Ever since Chadwick Boseman first bared his claws in Captain America: Civil War, we’ve been dying to see and learn more about T’Challa (not to mention the Dora Milaje). The first Black Panther trailer was a good start, as it featured Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong‘o in bodyguard mode, and the poster (pictured above) that showed T‘Challa on the throne was properly chill inducing. But since the bad guy is usually the weakest part of a Marvel film, we’ve been eager to see more of Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger, who will go toe to toe with Black Panther. As part of its San Diego Comic-Con coverage, Entertainment Weekly has released dozens of new set photos, which show Killmonger and T’Challa in battle, the Dora Milaje in ceremonial attire, and Martin Freeman’s Everett Ross in a cloak.
EW devoted its latest cover story to Ryan Coogler’s film, which will pull back the veil on Wakanda. We’ll learn more about why the country’s rulers have sealed it off from the rest of the world, what makes Black Panther so powerful (the Heart-Shaped Herb), and of course, the machinations of Killmonger. He’s a “dissident from the country and aspiring prince who has colluded with a hostile foreign adversary in a bid to bring down the rightful heir to Wakanda’s throne.” Boseman tells EW that Killmonger and T’challa are “polar opposites.” Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) is part of that scheme to overthrow T’Challa, who unfortunately wasn’t in earshot when that whole cuttlefish admission took place
But Killmonger won’t be the only enemy within—T’Challa will also have to deal with unrest among Wakanda’s tribal leaders. Coogler suggests it’ll be hard to pick a side: “In this movie, a lot like politics, it’s a little tricky to define who’s [a good guy]. The film very much plays with those concepts, looking at conflicts and different motivations, and who’s with who.” You can pore over the rest of the photos and tidbits at EW.