We’ve already seen the incredible trailer for Marvel’s upcoming Black Panther, and now thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we’ve been treated to some first-look character images and more information about the characters of Wakanda—a powerful, futuristic African nation ruled by T’Challa, played by the amazing Chadwick Boseman. Wakanda is home to massive amounts of vibranium, a metal that has inspired the technological advances of the nation. And now outsiders are after this precious and rare metal. Take a look at the cover image that is gracing the front page of Entertainment Weekly’s annual Comic-Con preview issue this week:

Black Panther actors Michael B. Jordan, Chadwick Boseman, and Lupita Nyong’o are pictured on the cover. We can’t wait to see their characters in action on screen! Let’s meet the extraordinary cast and the characters of Black Panther:

T’Challa

Chadwick Boseman stars as this king of Wakanda. Although he has amazing powers, he sees himself as a politician first and foremost, and he works to protect his people and his country.

Ramonda

Played by Angela Bassett, Ramonda is the mother to T’Challa and previous Queen to Wakanda. She is an advisor to her son–in both politics and in his personal life.

Nakia

The Academy Award-winning Lupita Nyong’o takes on this role as an undercover operative for Wakanda. She is a strong warrior and wields unique weapons (pictured above) called ring blades.

Shuri

Actress Letitia Wright takes on T’Challa’s younger sister, who is fierce in battle and highly intelligent. She runs the Wakandan design group and is responsible for advances in vibranium-based technology.

Okoye

Danai Gurira plays this character who is head of the Dora Milaje, which is the all-female unit of soldiers who work to protect the kingdom and King of Wakanda.

Erik Killmonger

Brought to screen by Michael B. Jordan, this antagonistic character represents the opposing voices of Wakanda and the voices of dissidence against T’Challa. He also teams up with mercenary Ulysses Klaue (played by Andy Serkis, who we last saw in Avengers: Age of Ultron) in their quest to obtain Vibranium.

W’Kabi

Played by Daniel Kaluuya, W’Kabi is T’Challa’s best friend and head of security for the Border Tribe. To protect the country, he helps to perpetuate the myth that Wakanda is not an advanced civilization, but just a country of farms, woods, and mines.

Zuri

Forest Whitaker brings to life this longtime advisor to the throne and is the keeper of the Heart-Shaped Herb, which gives superhuman strength to the leader who consumes it.