“Storm” Comic Book Issue 11 “Chapter 11: Thunder War Rises” – Review

Storm issue 11 had the iconic Omega Level Goddess unleash her unbridled fury as the stakes continued to rise with Hadad getting closer to destroying everything.

From writer Murewa Ayodele and artists Mario Santoro and C.F. Villa, Storm issue 11 opened with Bishop heading out to protect an injured Galactus from the FBI while Ororo decided to face Infinity because of what Eternity had her do over the course of this story.

I liked seeing how opportunistic the FBI was. They had giant machines at the ready to syphon Galactus’s blood (or whatever he’s got running inside of him) and fly away before Bishop could destroy them all. With how Ayodele has a habit of dropping narrative breadcrumbs that pay off down the line, I’m looking forward to seeing what he plans on having the FBI do with the samples they were able to collect.

As for Bishop, he showcased some cool action as he beat up a couple of FBI agents. There’s a panel where he jumped crotch-first into a male FBI agent’s face before throwing him away from Galactus’s giant body. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I feel that a talented writer would run with those panels to create a slow-burn romance between Bishop and said FBI agent, layered with narrative deliciousness of mutant and human love, especially with the two standing on opposite sides of the human vs mutantkind battle.

With Bishop protecting Galactus, we switched to Storm vs Infinity. I was very hyped with having the abstract concept of infinity fight a mutant Goddess with access to infinite power. Though it wasn’t much of a confrontation because Ororo basically went in full-power mode from the get-go. She didn’t have the patience to draw out the battle, with each being unlocking a “new level of power” as the panels continued Dragon Ball Z style.

The narration harkened back to how Ororo’s powers have always been tied to her emotions. Controlling the weather (using the simplest definition of her powerset) is literally the kind of ability wielded by Gods throughout various religions and belief systems. For such entities, destroying Earth is as easy as snapping their fingers.

That’s why Storm’s internal battle has always been with her emotions. Unchecked anger, sadness, and more could lead to her powers getting out of control and causing a whole lot of destruction. So, even though Ororo is a person full of life, a woman who is mischievous and enjoys humor, she has had to train herself to rein in her emotions and demonstrate self-control to protect her loved ones and the planet from herself.

However, every calm person has a breaking point, and we got to see Ororo reach hers in Storm issue 11. It was understandable for Infinity to come searching for Ororo to learn where Eternity had run off to, but it was also a mistake on her part. Ororo has been keeping her emotions regarding Eternity under control for a while now, and seeing Eternity’s twin-sister, Infinity, especially after witnessing Eden and Japeth being murdered in front of her eyes, broke the dam.

Even though I had been waiting for Storm to showcase a form similar to her Rogue Storm persona from decades ago, I wasn’t expecting Ayodele to bring back the teased Black Vortex Goddess Storm from 2015. And she looked glorious with the art team depicting the Elemental Storm form with a whole lot of red and pink instead of the usual blues and white associated with Storm.

Also, yes, to Ororo stating her lineage. As she put it, she’s a descendant of Ashake. She shares blood with Agamotto (the First Sorcerer Supreme). Her roots run deep back to the Elder God Oshtur. In essence, Ororo is the premier Nepo-Baby of Marvel Comics.

While other characters have been given boosts, weapons, blessed by entities, etc., over the years to make them stronger and play bigger roles in Marvel Comics, Ororo Munroe has always been meant to be the most powerful. She doesn’t play “catch-up” to anyone because of who she is. Ororo Munroe doesn’t require mythical weapons, a cosmic patron, to be used as a host, or the like, to showcase her true power.

And yes, it’s unfortunate that her true potential hasn’t been explored since her debut because of various factors. For those wondering, I do believe certain folks in the background not wanting a Black woman to be treated as THE FEMALE FACE of Marvel Comics played a role in her being pushed to the side.

Fortunately, times change, and that’s why I appreciate someone like Ayodele not only being clearly interested in exploring Storm’s heritage but also being allowed by Marvel Comics TPTB to do it.

However, while I enjoyed reading issue 11 of Storm, I have to say that the story was fast-paced in a manner that made me think certain moments deserved more development.

