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Shuri

Shuri #1

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The world fell in love with her in the movie. Now, the Black Panther's techno-genius sister launches her own adventures — written by best-selling Afrofuturist author Nnedi Okorafor and drawn by Eisner-nominated artist Leonardo Romero! The Black Panther has disappeared, lost on a mission in space. And in his absence, everyone's looking at the next in line for the throne. But Shuri is happiest in a lab, surrounded by gadgets of her own creation. She'd rather be testing gauntlets than throwing them. But a nation without a leader is a vulnerable one — and Shuri may have to choose between Wakanda's welfare and her own.

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2018

156 people are currently reading
4784 people want to read

About the author

Nnedi Okorafor

153 books17.8k followers
Nnedi Okorafor is a New York Times Bestselling writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. The more specific terms for her works are africanfuturism and africanjujuism, both terms she coined and defined. Born in the United States to two Nigerian (Igbo) immigrant parents and visiting family in Nigeria since she was a child, the foundation and inspiration of Nnedi’s work is rooted in this part of Africa. Her many works include Who Fears Death (winner of the World Fantasy Award and in development at HBO as a TV series), the Nebula and Hugo award winning novella trilogy Binti (in development as a TV series), the Lodestar and Locus Award winning Nsibidi Scripts Series, LaGuardia (winner of a Hugo and Eisner awards for Best Graphic Novel) and her most recent novella Remote Control. Her debut novel Zahrah the Windseeker won the prestigious Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature. She lives with her daughter Anyaugo in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more about Nnedi at Nnedi.com and follow Nnedi on twitter (as @Nnedi), Facebook and Instagram.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 474 reviews
Profile Image for Dave Schaafsma.
Author 6 books32.1k followers
May 27, 2019
A favorite character from the film The Black Panther, Shuri is T’Challa’s science/techno phenom sister, and the character Nigerian-American, Afro-futurist magical fantasy writer Nnedi Okorafor creates is both consistent with that film version, a good thing, and something like Binti from her now non-comics series.

On a space mission T'Challah and Manifold disappear, and Princess Shuri has to decide what her primary responsibility at the moment is: Sister, scientist, public leader? Wakanda expects Shuri to lead, but she must find her brother. And she wants to be in her lab! Wait, is there a way all of these roles can actually come together?!

There are cameos here that work well—with Iron Man, for sure, but also less well—with Rocket Raccoon and Groot. I’m not a fan of this art, have to say, but this is one is promising for fans of this character and the world of Wakanda. I'll keep reading, as i like her fantasy/sci of novels and know she will have a lot of interesting world- and character-building ideas for this strong girl woman character.
Profile Image for Chad.
10.3k reviews1,060 followers
January 22, 2020
Black Panther disappears in a wormhole leaving Shuri to fill in as Wakanda's protector, I guess. The story just kinds of meanders from meaningless distraction to meaningless distraction. The worst was when Shuri astral projects into Groot. The big villain of this book seems to be a giant space grasshopper. Certainly not very interesting. Leonardo Romero's art is very plain and bland. I have to consider this a disappointment given the big time novelist writing it.
Profile Image for Scott.
2,254 reviews272 followers
July 15, 2019
"I still don't know where my brother is. And . . . there's now a giant electricity-eating bug heading for Wakanda." (pause) "One disaster at a time." -- Shuri, just having another 'one of those days'

