Summary
Ryan Coogler’sEyes of Wakandaanimated series coming soon to Disney Plus looks like a spin-off of Netflix’sArcane. That’s fine, but givenArcane’s exemplary critical and audience reception, that mimicry increases the size of some already enormous shoes forMarvelto fill. The next Coogler Wakanda project must follow theBlack Pantherfilms (although the second was unfortunately weaker than the first, by no fault of Ryan Coogler), with the executive producer hot off the heels ofSinners’smash success.
TheBlack Pantherbrand, on the other hand, has recently suffered a significant blow. EA is reportedly shuttering the developer responsible for theBlack Panthergame,a project which has since been canceled. Marvel’sBlack Pantheris in need of a big win. With this in mind, the upcoming limited series event needs to thrillingly and consequentially explore Wakandan lore.
Eyes Of Wakanda’s Art Is Less Impressive ThanArcane’s
WhileEyes of Wakandashares some likeness with Marvel’sWhat If…anthology, it looks more like Netflix’sArcane.Eyes of Wakandalooks stunningly similar to theLeague of Legendsanimated series, but not as well-crafted. It’s puzzling to think so, as Disney is a monolith in animation andBlack Pantheris not a second-rate property. One might assume, especially with the limited nature of Coogler’s new high-powered series, that Disney would pull out a few more stops on their reported four-episode season at 30 minutes per episode.
There’s still a slim but present chance thatEyes of Wakanda’s trailer releases soon, blowing all production value concerns to high Ancestral Plane heaven. The greater likelihood, though, is thatEyes of Wakandais exactly what it looks to be: an inspired but lesser version ofArcane’s pioneering style.
Netflix’sArcanehas received rave reviews, managing to defy odds bybecoming more than the sum of its partsas aLeague of Legends-based cartoon.Eyes of Wakandais interestingly establishing itself as an Arcane-based animation project in the world ofBlack Panther.
Could Eyes of Wakanda Redeem Marvel’s Middling Streaming Slate?
Eyes of Wakanda can’t just evokeArcanevisually. Marvel needs this show to be good, even excellent, if they want to recapture some of that initial interest in Disney Plus’s Marvel streaming catalogue. To call Marvel’s streaming slate hit-or-miss would almost be generous at this point. There have been a handful of highs, such asWandaVisionandX-Men ‘97, and a lot of mid-to-low offerings that kind of came and went, likeModokandShe-Hulk(although the latter was relevant in discourse through its divisive run).
There have also been a few puzzling disasters, likeMarvel’sInhumansandSecret Invasion,with its culturally deaf use of blatant AI for its title sequences.Iron Fistwas another swing-and-miss. But the streaming slate could end up finding some redemption inEyes of Wakanda.The series showrunnerTodd Harris toldfans at Disney’s D23 expo that viewers can expect to see an Iron Fist appearance, along with some “Marvel Gundam” action.
The series, described as ‘anthology-adjacent,’ is set to explore Wakanda across eras and ages, following various Wakandan operatives who seek to reclaim vibranium artifacts from various enemies of the state. The show’s creators pointed out that Wakanda is a 10,000-year-old society that’s denied the allure of over-expansion. It will be interesting to see what lens the series uses to explore the question of how and why they did so. It’s crucial thatEyes of Wakandanails this answer and grants merit to the show’s conception. If the show is a mere thought experiment, it runs the risk of playing second fiddle to bothWhat If…andArcanebefore it.
Ryan Coogler IsEyes Of Wakanda’s Most Valuable Asset
With no T’Challa, Coogler could be the hero Disney Plus has been waiting for. Since Boseman’s untimely passing prior toBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever,the Wakanda-centric franchise has come across relatively aimless.Black Panther’s sequel, while emotionally resonant and action-packed, felt a bit makeshift despite glowing reviews. Since then, announcements for Disney Plus’sIronheart,Marvel’s live-action series starring Riri Williams, and the animatedEyes of Wakanda,are gigantic question marks heading into Marvel’s summer streaming slate — even as both projects share Coogler’s involvement.
Ironheart’s suit, following herWakanda Foreverintroduction,was met with skepticism. The raised eyebrows largely regarded her nanotech suit, which seemed artificial and poorly conceptualized. Following Marvel’s recent reveal ofIronheart’s suit for the upcoming series, fan reception has been more positive, especially given the clearer practicality of her armor.
Hopefully,Eyes of Wakandawill follow a similar trajectory as more footage is shared over the next few months. One thing is for sure as we near Marvel’s Summer of Wakanda, which is Ryan Coogler’s dependability as a visionary show runner.
The Chadwick Boseman-led firstBlack Pantherfilm was Ryan Coogler’s debut into the Marvel Universe and secured the MCU’s first Best Picture nomination.Black Panther’s MCU legacy casts a daunting shadow following Boseman’s passing. Coogler, followingSinners’ box office dominance and technical feats, is a bankable asset for the assured quality of most anything he touches for Marvel. Coogler is a fan of the source material, which should inspire additional confidence that even with Boseman lost, it still can, in fact, be ‘Wakanda Forever.’
