Spoilers ahead for The Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1!
Vibranium is one of the most precious metals in the Marvel Universe, but the X-Men’s newly-created metal Mysterium has one serious advantage over it. In The Last Annihilation: Wakanda, Black Panther and Shuri are called in to help stop Dormammu’s galactic reign of terror, and when Vibrainum proves ineffective against him, the X-Men arrive with a gift—and a chance to end the fight once and for all.
The Marvel Universe is replete with several rare metals and elements imbued with fantastic powers. Primary among them are Adamantium, the unbreakable metal that laces Wolverine’s skeleton, and Vibranium, which helped put Wakanda on the map and gives the nation its technological and economic edge. The newest metal in the Marvel Universe is Mysterium, discovered by the X-Men in the White Hot Room. This unique “meta-metal” has not only been a game changer for the X-Men, but also helped jump start the lagging galactic economy. Right now, the X-Men have exclusive rights to Mysterium. While the X-Men have been preoccupied with Mysterium, the dread Dormammu has returned, possessing Ego the Living Planet, attacking key planets throughout the galaxy in a bid to gain power.
The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda is called into service in The Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1 is written by Evan Narcisse, with art by German Peralta, colors by Jesus Aburtov and letters by Cory Petit. Black Panther and Shuri have created a Vibranium net over the Shi’Ar home world, which is under siege. The Vibranium net absorbs the magical energy, saving the planet. Shuri is asked how long the net will last, and she is not sure. Shuri explains that Vibranium and magic do not play well together, and the net could give out at any minute. Sure enough, the net starts to crumble, and as Shuri frantically tries to save it, her brother appears alongside Storm. Storm has come bearing the gift of Mysterium—which actually resonates with magic. Shuri and the joint Wakandan/Shi’Ar task force swaps out the Vibranium for Mysterium, strengthening the net, and saving the planet.
For all of its fantastic properties, Vibranium does not gel well with magic; fortunately for Shuri, Storm arrives with Mysterium. This exciting new metal can absorb magic, as it may be derived from magic itself, giving it a serious edge over Vibranium. The question is: could Mysterium, in the long run, devalue Vibranium? While Vibranium is versatile, its wonky relationship with magic makes it less desirable, whereas there is none of that with Mysterium.
If the value of Vibranium drops, it could have serious repercussions for Wakanda. Could this spark a trade war between Wakanda and Krakoa? Vibranium is going nowhere for the time being, but the X-Men’s new Mysterium could supplant it—a move that would resonate across the Marvel Universe.