Charming and energetic tale starring Black Panther's younger sister, the technological genius and adventure-seeking youngest sibling in Wakanda's royal family. (Shuri was played to perfection in the 2018 big-screen Black Panther feature by the adorable Letitia Wright, and she also had quick cameo appearances in the two most recent Avengers films.) BP himself exits the story fairly early on - he blasts off to a deep space mission and goes missing out amongst the stars - leaving the capable Shuri to handle all sorts of various occurrences. The subjects swing from geo-politics (several African nations wanting Wakanda - represented now by Shuri - to be involved in a sort of continental mini-U.N.) to religion (spirit guides routinely speak to and offer advice / criticism to Shuri) to the required comic book action and humor (Shuri astral projects into the body of Groot, and shares a few scenes in battle alongside Rocket Raccoon). It all wraps up with a special guest star flying in to lend a hand in the last chapter, and then a great final page that teases the possibilities of a sequel volume.
Profile Image for Diz.
1,861 reviews138 followers
July 29, 2019
This was OK. Shuri as a character is very likable, and the art is done in a style that I like. However, the story is basically about finding her brother (with no results) and fighting a giant space bug (not a very interesting antagonist). To offset that, this volume has some of the most beautiful comics covers I've seen in a long time.
Profile Image for Mir.
4,974 reviews5,332 followers
May 28, 2019
Although this is listed as Volume 1 it appears to take place within a larger ongoing story involving Black Panther, Manifold, space travel for some secret-to-me purpose, some villain I'd never heard of named Moses Magnum, and other stuff. So, it would probably help to have been reading along and not just pick up this book because you like Shuri and/or Nnedi Okorafor.

That said, there were lots of fun things going on (almost too many, perhaps). There were multiple relationships, romantic and familial. There was Shuri's need to make her own aside from being the kid sister. There were the ancestors (apparently Shuri died? and acquired a bunch of powers? she can turn into birds?) and her mother pressuring her, and leaders from other African nations, and a black hole and a space monster and astral travel and a hacker and a disappearance and

My favorite part was when Shuri . I hope she gets to hang out more with those guys.

Art: The Sam Spratt cover snagged my eye on the shelf. The interior art by Leonardo Romero wasn't bad but didn't do anything for me. He is not great at drawing faces from the side and should maybe work on that.
Profile Image for Zain.
1,884 reviews287 followers
August 26, 2021
Little Sister?

I believe that this series is set after the Black Panther movie.

First, beautiful cover art by Sam Spratt.


Now…with her brother, T’Challa, missing in space, after traveling through a wormhole, it’s up to Shuri to take over the mantle of Black Panther.

But Shuri is a scientist. She believes her brother will return. Becoming the Black Panther is admitting to herself that T’Challa is not going to return.

This is the first book in a series about Shuri. It is basically just reminiscing about the path that led up to her becoming the Panther.

There are no fights and there is no action in this story. I hope the next story is filled with action.
Profile Image for Rod Brown.
7,353 reviews282 followers
September 28, 2019
Overall, I'm enjoying Okorafor's comic books, but this is her least successful for me so far. With all the running around, slam-bang adventure, and exposition-heavy introduction of side characters, I just felt Shuri's personality fell through the cracks. Nothing in here really got me to root for her as the star of the book. Maybe next volume...
Profile Image for Benji Glaab.
771 reviews60 followers
September 2, 2019
2.5🌟

I was intrigued since I've been meaning to listen to Okorafor's Binti stories on audio for a while. Unfortunately I found this on the boring side. There wasn't much meat to the story, however there were some fun ideas along the way and there was work put into building Shuri up as a character. There is a decent foundation for future volumes. We need to find out where T'challa and Manifold disappeared to. Shuri has employed the likes of Tony Stark and Rocket. Let's see if they can come up with some ideas between these great minds.

The cover art in this series is gorgeous. Inside it is a rough go. I found it difficult to differentiate some of the characters especially when there were close ups.

I will find time for volume 2 since there is potential for a good story here. Shuri is a fun character I don't mind spending some more time with.
Profile Image for Artemis Crescent.
1,216 reviews
May 18, 2019
If Shuri is one of your favourite characters in 'Black Panther', if not the number one fave, then check out her solo comic series, which she has well earned. Marvel is taking the right step in putting more female POC characters in the spotlight.

Written by acclaimed writer Nnedi Okorafor, 'Shuri, Vol. 1: The Search For Black Panther' is fun, spiritual, political, and intellectual. It showcases Shuri's can-do attitude and tech wizardry (as well as the gauntlets, she has invented silver wings that she keeps in her pocket!). She is a true hero in her own right; not just a princess, or Black Panther's kid sister, or a potential succeeding Black Panther after T’Challa's disappearance into space. Her main objective, as the title spells out, is to find her brother: exactly what it says on the tin.

