Ororo Munroe, better known as Storm, has been a pillar of X-Men comics since debuting in 1975. As an ever-present figure on the team for almost fifty years, various Marvel writers and artists have given her plenty of exciting stories. This includes, but is not limited to, being the leader of multiple X-Men teams, the Queen of Wakanda, a figure worshipped as a goddess, a punk, a member of the Fantastic Four, and even had Asgardian powers for a time. Beyond comics, the character has garnered a strong following through the X-Men movies, as depicted by Halle Berry, and the classic animated series.
Most of these stories had their time, with Storm returning to a more familiar form, ready for the next exciting change. However, these various status quos and appearances have created a rich tapestry for the character. It has garnered Storm a dedicated fanbase, who look up to what she represents and aspire to be just like her.
It’s an exciting time to be a Storm fan. Marvel Comics is on the verge of a new era of X-Men comics, and Storm will be front and centre.
However, before we get to that, I should explain what’s happening with the X-Men comics. The franchise is about to enter a new era. For the past five years, the X-Men comics went through the Krakoa Era. This era gave the comics line a much-needed shake-up with the inclusion of radical ideas. The Krakoa Era finished last week, and readers are gearing up for what’s next – X-Men: From The Ashes. This line-wide relaunch will take Marvel’s Mutants into a new era that blends the familiar with the new.
Storm is a beneficiary of this new era, where she will be prominent in two titles. She will star in her own solo series. Written by Murewa Ayodele and art by Lucas Werneck, the series will see her strike out on her own to be a force of positive change. And to show how much of a badass she is, her first mission will see her trying to stop a nuclear power plant from melting down. That appears to be the tip of the iceberg, with Ayodele stating in the series announcement, “As a fan of Storm, her duties to the X-Men, and what she stands for in various real-world communities, I would like to assure the audience that Storm is in danger. Extremely so. We love Ororo Munroe, and that is why we have crafted a thrilling story that will put the strength of her character on wide-open display.”
While Storm has had solo comics before, these have been usually limited series running for four to six issues. The longest has been eleven in 2014-2015. However, that was published during a period when Marvel was putting less emphasis on the X-Men line. Being part of a larger relaunch, combined with a premise highlighting her power, should give the series the momentum it needs to succeed. The first issue of the new Storm series will be published on 2nd October.
TIP: Did you know you can preorder the series so you don’t miss an issue?
However, before her solo series hits, Storm will be joining The Avengers. In the wake of the Krakoa Era, Storm realises that mutants need a prominent voice. The best way to do that is to join the most respected superhero team in the Marvel Universe. She’ll put her experience as a leader and a hero to good use when she takes on threats like Kang and the Twilight Court.
Written by Jed MacKay and art by Valerio Schiti, Storm will begin appearing in Avengers with 7th August’s Avengers #17.
This is not the first time that Storm has joined The Avengers. She was briefly a member back in early 2012. However, it was short-lived, happening towards the end of Brian Michael Bendis’ eight-year run on Avengers. As a result, Storm was only on the team for a few issues before the series went in a different direction. Executive Editor Tom Brevoort stated in a recent newsletter that it was a “missed opportunity” and one that he wouldn’t miss again. So it sounds like big things are afoot for Storm in the Avengers!
Storm isn’t just making waves in upcoming comics. She was a central character in X-Men ’97, the revival of the classic 90s animated series. Further, just last week, Random House Books for Young Readers published Storm: Dawn of a Goddess. This young adult novel by Tiffany D. Jackson (Monday’s Not Coming) focuses on Storm’s youth as a thief on the streets of Cairo. It goes into her discovering her powers, coming to terms with them, and her run-in with the villainous Shadow King.
Storm is making waves (not just with her powers) in 2024. It’s going to be an exciting time to be a fan, with some awesome comics that show just how great she truly is hitting the stands very soon.
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