WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Thor #8 by Jason Aaron, Mike Del Mundo and VC's Joe Sabino, on sale now.


For those of you who pay attention to Marvel's monthly solicitations, you may have noticed issues of Avengers mentioning Black Panther assembling a team called the Agents of Wakanda. Of course, the name is a play on the top secret sometimes-spy-sometimes-government task force, S.H.I.E.L.D., which is now defunct following the events of Secret Empire.

Black Panther was appointed the chairperson for the new Avengers team, which consists of himself, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Hulk (Jennifer Walters) and Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes). Though they are operating independently of any national allegiances, countries have begun to form their own super teams like the Winter Guard, Defenders of the Deep and the Squadron Supreme of America.

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Readers their first mention of T'Challa's Agents of Wakanda in the oversized Avengers #10, aka the Legacy numbered #700. A backup story centered on Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) traveling to Romania on a secret mission, with the Black Panther referring to her specifically as an agent -- not a member of the Avengers. Wasp has infiltrated Castle Dracula to rescue Blade, the Vampire Hunter. When she asked if he'd like to join the Avengers, Blade simply replied, "Get me my swords."

With those two members solidified, Thor #8 revealed who the next surprise character would be. Jane Foster, Freyja and Angela are gathered at the home of former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Rosalind (Roz) Solomon. The four women are discussing the war that is raging across the Ten Realms, and how they can help Thor prepare for it. When the doorbell rings, Roz opens it to find Black Panther and Okoye at her front door, offering her membership into the mysterious Agents of Wakanda.

As of now, we have no idea what makes the Agents of Wakanda different from the Avengers or S.H.I.E.L.D. Its possible Black Panther realizes as the new chairperson of the Avengers, his hands will be tied as far as some of the missions he can be a part of. Therefore, he needs a covert team to work behind the scenes to do the jobs that are out of the Avengers' wheelhouse.

For now, we will have to wait to find out who else will become part of Black Panther's Agents of Wakanda, along with what new missions they will be sent on. Earlier in Thor #8 Black Panther alluded to being aware of the coming War of the Realms, so these agents could be his way of recruiting as many soldiers as he can find. And who knows, they could become a permanent replacement for S.H.I.E.L.D.

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