Warning: contains a preview of Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #4!
The greatest member of Black Panther's elite Dora Milaje connects deeply with a dragon while trying to defend Wakanda. Iron Fist’s quest to save ancient mythical beasts has impacted heroes in every corner of the globe in unexpected ways, and General Okoye is no exception.
The Iron Fist is responsible for preventing the Hidden City from destroying the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven as it collects power. Each Heavenly City has a dragon that it draws power from, and the Hidden City has dispatched undead warriors, and mercenaries like Taskmaster and Lady Bullseye, to collect dragon hearts. The cities began to materialize in various locations on Earth, including Tokyo, Río de Janeiro, and outside of Black Panther's nation, Wakanda. In Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #3, Okoye leads the Dora Milaje and Royal Guard against the undead warriors. They defeat the army but fail to stop a dragon from being killed by an unnamed assailant on horseback. Okoye pursues the killer, but encounters the heroic Prince of Orphans, who describes her foe as the Slayer of Dragons. He directs Okoye to pass through the portal of the Heart of Heaven if she wants to be able to overcome the greater evil behind the attack.
The answers Okoye seeks bring her to the Heart of Heaven and into the presence of another of the dragons. Wakanda’s fiercest warrior searches the burning city in the preview for Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #4 by Larry Hama and David Wachter, and finds a dragon in a fountain. The dragon requests Okoye embrace it and the two fly above the city as the dragon dispenses wisdom about the cosmic balance and reveals a Yin-Yang symbol hidden in the city's architecture. Okoye came to the city seeking justice for the fallen Wakandan warriors but will clearly take away something even more significant. There have been repeated hints that Okoye is destined for a large role in things to come, and her encounter with the dragon continues that thread.
Okoye's mysterious place in Iron Fist’s quest is just the latest example of Okoye being recognized as the elite warrior and hero she is. In addition to being a member of the Dora Milaje, who are among the finest warriors on Earth, she leads the Agents of Wakanda, a task-force hand picked by Black Panther. Even her opponents recognize her abilities. Taskmaster compared Okoye favorably to Captain America after the two fought, leaving the encounter admiring her skill. Her spirit is just as strong as her body, so it isn’t surprising that powerful beings are suggesting a hero of Okoye’s caliber has a greater destiny before her.
Okoye being immediately embraced by one of the Dragons of Heaven is a big deal, especially because the creature references its heart. These dragons traditionally empower the Immortal Weapons - supernatural warriors of which the Iron Fist is only one - and the group have an opening after the death of kung fu hero Tiger's Beautiful Daughter. While each warrior faces a slightly different challenge, Iron Fist gained his powers and responsibilities to K'un-Lun by plunging his hands into the burning heart of the dragon Shou-Lao. Okoye has accomplished incredible things in service of Black Panther and the Dora Milaje, but taming a dragon is another impressive feat for Wakanda’s champion, and could presage her taking an even more active role in defending the Marvel Universe. Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #4 hits retailers April 14.