This storyline dives into the legacy of Black Panther and introduces a successor who, quite surprisingly, looks white.
This twist follows earlier backlash Marvel received over claims of ‘whitewashing’ another major character—Doctor Doom.
The shocking reveal took place in an issue of Marvel Knights: The World To Come, which introduced readers to this new storyline.
In this comic, a fresh character named Ketema is brought in. His name translates to “fortified encampment,” adding a symbolic weight to his identity.
Fans will remember that in the Marvel movies, Black Panther was famously portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman, who brought the role to life.
In this new twist, T’Challa, the Wakandan prince, reveals that Ketema is his child, born from his earlier romance with Monica Lynne.
He eventually defeats T’Challa in a battle and removes his mask in a dramatic moment.
That’s when things take a surprising direction—Ketema is revealed to be white. He has bright blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and facial features commonly associated with white individuals.
“We ain’t watching no white man play Black Panther,” raged one fan online, while another viewer added their own blunt reaction: “Life is a horror movie in 2025.”
“Whitewashing Black Panther is insane,” exclaimed a frustrated critic, and another person vented: “Black Panther is WHITE! Marvel actually did the unthinkable and it’s INSANE!”
“I guess he looks a little like Ryan Gosling,” speculated one curious fan.
“What if Ryan Gosling is coming into Marvel to play the Black Panther after all?” floated another, adding to the rumors.
But another person quickly stepped in to clarify: “The writer is Black.”
The storyline was actually created by Christopher Priest, who co-wrote Marvel Knights: The World To Come along with Joe Quesada, Richard Isanove, and Richard Starkings.
Despite this, fans are now questioning if Monica could really be Ketema’s mother, especially considering Ketema’s white appearance.
Marvel is famous for its unexpected twists and plot turns, so readers will need to stay tuned to see how this controversial story develops.