoned—embracing even those he once mistrusted.
The Declaration: The enemy is finally named. They call themselves Moon Knight. And with that truth spoken aloud, T’Challa delivers the words Wakanda has never wanted to hear:
Wakanda is at war.
The story leaves us on this harrowing cliffhanger, introducing two terrifying names—Killmonger and Wind-Rider (an alias associated with Storm, but here linked to the Moon Knight/Ra faction)—as the new threats marching toward Wakanda.
