Marvel Just Introduced a New Black Panther, With a Shocking Twist

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Marvel Comics has introduced a new Black Panther in Marvel Knights: The World to Come #1, and the character's identity comes along with a shocking twist. The six-issue comic book series is set in the future of the Marvel Universe.

With a story created by former Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada and frequent Black Panther-scribe Christopher Priest, The World To Come brings a new vision of the Marvel Universe, and it all begins in Wakanda. Per Bleeding Cool, the issue debuts a shocking new character to take on the identity of Black Panther after T'Challa gets too old. When a tribal challenge takes place for the throne, the issue sees a mysterious victor emerging as the new leader of Wakanda, ushering in 'The World to Come' -- and the character appears to be white.

Black Panther's Son Looks White in The World To Come Comics

In The World To Come, readers get to see the past, present and future, including what happens to T'Challa before he dies. When challenged to the throne, Black Panther refers to his opponent, saying, "Silence, Ketema. You are my son." As expected, the elderly T'Challa eventually loses the battle against Ketema, and he declares himself the new king of Wakanda. However, when he takes off his mask, the character reveals that he has pale skin, blonde hair and blue eyes.

It remains to be seen how Marvel will explain a white character being T'Challa's son and the future king of Wakanda in upcoming issues of The World to Come. The character's identity may even be hidden on the cover of issue #3. The art for the issue appears to show T'Challa with two sons -- perhaps hinting that the one who beat T'Challa in battle was actually mothered by Nicole Adams, a character who first appeared in April 1970's Avengers #77 and was previously romantically involved with T'Challa while he was studying in the United States.

The introduction of a white Black Panther certainly challenges the legacy of the character, with Black Panther as a whole often being celebrated for representing black culture. Every part of Wakanda typically draws from Afrofuturism, and other characters who have taken up the mantle of Black Panther in Marvel history have traditionally been black, like Killmonger and Storm. While the Ultimate Universe did see Captain America briefly wearing the suit, it was mostly to help out his friend, mentoring and training T'Challa to join the team rather than taking up the title for himself.

Fans may not have to wait too long to find out some answers about the true identity of T'Challa's successor. The solicitation for The World to Come #2 teases, "The World to Come and how it got that way is revealed! What is happening in Mexico? What does Everett K. Ross have to do with what's happening? And who is T'Challa's heir?!" The issue will go on sale July 16.

The World to Come #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Source: Bleeding Cool