Ayo
Ayo emerged as a defiant figure within the ranks of Wakanda's Dora Milaje, eventually co-founding the second Midnight Angels team alongside her romantic partner, Aneka.
Name:
Ayo
Publisher:
Real name:
Aliases:
Birth date:
None
Gender:
Female
Powers:
- Flight
- Leadership
- Power Suit
- Unarmed Combat
First issue:
Creation
Ayo was created by writer Al Ewing and artist Kenneth Rocafort, and first appeared in The Ultimates (2015) #2.
Major Story Arcs
A Nation Under Our Feet
When fellow Dora Milaje Aneka is placed before the Queen Mother for murdering a Wakandan Chieftain, Ayo argues for her forgiveness. Ramonda ignores Ayo's plea and sentences Aneka to death, but as she is waiting for execution Aneka is freed from Ayo, who is wearing the prototype Midnight Angel armor. The two rest outside of Birnin Zana, where Ayo confides in her lover that she tried it "their" way, but breaking the law and condemning herself to death was worth saving Aneka. Together they become the Midnight Angels, fighting to liberate the girls and women in Wakandan villages from their corrupt Chieftains and jambazi (bandits).
Alongside liberating villages of women and girls, the Midnight Angels begin a social movement labelled "No One Man," in response to the failings of the monarchy to uphold safety in the surrounding lans of the capital city. When their sanctuary is assaulted by jambazi, Aneka realizes that they are punishing the guilty, but to protect the innocent they require a new army. Recruiting their own Dora Milaje warriors, the Midnight Angels kill Mandla, seize control of the Jabari Lands, and hold tribunals for the corrupt officials in charge. With Jabari tribesmen and several Dora Milaje added to their ranks, the Midnight Angels officially begin a revolution in Wakanda. These actions attracts the attention of radical revolutionist Tetu, who seeks an audience with the Angels.
One World Under Doom
Ayo, alongside her partner Aneka, join forces with Bucky Barnes' Thunderbolts when President Folasade signs an agreement deal with Sorcerer Supreme Doom and begins exporting vibranium for Doom's use. The Midnight Angels help fight against Contessa Valentina and the original Thunderbolts, but Aneka is shot in the back and injured by the Fixer. Bucky beats Valentina until she threatens to overload the Great Mound with enough explosive energy to wipe out Birnin Zana. Bucky surrenders and is captured, but Ayo manages to flee carrying Aneka.
The two avoid Doombots patrolling Wakanda before reuniting with the Black Widow. Ayo is angered at Bucky leading them into a trap before surrendering, but Aneka persuades her beloved to go with Romanoff and seek justice while she recovers from her injuries. Ayo joins Widow's Thunderbolts to rescue Barnes.
Powers and Abilities
As a former Dora Milaje, Ayo was trained from a young age in numerous forms of hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. While wearing the Midnight Angel armor, Ayo is capable of flight, enhanced strength and durability. Ayo also wields a technologically advanced club, which she can shoot energy blasts from and control the trajectory of mid-throw, akin to Mjolnir.
In Other Media
Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Ayo makes a cameo appearance in Captain America: Civil War, where she is shown threatening Black Widow while acting as T'Challa's bodyguard. She was played by Florence Kasumba.
- Florence Kasumba reprises her role in the solo Black Panther movie.
- Kasumba again reprises her role in Avengers: Infinity War.
- Kasumba again reprises her role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In the show she has been tasked to retrieve Baron Zemo from the custody of Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson, and return him to The Raft prison. Ayo and Bucky had previously bonded while Bucky was recovering from his Hydra brainwashing, and Ayo assisted him in overcoming the trauma.
- Kasuma reprises her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In the film she replaces Okoye as the leader of the Dora Milaje, with Okoye taking Ayo's place from the comics as co-founder of the Midnight Angels.
Video Games
Marvel's Avengers
Ayo makes a cameo appearance in the War for Wakanda expansion to Crystal Dynamics' game Marvel's Avengers. She is a member of the Dora Milaje stood next to Okoye in the Royal Palace, dressed in her Midnight Angels blue with her face tattoos and club.
Merchandise
- Ayo was featured in Hasbro's Marvel Legends line as part of the M'Baku Build-a-Figure wave.
