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Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje from the Marvel Universe
Learn what it takes to become a member of the Dora Milaje—Wakanda’s elite, all-female guard—with this exclusive in-world history and training manual.
The world of Wakanda, a technologically advanced society with a deep history and culture, prides itself on tradition, honor, courage, and strength. There is no greater symbol of that strength than Wakanda’s leader, The Black Panther. But protection of that symbol is tasked to the Dora Milaje—a team of women serving as Wakanda’s special forces .
For the first time, step inside this secret society of women warriors and discover what it’s like to train as member of the Dora Milaje . Recruited from across all tribes, the selected initiates undergo intense training, both physical and mental.
Passed down from elder Dora to initiates, with entries by General Okoye, Princess Shuri, and Queen Mother Ramonda, Black Protectors of Wakanda reveals not only the history and foundation of the unit , but collects the strategy, weapons, and combat training as well as the code of honor and nuances of service required to protect the Black Panther and the nation of Wakanda.
Added commentary and guidance from notable warriors, such as Mistress Zola, Ayo, Aneka and M’yra, fill the margins of this treasured text.
Find out if you have what it takes to become a member of the Dora Milaje and bring honor to your tribe!
The world of Wakanda, a technologically advanced society with a deep history and culture, prides itself on tradition, honor, courage, and strength. There is no greater symbol of that strength than Wakanda’s leader, The Black Panther. But protection of that symbol is tasked to the Dora Milaje—a team of women serving as Wakanda’s special forces .
For the first time, step inside this secret society of women warriors and discover what it’s like to train as member of the Dora Milaje . Recruited from across all tribes, the selected initiates undergo intense training, both physical and mental.
Passed down from elder Dora to initiates, with entries by General Okoye, Princess Shuri, and Queen Mother Ramonda, Black Protectors of Wakanda reveals not only the history and foundation of the unit , but collects the strategy, weapons, and combat training as well as the code of honor and nuances of service required to protect the Black Panther and the nation of Wakanda.
Added commentary and guidance from notable warriors, such as Mistress Zola, Ayo, Aneka and M’yra, fill the margins of this treasured text.
Find out if you have what it takes to become a member of the Dora Milaje and bring honor to your tribe!
- GenresMarvelNonfiction
160 pages, Hardcover
Published September 20, 2022
3 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 24, 2023
I knew that as soon as I started reading this book, I would love it. Not because it's about the Dora Milaje, the Royal Family's elite protectors. No, I love this book because as soon as I began reading it, I felt like I was training to become one myself.
I understand that the Dora Milaje are fictional. But this book made me feel like I had just been accepted into the training program. And to be honest, I felt like I wanted to succeed. I wanted to do well, to learn and be the best. The manual, which I read like I was preparing for a pop quiz, is filled with the history of Wakanda, both good and bad, and includes handwritten notes by Dora who could attest to the rigor with which they were trained, including General Okoye. Dora are not only trained physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Learning several languages is a requirement, which I wholeheartedly agree is an important skill to have. The training a kanwata, or Dora Milaje trainee, receives is not about weapons and fighting, it is about the whole person. It is about the Dora who can work with her sisters on covert operations, speak fluent Korean with dignitaries in Seoul and complete a helicarrier jump without fear.
To be honest, when I was done reading, I felt a bit disappointed that I wouldn't be training irl. I know in my heart that if the training program was real, I would travel far to seek Bast's blessing in the hope of becoming a kanwata.
I would love to see this book adapted as a limited series on Disney+ (and I would HAPPILY portray a teacher or trainer) because it truly gives everyone a real look into what it take to become a Dora Milaje. We all know they're badass from what we saw in the Black Panther film. But this book lets readers see that the Dora are more than just soldiers. They are women who believe in their dreams and will do whatever it takes to see them come to life.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
I understand that the Dora Milaje are fictional. But this book made me feel like I had just been accepted into the training program. And to be honest, I felt like I wanted to succeed. I wanted to do well, to learn and be the best. The manual, which I read like I was preparing for a pop quiz, is filled with the history of Wakanda, both good and bad, and includes handwritten notes by Dora who could attest to the rigor with which they were trained, including General Okoye. Dora are not only trained physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Learning several languages is a requirement, which I wholeheartedly agree is an important skill to have. The training a kanwata, or Dora Milaje trainee, receives is not about weapons and fighting, it is about the whole person. It is about the Dora who can work with her sisters on covert operations, speak fluent Korean with dignitaries in Seoul and complete a helicarrier jump without fear.
