The Dora Milaje are fictional characters appearing in
American comic book
An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...
s published by
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
. They are a team of women who serve as special forces for the fictional African nation of
Wakanda
Wakanda () is a fictional country appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Wakanda has been depicted as being in East Africa. It is located in sub-Saharan Africa, and is home to the superhero Black Panther. Wakanda first app ...
.
Members of the Dora Milaje appear in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by ...
films ''
Captain America: Civil War'' (2016), ''
Black Panther
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard (''Panthera pardus'') and the jaguar (''Panthera onca''). Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical rosettes are also present. They have been d ...
'' (2018), ''
Avengers: Infinity War'' (2018), and ''
Avengers: Endgame'' (2019), the
Disney+
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment
Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and deligh ...
series ''
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' is an American television miniseries created by Malcolm Spellman for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Sam Wilson / Falcon and Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier. ...
'', the Disney+ animated series ''
What If...?'' (both 2021), and ''
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'' (2022).
Publication history
The Dora Milaje first appeared in ''
Black Panther
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard (''Panthera pardus'') and the jaguar (''Panthera onca''). Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical rosettes are also present. They have been d ...
'', vol. 3 #1 (November 1998), created by writer
Christopher Priest and artist
Mark Texeira
Mark Texeira () is an American comic book artist. Classically trained as a painter, he broke into the comics field in the early 1980s.
Career
Mark Texeira was born and raised in New York City. He attended Manhattan's High School of Art and ...
. Priest however added creation credit really should go to
Jimmy Palmiotti
James Palmiotti (born August 14, 1961) is an American writer and inker of comic books, who also does writing for games, television and film.
Early life
Palmiotti attended the High School of Art and Design in New York City.
Career
Palmiotti star ...
and
Joe Quesada
Joseph Quesada (; born January 12, 1962'' Comics Buyer's Guide'' #1650; February 2009; page 107) is an American comic book artist, writer, editor, and television producer. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books ...
: "actually came from his Marvel Knights editors Quesada and Palmiotti who thought it would be great if the Panther had female bodyguards." The Dora Milaje share similarities with the
Dahomey Amazons
The Dahomey Mino (Fon language, Fon: Agojie, Agoji, Mino, or Minon) were a Fon people, Fon all-female military regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey (in today's Benin, West Africa) that existed from the 17th century until the late 19th century. The ...
(Agoji), the all-female military regiment of the
Kingdom of Dahomey
The Kingdom of Dahomey () was a West African kingdom located within present-day Benin that existed from approximately 1600 until 1904. Dahomey developed on the Abomey Plateau amongst the Fon people in the early 17th century and became a region ...
, which was located in West Africa in what is now the
Republic of Benin
Benin ( , ; french: Bénin , ff, Benen), officially the Republic of Benin (french: République du Bénin), and formerly Republic of Dahomey, Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burki ...
.
The 2017 series "
World of Wakanda
''Black Panther: World of Wakanda'' is a comic book series and a spin-off from the Marvel Comics ''Black Panther'' title. It published six issues before being canceled. The series was primarily written by Roxane Gay, with poet Yona Harvey contrib ...
" written by
Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay (born October 15, 1974) is an American writer, professor, editor, and social commentator. Gay is the author of ''The New York Times'' best-selling essay collection ''Bad Feminist'' (2014), as well as the short story collection ''Ayiti ...
and
Yona Harvey
Yona Harvey (born 1974) is an American poet and assistant professor at University of Pittsburgh. She won the 2014 Kate Tufts Discovery Award. She is also an author of Marvel Comics' ''World of Wakanda'', becoming one of the first two black women ...
, tells the story of the couple Ayo and Aneka, two former Dora Milaje.
In the 2018
limited series Limited series may refer to:
*Limited series, individual storylines within an anthology series
*Limited series, a particular run of collectables, usually individually numbered
*Limited series (comics), a comics series with a predetermined number of ...
''Wakanda Forever'', written by
Nnedi Okorafor
Nnedimma Nkemdili "Nnedi" Okorafor (formerly Okorafor-Mbachu; born April 8, 1974) is a Nigerian-American writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. She is best known for her ''Binti Series'' and her novels ''Who Fears ...
, the Dora Milaje act in
team-up
In superhero comic books, a team-up is a fictional crossover where two or more superheroes or superhero teams who usually do not appear together work together on a shared goal.
Overview
The first team-up between characters published in different c ...
s with
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
, the
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in ...
and the
Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...
