We know Wakanda as a futuristic, hidden nation. But what about its past? Marvel Animation’s new series, *Eyes of Wakanda*, is set to peel back the layers of time and explore the country’s secret history, following the ancient warriors tasked with protecting it. This isn’t a story about the current MCU; it’s a deep dive into the legends that came before.
📜 An Idea Years in the Making
The idea for the series came from storyboard artist and director Todd Harris, who pitched an animated Wakanda series to Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige while working on *Avengers: Infinity War*. Inspired by the intersection of Marvel comics and real-world history, Harris wanted to explore the past from Wakanda’s unique viewpoint. His idea was to focus on the Hatut Zeraze, the Wakandan warriors who have historically protected the nation and its Vibranium from outsiders.
🌍 Wakanda in the Bronze Age
Each of the four episodes in the first season will be set in a different historical era. The first episode takes place during the closing of the Western Bronze Age, around 1200 BC. The story was inspired by the real-world mystery of the “Sea Peoples,” a group of seafaring raiders who destabilized ancient civilizations. In the show’s version of events, an errant Wakandan general steals Vibranium tech to build his own kingdom, becoming a threat that must be stopped.
🎬 A Love Letter to Classic Films
Harris says the series is a love letter to some of his favorite movies. “If you like Conan The Barbarian, if you like Gladiator, if you like Jackie Chan movies, if you like Terminator, if you like Predator, they’re going to serve a bit to that all over the place,” he teases. The show will feature a unique animation style inspired by artists like Dean Cornwell and Ernie Barnes, aiming for a look that feels both true to African cultural designs and enhanced by the dynamic possibilities of animation.
Bibliography:
Bennett, Tara. “Eyes of Wakanda.” SFX, issue 394, Future plc, August 2025, pp. 34-37.
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