Spoilers for Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda lie forward.
Eyes of Wakanda is the newest superhero present to hit the 2025 TV schedule, and it’s a candy piece of labor. Produced by Ryan Coogler, the four-episode miniseries highlights completely different intervals in historical past and follows members of the Hatut Zaraze, who should retrieve Wakandan artifacts product of Vibranium. I used to be undoubtedly anticipating the present to be steeped within the Black Panther franchise’s mythology. Nevertheless, I used to be shocked that the finale had an specific hyperlink to the primary film within the Panther collection, and it is undoubtedly value discussing.
How Does Eyes Of Wakanda’s Finale Instantly Tie Into Black Panther?
The ultimate episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe-set collection (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) is titled “The Final Panther.” In it, the 2 Struggle Canine, the younger and brash Tafari and the seasoned and powerful Kuda, get well a vibranium axe amid the First Italo-Ethiopian Struggle in 1896. On their method again to Wakanda, the duo encounter a strong warrior wearing Panther-like garb. Not solely is that this character certainly a Black Panther however one who hails from 500 years into the longer term.
It seems this explicit Panther comes from a timeline during which Earth has been invaded by monstrous aliens. As she explains (and makes use of superior psychological know-how to visualise), her period shifted out of steadiness as soon as Tafari took the axe. As a result of it wasn’t left as a substitute amid the battlefield, the merchandise wasn’t within the place to be recovered and finally held within the Museum of Nice Britain years later. That museum is the place Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue steal it in the course of the occasions of the primary Black Panther film.
Whereas it might appear odd as to why the axe would must be stolen, it is smart. Killmonger and Klaue’s actions set in movement the previous’s conflict with T’Challa and co., which finally results in T’Challa opening Wakanda to the remainder of the world. That lack of unity within the alternate timeline is what leaves the planet susceptible to the alien horde. In the end, Tafari and Kuda are satisfied of the Panther’s story and return the axe. Briefly, it’s an surprising but cool story that makes me respect this franchise’s lore much more.
Eyes Of Wakanda Successfully Provides To The Black Panther Franchise’s Worldbuilding Efforts
Creatives behind sure MCU installments craft fascinating lore, with titles like Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel and Loki being prime examples. Nevertheless, in lots of circumstances, among the interconnected franchise’s properties don’t function totally fleshed out worlds. That’s not an issue with the Black Panther collection, because of the efforts of Ryan Coogler and co. Regardless of being a fictional place, Wakanda seems like a wealthy location with a storied historical past and tradition. That richness solely expands in 2022’s Wakanda Eternally, which additionally introduces Talokan.
It’s no surprise that Panther stays one in all Marvel’s greatest IPs, and that makes it unlucky that the property has skilled setbacks over the previous a number of years. The most important, after all, was the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T’Challa. A deliberate TV spinoff centered on Okoye of the Dora Milaje is reportedly not within the playing cards now, both.
Thank goodness for Eyes of Wakanda, although, which provides cool ideas and characters to the canon. It even introduces a brand new model of Iron Fist to the MCU. On high of that, a 3rd Black Panther film (that includes Denzel Washington) is within the works, too. At current, nevertheless, I’m simply impressed with how this new animated prequel collection ties the lore along with a time travel-centric story involving a easy macguffin.
Stream Eyes of Wakanda on Disney+ now alongside the Black Panther films. Additionally, learn up on upcoming Marvel exhibits.