Origin

Okoye was a member of the Dora Milaje, part of an order of wives-in-training for the King of Wakanda, and served as Tchalla's bodyguard and chauffeur. Each member of the Dora Milaje were chose from a different tribe of Wakandans , a political tradition to ensure peace among the tribes as each held a role in the palace and a chance to become the next queen.

Rather than seeing Okoye and Nakia as "wives in-training", T'challa seen them as daughters, and treated them as such. Unlike Nakia, Okoye understood that Tchalla loved Nakia and her as daughters and nothing more. Okoye remained loyal to T'challa and continued to serve as his chauffeur and bodyguard.

Creation

Okoye first appeared in Black Panther (1998) #1, and was created by writer Christopher Priest and artist Mark Texeira.

Alternate Realities

Ultimate Universe (Earth-6160)

In the new Ultimate Universe, Okoye is the former leader of the Dora Milaje, wife of King T'Challa and Queen of Wakanda. In a time of strife for Wakanda which faces potential war with the Upper and Lower Kingdoms, Queen Okoye shared many heated debates with both her King and T'Challa's sister, Princess Shuri.

Venomverse

On an alternate Earth, both vibranium and a symbiote called "The Companion" fell from the heavens and crashed into Wakanda. The vibranium was harnessed as a weapon of the Black Panther, however the symbiote resisted subjugation until a woman called La'Dana prayed to Bast and discovered companionship was the key. By bonding with the alien, La'Dana became the first Queen of Wakanda, and tradition began where once the Queen ages she passes the Companion on to a chosen Dora Milaje. Okoye competes for the honour of becoming the next host of the Companion, and succeeds in the bonding process. She now protects the nation as its Queen.

Other Media

Films

• Okoye appears as a major character in the 2018 Black Panther film, portrayed by The Walking Dead star Danai Gurira. Unlike in the comics, this version of Okoye is an adult woman and married to W'Kabi, as well as the late King T'Chaka's former bodyguard. As the leader of the Dora Milaje, she is a fierce supporter of T'Challa, and ends up at odds with her husband after he supports Erik Killmonger. After Killmonger defeats T'Challa in a ritual duel and becomes the new ruler of Wakanda, Okoye reluctantly follows him. When T'Challa returns to overthrow his usurper, Okoye leads the other Dora Milaje in a rebellion against Killmonger, which eventually leads to her facing off against W'Kabi.

• Danai Gurira reprises her role in Avengers: Infinity War. She appears when the forces of Thanos invade Wakanda seeking the Vision, who has the Mind Stone, the last remaining Infinity Stones. During the final battle, she teams up with Black Widow and Scarlet Witch to kill Proxima Midnight, the leader of the Outrider army.
• Okoye appears in Lego Black Panther: Trouble in Wakanda, voiced by Community star Yvette Nicole Brown.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Danai Gurira reprises her role of Okoye in the 2022 film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The state of Wakanda is still reeling by the passing of its King T'Challa, and Okoye is tasked by Queen Ramonda to keep a grieving Princess Shuri safe. During a mission in the United States they are ambushed by an Atlantean hit squad and, despite her best efforts, Okoye is not able to stop them from kidnapping Shuri and Riri Williams. Okoye returns to Wakanda and confesses her failure to Ramonda who, in an emotional rage driven by the notion of losing both of her children, discharges Okoye from her position as leader of the Dora Milaje.

Television

What If?

Danai Gurira reprises her role as Okoye in the MCU animated series What If? Season 1. Okoye appears in the episodes titled "What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord?" "What If... Zombies?!" and "What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?"

X-Men '97

Okoye made a cameo appearance in the Season 01 finale of the revived X-Men show, standing beside her King, T'Chaka the Black Panther.

Video Games

Avengers Academy

Okoye appears in the Marvel Avengers Academy game, and is introduced as part of the Black Panther event.

Marvel Strike Force

Okoye was added to the mobile game Marvel Strike Force in 2019, to coincide with the game's Wakandan update. In the game Okoye is classed as a Hero Controller, who uses precision strikes to debuff enemy defences and her Dora Milaje skills to give Wakandan allies immunity to attacks.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2

Okoye is a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 as part of the Black Panther DLC pack.

Marvel's Avengers

Okoye appears in Square Enix's Marvel's Avengers videogame as a supporting character in the War for Wakanda DLC expansion. In the game, Okoye is the leader of the Dora Milaje and distrusts the Avengers' involvement in Klaw & AIM's assault on Wakanda. She is loyal to the King, however, and Okoye trusts T'Challa's judgment of the outsiders as correct.

Okoye was voiced by Debra Wilson.

Marvel Future Fight

Okoye was added to the NetEase mobile game Marvel Future Fight in October 2024 as part of the Halloween event, inspired by the Marvel Zombies episode of What If...? Okoye is a Speed type character, and received her Tier 3 update in the same month.

Merchandise

• Okoye was the subject of a Marvel Legends Build-a-Figure wave, which could be completed after purchasing each of the corresponding figures in the series (Black Panther, Erik Killmonger, Nakia, Iron Man, Black Bolt and Namor).
• Okoye appears in Funko's Pop! line of bobbleheads.
• Iron Studios produced an Okoye statue as part of a diorama series that also included Black Panther, Erik Killmonger and Nakia.
• Okoye appears in Diamond Select's Minimates line.
• Okoye was featured in the "Rhino Face-Off by the Mine" Lego kit.
• An improved Okoye figure was released by Marvel Legends to coincide with the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, based on Danai Gurira's likeness.