The second episode of the animated series What If..? introduced an intriguing new version of T’Challa as Star-Lord. Numerous Black Panther variants exist in Marvel Comics and could appear in the MCU in some form. One important Black Panther variant appears to be the choice to succeed T’Challa in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Some Black Panther variants possess more power than others, with a few having truly extraordinary abilities. The most powerful versions of the character hail from different realities in the Marvel multiverse or they are characters who have inherited the mantle of Black Panther in the main continuity of Earth-616, like Shuri, as she seems to in the MCU.

Black Panther 2099

K’Shamba debuted in 2004 as part of the Marvel Knights imprint, an influential sub-line that mostly told stories with more mature themes. K’Shamba didn’t partake of the heart-shaped herb like T’Challa. As a result, he does not have the superhuman strength, speed, and agility that a Black Panther usually possesses.

He remains a great martial artist, however, and is trained in the use of a variety of advanced weapons. He proved his acrobatic ability and peak human strength against numerous enemies in the 2099 timeline, including a powerful Doctor Doom variant from the future. While a previous Black Panther, Thandraza, appeared in the earlier Doom 2099 comics, this variant is recognized as the ruler of Wakanda and a major figure in the Marvel multiverse.

Vibranium Man

Some Black Panther variants take cues from other superhero icons. Vibranium Man’s parents launched him into space as a baby, echoing Superman’s origin, which means that this variant didn’t get powers from the heart shaped herb. He does possess a highly advanced alien vibranium suit, though, which makes him more akin to Iron Man.

The armor provides him with enhanced strength and durability and also fires purple electrified webbing. He uses this to neutralize threats, most often agents of King Killmonger, who destroyed Wakanda in their universe.

Ultimate Black Panther

T’Challa Udaku emerged from Earth-1610, the Ultimate Comics universe that produced Miles Morales. This Black Panther variant differs from others in one major way - he’s a mutant. He enjoys a healing factor, superhuman strength, speed and agility. These traits made him an ideal candidate for the Weapon X program in his universe.

Like Wolverine, brutal experiments altered T’Challa’s body. Scientists implanted retractable claws in his hands, razor sharp weapons that only add to his skill as a powerful martial artist and fighter.

Spider-T’Challa

Spider-T’Challa counts among the most powerful Spider-Man variants in the vast multiverse. This variant from Earth-19919 combines the powers of the Wakandan king and the Wall-Crawler, with six arms instead of two. This makes him even more acrobatic and capable as a combatant, as he proved in Spider-Island #2 from 2015.

He combined Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense and ability to shoot webs with Black Panther’s superhuman agility and grace, making for a potent combination that could appear in live-action or animation in some form.

Azzuri

Azzuri made his first appearance in Marvel Comics in Black Panther #1 in 2005. Azzuri, the grandfather of T’Challa and king of Wakanda during World War II, shares his superhuman powers. Like T’Challa and nearly all Black Panthers, he derives superhuman strength, stamina, and other abilities from the heart-shaped herb native to Wakanda.

He also possesses divine knowledge that gives him access to the knowledge and memories of all Black Panthers in the lineage going back centuries. In addition, he also has the power of necromancy, which gives him control over the dead. This proved useful as he fought alongside Captain America and Nick Fury to protect his nation from Baron Strucker and the Red Skull, who raided Wakanda for its Vibranium to fund the Nazi war effort.

Kasper Cole

Kasper Cole, a New York City police officer, finds the Black Panther costume in police custody and then wears it as he conducts his own private investigations into the crime affecting his city. At first, he has no special abilities, relying mainly on a pair of handguns, but later gains powers in line with T’Challa after ingesting a synthetic version of the heart-shaped root given to him by Erik Killmonger.

Cole used his night-vision to track down a kidnaped child. He would later become the White Tiger and frequently teams up with the Crew, an all-Black team of superheroes devoted to defending Brooklyn.

Coal Tiger

When Jack Kirby, among the greatest comic book artists ever, first conceived of the Black Panther character before his debut in Fantastic Four #52, he named him Coal Tiger. The name later emerged with T’Chaka II, the son of Black Panther in the MC2 alternate universe. He physically transforms from a human into a super-strong human-panther hybrid.

