Erik Killmonger Explained

Character Name:Erik Killmonger
Publisher:Marvel Comics
Debut:Jungle Action #6 (September 1973)[1]
Full Name:N'Jadaka
Aliases:Erik Killmonger

Erik Killmonger (né N'Jadaka) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Don McGregor and Rich Buckler, he first appeared in Jungle Action #6 (September 1973).[2] The character is commonly depicted as a skilled hunter and mercenary born in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, who holds a grudge against the country and its people after his biological parents were killed when he was young. Raised outside of Wakanda, he eventually returns as a revolutionary leader and terrorist to exact his revenge, and repeatedly challenges the nation's king and protector, Black Panther, who becomes his most prominent adversary.

The character has been adapted from the comics into several other forms of media, such as television series and video games. Michael B. Jordan portrayed the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Black Panther (2018) and (2022), and voiced an alternate reality version in the animated series What If...? (2021).

Publication history

Erik Killmonger first appeared in the "Panther's Rage" storyline, initially in Jungle Action #6-8 (September 1973 - January 1974), and was created by writer Don McGregor and penciler Rich Buckler.

Fictional character biography

Killmonger is born in Wakanda under the name N'Jadaka. His parents are killed by raiders led by M'Demwe, a traitorous citizen of the Golden Realm who sells out secrets of his home nation to Ulysses Klaue, and subsequently takes him in.[3]

N'Jadaka is a gifted intellectual from an early age. This trait is exploited by M'Demwe, who takes him into the outside world, all while boasting of national superiority as they trek foreign lands.

All the while, N'Jadaka fosters resentment towards everyone and everything for all the horrible events that befell him, while his future nemesis T'Challa is crowned king after the death of his father.[4]

Eventually, the youth tires of his life in servitude and his childhood of hardship, and executes M'Demwe before striving to find his own path.[4] [3] He later changes his name to Erik Killmonger, and studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, still desperate to avenge his father's death.

While studying in Harlem, New York, Erik attempts multiple times to murder the source of his woes, but is confounded by supervillainous power players working under the likes of Wilson Fisk/Kingpin.[5]

That mercenary outfit of mutants takes Killmonger on as a temporary member within their crew of hired guns. Eventually he falls in love with a teammate, Knight, and finds temporary solace in her company, while taking odd jobs under the lord of crime in New York. All of that eventually falls apart when their employer sells them out to his top operator Bullseye.[6] Knight subsequently cuts a deal with S.H.I.E.L.D. behind the backs of what remains of the team to get an easy out from her life of crime.

Killmonger eventually embraces his chosen name, as well as a new goddess named K'liluna, fallen sister of Mother Bast, when he exacts revenge upon his scorned lover before disappearing into obscurity for a time.[7]

Return Home

Killmonger returns to Wakanda after king T'Challa brings their homeland to the attentions of the outside world.[8] The two converse about Wakandan theology while asking about the deity whom Erik is secretly living with, all whilst plotting his revenge against his liege, and the nation he blames for his abandonment to the corruption beyond it.[9] While re-acquainting himself with Wakanda, N'Jadaka discovers plans for a WMD called Project: Koukou, a deadly vibranium shock bomb meant to act as a colonizer deterrent.[4] He then sets about systematically killing other Wakandan refugees as a misdirection ploy so as to foment his plans for global conflict.

Killmonger's ultimate aim is to drop Koukou on a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier coming in for diplomatic treaties, framing Wakanda as aggressors on the world stage, and forcing them to go to war with everyone else, thus; allowing Killmonger to overthrow T'Challa and lead his people to storm over the world in a genocidal crusade.[10] When Shuri traps him in an invention, instead of being arrested, he jumps from a plane into a lake, where he is believed to have survived.

What becomes of Killmonger afterward is a mystery. He eventually settles in a kingdom-based hamlet that later changes its name to N'Jadaka Village in his honor. He becomes a subversive, with dreams of ridding Wakanda of what he terms "white colonialist" cultural influences, and return it entirely to its ancient ways. He then takes advantage of Black Panther's frequent absences in America with the Avengers to stage a coup d'état, along with Baron Macabre. He is defeated and killed,[11] until the Mandarin claims his body.[12]

Resurrection

Using the Ten Rings, the Mandarin amplifies the resurrection altar and restores Killmonger to life. Killmonger returns to his lover and ally, Madam Slay, and the two plot to kill Black Panther and restore the ancient ways of Wakanda. While Tony Stark visits Wakanda, Madam Slay drugs James Rhodes and takes him prisoner. Killmonger appears to have killed Black Panther, and blames Rhodes and Stark, convincing the Wakandans that he can lead them to vengeance. Black Panther returns, revealing that he faked his death using a Life Model Decoy, and defeats Killmonger. The Mandarin recalls his ring and Killmonger reverts to an inanimate skeleton. Killmonger's followers resurrect him again and he clashes with T'Challa on several other occasions.[12]

