WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Black Panther #23, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ryan Bodenheim, Daniel Acuna, Chris O'Halloran and VC's Joe Sabino, on sale now.
Now that Black Panther's back, Marvel fans can take in the remaining chapters of "Wakanda Unbound, " the climax to Ta-Nehisi Coates' run on the title and saga of the Wakandan Intergalactic Empire. This alternate reality intergalactic empire is trying to grow its power across the galaxy. While T'Challa has broken free and is rallying his troops on Earth, N'Jadaka is rounding up his remaining forces in preparation for an all-out war, as both believe there can only be one Wakanda.
But in Black Panther #23, the tide shifts drastically, and not in T'Challa's favor, thanks to the betrayal by the Panther God, Bast.
In this adventure, Bast hasn't been on good terms with T'Challa, having chosen N'Jadaka as its champion out of pride. The beast enjoyed seeing N'Jadaka's prowess at conquering, enslaving and growing the empire, which inevitably paints him as a flawed and corrupt god. However, Bast did seem to realize that course-correction was needed after falling out with N'Jadaka, due to the tyrant's selfish attitude and how their egos clashed.
However, N'Jadaka was prepared, mystically draining the god of its powers. And as N'Jadaka battles with a symbiote for control of Killmonger's body, Bast is angling for revenge. That comes through Zenzi, N'Jadaka's daughter, the avatar Bast wants to use. The god realizes that she's vulnerable since she's lost faith in her dad, and it seems like they're going to bond.
But as it turns out, Bast is playing N'Jadaka out in space and tricking T'Challa at the same time.
Black Panther thought he came to an understanding with Bast that he has to free everyone, which is why he restored the memories of the enslaved people, thanks to the Djalia, which caused civil war in N'Jadaka's camp. But as T'Challa gathers a fighting force that includes heroes like Falcon, Luke Cage and Ironheart, Bast double-crosses them just when it seems like they've got enough of an army to strike back.
Bast arrives on Earth, opening a portal and allowing N'Jadaka's forces in. T'Challa is left shocked, especially as the rest of the pantheon -- Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji and Ptah -- are there observing. The king thought they were there to protect Wakanda, but he's left wondering if they're in league with Bast and were there to watch him fall all along.
From her words, it becomes clear that Bast wants to use Zenzi to take control of both kingdoms. Unless the Orishas help out, T'Challa knows they'll be outgunned and outmanned. Still, he orders his troops to battle, knowing that if they don't have their gods' backing, they can still go down fighting to save Wakanda.
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