Review: Shuri #4

With its recent Oscar nominations the MCU“s Black Panther film reminds us of its greatest achievement ”“ visually realizing the majestic world of Wakanda. For Black Panther fans and all of those folks who came onboard in the MCU era, the world of Wakanda is a striking entry in the comic book universe. It embodies the idea that comics are for everyone and that the worlds of superheroes can indeed inspire as much as they entertain us on a regular basis. In this context, Nnedi Okorafor“s Shuri series is emerging as an expansive addition to the Black Panther mythology.

Shuri #4 finds the intellectually gifted heroine back on the continent after a dizzying array of adventures that have taken her to outer space and back. Unfortunately she and her young friend, Mansa have been followed through space by the lubber ”“ a giant mosquito-looking creature that has the power to create miniature black holes. If only this was the only challenge Shuri had to handle. She didn“t find her brother in her galactic search mission, her mother has disappeared and the space lubber“s arrival on earth has prompted the machinations of an emerging super villain ”“ Moses Magnum. We learn only a bit about Moses in issue #4, but his seismic abilities seem to be a beautiful nod to N.K. Jemisin“s award-winning Broken Earth series.

Okorafor“s world-building skills are on full and glorious display in this series. She seamlessly crafts a battle between the space lubber and Shuri, Okoye and Storm. She has an incredible grasp of all of the most interesting characters of the world of Wakanda. And yet, the characters she creates/develops ”“ Mansa, Moses Magnum, and others all resonate with readers as authentic and dynamic. They are (or will be) fully fleshed out characters that continue to build the world of Wakanda and the universal appeal of the Black Panther character. In short, Shuri is an outstanding comic book. It digs just deep enough into these stories to harvest a complex and compelling narrative without the heavy-handedness that writing a book about the BP world at a moment where BP is the most popular (and profitable) character in the MCU might seem to warrant.

Still, Okorafor never shirks the political challenges of Wakandan isolationism, the perils of monarchical rule, or the political import of unity and community across the African continent. Somehow, it“s all here and it is all crafted in ways that make readers want to return to Shuri“s world again and again. 4.5/5

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

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