Warning: contains spoilers for Black Panther #7!

Marvel's Black Panther may rule over Wakanda with a benevolent reign, but the King no longer has the desire to sit upon the throne. Wakanda is an absolute monarchy and has been for generations - and while such dedication to an old system of government is admirable, it is also a sign that the country's main weakness (aside from their over-reliance on the precious metal vibranium) is stagnation in the face of a changing world. Now in Black Panther #7, in the midst of Wakanda slowly becoming a democracy, Black Panther has decided he no longer wishes to rule the country that is his birthright.

While T'Challa was always destined to rule (being the firstborn son of King T'Chaka), the mantle of king was thrust upon him earlier than expected. A man named Ulysses Klaw, in search of Wakanda's precious vibranium, invaded and eventually assassinated King T'Chaka, meaning T'Challa inherited his duties before his time. T'Challa was supremely educated by the greatest teachers in both Wakanda and outside countries, and while he always has his homeland's best interests at heart, he has nevertheless made plenty of mistakes.

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In Black Panther #7, written by John Ridley with art by Stefano Landini, Black Panther's allies meet to discuss exactly how he will take back the throne from the most recent coup. All assembled, including Storm of the X-Men and Princess Shuri, ask T'Challa exactly how he will restore order - and how this time will be different. "Because I'm not asking you to restore me to the throne," T'Challa responds. "Whatever the final outcome of this battle, I will never again claim to be your King. I do not deserve to be."

T'Challa here is admitting that he has failed as a ruler, and in a way, he's right. In current comics continuity, Black Panther positioned various sleeper agents around the world as part of an intelligence-gathering organization - without the approval of the new Wakandan democracy (which T'Challa dislikes strongly). This act cost him greatly when an agent is murdered, kicking off the main plot of the current arc and eventually forcing T'Challa into hiding. Wakanda is destabilized and it is all T'Challa's fault. Even though T'Challa believes countries require singular rulers to cut through the red tape of seemingly-endless bureaucracy, such measures are needed if - or perhaps when - a singular leader makes a poor decision.

Thus, T'Challa no longer desires the throne upon which he has reigned for many years. It is difficult to avoid the real-life elements impacting the plot: with the death of Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman and the character dying in the MCU, perhaps the comics are moving away from Black Panther's hand in Wakandan politics. Whatever the case, the Black Panther of the comics no longer wishes to rule - but whether he is in favor of democracy or simply another ruler entirely remains to be seen.

Next: Moon Knight's Version of Black Panther's Ancestral Plane Is Horrifying