"Marvel Knights: The World to Come," #1 is a Fantastic Read--and Generating Spec Heat as Well

Sometimes a new comic generates speculation heat due to movie rumors, controversy, or such. Sometimes, a new comic comes out that is an absolutely fantastic read. It isn't too often we get a comic that accomplishes both of these bullet points, but the first issue of, "Marvel Knights: The World to Come," pulls it off. I was excited for the series when I first heard amazing writer Christopher Priest was teaming up with skilled artist (and former Marvel EIC) Joe Quesada for the new mini-series set in a possible future for Marvel. Having read the debut, my elation was well-placed as between Priest's way with words and Quesada's art abilities, it is a fantastic first issue.

"Marvel Knights: The World to Come," jumps around in time. It starts far in the future and comes closer to the present at points as well. It discusses events we haven't yet seen that sound quite bad, and one scene in time focuses on the Black Panther, T'Challa, and a son named Ketema, challenging him for the rule of Wakanda. Oh, and Ketema appears to be lighter-skinned/possibly white or capable of white-passing if he's biracial. How exactly he is T'Challa's son will be explored in future issues, of course, but right now, the internet got itself into a tizzy. Clickbait sites started making jokes/assertions that this is somehow going to impact the Marvel movies and give us a, "White Black Panther," and people who don't understand this is an alternate timeline with plenty of nuances to the story (Christopher Priest works many layers and such into his work) are confused/mad/excited/all the emotions. 

This has also resulted in many copies of the comic selling, and it is going for above cover price on eBay (a one-per-store surprise variant is especially getting hot). Some sites have explained why this is interesting, but not controversial by any means. Still, plenty of other sites peddle manufactured outrage, and it has gotten the issue attention. But hey, sales are sales, and the comic actually being fantastic is great too. I look forward to future issues and any potential headlines they generate!

5 out of 5 Stars.