.
Fictional character biography
To keep peace in Wakanda, the
Black Panther
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard (''Panthera pardus'') and the jaguar (''Panthera onca''). Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical rosettes are also present. They have been d ...
picked ''dora milaje'' ("adored ones") from rival tribes to serve as his personal guard and ceremonial wives-in-training.
Members
* Aneka - A former leader of the Dora Milaje. She was arrested and stripped of her rank after killing a chieftain who had been victimizing the women in her village. After escaping, she became half of the vigilante duo known as the Midnight Angels.
[''Black Panther'' vol. 6 #1. Marvel Comics.]
* Asira - The princess of the Jabari tribe.
* Ayo - Aneka's lover and another former Dora Milaje.
After Aneka was arrested and sentenced to death, Ayo broke her out of prison. Using a pair of prototype armored suits, the two became the Midnight Angels.
* M'yra - A member of the Dora Milaje who lost her right arm. She was reassigned to protect Shuri.
* Nareema - A Dora Milaje member who helped
Storm
A storm is any disturbed state of the natural environment or the atmosphere
An atmosphere () is a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelop a planet, and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body. A planet retains an atmos ...
fight the V-Series
Doombot
The Doombots are fictional robots appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
History
The Doombots are robots that are modeled after their creator Doctor Doom. They are exact replicas of the real Doctor Doom and were created t ...
s.
*
Nakia
Nakia Reynoso (born February 20, 1975), known professionally as Nakia, is an American musician, singer-songwriter and actor living in Austin, Texas. He is a native of Fort Payne, Alabama.
Professional background
Nakia moved to Austin in 200 ...
– A Wakandan Mutate with superhuman strength, speed, and agility. She is a former Dora Milaje of T'Challa.
*
Okoye
Okoye is a family name (surname) originating in Nigeria. It is an Anambra State, Anambra dialect derived from the central Igbo name Okorie (meaning someone born on orie market day, or Oye market day as known in Anambra State).
Notable people wi ...
– A former Dora Milaje.
[''Black Panther'' Vol. 3 #1. Marvel Comics.] Okoye is of the J'Kuwali tribe and acted as a traditional, proper concomitant to the king, speaking only to him and only in
Hausa
Hausa may refer to:
* Hausa people, an ethnic group of West Africa
* Hausa language, spoken in West Africa
* Hausa Kingdoms, a historical collection of Hausa city-states
* Hausa (horse) or Dongola horse, an African breed of riding horse
See also
* ...
, an African language not widely spoken in Wakanda and thus affording the king and his wives a measure of privacy.
*Queen Divine Justice – The street-smart queen of the Jabari tribe of Wakanda raised in Chicago, and former Dora Milaje of T'Challa. She originally went by the name Chanté Giovanni Brown.
* Zola - The headmistress of the Dora Milaje who trained Aneka, Ayo, and Nakia.
Collected editions
In other media
Television
* The Dora Milaje appeared in ''
Black Panther
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard (''Panthera pardus'') and the jaguar (''Panthera onca''). Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical rosettes are also present. They have been d ...
'', voiced by
Alfre Woodard
Alfre Woodard (; born November 8, 1952) is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including four Primetime Emmy Awards (tying the record for the most acting Emmys won by an African-American performer, along with Regina King), ...
and
Vanessa Marshall
Vanessa Marshall (born October 19, 1969 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.) is an American voice and television actress who is most active in films, cartoons and video games. She is the daughter of actress Joan Van Ark and reporter John Marshall.
...
.
* Okoye, Nakia, and Divine Justice of the Dora Milaje appeared in ''
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'' episode "Welcome to Wakanda".
* The Dora Milaje appeared in ''
Avengers Assemble'', with Aneka voiced by
Erica Luttrell
Erica Luttrell is a Canadian actress.
Personal life
Luttrell was born in Toronto, Ontario to a Tanzanian mother and an American father. Luttrell is the youngest of four sisters. She can speak some French and Swahili. In August 2019, Luttrell ...
while other unnamed members are voiced by Daisy Lightfoot and
Debra Wilson
Debra Wilson, also known as Debra Wilson Skelton or Debra Skelton, is an American actress and comedian. She is known for being the longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series ''Mad TV'', having appeared on the show's firs ...
.
