Marvel; $3.99

The Black Panther film was good for a huge number of reasons, but one of those many was that it introduced mass audiences to Shuri, T’Challa’s younger sister – and she was obviously the breakout character of the film. Now, she stars in her own book, which showcases her technological genius as well as her relationship with her brother and with Wakanda at large.

After sending T’Challa on a mission into deep space, Shuri is able to spend some time reflecting (and, you know, making a super cool pair of nanotech wings) on her childhood spent in the shadow of the Black Panther. But when the Panther himself goes missing, Wakanda still needs a leader – and it becomes Shuri’s time to shine.

This is a really spectacular first issue for Shuri, and it’s one that expands her story as well as that of Wakanda’s at large in a compelling fashion. Shuri is a super interesting character on her own, and now that she has to take up the mantle of the Black Panther in her brother’s absence once again, it appears as though that challenge will come with some baggage for her. How she handles that moving forward is bound to be interesting, and I can’t wait to read more of this series.

-Carrie Wood