The Empyre storyline is building to its climax in the Marvel Universe, spreading across the publisher's main books. Now, it's setting its sights on a final victory and end to the world... taking root in Wakanda.
To this point, the heroes of Earth have teamed up with the newly aligned Kree-Skrull empire in order to defeat Quoi and his army of Cotati, aiming to destroy all animal life. The battle's sheer scope has spread out its events across multiple comics, involving everyone from Avengers to Captain America and more.
The storyline is a crossover event of epic proportions, and something Marvel is well versed in. In the latest issues of Empyre, some of the most recognizable fronts have been highlighted: the X-Men defend their island, Krakoa; Captain America keeps a giant Cotati monster from triggering a fault line in Mexico City; and The Avengers fight off an invasion in both the Savage Land and Manhattan. The success of those victories were unfortunately short lived, when the final pages of both Empyre: Avengers #3 and Empyre: Captain America #3 saw the world's greatest heroes receive a call for help from Shuri, sister to the Black Panther.
If there is one thing Wakanda is known for, it's for being a self-sustained, thriving, well protected, technologically advanced nation. Due to their deposits of the near-mystical vibranium they have flown far above the means of the rest of the world. Their women are warriors, their people form a large community, and their leader, The Black Panther, is a fierce protector. So when invaders are actually able to, well, invade, it means something dire. Unfortunately, the battle shown in Empyre #3 mimicked the MCU's own Battle of Wakanda, showing the Panther's forces overpowered by the Cotati swarm. What will this mean for the cloaked nation? To what extent will Quoi and the Cotati be able to overtake the land, and at what cost? And will their call for help be answered in time?
With Captain America receiving urgent news from Wakanda following a short-lived victory, and Shuri calling The Scarlet Witch to inform her they are being quickly overrun, it seems time may be running out for this prosperous African nation. The future may soon come to be even more grim if Shuri's fear that Black Panther has already fallen is confirmed. One thing is for sure: fans can expect a battle of epic proportions to take place in Wakanda in the following issues of Empyre.