Storm mentioning to Infinity that she knew it was Eternity who had possessed her kind of came out of nowhere for me. In issue 9, Ororo mentioned to Eden she wasn’t sure what entity was randomly taking over her body. She vowed to kill said being, but she didn’t know who or what it was.

So, I was looking forward to seeing the moment where Ororo realized it was Eternity messing with her. But all of that got bypassed in issue 11 with Ororo having already identified Eternity’s presence off-panel and taking her anger out on Infinity.

As of right now, I’m willing to assume that Ayodele will feature a flashback of Ororo detecting Eternity’s presence over her. I’m willing to assume that their meeting didn’t go well, and Ororo’s understandable hostility is what drove Eternity to not only leave Storm’s body as his vessel but leave the universe itself to go and ask his father, The One Above All, for help against Hadad. Storm did mention to Infinity she didn’t have the patience to sit through his “cruel, idiotic lessons.”

Of course, the story wasn’t going to have Storm destroy Infinity (who was devastated after being separated from Eternity). That’s where Galactus stepped in to remind Ororo that even though no being was powerful enough to control her, she had allowed her emotions to get the best of her. Jaden also played a vital role in calming down Ororo.

The issue ended with Eden being operated on at the ‘Night and Daye Hospital For The Extramundane’. Yeah, Eden and Maggott are going to survive. Galactus and the Silver Surfer just chilling outside the hospital made me laugh.

Ayodele gave Ororo the chance to talk about her actions with the wise Gateway. She thought she could handle her issues by herself. However, even though possessing incredible power, Ororo, as a character, is a leader. She works best when teaming up with other characters to face threats. Ororo had also been studying with Doctor Voodoo (again, off-panel).

But, as of now, Ororo’s not willing to completely accept her magical heritage. So, that could lead to some interesting moments down the line. I think her hesitance might be due to how the magical side of her being feels far more connected to her maternal family (and the loss of her mother) compared to her mutant ability to control the elements.

With Hadad vs Storm coming up in the next issue, I’m very hyped about Ororo facing the First Storm God, who is out for revenge. They are likely going to have a layered conversation about life and the abstract concepts that govern it.

As for the rest of the Storm Gods, we got to learn that most of them were jealous that Eternity ignored them to select a “mortal” like Storm as his vessel. Their jealousy also led them to believe that siding with Hadad to create a new universe was a good idea.

I couldn’t help but laugh when Hadad attacked the Storm Gods with his Black Winters. The Storm Gods hadn’t even asked Hadad if he wanted supporters or not. They thought that standing with him would save them from his wrath. Hadad wasn’t playing games. And I love him for that!

Another cool moment involved Jean Grey appearing to protect the mutant civilization of Krakoa in the White Hot Room. Scarlet Witch and her patron entity, the Never Queen (wielding a cool cosmic gun), defended Magic and Creativity in the Land of Couldn’t-Be-Shouldn’t-Be.

Now, I have been seeing certain readers bringing up how showing Jean Grey accessing the White Hot Room messed with her current arc of not being able to access said site in her solo comic series.

I mean, considering how wishy-washy comic continuity can be, we don’t know when this particular moment took place in Storm with regards to what Jean’s going through in her solo. Also, I’m pretty sure Jean will regain access to the WHR in her solo. So, it’s not like Ayodele did something completely out of the realm of comic book reality.

Also, I would encourage Jean Grey fans to take the compliment. Having Jean showcase her power as the Phoenix against a threat is far better than downplaying her powers in a book that isn’t her solo. For some perspective, Storm’s currently facing Doom as part of the Avengers, and yet she hasn’t tapped into her Eternal Storm or Elemental Storm forms, and I doubt she will. I have made my peace with that. At least, what Ayodele had Jean and Wanda do added to the action.

In the scene where Eternity walked up to The One Above All, there was an astronaut along with certain angelic beings.

Is that you, Craig?

Just joking!

I have never seen such an astronaut in Marvel comics. So, of course, my curiosity led me to use Google to find who the astronaut was. The best I could come up with is that the astronaut was a reference to Auren Da’at from the webnovel I Know What Is Killing the Stars. He’s on a mission to stop The Void from erasing existence, which would connect with Hadad’s up to.

Some other readers seem to have thought of the same reference.

Bringing it to a close, Storm issue 11 was an incredibly enjoyable read, even though it felt rushed.

What did you think?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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