- Written by: Christopher Priest
- Art by: Joe Quesada
- Colors by: Richard Isanove
- Letters by: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
- Cover art by: Joe Quesada, Richard Isanove (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: November 12, 2025
Marvel Knights: The World to Come #4, by Marvel on 11/12/25, arrives not with a bang, but the nagging sense that one can almost hear the distant bell of “buyer beware” ringing as this issue dares readers to invest their hope in a divided Wakanda, fractured loyalties, and the ever-elusive shadow of T’Challa.
First Impressions
The comic opens with the subtle tension of a church bell ringing a minute late; a neat metaphor for how the narrative feels: slightly out of sync with reader expectations. The writing wastes no time setting up existential crises and ecclesiastical intrigue, immediately thrusting the reader into the kind of dense, cerebral conflict that either pulls you in or drops you on your head. The mood? Heady, moody, and unmistakably burdened, promising less popcorn thrills and more chewing over social order.
Recap
Previously, King T’Challa met his end, and the Dora Milaje set out to extract secrets from Everett K. Ross, convinced the answers to Wakanda’s woes lurk in the past. The throne’s succession became a blood feud between T’Challa and his son Ketema, with old wounds ripped open and new grudges forged when Ross inadvertently disrupted the tribal challenge at Warrior’s Falls. That interruption forced a reluctant forfeit from T’Challa, placing the fate of Wakanda on the uneasy shoulders of a son haunted by expectation and a nation uncertain whether to mourn or hope.
Plot Analysis
The issue dives straight into the aftermath of Wakanda’s succession crisis, opening on an Orwellian Vatican scene that quickly pivots toward the aching state of Wakanda post-T’Challa. With the old king presumed dead, the comic tracks a series of flashbacks and present-day reckonings, as Ketema consolidates his rule by assassinating opposition and absorbing the mantle of Black Panther, church, and state.
As Ketema’s chokehold tightens, the story toggles between globe-spanning settings: Havana’s post-war streets, the shadowy corridors of power, and the catacombs below the royal palace. Political puppetry is in full swing (literally): characters trade accusations, repression escalates, and every move is haunted by the potential for secret weapons and conspiracies. The narrative continually threads in historical snapshots, like the infamous Race War between mutants and Inhumans, anchoring current anxieties in decades of unresolved trauma.
Throughout, the dialogue is brisk but scattered, laced with the wit and venom of characters who know they’re pawns in someone else’s game. Betrayals and shifting alliances drive the pacing, with Everett K. Ross and Queen Monica conspiring in back rooms as Ketema hunts for literal and metaphorical enemies. The fate of mystical panther cubs and vanishing superheroes hangs in the balance, infusing the bleak atmosphere with hints of magical realism.
The final act brings more palace intrigue and existential dread, as Ketema’s legitimacy is challenged by rumors of T’Challa’s survival and clandestine plots. The comic ends on another cliffhanger. No capes swoop in to save this world, just uneasy resolve and the knowledge that Wakanda, for now, belongs to its most ruthless survivor.
Writing
The dialogue comes rapid-fire, frequently sacrificing clarity for philosophical flavor. Pacing is bold, with little wasted space. Flashbacks, present tense, and religious musings jostle for position on every page. Yet, the structure is chaotic: chapters snap from scene to scene with the vague sense of certainty from a chess player who is either an expert or a novice that plays with overconfidence, never allowing the reader to dawdle. Sometimes, the overabundance of theological and political references leaves younger readers clutching their dictionaries.
Art
Visually, the comic is a mixed bag. Composition alternates between cinematic and claustrophobic, offering panel layouts that echo the dense plotting. Colors skew dreary and muted, perfectly matching the gloom and uncertainty of the world within. While character designs are clear and functionally expressive, some backgrounds descend into visual noise, underscoring but rarely elevating the emotional tone.
Character Development
Ketema’s arc anchors the story, painting him as both tragic and terrifying; his motivation, rooted in resentment and the pressure of a legacy he barely understands, is finely sketched throughout. Secondary casts, from Everett Ross to Queen Monica, display solid consistency, though the parade of conspirators sometimes muddles relatability. Every major player is given at least one moment of honest vulnerability or brutal action; it’s hard to root for anyone, but harder still to look away.
Originality & Concept Execution
This comic is not shy about ambition. It weds ancient dynastic struggles with contemporary political commentary, fusing superhero grandiosity with the drama of succession and the bleakness of a “post-hero” age. While the concept feels fresh, the delivery is occasionally tangled in its own web of intrigue, making some set pieces resonate more as intellectual exercises than visceral storytelling.
Positives
Marvel Knights: The World to Come #4 delivers knockout ambition, layering its narrative with multigenerational trauma and brooding social critique. The writing refuses to spoon-feed, and the characters live their flaws so openly that readers can’t help but respect the commitment to moral murkiness. The comic’s willingness to redraw the boundaries of what a Black Panther story can be is measurable in its refusal to offer easy answers or comfortable victories.
Negatives
Frequently the storytelling is so tangled in existential dread and historical baggage that younger readers, or those looking for straightforward action, could find themselves lost at sea. The art, while atmospherically somber, too often falls into muddy backgrounds and a palette that can overwhelm rather than highlight key emotional beats. Dialogue, meanwhile, risks obfuscation, offering cryptic philosophy over character-driven interaction and clarity far more often than feels truly necessary.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
The Scorecard
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): [1.5/4]
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): [2.5/4]
Value (Originality & Entertainment): [0.5/2]
Final Verdict
Let’s not mince words. Marvel Knights: The World to Come #4 is no easy read, and it has no intention of being one. It pays dividends to those who crave dense plotting, non-linear storytelling, and ideological swordplay, but casual fans and younger readers may balk at getting lost in its labyrinth. If clever political metaphors, self-aggrandizing sarcasm, and philosophical peril sound worth your investment, this issue earns a spot on your shelf. For those seeking capes, crusades, and clean resolutions, keep your eyes on the horizon: this comic is one long storm cloud, rolling in and showing no sign of clearing.
4.5/10
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