Wakanda takeover

In the wake of the sorcerer Achebe's attempted takeover of Wakanda, with T'Challa absent and control of the country left with his regent Everett K. Ross, Killmonger tries to gain control of the country via its economy, forcing T'Challa to stop him by nationalizing all foreign companies in Wakanda and cause a run on the stock market. The two foes fight in a ritual combat over the right to rule Wakanda, and Killmonger defeats T'Challa and gains the status of Black Panther. He maintains control of Wakanda for a while and even attempts to inherit T'Challa's Avengers status, but when he undergoes the ascension rite needed to cement his position, his body has a severe reaction to the heart-shaped herb that he is required to consume - it is poisonous to all but the royal bloodline. Although it is convenient to allow him to die and be unquestionably entitled to the position of Black Panther, T'Challa preserves Killmonger's life.

Killmonger eventually comes out of his coma, thus; reclaiming his position as chieftain over Wakanda. He goes to New York and contacts Kasper Cole, an inner-city police officer masquerading as Black Panther to help him with cases, and attempts to gain him as an ally (and one-up T'Challa) by offering him a buffered version of Black Panther's herb and help finding his supervisor's kidnapped son. In exchange, he has to drop the identity of Black Panther and take up that of a White Tiger acolyte of the Panther cult, and would owe Killmonger a favor. Kasper agrees to this, but then uses his new herb-enhanced powers to track down the boy on his own and avoid owing Killmonger an unpayable debt.

T'Challa is once again the sole ruler of Wakanda when Killmonger resurfaces and takes control of the neighboring country of Niganda.[13] During a subsequent duel with T'Challa, Killmonger is killed by Monica Rambeau, whom he previously captured and imprisoned. Killmonger's young son swears vengeance against Black Panther, much like N'Jadaka did years earlier after the death of his own father.[14]

Post–Secret Wars

After Marvel's multiversal reboot in Secret Wars, Killmonger once again is resurrected by an intergalactic superpower based upon Wakanda's cultural heritage; one that lacks its more pacifistic approach to handling different races and ethnicities. A leading ruler of said empire which conquered five galaxies while taking up his name seeks to supplant the original N'Jadaka's body so as to overtake the Wakanda of now in revenge on the king of the future for killing him.[15] But the symbiote withholding the emperor's soul overshot his attempt at finding a new host, resurrecting the original holder of his name, who then fights with the emperor over control of their shared body. The parasitic entity threatens to cast Killmonger back unto death should he disobey him, while the precursor to the galactic overlord promising to master and supplant it in response.[16]

Powers and abilities

Erik Killmonger is an expert martial artist with peak-level strength and a genius-level intellect. He is also an expert tactician, having taken over Wakanda and Niganda multiple times. Erik is capable of taking attacks from stronger foes and falls from great heights that would kill or injure a normal person with little to no injury (he still can be hurt or killed if enough damage is sustained). He is highly knowledgeable of Wakanda/African history and laws, leading to him battling Black Panther constantly for the throne. It is also strongly implied that he cannot consume the Heart-Shaped Herb to gain the same abilities of the Black Panther due to his not having the royal bloodline. He is also a skilled businessman.

Reception

Other versions

Infinity Wars

Erik Killraven, a fusion of Killmonger and Killraven created by the Infinity Gems, appears in Infinity Wars: Ghost Panther.[21]

Intergalactic Empire of Wakandas

An alternate timeline variant of Killmonger appears in Black Panther (vol. 7). This version bonded with a Symbiote after the king of Wakanda sent him on a mission to the Mamadou galaxy and subsequently overthrew him.[22] [23] [24] [25] He is later killed when Bast betrays him and destroys his base.[26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]

King Killmonger

An alternate universe variant of Killmonger from Earth-36054 appears as a member of the Multiversal Masters of Evil under the name of King Killmonger. He wears armor that resembles the Destroyer laced with Vibranium and was responsible for conquering Wakanda and Asgard.[32] [33] [34] [35] [36] The group later battles the Avengers before Killmonger is killed by Iron Fist.[37] [38]

Once and Future King

In an alternate universe listed as Earth-11236, Killmonger and his cabal kidnapped T'Challa's friend, Everett K. Ross, to make T'Challa come out of isolation. However, he, his cabal, and T'Challa's daughter were all killed by T'Charra, T'Challa's son.[39]

