Marvel Fans Are Outraged After Black Panther’s New Identity Sparks Backlash

Marvel fans are in complete shock after a newly released storyline reveals that the latest version of Black Panther appears to be a white character.

Fans have long cherished the iconic Black Panther for what he represents, especially the cultural significance and representation he brought to the superhero world. But a new and controversial storyline has stirred strong reactions, as it seems to shift that very foundation.

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.

Unsurprisingly, this unexpected change has sparked an uproar among fans, many of whom felt deeply connected to the representation offered by the previous version of the character.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.

Ketema appears to be white, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and Caucasian features.Marvel

According to a report from Bleeding Cool, T’Challa—the original Black Panther—calls Ketema his son in this storyline.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.

However, the story quickly takes a dark turn. Ketema holds resentment toward his father and ends up challenging him for the Wakandan throne.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.

Fans are slamming Marvel for the ‘whitewashing’ of the new Black Panther.Disney

The dramatic twist didn’t go over well with Marvel fans, many of whom have expressed anger over the reveal.“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!”

Some viewers pointed out that the character’s look reminded them of a well-known actor, fueling speculation about potential casting choices.“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.

One fan even raised the question of who was behind the new storyline, throwing some shade with: “Lol stop letting these non-Black people touch Black Panther. They do silly stuff like this.”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.

Unhappy fans are saying Marvel has done the ‘unthinkable’ to the Black Panther franchise.Disney

Christopher Priest is widely recognized as the first Black writer-editor to make a mark in mainstream comics, and he has received critical acclaim for much of his previous work.Despite this, fans are now questioning if Monica could really be Ketema’s mother, especially considering Ketema’s white appearance.

To find answers, some have even started revisiting older comic issues, hoping to uncover another possible maternal figure.Marvel is famous for its unexpected twists and plot turns, so readers will need to stay tuned to see how this controversial story develops.