He also has extremely sharp retractable claws that can cut through virtually any substance. He used his enhanced strength, stamina, and speed to help free his reality’s version of the Avengers, A-Next, from the evil Revengers.

Mangaverse Black Panther

The Black Panther from the Marvel Mangaverse owes his powers to the Egyptian god Horus, making him extremely powerful. In addition to the basic abilities to be very fast and strong, he can also transform himself into a humanoid panther. The Earth-2301 version of the character can also summon spirits to inhabit his body, gaining all of their power and knowledge.

This powerful Black Panther variant also become Falcon, with wings that allowed him to fly. His sister in this universe wasn’t Shuri but T’Channa, who was actually a version of Doctor Doom.

Chieftain Justice

Other Black Panthers exist throughout the multiverse. Chieftain Justice Black Panther appears with the Captain Britain Corps in Excalibur #44 from the early 1990s. While he only makes a brief cameo in one panel, like all members of the interdimensional force of the Captain Britain Corps, he shares the powers of the Earth-616 Captain Britain, Brian Braddock.

Beyond superhuman strength, agility, and endurance, he can store interdimensional energy, which allows him to fly and generate powerful energy blasts. With the introduction of Captain Carter in the MCU, Chieftain Justice and the rest of the Corps may not be far behind.

Ngozi

Ngozi serves as the Black Panther of Earth-TRN650. She combines the powers of Black Panther and the Venom symbiote, making her extremely strong and impervious to most forms of attack. In addition to her incredible superhuman strength and endurance, the symbiote also has a unique dimensional pocket that allows her to carry objects outside practical reality.

Ngozi also displays telepathic powers, adding to her considerable array of talents. Like Venom, her unique nature provides her immunity to some superpowers, like Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense.

Ghost Panther

Ghost Panther emerged from the Infinity Warps comic books from 2018 that combined different characters into one. As with Ngozi, Ghost Panther combines the powers of two incredible superheroes. This version of the character fuses the powers of Black Panther and Ghost Rider, giving the already superhuman T’Challa supernatural abilities.

His Hellfire manipulation and supernatural awareness instantly rank among the most powerful magical beings in Marvel Comics. Instead of a motorcycle, Ghost Panther rides a flaming black panther, and he can travel between dimensions on it.

Ghost Hammer

Another Infinity Warps Black Panther variant emerged in Secret Warps: Iron Hammer #1. This variant piled on the power by combining T’Challa Odinson, who already possessed Asgardian might, with Ghost Rider. He became Ghost Hammer, fusing mystical power with god-like strength.

This supremely powerful Black Panther variant emerged after Iron Hammer and Ghost Panther warped together during the event, producing more and more powerful versions of the heroes.

Shuri

Shuri became Black Panther after T’Challa fell into a coma during “Doomwar,” among the best Black Panther comic book story arcs. Not only did she gain the traditional powers of the Black Panther, but she also gained supernatural powers as well. While in the spiritual plane of the Djalia, Shuri gained the ability to turn her body into impervious stone.

She also wields the power to turn herself or others into either a flock of birds or a single bird, making her one of the most powerful variants of Black Panther in the comics. Shuri displayed the full range of her powers in the War with Atlantis storyline, which depicted her devastating attack on Namor and his underwater armies of Atlantis.

Star Panther

Vibranium Man becomes Star Panther when King Killmonger throws him into the sun. Instead of dying, this Black Panther variant emerges with truly cosmic power. His powers remain undefined mostly, though he says he has ’the white-hot heavens coursing through his veins,’ suggesting power akin to the Phoenix Force or perhaps Captain Marvel.

He does display the ability to fly in space as well as exist in space with no protection. He undergoes his transformation in part due to his unique, protective armor. He also gets a hand from his reality’s Ghost Rider variant, the All-Rider.

Black Panther (1000000 B.C.)

The Panther Tribe chief from the prehistoric era of Earth-616 first appeared in Marvel Legacy #31 in 2017, This Black Panther belongs to the Avengers 1000000 B.C. Though he shares similar powers with his descendants, Black Panther is notable in that he was worthy of wielding Mjölnir.

The comics reveal that he’s actually the first person in history besides Odin to ever do so, granting him all Thor’s powers and abilities. For the time he held the hammer, he was akin to an Asgardian god, making him perhaps the most powerful Black Panther variant from the comics.