Winder Rider. Mistress of the Elements. Weather Witch. Queen of Wakanda. Avenger. Regent of Arakko and Voice of Sol. Ororo Munroe, aka Storm, has held many titles, affiliations, nicknames, and played many roles in her 50 years of publication history. Since her debut in Giant-Sized X-Men #1 in 1975, Storm has been a thief, a goddess, a queen, and above all else, an icon inspiring and amazing fans and readers with her regality, awe-inspiring feats, and her compassion for all living things. Now, in a new solo series by Murewa Ayodele, Storm has entered into a new exciting chapter that has greatly expanded the character into new corners of the Marvel universe. With new powers, challenging new adversaries, and a new home base akin to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, Storm is finally starting to emerge as a significant and prominent character worthy of carrying a solo title, something that the character has proven time and time again that she is deserving of.
One of the major things that sets Ayodele’s series apart from previous titles or runs that have featured Storm is that Ororo faces off against a set of villains and antagonists that are unique to this run and distinct to Storm as a character. Much in the way that the villains in Batman’s rogues gallery are dark reflections of the inner struggles that exist within the Dark Knight, the villains that Storm finds herself in conflict with can also be interpreted as reflections of the inner turmoil over her powers and her status as a mutant that Storm has dealt with since her creation. Specifically, these villains represent what might happen if Storm did not show restraint and was unable to maintain control, keeping her powers in check.
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A recurring theme throughout Storm’s entire publication history is that she must constantly and consciously keep her emotions in check; otherwise, she may lose control of her weather manipulation and cause untold levels of destruction and devastation, putting countless lives at risk. Another recurring theme is that Storm has always been hesitant to use her mutant gifts to take another life. Most notably, we saw Storm unwilling to fatally wound her close friend Jean Grey during the Dark Phoenix Saga. Storm also pondered the consequences of taking a life when she had the opportunity to strike down a vulnerable Magneto in Uncanny X-Men #150, as well as when she faced the possibility of killing the Brood for the good of humanity during the Brood Saga. Storm is a powerful Omega mutant with near-limitless power, and she recognizes that this power also comes with responsibility and must use it wisely. The villains Storm encounters in her new solo title also possess great power, yet do not have the same qualms that Storm grapples with because they lack the morality and ethical imperatives that Storm regulates herself to.
In this run, we also see Storm get a major power upgrade as she receives cosmic powers granted to her by the omnipotent entity known as Eternity at the end of Storm #1. Dubbing her the “Eternal Storm,” Eternity has transformed Ororo Munroe into a literal goddess, with powers that place her on a level with other cosmic beings and forces beyond human comprehension. This transformation is noteworthy because Eternity recognizes that Storm is capable and powerful enough to possess powers of a literal god, thus acknowledging Storm’s vast potential as more than just a mortal superhero. This power boost also puts her in a league of her own, in which she outclasses many other Marvel characters in terms of power and scale, as the Eternal Storm Ororo’s peers are fellow thunder gods such as Thor, Chaac, Sango, Mamaragan, and Susanoo. This change for Storm by Murewa Ayodele greatly expands the scope of Storm, not only as a person, but also as a character that merits storylines that exceed the confines that Storm has often been limited to. For the first time, Storm is being written about not just as an Omega-level mutant, but also as a key player in the cosmic chess game that is playing out between cosmic beings such as Eternity and Infinity. I suspect that the role Storm will play in this run could have huge ramifications and long-lasting implications for the cosmic side of Marvel comics.
In Storm #10, the long-awaited Thunder War arc finally kicks off with Storm engaging in a battle with Sango on Orun, Realm of the Orishas. According to the Yoruba religion, Orishas are elemental spirits associated with natural forces. These divine spirits are believed to have been sent to assist humanity on Earth by their creator, Olodumare. Ororo fights Sango dressed in her vibranium battle armor designed by artist Luciano Vecchio, which, according to Vecchio, is an update on the Dora Milaje base design with bulky accents. Storm first donned this set of armor in Storm #6 during the “X-Manhunt” crossover. Storm’s new armor set also comes complete with a staff with a blade that bears the same design as her iconic crown that she often wears. It is an appropriate costuming choice fit for a goddess that she is preparing to go to war, and Storm looks badass in it.
The Storm series comes full circle as we learn in this issue that Storm is sheltering Jaden, the mutant child who caused an explosion in Oklahoma City during the events of Storm #1. Storm has gone to great lengths to protect this child at great personal cost to her own safety and legal standing with the U.S. government, which has been intensely investigating and pursuing Ororo for her role in the incident. The incident has also sown further seeds of mistrust between mutants and humans who already view mutants as threats that must be dealt with. Ororo’s choice to reveal to the public the truth that the explosion was caused by a mutant continues to have ramifications throughout the series as Storm continues to shield Jaden from potential harm while she is simultaneously the subject of an ongoing legal battle with the federal government. Storm’s decision to safeguard Jaden at great personal cost to her own safety and legal status is significant because it demonstrates Ororo’s compassion and what she is willing to sacrifice for those in need of protection.
Mateus Mahanini’s incredible cover shows Storm riding on a silver surfboard, a piece of iconography most closely associated with the Norrin Radd version of the Silver Surfer. The character of Norrin Radd, as well as the planet devouring Galactus, make cameo appearances in the issue. The new limited series Death of the Silver Surfer by Greg Pak suggests that Norrin Radd will be making his final voyage as the Silver Surfer, and that Galactus may soon need a new Herald. With this cover and the Silver Surfer and Galactus appearing in the issue, could Marvel be setting Storm up for yet another title to add to her long list of accolades and nicknames? From Mistress of the Elements to the Eternal Storm, could becoming the new Silver Surfer be what is on the horizon for Ororo Munroe?
Storm by Murewa Ayodele has quickly become the definitive solo run for one of Marvel Comics’ most prominent Black female superheroes, and continues to be an exceptional title of the new “From the Ashes” lineup of X-Men titles. It is so refreshing to see Storm shine in profound new ways under a writer who greatly understands her unique voice and recognizes the potential for greatness that she possesses. Under Ayodele’s writing, Storm has risen to the status of a supremely powerful cosmic being worthy to contend with forces typically reserved for characters such as Captain Marvel and Phoenix. Ororo means “beauty,” and Ororo Munroe has never looked more beautiful, stunning, and gorgeous than she does when drawn by the sensational series regular artist Lucas Werneck. This book is a great example of writer-artist synergy where it feels Ayodele, Werneck, and color artist Alex Guimarães and letterer Travis Lanham are all in perfect sync with each other, making for a perfectly crafted book that dazzles and delights with each page. It’s hard to imagine what could improve this book other than more issues with it. I highly anticipate the following issues in the series as we continue with the ongoing Thunder War saga.
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