Review: Shuri #1

“This is Shuri“s story,”“ Nnedi Okorafor assures us in her welcome letter that follows the first issue of the new Marvel mini-series that will chronicle the Wakandan princess“ return to the throne. Shuri #1 does everything that first issues have to do: Okorafor and company re-introduce the main character; coordinate the narrative so that it is consistent with Black Panther canon and Wakandan lore. And then they efficiently lay the groundwork for what looks to be an intriguing foray into the world of Wakanda from an innovative point of view. Shuri“s new-found popularity, garnered through Letitia Wright“s brilliant portrayal of the character in the record-breaking Black Panther film, only raises the stakes for the mini-series. And Okorafor ”“ who has built more than a few award-winning story worlds outside of the MCU ”“ quickly establishes the depth of Shuri“s character and her unique history.

The first few times you read “Ancient Future”“ on the comic book page your brain might trick you into comprehending this “nickname”“ for Shuri as some kind of oxymoron. It isn“t. Although Ta-Nehisi Coates introduces Shuri“s alias, readers will already see the powerful ways that Okorafor intends to build on this concept in Shuri“s own series. Ancient Future is probably the most Afro-Futuristic phrase/concept that we have seen in Marvel comics to date. Shuri is literally the future or Wakanda ”“ in terms of her powers to innovate and invent, but also in terms of the throne itself. Moreover, her ties to the history of Wakanda to the essential and spiritual foundation of the nation are, at this point, stronger than T“Challa“s have ever been. This isn“t sibling rivalry. Shuri is simply built for Wakanda in ways that the T“Challa isn“t.

But this review is getting ahead of itself. What Okorafor and company present in Shuri #1 is the portrait of an overlooked hero who can no longer be overlooked. That the Black Panther is on some space mission is not what actually animates Shuri“s recent opportunity to assume the mantle of leadership. Even though this is exactly how the story appears to be set up. You“ll get the sense from Okorafor“s interpretation of Shuri that she has always already been the rightful ruler of Wakanda. It just feels right for some reason. Shuri is one of the flyest Marvel characters ever depicted on the page or in film, so it“s only right that she be able to fly in her own series.

Prepare yourself for a slew of classic cover art. But note Leonardo Romero“s distinctive style within the book itself. Romero“s background“s are often intricate and you will lose some of Okorafor“s engaging narrative without paying diligent attention to them. Unlike many other comics you will read this week/month, the lettering matters in Shuri. Joe Sabino (VC) deploys an inordinate array of styles and fonts in order to distinguish the ancient words of warning spoken by Shuri“s Wakandan forebears from the digital exchanges between Shuri and the mysterious Muti. Okorafor“s Shuri is the Ancient Future. She is her history first, but then she is also the direct line to her nation“s ancient history. And as this series seems to suggest at its outset, she is also the most promising future for the great nation of Wakanda. 4/5.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

(W) Nnedi Okorafor (A) Leonardo Romero (CA) Sam Spratt