Ultimate Universe

An alternate universe variant of Killmonger from Earth-6160 appears in Ultimate Invasion. This version is a member of a rebellion against Ra and Khonshu.[40] [41] [42] [43] [44]

X-Men Forever

In an alternate timeline depicted in X-Men Forever, Killmonger made a pact with Storm to kill T'Challa, which they succeeded in doing. However, Storm later betrayed and killed Killmonger so she could be seen as a hero to the Wakandans and become the Queen of Wakanda.[45]

In other media

Television

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Killmonger appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Michael B. Jordan.[50] [51] This version is a Navy SEAL named Erik Stevens whose "Killmonger" nickname came from his military career.[52] [53] Additionally, he is the son of Prince N'Jobu and an American woman from Oakland, California, and his chest is covered with self-inflicted scarification dots that represent each of his confirmed kills. Furthermore, Killmonger sports battle armor resembling that of Vegeta from the anime series Dragon Ball Z, of which Jordan is a fan.[54] [55] [56] Jordan's performance as Killmonger received critical acclaim, and the character was widely hailed as one of the best villains in the MCU.[57] [58] [59]

Video games

Music

Erik Killmonger is referenced in the song "King's Dead", produced by rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, and Future as part of Black Panther's soundtrack.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Conroy, Mike . Mike Conroy (writer)

    . Mike Conroy (writer) . 500 Comicbook Villains . Collins & Brown . 2004 . 1-84340-205-X . en.

