N’Jadaka’s Revenge In Killmonger #5
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
A year has passed. Knight has been given a S.H.I.EL.D. safehouse in London, but Erik Killmonger succeeds in tracking her down anyway. He says he has Knight’s sister, and he will kill her unless Knight gets information on the Black Panther and Wakanda for him. She agrees and soon discovers S.H.I.E.L.D. is cutting her loose and letting her out to dry. She succeeds in doing what Killmonger wants and meets up with him again. As it turns out, Erik wasn’t telling her the whole truth.
Killmonger #5 concludes this miniseries backstory on one of T’Challa’s deadliest foes. Knight betrayed N’Jadaka, and he takes his violent revenge upon her in this issue.
Despite having interesting and distinct motivations and philosophies, Erik Killmonger/N’Jadaka is not altruistic. He is a raging killing machine, and this issue reminds the reader of that fact.
The full extent of Killmonger’s revenge is shocking, and it shows a bloodthirstiness one could have understandable forgotten over the course of this story.
Knight is cutthroat and not innocent in the slightest; the main difference between she and Killmonger is that Knight resigned herself to serve the powers that be while Erik wants overthrow it all. That is one of the things that makes him so compelling.
Juan Ferreyra finishes strong, giving this book a gorgeous treatment and Killmonger and intense fighting style that is very fun to see. We also see an early version of Killmonger’s armor, and it’s very reminiscent of his initial costume in the Black Panther film. The color work, with assists from Eduardo Ferreyra, gives the book visceral and palpable atmosphere and toning.
Killmonger #5 is a brutal and compelling finale for the villain origin miniseries. Erik Killmonger is a classic Marvel rogue, and Bryan Hill and Juan Ferreyra have shown us why should be ranked among Marvel’s best antagonists. This one gets a strong recommendation. Give it a read.
Killmonger #5 comes to us from writer Bryan Hill, artist and cover artist Juan Ferreyra, color assistant Eduardo Ferreyra, and letterer VC’s Joe Sabino.
