Storm #1 is one of the most beautiful comic books out today! She has been a fascinating character since her debut in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975). The landmark comic is by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, Ororo Monroe has had a few series since her 1996 series by Warren Ellis and Terry Dodson. This new series is by Murewa Ayodele, co-founder of the Nigerian comic book studio, Collectible Comics NG with artist, Dotun Akande. They worked together on Akogun: Brutalizer of the Gods, a stunning swords & sorcery comic that incorporates Yoruba mythology from West Africa. Highly recommended. They also worked together on I Am Iron Man #1 (2023).
The artwork is by Lucas Werneck, the Stormbreaker artist, has worked on the limited series, Fall of the House of X which ended with #5 this year. The painted cover is by Mateus Manhanini which has Storm, lightning from her fingertips, in a swirl of sparkles and colors of a storm, above a sea. The promise of the cover is fulfilled in the comic pages. “Chapter One: “Grand Opening” by Ayodele and Werneck opens with Storm in a purple gown and headwrap, stunning. It begins with the question, “Who is Ororo Monroe?” This is a news commentator who covers Storm’s past. She walks up to a holographic projection of all of her different looks as a member of the X-Men. The commentator notes she was a pickpocket in Cairo, worshipped as a goddess, and then queen of Wakanda.
Now she is an Avenger. Storm sees insert panels of her different costumes. This goes into panels that resolve to a golden door of more images of Storm. The reporter mentions that is morning in Atlanta, Georgia. The lead up of small to large panels then goes to the next page, a splash page of Storm in her new black costume with gold lining floating. Some images scream out for a poster! There is a title page of the title and credits, Storm, half in shadow. The comentator says that it is the grand opening of the Storm Sanctuary. We see hippopotamus in water, giraffes walking at the water’s edge, ramps, and structures around them. The fall of Krakoa is mentioned. We see Storm walk and then fly off panel. She reaches a massive wooden door.
Storm closes her eyes, “Inhale” and then lets out an “Exhale”, Her arms are to the side as a bright light is before her. The camera flashes burst from shadowy reporters as Storm goes to a podium. Apart from the crowd is the reporter covering Storm’s announcment. This goes back to “Oklahoma City. Seven days ago.” We see the cooling towers of a nuclear plant and then an explosion! Closeup of Storm’s eyes crackling with electricity. Narration says that Storm was a child when she lost her parents. She flies in a black outfit carrying Frenzy with sunglasses, shirt with suspenders, and trousers. This is the former super villain, Joanna Cargill, who first appeared in X-Factor #4 (1986). I didn’t recognize her from the business clothes and new look. The designs are incredible.
The aftermath has leveled the neighborhood like a natural disaster. Storm is in the air wreathed in lightning and we see a closeup of Frenzy landing in an epic splash page! The single art page is usually a showcase, but here is a epic introduction of the characters that tells the story. Frenzy notes that she can call in her X-Factor team. Then, she points out the shock wave. Storm channels her powers to half the shock wave! A family huddles amoungst some rubble and Storm descends to help them from it. Frenzy is lifting a mass of debris and says there is another shock wave. She lifts it upwards and holds out her hand, love it, and a worried bald man in an Orchis shirt draws back. Orchis is an organization to stop mutants. It was introduced in House of X #1 (2019). Storm holds out her hand and reminds Frenzy, “We save everyone.”
There is beautiful two page spread which has scenes of Storm using her powers, Frenzy helping an older woman, Storm hugging a child, and then Frenzy lifting up more rubble as Storm bandages the leg of a boy. Then, Frenzy yells that there is another shock wave. Storm sees two shock waves coming, it is explained that Storm is controlling the air molecules to stop the shock wave. Still, a shard of a branch plunges into Storm's shoulder. She pauses and then painfully rips out the sharp branch. It is said that this was the "universe's first attempt" to take Storm's life! Ororo is on her knees recovering, Frenzy runs up to her, and then Storm use her power on the wound. She says that she has to stop the shock waves. Frenzy says her wound has to be treated, but a lightning strike sends Storm away! She flies, her yellow headwrap torn away, lightning embracing her.
She sees dead fish by a shore, torn trees, and animal skeletons, destroyed by the disaster. It looks like snow is falling on the shattered cooling towers. An explosion blasts Storm back. Frenzy sees the shock wave and sends the bystanders away. She then goes all Hulk slamming her hands together to counter the shock wave! Storm wipes away blood about to get back into action, but then doubles over vomits from what is said to be radiation poisoning! She stands up and picks up a broken metal door. She holds it up to protect herself, walks down stairs, to reach the reactor. A splash page shows the globe of radiation as a boy says he can't stop his power over the boides of researchers! It is explained that Storm knows that at the "day of adolescence" mutant powers can activate, sometimes without any control! The boy asks her to kill him.
Five+ Shock Waves out of Five!
#Storm, #GiantSizeXMen, #LenWein, #DaveCockrum, #WarrenEllis, #TerryDodson, #MurewaAyodele, #LucasWerneck, #DotunAkande, #AkogunBrutalizerOfTheGods, #IAmIronMan, #Frenzy,
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