Who Is Black Panther’s (T’Challa’s) Love Interest in the Comics? Explained

T’Challa, aka the Black Panther, is the most popular black superhero from the Marvel comics. T’Challa is a prince when first introduced in the comics as the son of T’Chaka, the king of the futuristic African nation of Wakanda. Despite being one of the most intelligent and powerful Marvel heroes, there is one question that most fans always wonder about; his love life. Most fans are curious whether T’Challa had romantic relationships with other Marvel heroes or humans in or outside Wakanda. So who is T’Challa’s love interest in the comics?

Black Panther had several love interests in the comics with Nakia, Storm, and Monica Rambeau. Not all relationships were serious, however, but some, like his romantic relationship with a notable X-Men member, ended with a marriage and, ultimately, a annulment.

In Marvel’s ‘Black Panther,’ T’Challa is in an on-and-off relationship with Nakia. Their relationship is blissful despite some differences of opinion, and they end up having a child together, T’Challa II. But in the comics, his relationship with Nakia was very different. Read below to learn more about all the romantic relationships the prince of Wakanda was involved in the Marvel comics! 

T’Challa was involved with Nakia, but the relationship was mostly a one-sided obsession

Nakia in Black Panther movies and Marvel comics have a similar backstory. In ‘Black Panther’ Vol 3 #1, she starts as a member of the Dora Milaje, and because of her proximity to the royals, she falls in love with T’Challa. The significant difference is that T’Challa doesn’t reciprocate her feelings in Marvel comics.

Nakia’s love for T’Challa borders on an obsession because she does almost anything you can think of to get T’Challa’s attention and, ultimately, his romantic attention. She even attempted to kill Monica when she was blinded by jealousy to have the prince for herself, making her a villain of the story.

Nakia ends up in league with Killmonger, who helps her get stronger and more dangerous. She becomes his apprentice under the name ‘Malice.’ At least in the MCU movies, she isn’t as obsessed with T’Challa and has more motivations, like helping people from other nations as a Wakandan spy. She is empowered and focused on her missions which make the cinematic version of the character somewhat more three-dimensional.

Black Panther and Storm were a true power couple

Ororo Monroe, one of the best black female superheroes, first appeared in the ‘Giant-Size X-Men Vol. 1′ #1. Ororo and T’Challa had one of the most solid relationship histories in all of comics. They met when Ororo saved him from kidnappers when they were children. Ororo is a princess from Kenya, so they have several things in common. Both are African royals with a strong sense of loyalty and justice.

They formed a unique bond and relationship that later led to marriage. Being more of an equal to the Black Panther made this relationship truly special when compared to his past (and future) adventures.

T’Challa and Ororo got married in ‘Black Panther: The Bride’ comic and the Civil War between Captain America and Iron Man is halted briefly to celebrate their union. While their wedding was a huge celebration, some of T’Challa’s exes weren’t happy that he was no longer a bachelor.

Despite being seemingly made for each other T’Challa ultimately annulled their marriage. Why? The two were on the opposing side at one point in the Civil War, and their priorities lay in different directions. Ororo had to put the mutants and her family first, while Black Panther had an interest of an entire nation to think of. In reality, the two got divorced because it was becoming increasingly difficult for the writers to combine two of them in the same stories.

Their relationship never resulted in children in the mainline Marvel comics universe. However, they do have several children in alternate universes, such as Becka Munroe (Earth-41001), Sh’ri (Earth-1119), and Sky Panther (Earth-TRN941).

Monica Lynne’s and T’Challa’s relationship almost resulted in marriage

Probably one of T’Challa’s longest relationships in Marvel comics is between him and singer Monica Lynne. In ‘Avengers’ #73, T’challa saves Monica from a racist gang, and forming a beautiful relationship, Lynne agrees to move to Wakanda with T’Challa. Things are serious for the couple, and they get engaged. Sadly, their relationship ends when the engagement is called off without explanation.

It was later revealed that T’Chall ended their relationship because a time-traveling future T’Challa visited him and revealed to him that they were dying out of a brain aneurysm, and T’Challa didn’t want to put Monica through that.

The two would separate for a time but get reunited again due to Monica being kidnapped because of her former relationship with T’Challa. She accompanied him back to Wakanda for a time but was bullied by jealous Nakia and ejected into the jungle from Talon Fighter. In the jungle, she happens upon Eric Killmonger, who used her to get his revenge on Black Panther.

After this ordeal, Monica realized that Wakanda was nothing but trouble; returning to T’Challa, she caught him in a romantic moment with Storm. The two separated for good this time, and Monica returned to her singer career. She was reportedly singing a sad romantic son when the news of T’Challa’s engagement with Storm broke out.

Black Panther and Monica Rambeau were briefly together

Monica Rambeau, known under several superhero aliases, is one of the greatest female superheroes in Marvel Comics. She can manipulate several forms of energy, making her a valuable ally in fighting villains in Wakanda. Her first appearance is in the ‘Amazing Spider-Man Annual Vol. 1′ #16. In these comics, Monica comes to aid to T’Challa, and they slowly form a beautiful friendship. 

They meet while trying to rid New Orleans of Vampires. Her photic-based powers came in handy in getting rid of these night creatures. While their relationship wasn’t official, Monica was beloved by the people of Wakanda, giving her the name Sun Goddess.

She was even the one to fight and kill one of T’Challa’s most formidable villains, Killmonger. Although Monica moves on with Brother Voodoo and T’Challa with Storm, she is still heartbroken when T’Challa marries Storm. 

Malaika and T’Challa separated due to distance

Malaika is the epitome of brains and beauty. She first appeared in ‘Black Panther Vol 2’ comics published in the 1990s. She served as a diplomat and a Wakandan representative to France, so they had a lot of things in common when it came to improving the lives of Wakandans.

Their relationship heated up right after T’Challa broke up with Monica Lynne. She helps him open his heart to love again, but their relationship doesn’t take off despite a night of passion. Their breakup is likely due to the distance which took Malaika away from Wakanda for long periods.

Nikki Adams was killed by jealous Nakia in a racially motivated attack

T’Challa also dated some civilians in his life. In ‘Avengers’ #77, T’Challa studies in the U.S., where he meets Nikki Adams. However, their relationship doesn’t last long, although it is significant to T’Challa’s story.

While the couple is enjoying their time together, the villain Malice (Nakia) attacks them, killing Nikki. Malice’s attack is because Nikki is white, and their interracial relationship doesn’t please her.

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