Marvel's Black Panther: Legends #4, the King of Wakanda's very origin story may well be rewritten to incorporate Marvel's First Family.
The Black Panther Legends series rewrites T'Challa's entire origin by examining the young prince during his early days, before he ever ruled a country. The first issue chronicled a little-known story: that of the relationship between T'Challa and his adoptive brother Hunter. Hunter, who was white, was an anomaly in Wakanda and one of the very few people of non-African descent. Hunter knew he would never seat the throne of Wakanda - he knew he wasn't even in the line of succession - and he eventually became envious of his brother. Nevertheless, he vowed to be the greatest Wakandan of all time.
While T'Challa was away, he was set upon by bandits, but they were easily dispatched by Storm, then going by her given name Ororo Munroe. While the two wandered the desert for some time, Hunter took control of Wakanda's secret police and began a campaign of unrest in Wakanda's neighboring countries. According to a communication by Princess Shuri, Hunter has gone out of control. He seeks to create the strongest Wakanda possible, even if violence must be committed from time to time. T'Challa and Wakanda desire peace above all else, but he'll need the Fantastic Four's help.
Per Marvel's March solicitations, Black Panther Legends #4 will include the Fantastic Four once he ascends the throne. He's faced with the same choice that haunted his father: should he "...keep Wakanda closed off and safe, or open up and offer aid to the rest of the world? As a test case, he invites the Fantastic Four to Wakanda, and ends up needing their help to battle a now-super-powered Klaw as he tries again to infiltrate the country and steal the precious vibranium for himself." The Fantastic Four may be able to help him defeat Klaw - but they can also help T'Challa find a. balance between a warrior and a king.
The Fantastic Four and the Black Panther franchises are intertwined in comics history, and Marvel is thus using the opportunity to retell T'Challa's origin in a new and interesting manner. One can only wonder exactly how they'll fit into the new continuity, but readers will discover Black Panther and the Fantastic Four's fates for themselves when Black Panther Legends #4 releases in March 2022.
