Fans have been anticipating the arrival of Black Panther in theaters for years. After it was finally announced, Marvelites were given even more exciting news when Chadwick Boseman (Get On Up) was selected as the future movie's star, along with plans for the Black Panther to debut in Captain America: Civil War. And with the premiere of the film last year, one of Marvel’s most iconic characters was finally brought to life.

Of course, even the captivating action scenes and character moments we saw in Civil War were only a taste. Though Black Panther was put towards the tail end of the MCU’s Phase 3, its time is almost upon us. As such, anticipation has been high - even more so since Marvel gave fans a first look at Black Panther with last week’s teaser.

Sweeping the Internet by storm, the short clip provided our first look good look at Wakanda and its many residents. It also gave us a rough idea of the story and showed that the film will be a blockbuster unlike anything we’ve ever seen. But with so many new faces and images flashed before our eyes in the short clip, it can be hard to know what exactly is going on. For the full rundown, check out our recent teaser breakdown. In the meantime, let’s dive into the comic book history of the characters in the Black Panther trailer.

Ulysses Klaue - Klaw

Ulysses Klaw laughing while being interviewed

The trailer opens from an outsider's perspective, showing Ulysses Klaue bound in chains and turning the tables on his interrogator. Andy Serkis first appeared as the arms dealer in Avengers: Age of Ultron, where he specialized in Vibranium smuggling. In a bit of Old World justice, however, the thief lost his hand during one of Ultron’s temper tantrums, teeing up his core comic book attribute.

Klaue first appeared in 1966’s Fantastic Four #56, the same title that birthed the Black Panther and Wakanda. In the books, he’s the son of a Nazi and is sent to infiltrate the secretive nation of Wakanda to learn their technological secrets. He eventually begins studying physics and masters the field of sound, dubbing himself Klaw and mounting a sonic cannon on his arm.

The movie looks to be altering his backstory a bit, making him more of a rogue than a genius. Still, his severed limb seems the perfect place for a piece of advanced Wakandan tech to be mounted after he’s freed from the interrogation room.

Everett K. Ross

The man interrogating Klaue is Everett K. Ross, first appearing in last year’s Civil War and on our list of characters we hoped to see in the new film. In the MCU, he’s the acerbic head of the Joint Counterterrorism Center. It’s in this role that he first encounters T’Challa, setting Ross on a path that will reveal the wonders of Wakanda.

In the comics, he debuted in 1998’s Ka-Zar #17 as an employee of the U.S. State Department. Eventually, creator Christopher Priest pulled Ross into his run on Black Panther, providing the U.S. and Wakandan governments with a liaison. In the MCU, Martin Freeman looks like he’ll be serving a similar role as Ross in the comics, though with a somewhat more militaristic bent.

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T’Challa - Black Panther

Watching the entire exchange between Klaue and Ross is T’Challa, better known as the Black Panther. Even more than the two men, T’Challa is the best-known character in the film. Not only has he had a good amount of screentime in the MCU, but his comic book history goes back decades.

Debuting in 1966’s Fantastic Four #52—four issues before Klaw arrived—T’Challa is the ruler of the isolated and technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda. Though his early years were marred by stereotypes, he still bears the distinction of being the first mainstream black superhero. Serving as both the king and protector of Wakanda, T’Challa holds the title of the Black Panther, which comes with a Vibranium uniform and enhanced physical abilities. Over the years, he’s helped open his country to the world while also serving with the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. He even took over for Daredevil for a time as the protector of Hell’s Kitchen.

Along with his skills as a warrior and ruler, T’Challa is also one of the smartest people in Marvel Comics, with an advanced understanding of physics and technology. Whether his intellect will be on display in the MCU, we don’t yet know, but his status as a gifted fighter are more than evident so far.

Okoye

Despite T’Challa’s considerable skills in combat, the king is still guarded by a legion of protectors. The most exalted and formidable of these are the Dora Milaje, an elite female guard made up of Wakanda’s finest warriors. Watching Klaue’s interrogation alongside T’Challa is Danai Gurira as Okoye, one the main Dora Milaje in the upcoming film.

Known as the Adored Ones, the Dora Milaje were once queens-to-be for the ruler of Wakanda. Chosen from the various tribes of the nation to keep the peace among them, the Dora Milaje during T’Challa’s rule are strictly bodyguards and representatives of their tribes. Okoye first appeared in 1998’s Black Panther #1 by Christopher Priest. The same book introduced the very concept of the Dora Milaje, which has gone on to become a core part of the Black Panther’s mythology.

Erik Killmonger

Played by Michael B. Jordan, we see Erik Killmonger a number of times throughout the trailer. Whether in his ornate mask or staring down his foes, Killmonger is the central villain of the film and will be going toe-to-toe with T’Challa and his friends a number of times.

In the comics, Killmonger debuted in Jungle Action #6 way back in 1973. Originally a Wakandan named N’Jadaka, the Killmonger family was exiled after their patriarch sided with Klaw in an attack on the nation. Over the years, Killmonger studied both technology and Wakanda, gaining skills in combat and weaponry and fueling his hatred of the ruling class of his former home. Given the shots we see in the trailer, Killmonger will likely follow a similar trajectory in the new film.

