I turned 39 (!) a few days ago. I’m not old, but I’m older. Kids call me sir, unprompted. I like less and less popular music…oh who am I kidding, I don’t know what’s popular! As a writer, i have a simultaneously ironic and horrifying question: do people still say “lit”? Hell, I still say “word” every now and then.
Don’t roll your eyes at me. I can see you.
So when I say The Last Annihilation: Wakanda understood the assignment, give a little grace for my (maybe awkward) word choice: the description fits the occasion. It is impressive, if not downright amazing, how successfully ambitious this work is. This comic, penned by Evan Narcisse with art by Germán Peralta, does four things really well:
Fit into the The Last Annihilation.
Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension, is taking over planets in an attempt to create an interstellar pentagram to bring his demonic desires to our reality. Also, he has the head of Ego and a never ending supply of demons at his disposal. This is, well, a lot. While all of this has overwhelmed many of the characters involved (the Wiccan and Hulking, the Guardians of the Galaxy), it never feels overwhelming to the reader, even if the reader isn’t particularly knowledgeable of (or passionate about) the mini series. We get enough background around what’s happening without being inundated with backstory. Using M’Baku (the formerly enslaved maroon warrior from the last BP run, not his namesake) as the audience’s point of reference allows us to learn as he learns. Dialogue comes across naturally conversational and informative, not as soulless exposition. Fight scenes are clearly illustrated, the stakes are easily understood, and the resolution, though convient (this is a one shot comic after all) still feels earned.
Define and expand into the (new) Black Panther, normal.
Wakanda isn’t just a country anymore; it’s an intergalactic empire, on the scale of (and, poignantly, in opposition to) mainstays like the Shi’ar. The reader is quickly caught up, through inferences and flashbacks, with the scope of the empire, it’s internal conflicts, and the range of its intergalactic reach. Again, none of the dialogue feels forced. Mutant mainstays of the Coates Panther run (Storm and Manifold) are present in a way that reconciles their appearances in both Coates BP run and in the X-line of books.
That said, T’Challa and Ororo are still dating, even after the whole “break into your kingdom, knock out your sister, and steal a priceless artifact” debacle? Love is strong.
Acknowledge and respect character development.
Storm and T’Challa are regal; Abigail Brand is condescending; Shiri is immature; M’Baku, reluctant. Narcisse understands characters’ personalities make stories work, and this one shot works well because we understand how this Annihilation event affects individual personalities. The audience, even if disconnected from yet another grand crossover event, cares about the people. Resolutions feel believable and in character. This is just good comics writing.
Preview possible conflicts and storylines.
I wonder what it means that an emperor and the regent of the solar system are still dating? Or that Manifold and Shuri are? Something for Abigail Brand to exploit, especially since the Wakandans were not on good terms with the Shi’ar, who’ve been pretty strong mutant allies. We see M’Baku leading negotiations between Wakandan factions. Is his fear that he’ll eventually take after his namesake simply a worry or a premonition? Or that he’s caring for the daughter of a defeated foe, a girl who also possibly carries treacherous blood.
Are we nature or are we nurture?
Lots of questions; hopefully we will answers that don’t involve deconstructing or sidelining the Empire. An expansive galaxy of diverse people, led by Black people, is a rich, wonderful, unexplored opportunity to highlight Afrofuturism. Comics are known for recycling old tropes again and again; wouldn’t it be wonderful to expand on something new? I hope future writers (and/or Marvel editorial) use the Empire to grow characters and the universe.
That said, I’m hesitantly hopeful about the future. A bright, shining, one might even say, lit future.
Word to your mother.
Fine, I’ll stop. But hopefully the joy I experienced in this issue continues on in John Ridley’s continuation of these adventures. Hopefully the growth of characters continues.
Hopefully you can teach an old Panther new tricks.
What? Remember, I’m 39: I may not know music anymore, but I do know good comics and bad dad jokes.
A proud New Orleanian living in the District of Columbia, Jude Jones is a professional thinker, amateur photographer, burgeoning runner and lover of Black culture, love and life. Magneto and Cyclops (and Killmonger) were right.
Find more of Jude’s writing here.
