Black Panther Is Wakanda's King Again In Imperial Twist

Despite abdicating the Wakandan throne only a couple of years ago, T’Challa is back as King Black Panther. Countless warriors across the ages have taken up the Black Panther mantle, carrying the legacy inherited from Bast and Bashenga. However, few of them have experienced the amount of challenges that T’Challa has lived through.

Naturally, the Black Panther who lives in the age of heroes, supervillains, and cosmic threats is the one who focuses the most on balancing his personal trials with those of his nation. Besides his duties as king of Wakanda, T’Challa is also a world-saving Avenger and the leader of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. Still, sometimes these responsibilities are too much, and T’Challa finds himself forced to give up his titles.

When T’Challa’s plan to create contingency plans behind the Avengers’ backs failed, he decided to give up the throne and regain his honor by serving as an independent vigilante, a sacrifice that marked a tipping point in his journey.

Black Panther Is King Once Again

Imperial #4; Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by Iban Coello, Federico Vicentini, and Federico Blee

T’Challa’s time as an independent hero is short-lived, as Maximus’ conspiracy to topple the Galactic Council required Black Panther to take a leadership position again. In Imperial, T’Challa and Shuri manage to clear the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda’s name, at the cost of several alliances. In Imperial #4, when Shuri asks T’Challa why he chose to be king again, T’Challa suggests the crisis has opened up a universe of opportunities for their empire.

T’Challa’s decision to reclaim his king duties at the end of Imperial #4 is only a symbolic gesture, as he abandoned his plans to be a solo superhero a while ago. Black Panther was back saving the world alongside the Avengers during Blood Hunt, and his intervention in Imperial #2 immediately placed him back at the top of his empire’s hierarchy. What’s more, the attack on the Galactic Council seems to have awakened even bigger plans for Wakanda in T’Challa’s mind.

T’Challa Needs More Stories Where He Isn’t King

The Throne Doesn’t Have To Define Black Panther

T’Challa’s time as a vigilante during Eve Ewing’s 2023 Black Panther run showed how refreshing it can be to see the King of Wakanda stripped of his crown and forced to operate from the shadows. Heroes defined by wealth or status often gain new depth when they lose everything, as their ideals are tested without privilege to fall back on. For T’Challa, this setup offered untapped potential to explore his humanity beyond royalty.

Stories where powerful heroes are dethroned or humbled resonate because they focus on identity over influence. Iron Man has lost his fortune more times than he’s rebuilt it, and Thor is currently navigating his mortality in The Mortal Thor. Yet, Black Panther has almost always been defined by his royal power.

Unfortunately, T’Challa’s return as ruler of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda suggests Marvel isn’t interested in pursuing that grounded, introspective path anytime soon. His empire is thriving against the odds after the events of Imperial. And for now, T’Challa has set his sights on the stars.