WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1, now on sale from Marvel Comics.
Recent events in the Marvel Universe have allowed for an evolving number of alliances to be born, especially considering how quickly the Kree-Skrull Alliance has become a galactic powerhouse of immense influence. But they might be outclassed by a new team-up between three distinct groups -- two of which only recently truly began to embrace cosmic-level ambitions and efforts.
Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1 by Evan Narcisse, German Peralta, Jesus Aburtov and VC's Cory Petit sees Wakanda, S.W.O.R.D. and the Shi'Ar working together to fight back against the reach of Dormammu into the core-Marvel Universe. In the process, they set aside some old differences and lay possible foundations for the three to form one of Marvel's most powerful alliances.
The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda was formed millennia ago in the deep reaches of space but were inspired by the present-day Wakanda and its legacy, thanks to an anomaly depositing a group of Wakandan explorers into the distant past. Although their empire became vast and impressive, it did so largely through combat and conflict. One of its primary enemies became the Shi'Ar Empire, one of Marvel's most important intergalactic empires. Although the Empire of Wakanda has been given more noble leadership now under the command of T'Challa, there are those who still hate them -- notably including the Shi'Ar, who refuse to trust the Earth-born Wakandans over their connection to their enemies.
But they're forced to set aside these differences during the events of Last Annihilation. Dormammu has breached the material universe and is doing everything he can to bring chaos to the universe -- notably by burning five worlds into a universal pentagram, which would allow him to fully breach this dimension and bring chaos with him. One of these worlds is Aerie, one of the more prominent Shi'Ar worlds. Despite the efforts of the Imperial Guard, the planet is at risk of being overwhelmed by the forces of Dormammu. So, Wakanda sends a team to assist them -- alongside Manifold of S.W.O.R.D., who has experience working alongside the Wakandan heroes like Shuri.
The Shi'Ar -- especially Deathbird -- aren't particularly happy to see the Wakandans arrive on the battlefield. Deathbird even comments that her empire should have used their full might to attack the Intergalactic Wakandans, even once the conflict between them was halted. But thanks to Smasher's previous experience with Manifold and the Wakandans, the Imperial Guard reluctantly works alongside them. Gladiator even suggests the Wakandans focus their attentions on the other side of Aerie, as the Shi'Ar still cannot trust them. They even attack M'Baku when they believe the Wakadans have betrayed them. But despite this lack of faith, the Wakandans -- along with a last-minute save from Storm and Black Panther with Mysterium -- turn the tide and save the Shi'Ar world.
Afterward, Deathbird admits she may have been wrong -- and agrees that formal communications should be established between them. It's a major development for Wakanda and the Shi'Ar, setting them up to potentially become allies in the coming years. It's also a huge step for the X-Men and the rest of Krakoa, who've established themselves as defined allies of the Shi'Ar but have had mixed relations with Wakanda since their formation. If these three can truly work together and form an alliance, they could become one of the principal forces in the universe -- even capable of fighting off other empires if war were to break out. This could provide security for all three -- and given the ever volatile nature of the Marvel Universe, could help cement all of them as major fixtures going forward.
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