The new Marvel Knights: Black Panther comic series is already sparking major controversy.
The six-part series by Christopher Priest, Joe Quesada, Richard Isanove, and Richard Starkings, ‘The World To Come’ kicks off with a major twist: T’Challa, now an old man, dies and his long-lost son, Ketema, is revealed to be white.
The story flashes back to events leading up to T’Challa’s death. In the past, Storm is murdered during a Race War, and T’Challa fathers a child with his former love, Monica Lynne. Their son, Ketema, grows up resenting him and eventually challenges him for the throne of Wakanda.
The reveal has divided fans online. Many were confused or upset, questioning Marvel’s creative choices. Some suggested the move was meant to provoke outrage, while others urged patience and reminded readers that it was fiction. A few pointed out that biracial characters exist in real life and shouldn’t be controversial.
This isn’t the first time Black Panther has generated cultural discussion. When the first film was released in 2018, it was praised for its groundbreaking representation of Black identity and culture.
Time Magazine called it “a movie about what it means to be black in both America and Africa and, more broadly, in the world,” and said it tackled issues of race and identity head-on. The BBC highlighted its predominantly Black cast, calling it a milestone for Marvel. Vox described the film as “a cultural phenomenon” and “a groundbreaking celebration of black culture.”
The new comic’s plot twist has raised questions about how Marvel will continue to handle themes of race, legacy, and identity in future stories.
Meanwhile, a third Black Panther film may be in the works. Director Ryan Coogler has expressed strong interest in casting Denzel Washington. Speaking on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Coogler said, “I think he’s the greatest living actor… I’ve been talking to him about this for a long time.”
Washington hinted at his involvement last year during an Australian TV interview, saying he’d be “making a trip to Wakanda in the near future.”
Ta-Nehisi Coates, who helped shape the first film, was praised for bringing depth to the story. As Vice put it: “Coates is not just a self-described comics fan but the premier writer on blackness and anti-blackness in America.”
With four issues still to go, The World To Come promises more surprises and likely more debate.
