A new Black Panther has just been introduced into the Marvel Comics universe. A new iteration of the character that is currently causing controversy and shocking fans. Indeed, this new Black Panther is white.
A new Black Panther
The Marvel Knights: The World to Come collection has just launched with its first issue. And already, it's causing an uproar for Marvel Comics. Indeed, this first issue of Marvel Knights has just introduced readers to a brand new Black Panther. A new version of the hero who is far from unanimously popular since he is white. A Caucasian Black Panther? When all previous Black Panthers were black? It's hard not to avoid scandal. An unexpected and controversial choice that, obviously, created a wave of controversy on social media.
So, who is this new Black Panther? Well, the story doesn't start too badly. Christopher Priest, the screenwriter, and Joe Quesada, the artist, imagine a story in which T'Challa dies of old age, leaving his Empire without a leader. Faced with the disappearance of the ancestral sovereign of Wakanda, a war of inheritance then begins.
Who is Ketema?
Some time before T’Challa’s death, Storm also dies. T’Challa then decides to start a new life with Monica Lynne, one of his former conquests. The two characters have a child: Ketema. Except that the latter quickly becomes a regret for his father. Ketema thirsts for power, and even decides to challenge his father to obtain the throne of Wakanda. Ketema manages to beat his father and thus inherits the Black Panther costume.
Thus, the new king of Wakanda, and incidentally the wearer of the Black Panther costume, is white. A revelation that leaves everyone in shock. Indeed, Monica Lynne and T’Challa both have black skin. How then can Ketema be their son? It is rumored that there is a real conspiracy against T’Challa and that Ketema could ultimately be the son of Nicole Adams, another former lover of T’Challa. A theory reinforced by the presence of Nicole Adams on the cover of one of the editions of this issue of Marvel Knights.
Christopher Priest, a respected and adored writer within Marvel Comics, had warned: this story of Marvel Knights was going to make us uncomfortable. In an interview, he hinted at T'Challa's death and warned that his story would be difficult to digest.
Marvel Knights: The World to Come will therefore explore T'Challa's legacy more than his death itself. The comic aims to develop the legacy war that arises following the disappearance of the former ruler. As Priest clarified in an interview:
The problem isn't whether he dies, but what we do with all the toys he leaves behind.
An outcry for Marvel
Except that this new story, this white Black Panther, clearly doesn't please everyone. However, there's something important to remember. The Marvel Knight line is a darker, more violent, and more mature line of comics that explores alternative stories around our favorite heroes. Generally, Marvel Knight stories take place out of continuity. This hasn't stopped fans from reacting strongly and negatively to the Christopher Priest story:
Christopher Priest is coming back to Marvel Comics to write Black Panther.
— Micah Curtis (@MicahCurtis85) June 4, 2025
Twist: Priest is a black man who hates being typecast into being "the guy who writes black people because he's black."
IMMEDIATELY TURNS THE PANTHER WHITE. HOLY SHIT. pic.twitter.com/oEVyV6E96p
Christopher Priest returns to Marvel Comics to write Black Panther.
Twist: Priest is a Black man who hates being pigeonholed as "the guy who writes about Black people because he's Black."
THE PANTHER TURNS WHITE.
Ain't no way....aint no fucking way they did the meme!
— StreetsofGage (@StreetsofGage) June 5, 2025
We got a White Black Panther before GTA6 https://t.co/zVwkDQcbHX pic.twitter.com/v8nZnvUW6K
It's not possible... it's not possible they made this meme!
We got a White Black Panther before GTA6
It has come to my attention that Black Panther had a white son who is now the King of Wakanda?
— Converse Comics (@Conversecomics) June 4, 2025
Which I personally think is hilarious. Marvel leaned into what many comic fans have been saying for a while now. pic.twitter.com/EfAPiFUhOQ
Black Panther has a white son who is now the king of Wakanda?
Which I personally find hilarious. Marvel has taken on board what many comic book fans have been saying for a while now.
Just finished the new Black Panther book that dropped today & Marvel better not do what I think they about to pic.twitter.com/AxuA2vYHOj
— The Black Hokage (@TheBlackHokage) June 5, 2025
I just finished the new Black Panther that came out today and Marvel better not do what I think they're about to do
Did they do the meme?
— Anya Faye (@Rikoveno) June 4, 2025
And T'challa has a white son? Is now the King of Wakanda and Black Panther? I'll watch it day one. https://t.co/QboFdr3f9d pic.twitter.com/Ou0J1KJWvu
Did they do it?
T'challa has a white son? He's now the King of Wakanda and Black Panther? I'll read that from day one.
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