The first part of the six-issue series, The Marvel Knights: The World to Come, has left many fans stunned as it replaces the black character, who plays Black Panther, with a white character instead.
The first issue was released on June 4, 2025, and the replacement left fans shocked.
Fan Reactions to This Controversial Character Replacement:
Many expressed their frustration and anger as the Black Panther represents the Wakandan African culture and has long been played by a black character.
“God no. Dude he wasn’t white in the comics either…. What is this?” said one user.
Another commented, “If this is true it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen.”
Read: Marvel Slammed For ‘Whitewashing’ Doctor Doom After Casting Iron Man Star Robert Downey Jr.
However, many fans were also not as concerned and asked the others to calm down as well.
One person said: “It’s a comic book people chill out. There’s a larger story at least let it play out.”
Some suggested that a fictional character should not have such a profound impact on people.
“It’s a fictional character so it shouldn’t matter, right?”
The New Black Panther Storyline: Who Is Ketema?
The “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022) showed that T’Challa (the Black Panther) – played by the late Chadwick Boseman- has passed away, leaving Wakanda leaderless.
While his reign is taken over by his sister, Shuri (played by Letitia Wright), who protects Wakanda from Namor and his fighters, T’Challa does not have an official legacy of his own.
Though he had a son with Naika, Touissant, he was too young to take over Wakanda.
The new release reveals a plot twist, clarifying who the next heir would be.
In a flashback scene from this release, it is revealed that T’Challa has a child with his former love interest, Monica Lynne, named Ketema.
Due to several reasons, Ketema grows up resenting his father and is brought up by the clerics of Wakanda.
He eventually confronts his father in a battle and wins, but spares T’Challa’s life.
The victory scene concludes with Ketema removing his mask, which reveals a white man with blond hair, blue eyes, and distinct Caucasian features.
Fan Theories: How Can T’Challa Have a White Son?
There are many theories as to why his son is white, even though T’Challa and Monica Lynne both are black.
According to some, Ketema might not be Monica Lynne’s son, but rather Nicole Adams, who was another love interest of T’Challa.
Nicole Adams presumably died long ago; however, in the comic world, it rarely means something definitive, and she also appears on the cover of issue 3.
The Debate on Representation:
However, this replacement has left fans with numerous questions and concerns.
They can’t help but ponder whether a white actor can do justice to the African identity and the culture of Wakanda.
The Black Panther has long been a representation of the black community, and the first Black Panther film (2018) was lauded for having a predominantly black cast and breaking Hollywood racial stereotypes.
The BBC said: “Having a plot based around a black superhero with a predominantly black cast is a first for Marvel, but the film builds on this concept in a massive way.”
A review in Time Magazine also commented on the movie: “It’s a movie about what it means to be black in both America and Africa—and, more broadly, in the world. Rather than dodge complicated themes about race and identity, the film grapples head-on with the issues affecting modern-day black life.”
An article in Vox praised it for “a rather groundbreaking celebration of black culture.”
Amidst this, some fans suggested other ideas, such as making Thor Chinese.
“Please make Thor chinese.”
What are your thoughts on the whitewashing of this black character?
