Next February, we'll get to explore the Wakanda of the new Ultimate Universe in writer Bryan Hill and artist Stefano Caselli's Ultimate Black Panther #1.
The highly anticipated new series will introduce readers to an all-new T'Challa/Black Panther, alongside a new cast of characters who will shape this fresh take on the world of Wakanda, including Ultimate versions of Storm and Killmonger. Today, you can see them together for the first time on the cover of April's Ultimate Black Panther #3; we also have original design sheets by artist Peach Momoko.
Debuting in Ultimate Black Panther #1, the couple defend their people as heroic freedom fighters throughout the continent of Africa, but when Moon Knight's army launches a brutal invasion, they’ll help convince the powerful nation of Wakanda to finally step out of the shadows.
In the third issue, Black Panther takes matters into his own hands and embarks on a covert solo mission to deal with Ra and Khonshu directly. Wakanda's conflict with Moon Knight has escalated and even with spies all across the continent feeding information, Wakanda is overwhelmed. Everything changes, though, when a pair of freedom fighters enter the fray: Ultimate Killmonger and Ultimate Storm.
"I've always loved looking at outfits of tribes from all over the world," Momoko says. "And combining the modern and tribal, the beauty and strong, is something I always love thinking about. And getting to design for Storm and Killmonger, I wanted to respect the characters and also put in my soul and unique vision into them."
Following next month's Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate Black Panther will be the second launch in Marvel's new Ultimate line that was born out of Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch's Ultimate Invasion series. The saga began with the Maker, one of the last survivors of the old Ultimate Universe, travelling back in time on a parallel Earth to create a world without heroes. He succeeded and ruled this world in secret through various global factions.
Now, he's vanished and a quiet war has broken out across the planet to shape what will happen to his kingdom. Some want to control the world. Some want to free it. After discovering the dark truth, a young Tony Stark embarks on a bold mission to make things right. Meanwhile, Wakanda stirs, pressured by internal and external forces to take its rightful place on the global stage.
Filled with modern takes on classic Marvel ideas and characters, the new Ultimate Universe is ripe for rich storytelling and a perfect evolution of the Ultimate brand.
Check out that Ultimate Black Panther cover and Momoko's design sheets below.
ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #3
Written by BRYAN HILL
Art and Cover by STEFANO CASELLI
On Sale 4/17