Okoye (character)

Last updated
Okoye
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Black Panther (vol. 3) #1 (November 1998)
Created by Christopher Priest
Mark Texeira
In-story information
Place of origin Wakanda, Africa
Team affiliations Dora Milaje
Agents of Wakanda
Avengers
Midnight Angels
Supporting character of Black Panther
Abilities
  • Master martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant
  • Master tactician, strategist, and field commander

Okoye is a fictional character and the General of the Dora Milaje in Marvel Comics. The character, created by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira, first appeared in Black Panther (vol. 3) #1 (November 1998) within the comics.

Contents

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

Okoye first appeared in Black Panther (vol. 3) #1 (November 1998). She last appeared in Black Panther (vol. 3) #62 in 2003 until returning in Black Panther #171 (2018). [1]

Fictional character biography

She 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. [2] She has since stood at T'Challa's side. Okoye accompanied T'Challa when he recruited Queen Divine Justice. [3] 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. [4]

Okoye later appears as the director of the Agents of Wakanda. [5]

During the "Empyre" storyline, Okoye is among those that help to deal with the Cotati invasion. While on the Wakandan Helicarrier, she detects plant-based activity in Antarctica as Ka-Zar states that the Savage Land is there. [6] She later assists Thing, Shuri, and the Agents of Wakanda in fighting the Cotati who have breached Wakanda's forcefield. [7]

Skills and abilities

Okoye is highly skilled in multiple forms of combat, and 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.

Other versions

Earth-16220

On Earth-16220, Okoye is still depicted as a member of the Dora Milaje. [8]

Earth-6160

During the "Ultimate Invasion" storyline, Maker visited Earth-6160 and remade it into his own image. Okoye is depicted as a former Dora Milaje and the Queen of Wakanda making her the wife of T'Challa. When it comes to the threat of Lord Ra and Lord Khonshu, Okoye and T'Challa recommend that a reconnaissance mission be done to see how bad it is. She would later get proof when a suicide bomber tries to kill T'Challa only for T'Chaka to push him out of the way and take the blast. [9] Following the incident, Okoye tells T'Challa about some Wakandans who were suspected of being in league with Lord Ra and Lord Khonshu. [10] Okoye later watches Shuri's sparring match as it was mentioned that they haven't heard from T'Challa in weeks. Then they spar for a bit. [11]

In other media

Television

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Danai Gurira portrays Okoye in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. [13] This version is a general of the Dora Milaje and the wife of W'Kabi.

Video games

Miscellaneous

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References

  1. Erao, Matthew (March 28, 2018). "Black Panther's Okoye Jumps from Movie to Marvel Comics". Screen Rant . Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  2. Black Panther (vol. 3) #11. Marvel Comics.
  3. Black Panther (vol. 3) #25. Marvel Comics.
  4. Black Panther (vol. 3) #62. Marvel Comics.
  5. Avengers (vol. 8) #12. Marvel Comics.
  6. Empyre: Avengers #1. Marvel Comics.
  7. Empyre #3. Marvel Comics.
  8. Spidey: School's Out #3-4. Marvel Comics.
  9. Ultimate Black Panther #1. Marvel Comics.
  10. Ultimate Black Panther #2. Marvel Comics.
  11. Ultimate Black Panther #3. Marvel Comics.
  12. Eric Goldman (May 25, 2018). "OKOYE WORKS TO HELP SAVE SHURI IN NEW 'LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES – BLACK PANTHER: TROUBLE IN WAKANDA' SHORT". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12.
  13. 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.
  14. Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 14, 2017). "'The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira Starring In 'Avengers: Infinity War'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  15. 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.
  16. "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.
  17. 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.
  18. Dornbush, Jonathon (13 February 2018). "LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Black Panther DLC Revealed". IGN . Retrieved 21 April 2018.