Marvel announces Nigerian-American author as writer of Black Panther 3-part series

Nigerian-American afro-futuristic writer Nnedi Okorafor will write a 3-part spin-off series off the world-acclaimed superhero movie, Black Panther, Marvel, producers of the blockbuster have announced.

Marvel decided to portray the Dora Milaje characters in Black Panther in a more independent light with the 3-part series.

One of the major highlights of Black Panther was the Dora Milaje, the all-female special forces team that protects the secretive fictional African country of Wakanda.

The first part of the series will be "Amazing Spiderman: Wakanda Forever #1" in June, followed by "X-Men: Wakanda Forever #1" in July and finally "Avengers: Wakanda Forever #1" in August

  The Dora Milaje women in the superhero movie, Black Panther (Marvel Studios)

Speaking to Vogue, Okorafor elaborates on the series.

She said, "Typically when you see them, they’re with T’Challa, representing and protecting him. Now you’re going to see the Dora Miljae for the first time as an independent entity; they’re not under the shadow of the throne."

On how she felt about writing the series, the award-winning author said it felt natural telling an African story.

"It’s been amazing, and I’ve learned so much along the way. Presenting a vision of the African continent through the sci-fi lens felt completely natural. I like to write the future; the Africa I feel can be and the Africa that will be, that has always been my vision. With Wakanda, a place set in the present but with a futuristic outlook, it wasn’t a hard transition—it made a lot of sense", she added.

Nnedi Okorafor is an international award-winning novelist of African-based science fiction, fantasy and magical realism for both children and adults.

Born in the United States to two Nigerian parents, Nnedi is known for weaving African culture into creative evocative settings and memorable characters.

In 2016, she won the Hugo Award in the Best Novella category for her book Binti, making her the first Nigerian to win the award.

In 2017, Nnedi  announced via Twitter that she would be crafting her first story for Marvel, an 8-page comic titled "Blessing in Disguise".

The comic is set in Lagos, and will feature as part of Marvel’s Venomverse anthology.