Have you heard the big news? Science fiction and Afro-Futurist writer, Nnedi Okorafor is expanding Marvel’s Black Panther world. I’ve followed Okorafor’s career for quite some time. I started by reading her Hugo-Award winning trilogy Binti. It’s genre-expanding, actively envisioning African characters, specifically the Himba People, in a fast-paced futuristic world and at the forefront of technology. Okorafor is a prolific writer and no stranger to exploring her writing, with children’s books under her belt as well. Now, it seems that Nnedi is really taking the comic book world by storm, teaming up with Marvel to write her own iterations of Black Panther stories and characters.

Shuri Coming Soon!

I couldn’t be more happy for Okorafor’s success with Marvel and the best way to show my appreciation was to read her creations and keep the fangirl train rolling. In case you haven’t heard the awesome news, Okorafor is writing the first standalone comic about the tech-genius we know and love: Shuri! The cover art looks amazing! Even if I didn’t know who Shuri was because I was living in a hole somehow and then finally came out to see the world and saw that graphic novel cover, I would be hyped to read the story!

Wakanda is surely living on in Marvel’s comics, and Nnedi Okorafor is fueling the ride. Okorafor has written new adventures for the Black Panther and the Dora Milaje and she is truly crossing genres. Graphic Novels and comics are visual forms of literature. They blend artistic expression and the written word, which is why I love them! Nnedi Okorafor is one author that I can know sees the power of this form of storytelling.

Amazing Spider-Man: Wakanda Forever #1

What I love about comics and graphic novels is the emergence of different stories and perspectives. I appreciate the effort comics are making to put people of color in the forefront, to be risky if they feel like it –and they always feel like it. Take Saga, for example, my favorite graphic novel series about an alien multiracial family living radically across the universe. As well, Marvel comics has been doing a great job of this, with Ms. Marvel, a Muslim American teenage superhero and now the Dora Milaje. I’m glad to see Nnedi Okorafor is on board to further push the envelope.

It’s first in a series of three. The short series is also the first comic to focus on the Dora Milaje and they team up with the ever-quippy and adorable Spider-Man. We see Okoye, Ayo, and Akena who are an independent force, going on their own missions and even acting like tourists.

One of my favorite parts is when Okoye says to Spidey “You’re the one Anansi blessed.” Absolutely loved that moment! As I read the comic, I couldn’t help imagining the live-action actors playing out the characters, this brought the story and images to life even more.

The Local Comic Book Store

You might as well put me in The Big Bang Theory, I love a trip to the comic book store. I can’t wait to finish Black Panther: Long Live The King which Okorafor spearheaded as well. I finally have a chance to wind down and take it all in. The art is a nice blend of dynamic action and pleasing vibrant color-palettes. I like the views of Wakanda, it’s everything you would imagine a thriving tech-loving city to be and I like Panther’s suit too. I got the graphic novel from the awesome comic book store, A Shop Called Quest in DTLA. I feel like a kid in a candy store whenever I go in there. A Shop Called Quest has so many cool collectible items like action figures, posters, t-shirts and, of course, a wide array of comic books and graphic novels. You can’t beat their prices either, you can walk out with more than a handful of the latest comic book issues for less than $10.

I encourage anyone ready to keep their imagination running with all things Black Panther to delve into Okorafor’s work with Marvel. Visit your local comic book store too!

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Kai 😀