Shuri is a genius - one of if not the smartest person in the entire Marvel Universe - who is unsure of her future, and she loves her family, friends and the people of Wakanda.

Speaking of, the comic contains well-developed worldbuilding of the great nation to boot. Wakanda feels real, as it should, and the artwork aids in its wonder.

Shuri gives teenage girls a fantastic name - such a rarity in mainstream media. They have long deserved this kind of positive representation. Shuri the young black royal, and inventor, tech master, and fighter - the importance of this, and her recognition and popularity.

Guest heroes include Storm (I didn't know she and T'Challa were an item, and finally - a story where I like her!), Rocket and Groot, and typically, Tony Stark. Is there any Marvel comic and movie he doesn't appear in? Give more women a chance, Iron Clod! Shuri's mother Queen Ramonda and Okoye are here too and are badass in their own way.

I won't give much of the plot away, but I will mention that the primary reason 'Shuri, Vol. 1' is kept from being exceptionally brilliant is that I was confused about its message towards the end. What is the moral meant to be? Give in to peer pressure? Do as your elders say without question? Stick to tradition? Never change a monarchy into a democracy? Or is it something to do with responsibility? The story isn't finished, and major plot threads are as yet unsolved. But at least Shuri, a little faltering of agency at the end aside, remains the star, and the spectacular art shows her off splendidly as a hero.

Watch out for the gorgeous art covers!

Cultural traditions, African teachings, female friendships, female support, beautiful artwork, gadgets, a space battle with a bug that makes wormholes that can devour the universe (as you do, Marvel) - what more is there to entice you? The volume is a must for Shuri fans. She is sprightly, fun, assertive, brave, and brilliant.

She is no traditional Disney princess.

Wakanda, forever.

Final Score: 4/5
Profile Image for Lata.
4,925 reviews254 followers
August 11, 2019
Fun story of Shuri having to deal with her brother's disappearance after he goes to space with another superhero, Manifold.
Everyone wants Shuri to assume the Black Panther mantle while T'Challa is away/lost, and she just wants to do things her way. She has a series of adventures, dealing with problems, and runs into Rocket and Groot (it was cool reading what Groot actually means when he talks!)
I was a little lost as I haven't read the preceding Wakanda stories, but Shuri's a favourite of mine, and hey, it's Nnedi Okorafor, so I'll probably check out the next volume.
Profile Image for RG.
3,084 reviews
April 27, 2019
I seem to be the only one not liking this. The art just isnt detailed enough. Its like its been drawn for children. The plot just either goes really weird or nowhere. I mean Groot wtf.
Profile Image for Stewart Tame.
2,476 reviews120 followers
January 22, 2020
From the pages of Black Panther: It's Shuri!

This was fun. The Black Panther goes missing while on a space mission investigating a wormhole. I know he’ll be back. You know he’ll be back. Shuri certainly knows he’ll be back. But the pressure’s on from multiple fronts--including her mother--to fill in as the new Black Panther until he returns. What's the worst that could happen? Of course the last time she filled in for him she, you know, DIED.

Did you really expect the story to start at the beginning just because this is volume one? You must be new to comics …

The pacing is a bit on the madcap side. Events happen thick and fast, keeping Shuri (and the readers, or at least me anyway) off balance with each new development. I get the feeling that one of the mandates for this series was to bring in characters familiar from the Marvel movies whenever possible. In this volume we get Rocket and Groot as well as Iron Man.

A couple of random thoughts:

1. It was interesting to get some insight into what seemingly goes on in Groot’s head when he … she … they? talks. (Has Groot’s gender ever been established? I’d say Rocket presents as male, but Groot is … Groot.)

2. Wow. I’d forgotten Moses Magnum even existed. I don't think I've seen him since X-Men #119 or thereabouts.

All in all, this was fun, but not really much better than the average comic book. I’ve read better; I’ve read worse. I definitely don't regret reading it, and would certainly be up for more. If you're into the world of Black Panther or just generally curious, do give it a read.
Profile Image for Monica **can't read fast enough**.
1,033 reviews371 followers
October 20, 2018
And this is why individual comics are so hard for me. I wasn't patient enough to wait until there was more to read because A)I was just too excited that Shuri was getting her own storyline to wait and B)I want a copy of each individual covers. So now I want more of this awesomeness and I have to wait more than two seconds for the next installment. Life's so hard...

