Finding and Rebuilding One's Identity

The author uses the struggle of characters - such as T'Challa, Aneka, and Ayo - to reconstruct their identies as a reflection of Wakanda enduring the same process as a nation. T'Challa reckons with his Black Panther persona no longer being relevant in its current form for Wakandans. He stands for protection of Wakanda at whatever the cost, but the people of Wakanda no longer look to him for protection. T'Challa must rebuild and find a new identity for himself and the Black Panther in order to save his nation.

Aneka and Ayo face a similar dilemma, having always defined themselves as soldiers for the Dora Milaje. Even in adopting the mantle "The Midnight Angels," they consistently struggle with what their mission is and what they are trying to do. Do they want to overthrow the government? Do they want to escape...