Coming out at the end of last year, Wakanda #1 is a very important issue within the Black Panther franchise. The issue is broken up into two parts with the first half being a very telling story by Stephanie Williams involving Shuri and the second half being Evan Narcisse's first part describing the history of the Black Panthers. The book ends with numerous annotations by different writers regarding the history of all the Black Panthers. This is the first issue where Olumo Bashenga is depicted throwing his sword and spear to prove to the other tribes that great danger was on the horizon.
Wakanda has lost faith in its king, so T'Challa is no longer welcome in his old kingdom. This means that other protectors are needed to step up. The deep colors and very expressive artwork of Paco Medina, Walden Wong, Elisabetta D'Amico and Bryan Valenza make it easy for the reader to enter this land with interest in Vibranium. Rhino (the man) smuggles himself into Shuri's part of the world in a truck delivering rhinoceroses (the animal). While Rhino is eventually subdued, this appears to have been the plan all along. Ohyaku was actually testing Wakanda's weaknesses without T'Challa.
Meanwhile, Natacha Bustos and Jordie Bellaire graphically show Ramonda giving a history lesson to the youth of Wakanda in the Haven Of Heroes. The lesson includes teaching the children that "glory comes from sacrifice." They learn about Bast, the Panther Spirit, and her protection of Mosi. The craziness of the Wild Times before Wakanda even existed as it does today. She continues to tell them as to why Wakanda has kept itself away from the machinations of the rest of the world. Other heroes have tried to help in different ways at different times, but Wakanda wanted to be forgotten from the outside world's memory. As you can see, this is a must issue for anyone who is interested in stories of the Black Panther.