* Okoye appears in ''Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Black Panther: Trouble in Wakanda'', voiced by
Yvette Nicole Brown
Yvette Nicole Brown (born August 12, 1971) is an American actress, comedian, writer and host. She starred as Shirley Bennett on the NBC sitcom ''Community'', as Dani in the 2015 version of ''The Odd Couple'' on CBS and as Dina Rose on the ABC sit ...
.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Dora Milaje appear in live-action media set in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by ...
.
* Ayo of the Dora Milaje appears in the film ''
Captain America: Civil War'', portrayed by
Florence Kasumba
Florence Kasumba (born 26 October 1976) is a Ugandan-born German actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Ayo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films '' Captain America: Civil War'' (2016), ''Black Panther'' (2018), '' Avengers: Infinit ...
.
* The Dora Milaje appear in the film ''
Black Panther
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard (''Panthera pardus'') and the jaguar (''Panthera onca''). Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical rosettes are also present. They have been d ...
'', with Okoye portrayed by
Danai Gurira
Danai Jekesai Gurira (; born February 14, 1978) is an American-Zimbabwean actress and playwright. She is best known for her starring roles as Michonne on the AMC horror drama series '' The Walking Dead'' (2012–2020, 2022) and as Okoye in the ...
, Kasumba reprising her role as Ayo,
the film-exclusive Xoliswa portrayed by
Sydelle Noel
Sydelle Noel (; born July 16, 1985) is an American actress and former athlete, best known for her role as Cherry "Junkchain" Bang in '' GLOW''.
Early life
Noel was born in Hollywood, Florida. She studied at the University of Georgia on a track s ...
, and Marija Abney,
Janeshia Adams-Ginyard
Janeshia Adams-Ginyard (born February 14, 1984) is an Emmy-nominated American actress, stunt woman and professional wrestler. She is best known for her role as Nomble, one of the Dora Milaje, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film ''Black Panther ...
, Maria Hippolyte, Marie Mouroum, Jénel Stevens, Zola Williams, Christine Hollingsworth, and
Shaunette Renée Wilson
Shaunette Renée Wilson (born January 19, 1990) is a Guyanese-born American actress. She is best known for four seasons in the role of Dr. Mina Okafor in the Amy Holden Jones-created Fox series '' The Resident''.
She appeared in ''Black Panther ...
as various unnamed members. After
Erik "Killmonger" Stevens takes over Wakanda and seemingly kills
T'Challa
Black Panther is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist-coplotter Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in '' Fantastic Four'' #52 ...
, the Dora Milaje reluctantly stand by him as they must remain loyal to the throne. After T'Challa returns, the Dora Milaje fight Killmonger, though Xoliswa is killed in the process.
* In the film ''
Avengers: Infinity War'', the Dora Milaje join the
Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...
in defending Wakanda from
Thanos
Thanos is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin, and first appeared in '' The Invincible Iron Man'' #55 ( cover date February 1973). An Eternal– Deviant w ...
's forces.
* In the film ''
Avengers: Endgame'', the Dora Milaje join the Avengers in their fight against an alternate timeline version of Thanos.
* The Dora Milaje appear in the miniseries ''
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' is an American television miniseries created by Malcolm Spellman for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Sam Wilson / Falcon and Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier. ...
'', with Kasumba reprising her role as Ayo from the films, while series exclusive characters Nomble and Yama are portrayed by Janeshia Adams-Ginyard and Zola Williams respectively.
After
Bucky Barnes
James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Originally introduced as a sidekick to Captain America, the character was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appeared ...
breaks
Helmut Zemo
Helmut Zemo is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly as an adversary of the superhero Captain America and the Avengers. He is the son of Baron Heinrich Zemo and the thirteenth Baron Ze ...
out of prison, the Dora Milaje pursue the latter and eventually capture him before sending him to the
Raft
A raft is any flat structure for support or transportation over water. It is usually of basic design, characterized by the absence of a hull. Rafts are usually kept afloat by using any combination of buoyant materials such as wood, sealed barrel ...
. Ayo advises Barnes not to return to Wakanda for some time, though he is able to ask them to create a suit for
Sam Wilson.
Video games
* A member of the Dora Milaje appears in ''
Lego Marvel's Avengers
''Lego Marvel's Avengers'' is a Lego-themed action-adventure video game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, for the Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Windows, ...
''.
* The Dora Milaje appear in ''
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order''.
References
External links
*
*
*
{{Black Panther
Black people in comics
Comics characters introduced in 1998
Fictional organizations in Marvel Comics
Fictional women soldiers and warriors
Marvel Comics female characters
Marvel Comics military personnel
Wakandans