The following contains spoilers for Black Panther #8, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
T'Challa has reclaimed his throne in Wakanda in Marvel's Black Panther #8, but it comes at a heavy cost.
Black Panther #8 comes from writer John Ridley, artist Stefano Landini, color artist Matt Wilson and letterer/designer VC's Joe Sabino. At the start of the issue, T'Challa has been thrown out of Wakana by Akili and the Hatut Zeraze after he was labeled a traitor and his title was taken away from him. The hero has since gathered a small force -- including his sister Shuri, a new hero named Tosin, his ex-wife Storm and others -- to re-take the country from Akili's rule.
T'Challa and Akili confront one another, leading to a massive battle in which T'Challa repeatedly tells Akili he's the true king of Wakanda. While T'Challa gets the upper hand over his foe, Akili pulls out a sword and looks as if he's going to strike his opponent down; however, Akili then turns the sword around and stabs himself in the chest. "A true warrior falls on his sword when defeated," Akili mutters as his final words. "As I fall on mine for you...my king."
Change Comes to Wakanda
While T'Challa may be Wakanda's king again, the return isn't a triumphant one. Omolola, a Wakandan sleeper agent working, tells T'challa "lies come back on liars. Deceptions come back on deceivers" shortly after Akili is killed. When T'Challa asks if she's speaking of Akili or himself, Omolola walks away and declares the two won't be seeing one another again. As everyone else also departs, T'Challa begs Storm to stay. "I leave, but being alone...you've done that to yourself," she says while flying away. "The king is dead. Long live the king."
Further changes may also soon be coming to Wakanda. With the Hatut Zeraze defeated, Prime Minister Folasade declares the country's need for a different kind of army -- not a secret police force, this time, but a citizen's army. Shuri notes that will likely take some time, but Folasade notes they have plenty since "Wakanda is forever." Solicitation information for Black Panther #9, which releases Sept. 9, additionally reveals T'Challa will soon rejoin the Avengers after a dangerous new villain named the Colonialist emerges and tries to take over the planet.
Black Panther #8 features cover art by Alex Ross and variant cover art by Yanick Parquette. The issue is on sale now from Marvel.
Source: Marvel