Azzari the Wise was first mentioned in Black Panther #1 (1976), written and illustrated by Jack Kirby, as the father of T’Chaka, the previous Black Panther and king of Wakanda. However, he only made his first appearance in Fantastic Four Unlimited #1 (1993), written by Roy Thomas. In that story, his name is said to be Chanda, and he is shown as a young king who befriended a German pilot named Fritz Klaue during World War I. Klaue betrayed him and killed his wife, Queen Nanali, while trying to steal Wakanda’s precious resource, Vibranium. Azzari defeated Klaue and ripped off his steel hand, which would later be inherited by his son, Ulysses Klaue, a notorious enemy of Wakanda.

Azzari’s role as the Black Panther and king of Wakanda during World War II was further explored in Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers (2010), written by Reginald Hudlin. In this story, Azzari meets Captain America, Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos when they arrive in Wakanda to warn him of a Nazi invasion led by Baron Strucker and Red Skull. Azzari initially distrusts the Americans and fights with Captain America, but eventually agrees to ally with them against their common enemy. Together, they repel a Nazi super-powered invasion force that includes Master Man, Warrior Woman, the Armless Tiger Man and the White Gorilla. Azzari also saves the lives of his sons, T’Chaka and S’Yan, who would later become Black Panthers themselves. Azzari is so grateful to Gabriel Jones, one of the Howling Commandos who is African-American, that he offers him citizenship in Wakanda, but Jones politely declines.

Azzari is also featured in Rise of the Black Panther (2018), written by Evan Narcisse. This story chronicles the early years of T’Challa’s reign as the Black Panther and king of Wakanda. Azzari appears in flashbacks as a wise and benevolent ruler who taught his grandson about Wakanda’s history and culture. He also appears in a vision to T’Challa when he undergoes the ritual of the heart-shaped herb, which grants him enhanced abilities as the Black Panther. Azzari encourages T’Challa to embrace his destiny and protect Wakanda from its enemies.