Zuri

Following the introduction to Wakanda, we see T’Challa undergoing a massive ceremony presided over by Forrest Whitaker. In the film, he’s be playing Zuri, an uncle of T’Challa’s and the spiritual leader of Wakanda.

In the comics, Zuri was created by Priest in his 1998 run of Black Panther. A war veteran, he was a loyal ally of King T’Chaka before occupying a similar role for T’Challa. Though this could still be part of his past, the movies look to be removing him as a warrior and setting him up as more of a priest.

Nakia

Played by Lupita Nyong’o, Nakia is another central member of the Dora Milaje. Debuting alongside Okoye and Zuri in Priest's’ Black Panther #1, Nakia has a bit more of a complicated legacy than her fellow Adored Ones.

After being kidnapped and tortured by the supervillain Achebe, Nakia is saved by Killmonger. Not only that, but he imbues her with special powers, giving her the name Malice and bringing her into his inner circle. She fights against T’Challa a number of times, teaming with a variety of his enemies on various occasions.

In the trailer, we see Nakia siding with T’Challa’s family in a few different situations, so this bit of her backstory may be abandoned. Then again, we could see the seeds of her betrayal planted at some point in the movie in order to set up the film’s sequel.

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Ayo

The final core member of the Dora Milaje that we’ll be seeing in Black Panther is the first one we ever met in the MCU. Portrayed by Florence Kasumba, Ayo previously appeared in a memorable scene in Civil War where she humbly requests that Black Widow move out of T’Challa’s way. More than Nakia and Okoye, we see her in action during the trailer, teasing her key role.

In the comics, Ayo is one of the newest characters to make the jump to the MCU. Appearing in last year’s Ultimates #1, she just barely made the cut for inclusion in Civil War. More than Okoye or Nakia, she’s played a key role in recent events in Black Panther comics. The story started by Ta-Nehisi Coates introduced her as a renegade to the cause, choosing to defy the crown to free her love Aneka. Together, they become the Midnight Angels, an avenging force for the downtrodden in Wakanda. Whether we’ll see these sides of her in the MCU is unknown, but Ayo clearly has a big future in the world of the films.

W'Kabi

Daniel Kaluuya’s W’Kabi gets the least amount of screentime in the Black Panther trailer, but his role will likely be significant. Glimpsed in the background a few times, his most prominent moment is escorting Killmonger into the throne room. Though he’s never had a major role in the comics, he’s long existed alongside T’Challa.

Debuting in 1969’s Avengers #62, W’Kabi is one of T’Challa’s most loyal allies. Equipped with a bionic arm, he’s a fierce and powerful warrior. Along with Zuri, W’Kabi perishes in the comics defending T’Challa. Hopefully, the same won’t occur in the first movie as Kaluuya’s work in Get Out has many anxious to see him in the MCU. One thing from the comics that is likely to carry over, however, is W’Kabi’s distaste for Ross.

Shuri

Appearing towards the end of the trailer, Shuri is the sister to T’Challa and the next in line for the throne. Like her brother, she’s a gifted warrior and actor Letitia Wright looks like she’ll get more than enough chances to get physical. In the short scenes featuring her, we see Shuri wielding some panther-shaped hand cannons, teasing her mastery of technology.

In the comics, Shuri didn’t arrive until Reginald Hudlin and John Romita, Jr. kicked off their Black Panther run. Debuting in issue #2 in 2005, Shuri eventually took over as the Black Panther following T’Challa leaving his post. She served in the role for some time, even ruling Wakanda as its queen. Eventually, she and her brother both share the mantle, though the period is rife with conflict in their nation. We’re unlikely to see Wright don a version of Boseman’s costume anytime soon, but we certainly expect to see Shuri become the Panther eventually.

Ramonda

Getting about as much screentime as M’Kabi in the trailer is Angela Bassett’s Ramonda. Like in the comics, she’s known for her striking white locks and fierce nature.

Debuting in 1989’s Marvel Comics Presents #14, she’s the second wife of King T’Chaka and the step-mother of T’Challa. Upon becoming the new Queen of Wakanda, she births future Black Panther Shuri while continuing to assist in ruling. After T’Challa ascends to the throne, he continues relying on Ramonda as one of his most trusted advisors and one of the core group of Wakandans who help with the day-to-day rule of the nation.

M'Baku / Man-Ape

M'Baku in Black Panther (2018)

Shortly after we meet Ramonda, we see the final new character in the trailer. Leading the Jabari mountain clan, Winston Duke stands tall as M’Baku in a scene of him holding up another man by the neck. Black Panther will see a number of local factions vying for power in the new film, with T’Challa forced to attempt a reunification of his kingdom, and M’Baku’s tribe will be one of the fiercest.

In the comics, M’Baku is better known as Man-Ape, thanks to his ostentatious full-body costume made up to look like an albino gorilla. First appearing in 1969’s Avengers #62, Man-Ape is one of Black Panther’s oldest foes. With his incredible strength and durability, he’s nothing short of a challenge for the superhero. While his full comic book backstory and power set may not be on display in Black Panther, he’ll certainly be giving T’Challa one more issue to deal with as he tries to rule his fracturing nation.

NEXT: Black Panther Trailer Breakdown

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