Inside Marvel Animation’s Eyes of Wakanda: Director Todd Harris On Iron Fist & Thrilling Spy Action

Todd Harris talks Easter eggs, Iron Fist as a WMD-level threat, and high-octane Wakandan action.

San Diego Comic-Con delivered plenty of surprises this year, but few generated more buzz than our sit-down with Todd Harris, director of Marvel Animation’s recently released Eyes of Wakanda. Harris discussed how the Marvel Studios’ Black Panther mythos was expanded upon in the four-episode anthology, the visual style influences for the show, and the fun of bringing Iron Fist into the series. If you are a Marvel fan eager to dive into the new lore of Wakanda, this is a must-watch series. Let’s get into it!

Our sit-down interview with Todd Harris at San Diego Comic-Con

Can you describe the visual style of Marvel Animation’s Eyes of Wakanda? What were some of your artistic influences in shaping the look and feel of the series?

Todd Harris: Some of our biggest influences were Ernie Barnes for the physicality, length, and exaggeration of the figures. And the painterly style, primarily the way colors were formed, was Dean Cornwell. There were a litany of different artistic references we pulled from, but making sure the styles all talk to each other was the most important part. Having a painterly, hand-done feel [for the series] was our guiding light.

How did you develop the look of the Hatut Zeraze and the series?

Todd Harris: The interesting thing about the Hatut Zeraze is that no one ever knows what a spy should look like, because if they’re doing their job right, you don’t see them, so they weren’t really the challenge. The challenge was building the world of Wakanda and putting them in exotic places and what kind of tactics and technology they would use. The whole point of [these characters] is that they can blend into whatever time period or region they might be a part of. So that was the bigger challenge, making sure the technology felt appropriate to the era and also appropriate to the state of advancement that Wakanda had.

Were there specific scenes or characters that were the most challenging to develop?

Todd Harris: It was all challenging (laughs)! Everything was a little bit more difficult than I assumed it would be. But that’s the creative process. If you’re not struggling, you’re not pushing. And, as you know, there’s a learning process with the limitations of what you’re trying to do. There was never a time where I was like, that was way easier than I thought.

What was your idea for incorporating Iron Fist into this series?

Todd Harris: Everybody who works on the show loves comics, so Iron Fist is, as a mantle and as a skill set is an amazing kind of thing. It’s like bringing a WMD [weapon of mass destruction] into Wakanda or having Wakandans deal with a WMD. So the idea was that we wanted to make a Jackie Chan movie, but with the most dangerous version of Jackie Chan you can possibly imagine (laughs). That was the fun of it, [imagining] how the best trained Wakandan would deal with the most powerful martial artist on the planet.

In the films, Wakanda is seen through the lens of the capital and the royal family. How did you use this series as an opportunity to explore more of the world of Wakanda?

Todd Harris: The movies have a heavy lift because they’ve got so much plot to carry. Our job was to make sure that we put a few more ZIP codes in Wakanda and make sure that [we didn’t just feature] “the crew on the bridge.” [In this series] we get a chance to see all kinds of different factions in Wakanda. It was a good opportunity to deepen the population and the broader scope of what type of Wakandans there are. You’ve got your serious ones, you’ve got your earnest ones, you’ve got your funny ones — you get to see more of the different walks of life in Wakanda.

Are there any “Easter eggs” or visual callbacks to the Black Panther films or comics that fans can look out for?

Todd Harris: They’re all over! That’s what our fans’ job is, they gotta comb that screen. Not only did our die-hard nerdiness populate the world, but we also worked closely with the production designer from Black Panther. While creating our own look and aesthetic and evolving it over time, we very much honored the stuff that Ryan [Coogler] did in his movies and made sure that they talk to each other. So you know, there’s a few [Easter eggs], especially when you see some of the wide shots of Wakanda, with the strategy involved in how it’s designed.

As you can see, our exclusive interview with Harris revealed some truly exciting things about the new series.

Eyes of Wakanda’s “painterly, hand-done” look takes cues from Ernie Barnes’ elongated athletic figures and Dean Cornwell’s rich, brush-driven color work. Even if those names are new to you, you’ll notice the stretched silhouettes, expressive poses, and textured lighting. Each frame feels brushed, not rendered.

Not familiar with Iron Fist? It’s a mantle in the Marvel universe tied to a top-tier martial artist with devastating power, which is why Harris compares it to a “WMD.” Expect playful, high-speed choreography with real stakes, as elite Wakandan operatives counter a fighter built to overwhelm almost anyone.

Finally, for eagle-eyed fans hunting Easter eggs, Harris confirmed they are plentiful. Close collaboration with Marvel Studios’ Black Panther’s original production designer ensures visual callbacks that reward repeat viewing. Look for choices in city layout visible in wide shots, tech silhouettes that echo the films, and subtle design motifs in costumes and environments. Keep that pause button handy.

Our interview reveals a series committed to honoring Wakanda’s legacy while boldly expanding it. From hand-painted textures to globe-trotting War Dogs, Eyes of Wakanda promises an art-driven spectacle anchored by deep respect for Black Panther’s cinematic foundations. It’s a must-see for any Marvel fan, streaming exclusively on Disney+ now.

Marvel Animation’s Eyes of Wakanda

Marvel Animation’s new action-adventure series, Eyes of Wakanda, follows the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history. In this globe-trotting adventure, the heroes must carry out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zaraze, and this is their story. Featuring the voices of Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint, and Anika Noni Rose, Eyes of Wakanda is helmed by director/executive producer Todd Harris, with Ryan Coogler executive producing. The show is also executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Proximity Media’s Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Kalia King.

Add Marvel Animation’s Eyes of Wakanda to Watchlist

Todd Harris has made one thing clear: Eyes of Wakanda is a rich tale, drawing on history, art, and culture. Add it to your Watchlist, and check back in for more exclusives on Explore Disney+.