T'Chaka

T'Chaka is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the father of T'Challa and Shuri. He was the king of Wakanda and Black Panther before T'Challa; he inherited both titles following the death of his father, T'Chanda aka Azzuri the Wise.
John Kani portrayed the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films "" (2016) and "Black Panther" (2018) while Kani's son Atandwa portrayed a younger version of the character. Kani returned to voice alternate versions of the character in the animated Disney+ series "What If...?" (2021).
Publication history.
T'Chaka first appeared in "Fantastic Four" #53 (1966) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
Fictional character biography.
T'Chaka is the Chieftain of Wakanda who ascended to the throne after the death of his father King T"Chanda aka Azzuri the Wise. During 1941 at the time of World War II, Captain America traveled to Wakanda where he met T'Chaka. Together, they assisted Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos against Red Skull and Baron Strucker. T'Chaka and Captain America also faced threats from Master Man, Warrior Woman, and Armless Tiger Man when they partook in an all-out attack on Wakanda. Armless Tiger Man even threatened to kill T'Chaka if he didn't have Wakanda's forces surrender. Outmanned and outgunned, T'Chaka and Captain America held their own against Master Man, Warrior Woman, Armless Tiger Man, White Gorilla, and Red Skull.
Sometime later, Captain America visited Wakanda and gave T'Chaka his triangle shield in exchange for some Vibranium. When he got engaged to his first wife N'Yami, T'Chaka adopted Hunter who T'Chaka groomed as the heir to the throne until the day N'Yami gave birth to T'Challa and then died from childbirth. Shortly after T'Challa's birth, his brother Jakarra was born. T'Chaka later married Ramonda who gave birth to Shuri.
In the fall of 1959, T'Chaka was kidnapped by Geoffrey Sydenham of the organization ICON. This was part of ICON's plan to weaken Wakanda and pillage the technology there. Nick Fury's Avengers stumbled onto this plot where they ended up fighting ICON. It was discovered that T'Chaka was being held in a castle within Latveria where Dum Dum Dugan and Eric Koenig then rescued him. T'Chaka was safely returned to Wakanda.
Many years later, Wakanda had their technology coveted as they had no ties to any other countries. Ulysses Klaw and his mercenaries invaded Wakanda and demanded that T'Chaka give them their vibranium. When T'Chaka refused to give them vibranium, Klaw had his mercenaries kill T'Chaka. This angered T'Challa who used one of the mercenaries' weapons to destroy their camp and rendered Ulysses Klaw's right hand useless.
The history of T'Chaka's death was retconned in the third volume of the "Black Panther" comics in which the leaders of some different countries had been unable to negotiate with T'Chaka into giving them some Vibranium. After that happened, they hired Ulysses Klaw. Upon emerging from the floor of T'Chaka's palace, Ulysses Klaw killed T'Chaka. This enraged T'Challa who wounded and drove away Ulysses Klaw. Due to the death of T'Chaka, T'Challa's uncle S'Yan ruled Wakanda in T'Chaka's place until the day when T'Challa was at the right age to be sworn in as the new Chieftain of Wakanda.
Powers and abilities.
Upon eating a special heart-shaped herb, his natural powers are enhanced. T'Chaka possesses superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, durability, reflexes, and senses. He is also an expert martial artist, a known weapons expert, a skilled marksman, an expert tracker and hunter, and a master tactician outside of his mutant powers.
Weaknesses.
T'Chaka's heightened senses cause bright lights, loud noises, &amp; strong smells to potentially overwhelm him.
Other versions.
Ultimate Marvel.
In the "Ultimate Marvel" universe, T'Chaka's full name was T'Chaka Udaku. In addition to T'Challa, he was also the father of M'Baku.
In other media.
Film.
T'Chaka appears in ", voiced by Dave Fennoy. He begins the film as the Black Panther while having the title's ability to turn into a humanoid black panther. When Wakanda is invaded by Chitauri, T'Chaka attacks them to drive them off. He is ambushed by Nazi-disguised Chitauri general Herr Kleiser who stabs him multiple times. T'Chaka defeats and drives off Kleiser, but succumbs to his wounds. After his death, T'Challa ascends to the throne and mantle of the Black Panther.
Marvel Cinematic Universe.
John Kani portrays T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.