You can find me at:
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Profile Image for Ashley Marie .
1,498 reviews383 followers
May 20, 2019
Shuri was one of my standout favorites from the Black Panther film, so the fact that she gets her own comic series meant this was a no-brainer for me. I loved seeing her holding her own alongside Ramonda, Okoye, Storm, and Iron Man after her brother disappeared into space. The story was excellent and the various covers were all stunning. Looking forward to the next collection!
Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].
2,045 reviews755 followers
March 19, 2021
Okay this was pretty fantastic! I've been putting off reading this for a while because superhero comics are always hit or miss (so much lore, strange recaps in dialogue that always confuses me, more tell than show, etc) but this was really, really good.

I love Shuri, and I love her even more now.
Profile Image for Corey Allen.
217 reviews14 followers
October 29, 2022
2.5: So I decided to read this because of the upcoming Black Panther movie, and yeah it's not good. And I doubt this was much inspiration for the movie.

So Black Panther, goes up to space for a short 2 day mission but guess what? He doesn't come back. They try to search for him, but they didn't find anything. So Shuri, is pressured into taking the role of the Black Panther. But she says, no. Cause who wouldn't want to fight a bunch of bad guys in a great suit? Well, Shuri doesn't.

About, halfway through there's a weird subplot that gets thrown in for some reason. They decide to send Shuri in to space in the form of Astral projection. So basically her body stays on Earth, and her spirt goes in to Space. Somehow, she goes into Groot's body, and controls his actions and stuff.

Rocket and Shuri fight this evil grasshopper monster, but when Shuri went back to her body, the grasshopper followed her. So this big grasshopper is sent to Wakanda, and that's the plot for the rest of the book. I mean weird, but ok.

The art was definitely not for me. It felt like it was what you would see in those little kid comics. Which was quite disappointing, because the covers were so beautiful. I wish the art was the same as the covers!

Speaking of little kids, this whole comic felt like it was aimed at a younger audience. Everything just felt super goofy at times. I bet if you handed this to a 8 year old they would probably love it, but for me it was very disappointing.
Profile Image for Alan.
2,050 reviews15 followers
March 29, 2019
Another Marvel character receives a minor re-boot as the company syncs the character's comics and movie continuity (which from a business perspective is a good idea).

And, for me the reboot works. I've read one prior TPB when Shuri was the Black Panther. Shuri's portrayal didn't work for me at all. That Shuri came off as hot-headed, immature, and in many ways not effective.

The movie plus a change in writers breathes much needed new life in the portrayal of the character. Much like the movie Okorfaor plays up Shuri's intelligence and scientific expertise. In a nod to events taking place in her brother's ongoing series Shuri is dealing with the vacuum left by T'Challa's disappearance in outer space.

T'Challa's disappearance leads to pressure from both Wakanda's elders and other African nations on Shuri to assume her brother's mantle, something Shuri does not want to do (she died the last team she did so).

