As many of you know, I have been working with Marvel on an official in-world historical guidebook set in Marvel Comics’ Black Panther universe called Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje. Currently available for pre-order, the book is set to publish on September 20, 2022. 

Yesterday The Root revealed an exclusive look at the beautiful cover drawn by Ashley A. Woods (Niobe: She is Life) and I’m thrilled that I can finally share it with you! Protectors of Wakanda will be published by Epic Ink, the same publisher that brought you The Wakanda Files and Star Wars: The Jedi Path. 

Ever since the Dora Milaje were first introduced to Marvel comics by Christopher Priest in 1998 in ​​Black Panther, Vol. 3 #1, I’ve always wondered, “Where do they come from? What training do they receive? What skills do they learn? How exactly are they chosen? What weapons and technology do they use?” So I was thrilled to explore those answers in this book. 

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Written as a training manual and oral history handed down from elder Dora to initiates, each Dora leaves lessons and notes in the margins for the next generation. I became a little obsessed as I dove into the seeds of Wakandan history planted by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby that Don McGregor, Jason Aaron, Reginald Hudlin, Christopher Priest, Jonathan Hickman, and so many others sowed. I owe a debt of gratitude to Ta-Nehisi Coates, Evan Narcisse, Roxane Gay, Yona Harvey, and Nnedi Okorafor, who nurtured these characters and infused T’Challa, Wakanda, and the Dora Milaje with the Afrofuturism that I longed to see in this universe. 

But don’t worry, even if you’ve never read a Black Panther comic in your life, you will love reading about the journey these elite young women take to become the Protectors of Wakanda.

Updated 5/18

Click here to read a fantastic article on The Verge with more reveals from the book! Click here to check out the read Cover reveal. And check out the Official Book Marvel page!