To be honest, when I was done reading, I felt a bit disappointed that I wouldn't be training irl. I know in my heart that if the training program was real, I would travel far to seek Bast's blessing in the hope of becoming a kanwata.
I would love to see this book adapted as a limited series on Disney+ (and I would HAPPILY portray a teacher or trainer) because it truly gives everyone a real look into what it take to become a Dora Milaje. We all know they're badass from what we saw in the Black Panther film. But this book lets readers see that the Dora are more than just soldiers. They are women who believe in their dreams and will do whatever it takes to see them come to life.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
September 11, 2022
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
With the impending release of Wakanda Forever, fans are getting gifted with lots of new Black Panthers books and stories! Read on for a review of Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje from the Marvel Universe by Karama Horne.
The Dora Milaje (DOOR-A MILL-AH-JEH) are the protectors of the Royal Family in Wakanda. Consisting of all female warriors, the Dora Milaje has a storied history that is now compiled in the book, Protectors of Wakanda.
Told in short blurb and story tidbits, Protectors of Wakanda starts by showing the tenants of the Dora Milaje which include tradition, honor, strength, courage, and compassion. Thie history includes the biographies of the Orisha, which are the gods of Wakanda. One of my favorite parts of Protectors of Wakanda is the Panther lineage which shows the previous Kings and Queens of Wakanda! Coupled with a few sentences about their reign there are also illustrated images which is a fantastic aspect of this book!
Because this book is almost a manual for Dora Milaje trainees, we get a glimpse of how the Dora staff units are set up in addition to a pretty detailed history of the organization. There are some interesting drawings of the Dora Milaje hand-to-hand combat habits and the most common Dora weapons like the Scorpion’s Tail; a set of beads that can be used as a whip. We also get a good rundown of all the different outfits and armor that Dora wear.
Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje from the Marvel Universe is a must-read for any Black Panther or Dora Milaje fan who is interested in the nitty-gritty of the history and make-up of the Dora. Interesting illustrations coupled with some notes by Dora members will give readers insight into the popular warriors that work hard to protect Wakandan royalty. Note: There is a ton of information in this manual so make sure to have some sticky notes handy!
With the impending release of Wakanda Forever, fans are getting gifted with lots of new Black Panthers books and stories! Read on for a review of Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje from the Marvel Universe by Karama Horne.
The Dora Milaje (DOOR-A MILL-AH-JEH) are the protectors of the Royal Family in Wakanda. Consisting of all female warriors, the Dora Milaje has a storied history that is now compiled in the book, Protectors of Wakanda.
Told in short blurb and story tidbits, Protectors of Wakanda starts by showing the tenants of the Dora Milaje which include tradition, honor, strength, courage, and compassion. Thie history includes the biographies of the Orisha, which are the gods of Wakanda. One of my favorite parts of Protectors of Wakanda is the Panther lineage which shows the previous Kings and Queens of Wakanda! Coupled with a few sentences about their reign there are also illustrated images which is a fantastic aspect of this book!
Because this book is almost a manual for Dora Milaje trainees, we get a glimpse of how the Dora staff units are set up in addition to a pretty detailed history of the organization. There are some interesting drawings of the Dora Milaje hand-to-hand combat habits and the most common Dora weapons like the Scorpion’s Tail; a set of beads that can be used as a whip. We also get a good rundown of all the different outfits and armor that Dora wear.
Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda: A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje from the Marvel Universe is a must-read for any Black Panther or Dora Milaje fan who is interested in the nitty-gritty of the history and make-up of the Dora. Interesting illustrations coupled with some notes by Dora members will give readers insight into the popular warriors that work hard to protect Wakandan royalty. Note: There is a ton of information in this manual so make sure to have some sticky notes handy!
October 20, 2022
I love reference books like this. They provide an accessible and comprehensive resource for a subject from an in-universe perspective, though they can range in quality. To me, Star Wars books like The Jedi Path and Imperial Handbook are the best in the genre, while Halo's Spartan Handbook is more lackluster. Protectors of Wakanda, I feel, is on the same level as the former than the latter.
As the title explains, Protectors of Wakanda covers the history, training, and operation methods of the Dora Milaje - the all-women organization of warriors that protect Wakanda and the royal family. Also included is a history of Wakanda, the royal family, and Wakandan beliefs and customs, which makes sense, as the Dora Milaje is heavily connected to all three of these subjects.
