Right in time for Wakanda Forever is Marvel-Verse: Shuri, a beginner’s taster of some of Shuri’s newer tales. Running 120 pages long, this collection features the more tech-savvy Shuri who appeared in Marvel Comics aligning with the one who appeared in the MCU. That means she won’t wear the Black Panther costume as in The Black Panther: The Saga of Shuri & T’Challa.
If you’re unfamiliar with the format, be sure to read my reviews for Marvel-Verse: Amazing Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Jane Foster Thor, America, Moon Knight, Moon Girl, Morbius, Thor, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Shang-Chi, Captain Marvel, Deadpool & Wolverine, Iron Man, Venom, Thanos, and Black Panther — each one features various stories from the title character’s history. This collection features: Shuri #1 and #6-7, Marvel Action: Black Panther #5-6, and material from Marvel’s Voices #1.
Opening with Shuri, fans are in for a treat as Marvel’s first stab at the MCU version of Shuri in the comics is a good one. This story plays up the more robust nature of the character in the comic universe, not forgetting how Shuri was Black Panther once before, but also how she has a unique connection to the Wakanda spirit realm.
As far as first issues go, this comic book hits it out of the park. I was confident it’d pull off the introduction of the character and its main focus after it rather succinctly introduced readers to Shuri on the very first page. Right out of the gate, it explains the most important elements of the character in the comic universe and, then on the very next page, dives into the story at hand. As the story unfolds, writer Nnedi Okorafor sets up why Black Panther isn’t a factor, Shuri’s incredible ability to create gadgets, and an exciting spirit element that gives Shuri a unique edge compared to other heroes. There’s also a mystery (or even two) that is set up and the introduction of a cast of female Wakandans that develops the woman’s place in this nation in a fulfilling way.
The first issue gets you hyped for Shuri adventures.
Credit: Marvel
This issue also reveals Shuri’s personality quite well via great emotional acting from artist Leonardo Romero and a key flashback. I won’t spoil a thing here, though I will say you get a keen sense of Shuri’s ability to follow through on what she thinks is right — a key quality of any great hero.
I will admit Romero’s style isn’t the conventional superhero style we’ve become accustomed to in comics, but it’s pretty good at revealing characters’ emotions. The layout design is quite nice too, particularly in a scene with Shuri testing out some wings. Jordie Bellaire’s colors are quite nice (when are they not?), and they sing in the flashback and Wakanda street scenes.
Shuri #6 and #7 make up a nice two-part story that adds a bunch of familiar characters into the mix. Miles Morales and Ms. Marvel team up with the character. It’s a nice way to show younger readers this is a larger universe, and Shuri knows other heroes too.
Closing out the collection is Marvel Action: Black Panther #5, which is an all-ages adventure. Shuri and T’Challa team up to stop a curse and save humanity. Arianna Florean draws in a super appealing style straight out of the Saturday morning cartoons of your youth.
As usual with this series, this collection isn’t thorough or even complete. Marvel-Verse: Shuri is a taste test at best, but it should do enough to get MCU fans reading as a gateway into comics.
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