Black Panther: The Gruesome Origin Of Erik Killmonger's 'Bumpy Skin'

Entertainment Weekly just gave us a ton of new images from Marvel's upcoming Black Panther movie, and some pictures give us a better look at Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) who happens to have bumps on his skin. Before you pass it as some kind of skin disease, the bumps actually come from a gruesome process called "crocodile scarring," and there's a Nat Geo video that covers it.

I have to warn you though, the video is not for the faint of heart:

With Erik Killmonger having the same scars, it already says so much about his backstory, and the pain that the character has gone through. Let's just hope he ends up more interesting than the other Marvel villains we've already met.

I really like how Black Panther is drawing from different cultures and bringing it into the movie. I'm curious as to how deep the production delved into it, and I'm hoping it's not just for aesthetic appeal. Granted Wakanda is being portrayed as a country that somehow manages to marry tradition with progress, I'm very curious as to how the world of Wakanda will come to life onscreen.

Here's the full synopsis for the movie:

Marvel Studios' Black Panther follows T'Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

Black Panther hits theaters Feb. 16, 2018.

See Also: Black Panther Takes Center Stage In Entertainment Weekly San Diego Comic Con Double Issue