The great Orono Monroe, iconic mutant and weather goddess, is one of the most powerful and impressive heroes in all of Marvel canon. Murewa Ayodele and Lucas Werneck’s Storm Vol. 2: Thunder War perfectly encapsulates Storm’s fierce heroism, independence, and strength. While Storm felt pretty disjointed, and at times hard to follow, when releasing monthly, the story really shines in a collected trade.
Volume 2 of Storm’s epic solo series collects issues #6 – 12, the remaining issues in the acclaimed comic. Covering X-Manhunt, Storm’s partnership with Maggott and Eden, and the explosive Thunder War arc, the 160 page trade is easily worth the $19.99 cover price. On top of the impressive seven issues compiled in this collection, Storm Vol. 2 also includes a wonderful number of full-page variant covers, turning the trade into a gorgeous collection of comic art.
I really think that reader’s comprehension and passion for the Storm series was negatively impacted by the monthly release schedule. I highly encourage anyone who couldn’t “lock in” to Storm to give this trade a chance. Ayodele’s writing is more complex and involved than some other Marvel comics, and I myself had trouble keeping track of Ororo’s power status and specific plot details when attempting to read month to month. I believe that Ayodele loves Storm and has written a story that honors and uplifts her, and when collected in trade her journey is made all the more powerful and accessible.
Plus, I mean… come on… interior artwork by Lucas Werneck? My god is he talented, and his artistic prowess is perfectly suited for the intense action, emotion, and world building that Ayodele wrote in Storm. In particular, Werneck’s depictions of Eternity, the Eternal Storm, and Ororo’s brutal battle with Hadad are stunning, drawing the reader in with ease and excitement. Werneck’s art is wonderfully supplemented by coloring from Alex Guimarães, whose vibrant colors elevate Storm’s cosmic world to unbelievable heights.
Ayodele’s Storm is by no means perfect, struggling at times with issues like pacing, power scaling, and the shifting cosmic lore throughout. However, as I’ve said, many of these struggles subside when reading them back to back in a trade, increasing comprehension, consistency, and engagement. I really enjoyed how the Thunder War arc began, subtlety, in issue #6 slowing ramping up to a full blown cosmic battle in #10 before satisfyingly resolving in only two more issues.
Storm Vol. 2 from Murewa Ayodele and Lucas Werneck is not without its issues, but I highly recommend fans of Ororo Monroe, cosmic Marvel, or strong female heroes give this collection a shot. If you gave up reading the monthly issues of Storm, for whatever reason, please try again! With gorgeous art and an intense plot, Thunder War is an exciting read, and it will perfectly prepare you for Ayodele’s upcoming Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant series that debuts in February 2026.
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