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Devang Johari

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  • Published: Jun 06 2025 01:13 PM
  • Last Updated: Jun 06 2025 01:14 PM

Marvel’s new comic reveals a white Black Panther named Ketema, sparking debates and meme comebacks. Fans react with confusion, curiosity, and controversy.


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Marvel Just Made a White Black Panther — And Yep, People Are Talking

Wait... A White Black Panther?

So, here’s the thing that’s got Marvel fans buzzing again. In a recent comic from the Marvel Knights: The World To Come series, Marvel introduced a new Black Panther — and he’s white. Yeah, you read that right. His name’s Ketema, and he’s supposed to be the son of T’Challa, aka the original Black Panther.

Now obviously, people have questions. Because if T’Challa is Black, and his love interest Monica Lynne is also Black… then how does their son end up looking, well, white? That’s the big question that’s kind of confusing everyone. Some fans are speculating maybe there’s more to the story — like maybe he was adopted or there’s something else we don’t know yet. But for now, Marvel hasn’t explained it fully.

The Ryan Gosling Meme Is Back

Honestly, as soon as people saw the new character, the old Ryan Gosling “White Black Panther” meme started making rounds again. If you’ve been on the internet long enough, you probably remember it — someone jokingly imagined Gosling in the Black Panther suit years ago, and it became one of those viral memes.

Well, now it’s back. Not because Gosling’s in the role or anything, but because Ketema kind of resembles him. He’s light-skinned, blonde-ish, and totally different from what people expect a Black Panther to look like. So naturally, the meme came back to life and flooded Twitter and Reddit, with fans half-joking and half-saying, “Marvel really went and did it.”

Fans Are Split — Some Curious, Some Not Happy

The fan reactions have been all over the place. Some people are kind of open to seeing where Marvel is going with this. They’re saying maybe it’s a bold move, and it might bring an unexpected story. Others? Not so happy. Many fans feel like this kind of rewrite takes away from what Black Panther stands for — a powerful, proud Black superhero who represents African heritage and legacy.

For a lot of people, it’s more than just about who wears the suit. It’s about what the character represents. So seeing someone who doesn’t look like he comes from Wakanda take up that identity has rubbed many the wrong way. And to be honest, Marvel hasn’t made it clear if this version of Ketema is here to stay or just part of a short arc.

What’s Next for Ketema and Marvel?

At this point, it’s not clear if Ketema will become a major part of the Marvel universe or just appear in a few issues. The comic didn’t give away a lot of backstory yet, so we’re still left wondering how and why he ended up with the Black Panther mantle. Maybe Marvel will explore it in upcoming issues, or maybe it’s all just part of a twist that’s not what it looks like right now.

Until then, fans are watching closely. Some are hopeful it’ll make sense with more context. Others are skeptical, thinking it’s just another shock move to stir attention. Either way, it’s got people talking — and that’s something Marvel seems pretty good at.

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FAQ

Ketema is a new character introduced in the comic series *Marvel Knights: The World To Come*. He is presented as the son of T’Challa (the original Black Panther) and is currently taking on the Black Panther mantle.

The controversy stems from Ketema being portrayed as a white man, despite both of his supposed parents — T’Challa and Monica Lynne — being Black. This has led to confusion and backlash from fans questioning the change in representation.

As of the current comic arc, yes — Ketema is shown taking on the role of Black Panther. However, it’s unclear whether this is a permanent change or just part of a limited storyline.

An old meme imagining Ryan Gosling as Black Panther has resurfaced because Ketema bears a resemblance to him. Fans have joked that Marvel “actually did the meme,” which has added to the online buzz.

No official statement has been made about a permanent replacement. This storyline seems to explore alternate possibilities or future timelines. T’Challa remains a core character in the Marvel Universe.

Reactions are mixed. Some readers are open to seeing where the story goes, while others feel it undermines the cultural and historical significance of the Black Panther identity.

That’s one theory fans have suggested. Since Marvel has a history of multiverse plots and alternate timelines, some believe Ketema might not be the biological son of T’Challa or could come from another dimension.

As of now, Marvel hasn’t officially commented on the controversy. However, fan reactions may influence how the story is handled in future issues or whether more explanation about Ketema's origin is revealed.

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