  2. Book: DeFalco. Tom. The Marvel Encyclopedia. Sanderson. Peter. Brevoort. Tom. Teitelbaum. Michael. Wallace. Daniel. Darling. Andrew. Forbeck. Matt. Cowsill. Alan. Bray. Adam. 2019. DK Publishing. 978-1-4654-7890-0. 205.
  3. Killmonger #1. Marvel Comics.
  4. Rise of the Black Panther #4. Marvel Comics.
  5. Killmonger #1.
  6. Killmonger #2-3. Marvel Comics.
  7. Killmonger #4-5. Marvel Comics.
  8. Rise of the Black Panther #3. Marvel Comics.
  9. Killmonger #5. Marvel Comics.
  10. Rise of the Black Panther #4-6. Marvel Comics.
  11. Jungle Action #17 (Sept. 1975). Marvel Comics.
  12. Iron Man Annual #5 (1982). Marvel Comics.
  13. Black Panther vol. 3 #35 (April 2008). Marvel Comics.
  14. Black Panther vol. 3 #38. Marvel Comics.
  15. Black Panther vol. 7 #19 (Dec. 18 2019)
  16. Black Panther vol. 7 #20. Marvel Comics.
  17. Web site: The 8 Best Black Panther Villains . 2022-10-16 . Marvel . en.
  18. Web site: Epps . De'Angelo . 2020-12-07 . Marvel: Ranking Black Panther's Rogues Gallery . 2022-10-16 . CBR . en-US.
  19. Web site: Harn . Darby . 2021-09-25 . 15 Most Powerful Black Panther Villains . 2022-10-16 . Screen Rant . en-US.
  20. Web site: Eckhardt . Peter . 2022-11-30 . 10 Most Iconic Black Panther Villains . 2023-01-03 . CBR . en.
  21. Infinity Wars: Ghost Panther #1. Marvel Comics.
  22. Web site: The Intergalactic Future of Black Panther's Wakanda Is a Bold Statement About Science Fiction. Charles Pulliam-Moore. Gizmodo. May 25, 2018.
  23. Black Panther vol. 7 #12-15. Marvel Comics.
  24. Black Panther vol. 7 #6-11. Marvel Comics
  25. Web site: Cardona . Ian . December 1, 2018 . Black Panther's Intergalactic Empire Has Ties to Spider-Man's Greatest Foe . Comic Book Resources.
  26. Black Panther vol. 7 #1-6. Marvel Comics
  27. Black Panther vol. 7 #13-14. Marvel Comics.
  28. Black Panther vol. 7 #18. Marvel Comics.
  29. Web site: Matadeen . Renaldo . August 9, 2019 . Black Panther's Space Rebellion Unveils Its Own Death Star . Comic Book Resources.
  30. Web site: Dyce . Andrew . October 26, 2019 . Black Panther is About To Face A SYMBIOTE Killmonger . Screen Rant.
  31. Web site: Stewart . Brenton . September 26, 2019 . Forget Absolute Carnage - Black Panther Has Marvel's Scariest Symbiote . CBR.
  32. Free Comic Book Day 2021: Avengers/Hulk #1. Marvel Comics.
  33. Avengers Vol. 8 #50-51. Marvel Comics.
  34. Avengers Vol. 8 #54. Marvel Comics.
  35. Avengers: Forever Vol. 2 #6. Marvel Comics.
  36. Avengers: Forever Vol. 2 #11. Marvel Comics.
  37. Avengers Vol. 8 #63. Marvel Comics.
  38. Avengers Vol. 8 #64. Marvel Comics.
  39. Black Panther vol. 3 #36. Marvel Comics.
  40. Ultimate Black Panther #1. Marvel Comics.
  41. Ultimate Black Panther #3. Marvel Comics.
  42. Ultimate Black Panther #4. Marvel Comics.
  43. Ultimate Black Panther #6. Marvel Comics.
  44. Ultimate Black Panther #7. Marvel Comics.
  45. X-Men Forever vol. 2 #15. Marvel Comics.
  46. Web site: Marvel.com - The Official Site for Marvel Movies, Characters, Comics, TV. Marvel.com . mdy-all. 2018-06-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710123512/https://news.marvel.com/tv/89419/okoye-works-to-help-save-shuri-in-new-lego-marvel-super-heroes-black-panther-trouble-in-wakanda-short/. 2018-07-10. dead.
  47. Web site: Killmonger Voices (Black Panther) . March 12, 2024 . Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  48. Shadow of Atlantis Pt. 2. Avengers Assemble. Disney XD. 5. 2. September 23, 2018.
  49. Into the Deep. Avengers Assemble. Disney XD. 5. 3. September 30, 2018.
  50. Web site: SDCC 2016: Marvel's 'Black Panther' Confirms Additional Cast News Marvel.com. marvel.com . mdy-all. 2016-07-24.
  51. Web site: Michael B. Jordan Talks About Becoming a Bad Guy - Comic Con 2016 - MTV. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/Sl6mbbu1AlI . 2021-12-19 . live. MTV. July 24, 2016. YouTube.
  52. Web site: Killmonger. Marvel. May 1, 2018.
  53. Web site: Black Panther Bios Hit The Web. LRMOnline.com. Medina. Joseph Jammer. January 2, 2018. January 2, 2018.
  54. News: Adams . Tim . February 22, 2018 . Black Panther's Killmonger May Have Borrowed His Costume From Vegeta . Comic Book Resources.
  55. News: Erao . Matthew . February 21, 2018 . Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger Costume Honors His Anime Love . Screen Rant.
  56. News: Jirak . Jamie . November 25, 2018 . 'Black Panther's Michael B. Jordan Says Killmonger's Armor May Be Based on Vegeta From 'Dragon Ball Z' . ComicBook.com.
  57. Web site: Why Killmonger Is the Greatest Villain Ever. Wyatt. Donigan. March 3, 2018. Medium.
  58. Web site: Placido . Dani Di . March 5, 2018 . Why Killmonger Was Such A Compelling Villain In 'Black Panther' . Forbes.
  59. Web site: Tharpe . Frazier . February 23, 2018 . All Hail King Killmonger, the Best Superhero Villain Since Heath Ledger . Complex.
  60. Web site: Hughes . William . Marvel just released an extremely intriguing cast list for Disney+'s animated What If…? . A.V. Club . July 21, 2019 . July 21, 2019.
  61. Web site: Jasper . Gavin . September 15, 2021 . What If…? Episode 6 Review: Killmonger to the Rescue . live . https://archive.today/20210915163728/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/what-if-episode-6-review/ . September 15, 2021 . September 15, 2021 . Den of Geek.
  62. Web site: Howard . Kirsten . 2021-10-06 . What If...? Episode 9 Review: A Missing Puzzle Piece . 2024-03-12 . Den of Geek . en-US.
  63. Web site: Amin . Arezou . 2023-12-30 . 'What If...?' Season 2 Episode 9: A "Strange" Adventure For Peggy and Kahhori . 2024-03-12 . Collider . en.
  64. News: Pokhariyal . Tanya . 11 November 2022 . Michael B Jordan's cameo in Wakanda Forever is jaw-dropping . storyik.com . Storyik . 11 November 2022.
  65. Web site: Lego Avengers DLC Season Pass Detailed. Mat. Paget. March 17, 2016. Gamespot.
  66. Web site: Dornbush . Jonathon . February 13, 2018 . LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Black Panther DLC Revealed . April 21, 2018 . IGN . en-US.
  67. Web site: The King of Wakanda Rules Marvel Games. Marvel.
  68. Web site: Champion Spotlight – Killmonger . February 14, 2018. Contest of Champions official website. February 16, 2018.