Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a 2022 Marvel superhero sequel in which Wakanda's leaders defend their vibranium-rich nation from intervening world powers and a rival underwater civilization after King T'Challa's death. The story follows Queen Ramonda, Shuri, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje as they forge new alliances amid grief and external threats. Specific woke elements include Shuri's girlboss-style rise to become the new Black Panther, recurring anti-colonial dialogue that labels Western characters as "colonizers," visible LGBTQ+ representation with a same-sex couple moment among the Dora Milaje, and framing of global powers as exploitative forces threatening Black and Indigenous sovereignty.
Shuri takes Black Panther mantle (gender shift from male hero); Namor culturally reimagined for rep.
55 / 100
Anti-woke backlash / 'too woke' complaints
Moderate anti-woke backlash over girlboss rewriting, anti-colonizer messaging, and identity politics.
45 / 100
Creator track record context
Coogler and Alonso show consistent pattern of identity and diversity-driven work and statements.
