Marvel Knights: The World To Come was meant to show a possible future for the Black Panther T’Challa. The first issue showcased a dark future for Wakanda. However, the detail that drew the most attention was T’Challa being challenged for his throne by a white man whom he addressed as his son. This confused and angered many readers. However, an explanation may lie within the original Marvel Knights series by Christopher Priest and Joe Quesada.
The action of Marvel Knights: The World To Come jumps around many points in time. Most of the comic centers upon a duel between an elder T’Challa and his son, to determine who will be Black Panther and King of Wakanda. The son, who is named Ketema, ultimately wins the battle. However, the victory is tainted both by his use of weapons and T’Challa’s clear desire to avoid killing his son.
(Image Source: Marvel / Joe Quesada)
The comic concludes with Ketema removing his mask, to reveal himself as a white-skinned man with blonde hair. This troubled many readers, as the flashbacks revealed that T’Challa took a Black American woman as his wife and she was pregnant with what was hoped to be a male heir. Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 offers no explanation. However, an explanation may rest in the original Marvel Knights: Black Panther series.
In 1999, Marvel Knights: Black Panther took a new look at the culture of Wakanda and its history. One new character that was introduced into this mythology was the White Wolf. He was the former head of Wakanda’s secret police, disbanded when T’Challa assumed the throne. He was also T’Challa’s brother by adoption.
(Image Source: Marvel / Mark Texeira)
As a boy, the man who would become the White Wolf survived a plane crash into Wakanda. With his parents dead, T’Challa’s father T’Chaka elected to adopt the boy into the royal family. It seems likely that Black Panther might also have followed in his father’s footsteps in this regard, adopting a white son.
Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 is now available in comic shops everywhere.