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| Image credit: Netflix |
The Marvel universe is once again stirring debate — and this time, it’s about Black Panther. Following the shocking reveal of Ketema, a white-skinned character wearing the iconic Black Panther suit in Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1, fans are revisiting a once-dismissed meme: Ryan Gosling as the White Black Panther.
What was once internet satire now feels eerily prophetic — and has left Marvel fans divided.
Who Is Ketema? A White Man in the Black Panther Suit
The debut issue of Marvel’s new 2025 miniseries Marvel Knights: The World To Come, by Christopher Priest and Joe Quesada, introduces readers to a new and controversial figure: Ketema. Initially seen clashing with an older T’Challa, Ketema eventually defeats the former king in ritual combat and unmasks himself to reveal blonde hair and pale skin.
With chilling finality, he declares:
“I am king now. Wakanda is mine.”
This revelation immediately shocked fans — not only because of the character’s race but also because he claims to be T’Challa’s son. That raises more questions than answers, especially since T’Challa’s known love interests, including Monica Lynne and Storm, are both Black.
So… how is this even possible?
Is Ryan Gosling the MCU’s Next Black Panther? Highly Unlikely — But That Hasn’t Stopped the Memes
The sudden introduction of a white Black Panther in the comics has reignited an old, tongue-in-cheek meme: Ryan Gosling as Black Panther. Originating as a joke about Hollywood’s casting tendencies, the meme now hits differently.
Social media has exploded with re-circulated fan art, fake trailers, and satirical tweets speculating on Gosling donning the Vibranium suit. While it’s mostly done in jest, some are asking if Marvel might actually entertain the idea — particularly with the multiverse open and wide.
But let’s be clear: there is no indication whatsoever that Gosling will be cast as Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel Studios has remained committed to celebrating African heritage and culture through Wakanda’s characters. The franchise, most famously led by the late Chadwick Boseman and now Letitia Wright, has been praised for its representation and cultural depth.
Introducing a white version of Black Panther in the MCU — especially in the central timeline — would not only be controversial but also tone-deaf.
What’s the Story Behind Ketema?
In The World To Come, T’Challa is dead, and the comic flashes between past and present to explore Wakanda’s shifting legacy. The introduction of Ketema as a possible son — and challenger — sets up a powerful tension:
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Is Ketema truly T’Challa’s biological child?
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How did he gain the right to challenge for the mantle?
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What does his rise mean for Wakanda’s future?
The racial identity twist only adds more weight to these questions. Given that Monica Lynne is Ketema’s supposed mother, and she is Black, Ketema’s appearance opens the door to complex narrative reveals — perhaps involving genetic manipulation, time travel, or even identity deception.
Fan Reactions: Between Outrage, Curiosity, and Satire
Marvel fans are torn.
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Some see Ketema as a narrative risk that could explore deep themes of legacy, cultural identity, and succession.
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Others are alarmed by the optics of a white man claiming control of Wakanda, which has always symbolized Afrofuturism and African excellence.
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And then there are the meme-makers — reviving Gosling memes with renewed vigor.
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), fans are captioning Gosling edits with phrases like:
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“He is vengeance. He is colonialism.”
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“From Barbie Land to Wakanda — Ryan’s got range.”
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“Multiverse of madness, indeed.”
Final Thoughts: Marvel’s Next Big Risk or Misstep?
The introduction of Ketema is undeniably bold — and whether fans love it or loathe it, they’re paying attention.
Ryan Gosling likely won’t be putting on the Black Panther suit anytime soon, but his name will continue to be part of the internet conversation as long as the character of Ketema exists.
As Marvel Knights: The World To Come continues, readers will be watching closely. Is Ketema the future of Wakanda… or just a controversial footnote?
Either way, the world is watching — and wondering what’s next for the Panther legacy.
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