The debut issue of Storm by Murewa Ayodele and Lucas Werneck ended with not one, but two bombshells: Ororo Munroe, after stopping a newly manifested mutant from causing a radioactive meltdown, was affected with said radiation, causing her to slowly die. But the end page was what caught my attention: it turns out Eternity has major plans for the Mistress of the Elements (which could make this book an intriguing companion piece to Phoenix.)
Ororo’s cosmic journey takes a bit of a backseat in Storm #2. While I did want to see where Eternity’s proclamation leads, I completely understands where Ayodele is going. His script is more intrigued in seeing how Ororo deals with mortality. She swims, she feeds the animals in her newfound sanctuary, and she continues to fight evil wherever it pops up. But then she takes a shower…and starts seeing that her hair is falling out.
What follows is something I’d never think I’d see in a comic: Storm going to a hospital – specifically, the Night and Daye Hospital for the Extramundane. While we’ve seen characters like Night Nurse patch up heroes, and Doctor Strange actually has a medical degree, this is the first time a Marvel comic has addressed where a superhero would go if they need medical treatment. In lieu of an HMO, heroes including Iron Man and Moon Knight contribute money to keep the place running. It’s a unique development, but it makes sense: after all, not every hero has Wolverine’s healing factor or is as tough as the Hulk. A confrontation between Storm and one of the physicians there also showcases how she and the rest of the X-Men might have taken Krakoa’s gifts for granted.
Marvel Comics
Storm #2 also continues to blend the fantastic and the mundane, thanks to Werneck’s art. The moment where Storm is waiting for a doctor in Night and Daye is a moment that nearly everyone can relate to; sitting and waiting for news that could, in some cases, change your life. In contrast, a moment where Storm soars through the air is a wonder to behold; she tears through the sky with a sonic boom, leaving swirling clouds and trails of lightning in her wake (which Alex Guimares brings to life in flashes of bluish-white and black).
Werneck also designs an amazing new costume for Storm that mixes the golden accents from her Krakoa-era uniform, and the bold white design of her ’90s-era “X-Men Gold” suit (made famous by X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97). This redesign not only pays homage to Ororo’s history, but it also hints at the cosmic destiny to come. I also love that Ayodele and Werneck continue to showcase the extent of Storm’s mastery over the weather. When she lands and starts running on water, ice starts forming, letting her speed towards a vessel being held hostage by pirates – a cool moment that’s only eclipsed by a massive bolt of lightning slamming into said pirates.
Storm #2 starts laying the foundation for a new chapter in Ororo Munroe’s life, including an interesting look at superhero health care. With future issues bringing in Brother Voodoo and the Uncanny X-Men, it’s clear that the creative team wants to continue pushing the boundaries of what to expect from a Storm comic.
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