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Okoye (character)

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Okoye
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceBlack Panther (vol. 3) #1
(November 1998)
Created byChristopher Priest (writer)
Mark Texeira (artist)
In-story information
SpeciesHuman
Place of originWakanda, Africa
Team affiliationsAgents of Wakanda
Midnight Angels
Dora Milaje
Avengers
Supporting character ofBlack Panther
Abilities
  • Master martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant
  • Master tactician, strategist, and field commander

Okoye is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Christopher Priest and artist Mark Texeira, the character first appeared in Black Panther (vol. 3) #1 (November 1998).[1] Okoye is the General of the special forces for the fictional African nation of Wakanda called Dora Milaje.[2]

Danai Gurira portrays the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and the Disney+ animated series What If...? (2021) in alternate timelines.

Publication history

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Okoye debuted in Black Panther (vol. 3) #1 (November 1998), created by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira.[3] She last appeared in Black Panther (vol. 3) #62 in 2003 until returning in Black Panther #171 (2018).[4] She appeared in the 2018 Amazing Spider-Man: Wakanda Forever one-shot,[5] the 2019 Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda series,[6] and the 2024 Ultimate Black Panther series.[7]

Fictional character biography

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Okoye joined alongside her friend Nakia to be among T'Challa's wives-in-training. However, when Okoye discovered that T'Challa had no interest in marrying either of them, she immediately came to accept this.[8] She has since stood at T'Challa's side. Okoye accompanied T'Challa when he recruited Queen Divine Justice.[9] She was also with T'Challa when they tested Kasper Cole on whether he was worthy of the Black Panther garb. Okoye herself tested Kasper if he would stay with his pregnant girlfriend or leave her for Okoye.[10]

Okoye later appears as the director of the Agents of Wakanda.[11]

During the "Empyre" storyline, Okoye is among those who help battle the Cotati invasion. While on the Wakandan Helicarrier, she detects plant-based activity in the Savage Land.[12] She later assists the Thing, Shuri, and the Agents of Wakanda in fighting the Cotati when they breach Wakanda's forcefield.[13]

Powers and abilities

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Okoye is highly skilled in multiple forms of combat, being the leader and General of the Dora Milaje. She is exceptional in using various Wakandan weaponry and tools, especially skilled in the use of spears. Okoye is a great tactician and military strategist.[14]

Reception

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George Marston of Newsarama described Okoye as a standout character from the '90s, saying that Danai Gurira's portrayal of Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has made her a household name, and concluding that her journey to stardom began in 1998 and continues to rise.[15] Deirdre Kaye of Scary Mommy called Sabra a "role model" and a "truly heroic" female character.[16] Thayer Preece of Comic Book Resources called Okoye a fan favorite character.[17]

Other versions

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Earth-16220

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An alternate universe variant of Okoye from Earth-16220 appears in Spidey: School's Out.[18]

Ultimate Universe

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An alternate universe variant of Okoye from Earth-6160 appears in Ultimate Invasion. This version is a former Dora Milaje and T'Challa's wife.[19][20][21][22][23]

In other media

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Television

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Marvel Cinematic Universe

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See also: Okoye (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Danai Gurira portrays Okoye in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[28] This version is a general of the Dora Milaje and the wife of W'Kabi.

  • In the live-action film Black Panther, she works with T'Challa to capture Ulysses Klaue. However, when Erik "Killmonger" Stevens seemingly kills T'Challa in a trial by combat for Wakanda's throne, Okoye and the Dora Milaje are forced to serve him due to their loyalty to the throne. When T'Challa returns alive and Killmonger refuses to abide by the trial's rules, Okoye leads the Dora Milaje in helping T'Challa overthrow him.
  • In the live-action film Avengers: Infinity War,[29] Okoye joins the Wakandans and the Avengers in fighting Thanos' forces. While she survives the Blip, she is horrified to witness T'Challa and half of the Wakandans fall victim to it.
  • In the live-action film Avengers: Endgame,[30] Okoye begins working with the Avengers through Natasha Romanoff, reporting directly to her and monitoring issues in Wakanda. After the Avengers undo the Blip, Okoye joins them in fighting an alternate timeline version of Thanos and later attends Tony Stark’s funeral.
  • Alternate timeline versions of Okoye appear in the Disney+ animated series What If...?,[31] voiced by Danai Gurira.[26]
  • In the live-action film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,[32] Okoye joins Shuri in finding Riri Williams after Namor threatens Wakanda, but is defeated by his forces and stripped of her rank. Despite this, Okoye continues to defend Wakanda and later receives the "Midnight Angel" armor from Shuri to defeat Attuma in combat and rescue Everett K. Ross.
  • Okoye will appear in the animated series Eyes of Wakanda.[citation needed]