Yes, there are some fights and explosions. The emphasis is on Shuri using her brain and science to solve problems. Okorfaor also expands the tale beyond Wakanda as the reader and Shuri find out that her brother had been in the process of building a Pan-African Alliance (yes, a writer who doesn't write the continent as a monolithic entity but as separate countries).
Profile Image for Matěj Komiksumec.
324 reviews20 followers
January 3, 2021
Na první letošní pětku nebylo nutné dlouho čekat. Shuri se proslavila díky filmu a byla jen otázka času kdy dostane i komiksovou sérii. Tu si vzala na paškál fantasy autorka Nnedi Okorafor a byla velmi slušně přijata, nutno podotknout, že zcela oprávněně. Shuriina série začíná úplně luxusně, je strašně moc zábavná, i přestože tu máme hodně hostujících postav z Marvelu a příběh je hodně kraťoučký. Ale užil jsem si naprosto všechny interakce, Shuri je strašně dobře napsaná a její rozpolcenost zda má převzít pochodeň Black Panthera nebo ne funguje na jedničku. Co ještě funguje na jedničku je kresba, Romero to stylizuje do šedesátek a byl jsem z toho tak příšerně nadšený, až to hezké není :D
Plus barvy dělala Jordie Bellaire a tu já prostě miluju čili to kresbě dodalo boží africký nádech.
Jak to tedy shrnout?
Face it, Panther. You just hit the jackpot!
Profile Image for Ma'Belle.
1,231 reviews44 followers
July 13, 2019
Aww man, I was REALLY excited for this book. I love Shuri and the other characters that have been developed for so long and recently leveled-up by Ta Nehisi-Coates. The character design and art are great. Sadly, I can't even give this two measly stars, it had me rolling my eyes and blowing raspberries in the air in disappointment so much by the end. I'm okay with superhero comic books aiming for entry-level accessibility and making some movie tie-ins, but this whole story is very much like the sci-fi stories I was writing in 5th grade, and the writing itself is not much better. There's not really ANYTHING clever that Okorafor does in any of these pages. So many pages are just WASTED with lines that add nothing to the story and just feel like we're staring at the classroom clock, waiting for the final minutes to tick away so we can move on. Nnedi Okorafo is a very smart person who has a lot of insight to offer from her life experiences and knowledge of pan-Africanism and diasporic dynamics. Her fictional short stories are great. But she really sucks at writing an engaging and interesting comic script. Every few pages she has someone exclaiming "Wakanda forever!" for no good reason but to reference the smash hit film. In fact, her understanding of Wakanda and Black Panther seem much more influenced by the movie than by the long and rich comic history (the Dora Milaje speak Hausa/Xhosa?! I thought that was an accidental film production thing that became a thing simply because Chadwick Boseman had picked up some of the language while filming another project in South Africa and the White Guys in Charge at Marvel didn't have any better ideas for what Wakandan might sound like!).

The dialogue throughout is so clunky, basic, and robotic, I initially thought she was going for a throw-back style to silver age comics, but no, it's just awkward and boring. Black Panther fans can totally skip this bomb unless you're an absolute completist. Which I normally am, but I will not be getting the second volume to this (why is there even a second volume?!!?).
Profile Image for Ronald.
1,456 reviews15 followers
July 15, 2019
This was an entertaining read. Shuri and a number of characters associated with Black Panther come along for the ride. I'm afraid they are trying to make this character into the movie version. Otherwise good super heroic stuff!
Profile Image for RG.
3,084 reviews
October 20, 2018
I didnt find the story overly amazing. I also found the art a little too simple, especially the faces of each character. Solid and I can guess where its going but probably wont continue.
Profile Image for Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈.
2,033 reviews6 followers
December 23, 2020
This isn't for me, and that's fine. I'm sure this was great for someone else.

I don't know a lot about what went on in Wakanda post Infinity/Avengers World where T'Challa was King of the Dead and the Dora rose up against him. I really enjoyed World of Wakanda. Honestly, that book was my first real comic intro to ladies in BP's world and is one of the best books I've read, to be honest. All this to say, I didn't know exactly what was going on in Wakanda when I picked this up. This book does a pretty good job getting the exposition out.

The art is nice, I really liked the covers and the colors stand out. It's nice to look at.

I just didn't really care for the story. I don't know if it's because I don't feel as though I know more about Shuri than I did before I picked it up. I learned a lot more about what she can do and her connection to the ancestors, but I don't feel as though I have a clear handle on her personality. I learned more about Wakanda's brand of science, the different counsels and the succession plan in Wakanda. That's about it.

I got a similar vibe here as I did in the Eternals and a few other books where I wondered if the cameos were the author's idea or if Marvel forced them to add some in. The tone seemed to shift when they were present. But, for all I know, the cameos were Okorafor's idea.