Now, while it seems this was released to hype up Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the book deals with the comic history of the Dora Milaje and Wakanda, not the MCU version. This is best seen with the entry on Killmonger and the references to the Galatic Empire of Wakanda.
I only had two problems with the book, however. The first deals with the illustrations included. They can vary in quality. They can range from gorgeous or highly detailed to having off-model details concerning human physiology, namely the face. This problem mostly plagues the illustrations in the later sections.
The seconds with how some of the sections can be drier than others. I pretty much skimmed the section formations, for example. It especially doesn't help that the rituals, training, and combat operations sections follow the sections on the history of Wakanda, the royal family, and the Dora Milaje themselves, which are written in more flowing prose.
Overall, if you are a fan of Wakanda and the Black Panther, you'll probably love this. Even if you are a newer viewer/reader to the African nation, the details provided in the book won't leave you wanting in the exposition department.
As the title explains, Protectors of Wakanda covers the history, training, and operation methods of the Dora Milaje - the all-women organization of warriors that protect Wakanda and the royal family. Also included is a history of Wakanda, the royal family, and Wakandan beliefs and customs, which makes sense, as the Dora Milaje is heavily connected to all three of these subjects.
Now, while it seems this was released to hype up Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the book deals with the comic history of the Dora Milaje and Wakanda, not the MCU version. This is best seen with the entry on Killmonger and the references to the Galatic Empire of Wakanda.
I only had two problems with the book, however. The first deals with the illustrations included. They can vary in quality. They can range from gorgeous or highly detailed to having off-model details concerning human physiology, namely the face. This problem mostly plagues the illustrations in the later sections.
The seconds with how some of the sections can be drier than others. I pretty much skimmed the section formations, for example. It especially doesn't help that the rituals, training, and combat operations sections follow the sections on the history of Wakanda, the royal family, and the Dora Milaje themselves, which are written in more flowing prose.
Overall, if you are a fan of Wakanda and the Black Panther, you'll probably love this. Even if you are a newer viewer/reader to the African nation, the details provided in the book won't leave you wanting in the exposition department.
August 22, 2025
I decided to pick up this book as a break from some of the heavier, more serious reads I’ve been working through lately, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. As a huge fan of the Black Panther movie series, I’ve always been fascinated by the world of Wakanda, especially the fierce and formidable women of the Dora Milaje. This book promised to dig deeper into their story, and it absolutely delivered.
What I loved most was how it expanded the world of Wakanda in such a rich and imaginative way. The book explores the history of this nation, its traditions, and the many stories that make it so unique. At the heart of it all are the Dora Milaje, who are shown not just as warriors, but as a community bound by strength, honor, and responsibility. They are truly a force to be reckoned with, and this book provides an inside look at what it means to walk their path and serve Wakanda.
Reading this was both fun and eye-opening. It’s informative without ever being too heavy, and it sparks your imagination with new ideas and possibilities for the Wakandan universe. I kept thinking about how incredible it would be to see some of the details and stories from this book come to life on the big screen. There’s so much potential for new layers of storytelling centered on these powerful women.
Overall, Protectors of Wakanda was a wonderful read: informative, fun, imaginative, and inspiring all at once. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to readers of all ages, especially if you’re a fan of Black Panther.
What I loved most was how it expanded the world of Wakanda in such a rich and imaginative way. The book explores the history of this nation, its traditions, and the many stories that make it so unique. At the heart of it all are the Dora Milaje, who are shown not just as warriors, but as a community bound by strength, honor, and responsibility. They are truly a force to be reckoned with, and this book provides an inside look at what it means to walk their path and serve Wakanda.
Reading this was both fun and eye-opening. It’s informative without ever being too heavy, and it sparks your imagination with new ideas and possibilities for the Wakandan universe. I kept thinking about how incredible it would be to see some of the details and stories from this book come to life on the big screen. There’s so much potential for new layers of storytelling centered on these powerful women.
Overall, Protectors of Wakanda was a wonderful read: informative, fun, imaginative, and inspiring all at once. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to readers of all ages, especially if you’re a fan of Black Panther.
April 28, 2024
What a clever idea, to publish the Dora Milaje training manual like this. It was fun to read their history and their main tenets as an invincible force in this way. But it was also a tad dry, and could have used more narrative pieces, like the diary entries. Still a nice read for those like me who are obsessed with the Black Panther.
May 10, 2023
Beautiful picture and just a lovely book to read
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews