With the release of Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual for the Dora Milaje by Karama Horne underway for September 13, 2022, it's clear that the Dora Milaje have always been important protectors for Wakanda. They go through rigorous training to become part of the elite force of all-women warriors and have an entire history of their own. The Dora Milaje are the Black Panther's greatest asset in the Marvel Universe and this has been proven time and time again.

Black Panther is a superhero in his own right, but even he needs protecting sometimes and that's where the Dora Milaje comes in. They're tasked with protecting Wakanda, but they're also extremely loyal to the Black Panther and serve the royalty of Wakanda. Members of the Dora Milaje (meaning the "adored ones" in Wakandan) are chosen from various tribes throughout Wakanda to become part of the tribe of women warriors, which is considered one of the highest honors in Wakanda. Upon completing their training, the Dora Milaje act as special forces alongside the Black Panther and serve as the Black Panther's bodyguards often, fighting at T'Challa's side as needed.

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Black Panther and the Dora Milaje v Doctor Doom

During the Dark Reign era in Marvel Comics throughout 2008 and 2009, Dr. Doom attempted an assassination against the Wakandan King that led to T'Challa incorporating more training within the Dora Milaje to withstand robotic and magical warfare. Further on in the Doomwar event, Dr. Doom tried to invade and conquer Wakanda with an army and navy of nearly 80,000 individuals at his disposal against 500 of the Dora Milaje warriors, Black Panther, and Shuri. The Dora Milaje came out victorious, which further proved the power they hold and effectively demolished Doom's network on a global scale.

The Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1, by Evan Narcisse, Germán Peralta, Jesus Aburtov, and VC's Cory Petit also showcased the Dora Milaje as Black Panther's greatest assets. T'Challa was asked by S.W.O.R.D to aid in the fight against Dormammu in their conquest to control the galaxy. This issue saw T'Challa team up with M'Baku leading Wakandan forces, but it was the Dora Milaje that shined when they were able to fight back against the Mindless Ones despite internal problems within Wakanda taking place. Whether Wakanda or the whole galaxy is at risk, the Dora Milaje rise to aid each and every time.

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Dora Milaje advanced training

In Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brian Stelfreeze, and Chris Sprouse, it's revealed that the Dora Milaje will protect Wakanda at all cost when a former warrior of the Dora Milaje, Aneka, is imprisoned for murdering a village chief. However, she did so because he was assaulting women in his village. Her imprisonment is under the confines of the death penalty and her lover, Ayo, also a former Dora Milaje warrior breaks her out using the Midnight Angel armor.

Together, they both fight to reform and save the people of Wakanda that they feel T'Challa has neglected. This feeling of Wakanda getting neglected ties into the overall storyline because of Black Panther's work with the Avengers taking him away from home often leading to problems circulating and escalating in Wakanda. Though Shuri was left in charge as queen, she dies and so Ayo and Aneka feel it is their duty to protect Wakanda themselves. This storyline illustrates that though the Dora Milaje are most known as guards of the royal family, they will branch off from their duties to royalty in the best interest of the Wakandan people.

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Marvel's Dora Milaje

The Dora Milaje have proven over the years that they are Black Panther's greatest asset, however, it can also be said that they are also Wakanda's greatest asset as well. Even when the Black Panther is absent, they are there to defend Wakanda and its people and go to war when they're needed. The Dora Milaje are also there when it counts when the world and even the galaxy are under attack. Make no mistake, the warrior women of Wakanda are some of the most formidable heroes in comics.

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