I was disappointed by Coates' original run on Black Panther. It felt like he was suffocating under the weight of so much continuity baggage and just couldn't get out of his own way to tell an engaging story or even hit upon a theme with any force.

In contrast, what a brilliant idea the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda is! It does two magical things right off the top: clear the deck of Marvel canon and allow Coates to really create and explore a setting that's baked-in with a lot of the ideas of his political work.

Empire, Imperialism, Colonization. These are all issues that are difficult to do with a contemporary Black Panther without being really on the nose. That Coates' Afro-future turns this on it's head, with Wakanda as the conquerors for "pre-emptive peace," is just so much the more intriguing.

Also, whereas previous BP books were basically monologues with little to advance the plot, Coates cleverly relies on Acuña's stellar art for kinetic panels that convey so much action and emotion clearly and effectively.

BTW, holy crap, a Venom tie-in that isn't crap!

A really exciting start. I genuinely hope this setting gets a long and fruitful run. ( )

Set in the Intergalactic Empire that the Wakandan's have taken over and mined Vibranium. The Imperials are the highest caste and claim to be the blood of the descendants of the Empire of Wakanda. The Miners, aka The Nameless, are the those subjected to work in the mine who have had their memories wiped. The Askari is both the police force and the arm of the Wakandan slave trade. Hated by the Nameless and looked down on by the Imperials they are made up of different races often conquered by Wakanda. The Rebels, aka The Maroons, are those who fight back and are made up of the nameless and are led by Captain N'Yami of the Starship Makandal.

The main characters are T'Challa, a nameless warrior in search of himself and his memories. He fights with the Maroons and could be the legendary warrior they have been looking for to lead them to victory. Nakia is a tactical leader of the Maroons and is the one who freed T'Challa and wants to have a relationship with him. Nakia remembers her life of privilege but hates it. N'Yami is the chief of the Maroons and spent most of her life laboring in the mines. She is a Taky-Maza and is often underestimated in combat. M'Baku is one of the Maroon's greatest warriors. While a great fighter he is in no hurry to recover his memories. Taku is N'Yami's chief intelligence officer and a Rigellian whose people were mostly not enslaved but captured by the Wakandans. Her knowledge is invaluable.

The Askari attack the home base in high numbers and they are forced to flee. A powerful slave named Manifold attacked them while they were leaving. T'Challa grabbed the famous spear and it responded to him which just goes to show that he is the chosen one. Someone dies in the battle and years pass and T'Challa is no closer to getting his memories back. He feels something for Nakia too but can't go forward without knowing his history.

This was an excellent opening to a new series with a whole world set up with Wakanda being the bad guys. It's a very creative twist to the story. The gods are also involved. The art is very creative and very raw and open. I really enjoyed this book and I give it five out of five stars. ( )