The world has fallen in love with Shuri as the latest Black Panther. After the events of Wakanda Forever, she had absconded the Wakandan throne, leaving it to M’Baku, but Shuri remains the MCU’s one and only Black Panther. What’s next for the people of the fictional African nation? Marvel Studios confirmed a couple years ago that a Black Panther spinoff series set in Wakanda is in development from BP writer/director Ryan Coogler.
What that show will be about remains a mystery, though many rumors have pointed to the Dora Milaje, specifically Okoye, possibly in her Midnight Angels costume. However, there’s a new fan push for the series to step back in time to the early days of Wakanda.
Using AI-generated images, the artwork comes off like actual Marvel Studios images. In fact, some people are mistakenly taking it as having come from Marvel, so props to the creator for such lifelike work. There’s even a fan-made title logo for a series all about the first canonical Black Panther, Olumo Bashenga, with actor John Boyega imagined in the role.
While this is not an official Marvel project by any stretch, the images have inspired fans to petition for a Bashenga series. With the artwork having gone viral, it will no doubt have collectors and speculators rolling the dice on Olumo’s key issues.
BLACK PANTHER #7
As Jack Kirby delved deeper into Wakandan lore, he shed light on the original Black Panther, Bashenga.
As the story goes, he used vibranium weapons, most notably the Spear of Bashenga, to absorb cosmic energies that would have been catastrophic to the five tribes that made up early Wakanda.
As depicted in a flashback in Black Panther, he united the tribes under his leadership. It was then that the panther goddess, Bast, passed down the sacred knowledge that would make him the original Black Panther, at least until 43 years later when Jason Aaron created Mosi as part of the Avengers of 1 Million B.C.
Since July, the graded 9.8 has been selling for over $300. The most recent sale was in October when one brought $325. Earlier this month, a 9.6 went for $164.
FANTASTIC FOUR #607
Up until now, there hasn’t been tremendous interest in Bashenga. That explains why it took 34 years before he was given a proper origin story. While this isn’t a key among keys, so to speak, it is worth adding to your Bashenga collections just in case Marvel notices the fanfare around the fanart. Plus, it’s not like the investment is much of a gamble, and you may walk away with a new favorite character.
The last time a 9.8 sold online, it was for the low price of $40 in 2020.
YOU NEVER KNOW
Odds are, Marvel Studios has already decided on the plot and main characters for the Black Panther spinoff show. In fact, Kevin Feige and Coogler likely had the rough outline in place before rumors of the series first sprouted.
Unless Bashenga was already in the plan, don’t get your hopes up to see him aside from maybe a flashback or as a spirit on the Ancestral Plane. However, with enough voices demanding the original Black Panther come to live action, there could be room for Bashenga in the MCU’s future.
What do you think the cards have in store for Bashenga? Let us know in the comments!
