Movies - TV
Wakanda Forever is the Latest Marvel Movie to Disappoint With LGBTQ Representation
By ERIN BRADY
Spoiler Warning!
This story contains spoilers for
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
“Black Panther” is widely celebrated for portraying a Black superhero, and while the importance of this cannot be overstated, sadly, the franchise’s representation ends there. Like many Marvel movies before it, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” promised meaningful LGBTQ+ representation, but ultimately fell short of these promises.
“Wakanda Forever” features an LGBTQ+ relationship between Dora Milaje officer Ayo and combat warrior Aneka, and while it’s understandable that the couple isn’t the film’s main focus, these characters are unfairly sidelined. They only have two scenes together, and neither character is developed enough to make them feel like anything other than minor roles.
In the comics, Ayo and Aneka meet and begin dating when Ayo breaks Aneka out of prison, and later, the two form the vigilante duo the Midnight Angels. This source material could have provided ample inspiration for the film to further develop these characters; instead, the only meaningful scene between the two in the film culminates in a kiss on the forehead.
Sadly, this is not the first time Marvel has done this. From “Avengers: Endgame” to America Chavez, Loki, Valkyrie, and Phastos, Marvel has promised many LGBTQ+ stories without delivering them. Openly queer characters are often sidelined, killed off, or lack any true depth and engagement, effectively erasing the meaningful representation that fans deserve.