Video games

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Miscellaneous

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  • In 2019, HeroClix released an Okoye action figure inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) incarnation of the character.[37]
  • Okoye appears in the table top game Marvel Crisis Protocol.[38]
  • The MCU incarnation of Okoye appears as a meet and greet character at Disney Cruise Line.[39]

References

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  1. ^ Horne, Karama (November 19, 2022). "'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' hints at a Dora Milaje story that could have been". Mashable. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Searcy, Malcolm (February 19, 2024). "Black Panther Has a New Wife in Marvel Comics (and She's a Jaw-Dropping MCU Hero)". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Dodge, John (April 20, 2024). "Ultimate Black Panther's Queen of Wakanda Faces Off Against an MCU Icon". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Erao, Matthew (March 28, 2018). "Black Panther's Okoye Jumps from Movie to Marvel Comics". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  5. ^ Kelly, Autumn Noel (March 16, 2018). "'Black Panther's Dora Milaje Get Their Own Comics". Newsweek. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Weiss, Josh (June 17, 2019). "This September, 'Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda' Unite". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  7. ^ Adams, Timothy (May 22, 2024). "Ultimate Black Panther Forms a Super Team to Take Down Moon Knight". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  8. ^ Black Panther (vol. 3) #11. Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Black Panther (vol. 3) #25. Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Black Panther (vol. 3) #62. Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Avengers (vol. 8) #12. Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Empyre: Avengers #1. Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Empyre #3. Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Lovett II, Walter (November 30, 2022). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Okoye In The Black Panther Comics". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  15. ^ Marston, George (June 17, 2021). "The top Marvel Comics character debuts - 1990 to 1999". Newsarama. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  16. ^ Kaye, Deirdre (November 16, 2020). "Looking For A Role Model? These 195+ Marvel Female Characters Are Truly Heroic". Scary Mommy. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  17. ^ Preece, Thayer (April 25, 2024). "10 Marvel Women Who Could Kickstart A New Heroic Age". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  18. ^ Spidey: School's Out #3-4. Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ Ultimate Black Panther #1. Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ Ultimate Black Panther #2. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ Ultimate Black Panther #3. Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ Ultimate Black Panther #4. Marvel Comics.
  23. ^ Ultimate Black Panther #7. Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ Christopher Yost (writer) (October 15, 2010). "Welcome to Wakanda". Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Season 0 (micro-series). Episode 17. Disney XD.
  25. ^ Goldman, Eric (May 11, 2018). "Watch the First 'LEGO Marvel Super Heroes – Black Panther: Trouble in Wakanda' Short". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Okoye Voices (Black Panther)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 16, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  27. ^ George, Joe (May 15, 2024). "X-Men '97 Episode 10's Ending Cameos Just Set Up a Huge Season 2 Story". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  28. ^ Strom, Marc (July 23, 2016). "SDCC 2016: Marvel's 'Black Panther' Confirms Additional Cast". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  29. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 14, 2017). "'The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira Starring In 'Avengers: Infinity War'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  30. ^ Breznican, Anthony (March 14, 2019). "Marvel updates Avengers: Endgame poster to include Danai Gurira's name". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 18, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  31. ^ "What If...? Production Brief" (PDF). Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. July 30, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  32. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (July 26, 2019). "Black Panther 2: Danai Gurira Confirms Return as Okoye". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  33. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (13 February 2018). "LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Black Panther DLC Revealed". IGN. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  34. ^ Marling, Chris (December 14, 2023). "Marvel Puzzle Quest tier list - Best heroes". Pro Game Guides. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  35. ^ "Marvel Games Celebrates Black History Month with New Mobile Updates". Marvel.com. February 2, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  36. ^ "Marvel Future Fight Unleashes 'What If… Zombies?!' Content Update". Cosmic Book News. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  37. ^ Lovett, Jamie (June 10, 2019). "Marvel Avengers Black Panther and the Illuminati HeroClix Unboxing". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  38. ^ "Atomic Mass Games Unveils 'Marvel Crisis Protocol Miniatures Game'". ICv2. August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  39. ^ "Black Panther and Okoye Join Disney Cruise Line's Marvel Day at Sea". Marvel.com. November 30, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
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