N'Jadaka / Erik "Killmonger" Stevens

Grew Up... in Oakland, California in the 1980s and ’90s. Erik’s childhood was tough. As he put it, “People die every day. That's just part of life around here.” In fact, his father N’Jobu was murdered when Erik was just a kid.

Living... the nomadic life of a criminal. Erik’s currently working with arms-dealer Ulysses Klaue to steal a powerful vibranium weapon from the Museum of Great Britain.

Visiting... Wakanda, hopefully. Young Erik learned that his dad was a prince of Wakanda, an African country posing as a poor, developing nation even though it’s secretly the wealthiest, most technologically advanced place on the planet. Though N’Jobu died before he could take his son there, Erik—whose Wakandan birth name is N'Jadaka—has never given up on his dream of visiting his dad’s homeland.

Profession... former mercenary. After graduating from Annapolis, attending MIT, and serving as a Navy SEAL, Erik spent years working as a black-ops soldier. He wracked up a staggering amount of kills, which earned him the nickname “Killmonger.” But Erik always saw his mercenary work as a means to an end. Now he has bigger aims for his violent, vengeful worldview.

Interests... keeping track of his kills via ritualistic scarring on his body.

Relationship Status... dating his criminal cohort Linda. Though their relationship is hot and heavy, there’s nothing Erik wouldn’t sacrifice to achieve his goals.

Challenge... radicalizing Wakanda. Erik has spent his whole life planning a way to reclaim a royal birthright he thinks should be his. Specifically, he wants to transform Wakanda from an isolationist country to a radical, war-making one. As Erik puts it, “It’s about two billion people all over the world that looks like us. But their lives are a lot harder. Wakanda has the tools to liberate them all.”

Personality... absolutely ruthless. Erik’s ultimate goal is to help oppressed people, but he has no problem using horrific violence to do so. He’s twisted his determination, discipline, and focus into something truly warped. Though he’s fueled by intense emotions, Erik is also an incredibly strategic planner. And he has a charisma and swagger that only makes his brutal, bellicose nature more terrifying. Deep down, however, Erik is just a scared little boy whose soul was crushed by the staggering injustice around him growing up. As he exclaims at one point, “The world took everything away from me! Everything I ever loved!”