What Marvel's Black Panther Cast Look Like In The Comics

3. Eric Killmonger

Black Panther Shuri Film Comics
Marvel Comics

In The Comics:

Named N'Jadaka, Killmonger's father worked for Klaue, and was exiled from Wakanda and raised in Harlem, New York.

He studied in the USA and gained a PhD in Engineering, dedicating his life to overthrowing the rulers of Wakanda. He was repatriated when he contacted T'Challa later, but ravaged the villages in the kingdom in order to gain the king's attention, challenging him and nearly succeeding in killing him.

He was eventually taken down by the Black Panther, with some help from Iron Man.

In The Film:

Black Panther Erik Killmonger
Marvel Studios

Similar to the one in the comics, Killmonger was a Wakandan child named N'Jadaka, abandoned and left to grow up in Harlem instead of being brought home.

Dedicating his life to revenge, Killmonger became a black-ops soldier who racked up kills and destabilised countries for the benefit of the US government. He eventually challenges T'Challa and attempts to seize the throne of Wakanda, hoping to use Wakanda's advanced weaponry to arm oppressed black people all over the world.

Michael B. Jordan plays the character perfectly, with complexity and depth. Considered one of Marvel's best villains, though a ruthless murderer, Killmonger is one of the most sympathetic villains Marvel has had in a while.

Contributor
Contributor

Writer, artist, professional animator. Indie comics and Hi Nay podcast creator. Queer Filipino storyteller || @MotzieD on Twitter || Originally from Quezon City, The Philippines. Currently based in Toronto, Canada || motziedapul.com