Anyway, this just wasn't for me. I don't know if the science overload or that the plot didn't work for me or that I wished for a story where Shuri didn't spend the entirety of the book talking about her brother and/or looking for her brother. Maybe it's all of these elements but this just wasn't for me. And that's fine.
Profile Image for Christine.
7,223 reviews569 followers
October 3, 2020
Shuri vol 1 is about one of the two Disney princesses that everyone loves (the other is Leia). While set in the comic world and drawing upon the Coates run of Panther, Okorafor manages to give Shuri some of that zest and love for life that the character has in the movies. Additionally, Okorafor continues the examination of power and place that Coates had in Nation Under Our Feet.

When Black Panther goes missing (because, you know, have a king, even a symbolic one, test fly a space ship is a good idea. Sorry but such things always bug me), Shuri had to find her brother and/or retake the mantle of Black Panther. What unfolds while at times feeling like a Marvel guest of the week, is a question not so much for her brother but for herself and her Nation's place in the world at large.

Okorakor nails the characters, and handles the conflicting demands of self, tradition, and duty very well. There are some wonderful one lines, in particular about bad guy names and Iron Man, as well as a majority female cast.

I do admit, that Storm feels a bit off, but for me, Storm in Black Panther always feels less like Storm and more simply Panther's girlfriend who can do cool things.

Enjoyable.

Give it a girl who loves STEM.
Profile Image for Hank.
1,040 reviews110 followers
July 6, 2020
Comics just aren't my thing. This was fine but I need more words and I just don't look at the illustrations enough.
Profile Image for Kyra Leseberg (Roots & Reads).
1,133 reviews
May 15, 2019
When T'Challah and Manifold go missing during a space mission, Princess Shuri is desperate to locate them before the world learns that Black Panther has disappeared, which would put the safety of Wakanda at risk. Shuri must make some tough decisions to protect her country and her family while searching for her brother.
With a little help from Storm and some guest appearances by Rocket, Groot, and Iron Man, Shuri begins an epic journey with guidance from the ancient ones and kicks some butt along the way.

I've been fan girl-ing over Shuri since the Black Panther film last year. I'm thrilled Okorafor has given readers the opportunity to learn more about her and I appreciate that she's keeping the character true to the movie portrayal with the fierce, intelligent, and scientific badassery.

For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Marta.
1,033 reviews123 followers
June 19, 2019
This is a fun, action-filled story, as far as Shuri’s metarphosis into Black Panther is concerned, with amazing art. I especially enjoyed the African art, costumes and cities.

However, the story of a small black hole in the desert is beyond ridiculous. I read some of this to my husband and he begged me to stop - it was too painful. Yep, stand next to a black hole and accelerate it. Oh yeah, and with seismic powers, you can survive inside a singularity. Oh, and speed it up with stuff from your pocket, McGyver!

Example dialog: “So the shape of a black hole is omni-hyperboloidal in its accelerated nature. “
“I have an idea! We build a small, basic particle accelerator and throw it in the black hole. That’ll speed it right up!”

Oh for fuck’s sake.

Nnedi, I thought you knew better.
Profile Image for Bogi Takács.
Author 63 books656 followers
Read
May 19, 2019
Really enjoyed the political aspects, Shuri struggling with responsibility, etc. The book addressed some things that I'd been wondering about re: Wakanda. But I felt the Rocket & Groot cameo did not match the style of the rest and didn't really work for me. I'll still read the next volume! Also, now the sharp change in setting between Black Panther vol. 5 and 6 makes sense, so if you were also confused by that, here is the explanation.

_______
Source of the book: Lawrence Public Library
Profile Image for Juniper.
174 reviews10 followers
Read
August 24, 2019
A very promising start! Nnedi manages to blend the youthful energy of the movie version with the complicated powers and backstory of the comics by Coates et al. I loved the pestering “masks” who call her Ancient Future, reminds me a bit of Akata Witch. It’s Shuri’s time to shine. Sharp graphics, too!
Profile Image for francis.
524 reviews31 followers
October 19, 2018
A *perfect* comic. Packed full of references for comic fans and easily accessible for those who only know the movie. The art style is fun while still looking like classic comics, the colors are rich, and the story is already off to a fresh start. I love Shuri, I love the Queen Mother, so I'm sure to love this comic. 10 flying Shuris out of 10.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 474 reviews

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