Warning: SPOILERS for Black Panther #15
Marvel's Black Panther has finally met an even more dangerous version of his enemy Killmonger - except this one may succeed where his MCU counterpart has failed. T'Challa has experienced great turmoil in recent years thanks to Wakanda's desire to steadily become a democracy instead of a monarchy, and only Princess Shuri and a few other allies stand beside him after a series of poor decisions. Now, the upcoming Black Panther #15 brings a shocking confrontation between T'Challa and Jhai - an even more ruthless Erik Stevens.
Black Panther's MCU film in 2018 introduced the movie-going public to Erik Stevens, otherwise known as N'Jadaka, but best known as the villain Killmonger. Believing that Wakanda did not do enough to help other African nations in the world (and oppressed people in general), Killmonger attempted to overthrow the Wakandan government, kill the king, and activate Wakandan spies stationed in major countries to destabilize society across the world. Killmonger failed, but he had a point: Wakanda was far too isolationist, and T'Challa made attempts to change that stance before his death in Wakanda Forever.
The upcoming Black Panther #15, written by John Ridley with art by German Peralta, brings a new kind of Killmonger to the front of the narrative: Jhai, a Wakandan spy who participated in a sleeper agent program of T'Challa's own creation. "Jhai, T’Challa’s best friend and the sleeper agent whose assassination served as the catalyst for all of T’Challa’s recent troubles…is alive. Not only is he alive, but he seeks to seize control of the entire world, all in the name of Wakanda!" states Marvel.com for a preview of the upcoming issue. Like Killmonger, Jhai seeks to destabilize a nation - but unlike Killmonger, he may have already succeeded.
Black Panther's Finale Brings Him Face-To-Face With A New Killmonger
In previous Black Panther issues, T'Challa is found responsible for the program that placed sleeper agents all over the world...and also responsible for a plan that would knock out internet communications to other nations as well. While he did not put the plan into action, Jhai did, and as a result the Avengers have kicked him off the team. Even if Jhai is defeated in the finale, Black Panther is no longer King of Wakanda or a member of the Avengers.
John Ridley's run on Black Panther is quite contentious among fans who would rather Black Panther remain on the throne. The series has also dragged T'Challa's name through the mud repeatedly - by the media and by his close friends. The addition of the new Killmonger-type character will invigorate these final issues, but it remains to be seen if Black Panther can be forgiven by his friends - and if so, what he will do next.