“Storm Earth’s Mightiest Mutant” Comic Book Issue 2 “Chapter 2: All Your Favorite Sorcerers Are Tricksters” – Review

Storm Earth’s Mightiest Mutant comic book issue 2, titled ‘All Your Favorite Sorcerers Are Tricksters’, featured the highly anticipated reunion between Ororo and Wanda as the current Sorcerer Supreme warned the Weather Goddess about the upcoming war.

Written by Murewa Ayodele with highly detailed art by Federica Mancin (pencils) and Java Tartaglia (colors), the second chapter of the current Storm solo series opened with a wraith of Doctor Strange continuing to wreak havoc across multiple dimensions under Mistress Death’s orders. Such a decision made sense due to the upcoming war being a mystical one and Doctor Strange being an iconic Sorcerer Supreme who bested many a foe.

The narrative also cemented the fact that when it came to a battle between magical beings, nothing was guaranteed. Unlike a heatbutt of brute strength, where the scales tipped in favor of who had more power, the scales bearing the weight of a mystical confrontation could be manipulated through deceit. Victories in the magical realm had been granted to novices facing masters, and even the most cunning of wizards had been bested by something as simple as a handgun. Unpredictability reigned supreme when using magic, and that clashed with Storm, who was a character linked to truth and order.

As Wanda put it, even though Ororo was capable of summoning raging winds and other tremendously effective weather patterns, at the end of the day, her OP mutant abilities, though proficient at creating chaos, still followed some kind of scientifically backed logic. On the other hand, beings like Wanda could, as Storm said, “drink a glass of grape juice and spew out a herring.” Wanda operated in true chaos and unpredictability (and the dark consequences that accompanied such a life).

I understood why Wanda warned Storm about going to war with Akujin. Even though Ororo had immense untapped magical potential due to her heritage and Godhead, she was still incredibly far away from the version that could survive against Akujin’s spells. However, Ororo being Ororo, refused to back down. There was no way she was going to free Susanno from her pocket dimension, especially after he threatened to destroy Earth.

This time around, Ororo was ready to face Akujin solo. Seeing her refuse Wanda’s aid made sense because she didn’t want any of her teammates to die after what had happened to Manifold and Maggott. While a noble choice, I don’t see Ororo being able to face Akujin and then the Mistress of Death by herself. She will need reinforcements. Also, Storm’s always worked better as a team leader, in my opinion. Ororo can definitely have a 1-on-1 with the big bad at the end, but she still needs a team to keep the mini bosses at bay.

Talking about Wanda training Ororo to sense and break through magical illusions, I enjoyed seeing Ororo try to bring their practise battle to a familiar field. While stuck in an illusion, Storm decided to attack the “real” Wanda and not focus on the illusion Wanda in front of her. Ororo lowering the temperatures to freezing and manipulating carbon monoxide reminded me of how Halle Berry’s Storm broke Jason Stryker’s illusion in X-Men 2.

I was surprised Wanda didn’t bring up the mysterious murders that involved people’s heads exploding to Storm. We did see a similar murder occur inside the Storm Sanctuary as Ororo and her people tried to help Biaritzz rebuild after Akujin’s recent attack. Due to tensions rising inside the Storm Sanctuary between mutants and humans, I think the gruesome death of an innocent mutant in such a manner will cause more drama between the two communities.

I have seen a couple of comic book readers take to their socials to share their annoyance with Ororo allowing humans inside the Storm Sanctuary. Some even called it “Liberal Propaganda” from Ayodele. However, I would like to say that if you think Storm, of all the mutants out there, will refuse to help a human in need, then you don’t really get her as a character. The rain doesn’t discriminate when it comes to falling on people. And neither does Storm. You might not agree with her ways, but Storm will reach out to everyone, mutants and humans alike. And similarly, she will put a stop to anyone, whether mutant or human, if Earth is threatened.

Even during the Krakoaan Era, Ororo remained welcoming toward humans. Even while living in Arakko, she didn’t put a ban on humans or think of them as lesser beings.

Sigh!

Again, you don’t have to agree with her methods, but creating online blacklash toward a writer, who wrote Storm as she’s supposed to be, isn’t it.

As for the rest of the developments during chapter 2 of Storm EMM, we got to see what the FBI had managed to extract from Galactus (during Storm issue 11). They essentially kidnapped Galactus’ child, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Galacta/Gail Arakawa will play a role in the current story.

The chapter also featured a scene between Akujin and her two teammates, Iwin and Bogey, discussing how to free their Master from the Main Sphere on Earth. I’m very excited about the Olympian Gods getting involved. Hera is going to be messy AF!

The second issue concluded with Mistress Death making her move. Instead of sending Knull or another OP dark being, she decided to send a wraith of Doctor Strange due to his being familiar with Earth and her many protectors. He made quick work of the Strom Engines, with an announcement demanding humanity to surrender while taunting Storm’s inability to save anyone.

I can see readers who aren’t fans of Ayodele’s narrative style of jumping between the present and the near future not vibing with the final couple of pages. It does feel like an unnecessary tactic to drum up hype for what’s to come instead of allowing the “present” to organically amp up the tension.

Before I end my review, I have to share that it looks like the current Storm Earth’s Mightiest Mutant series is going to be a 5-issue miniseries. What is Marvel thinking? Being the type of grand story that requires at least a 12-issue run, I frankly don’t have any idea how Ayodele will be able to adequately address The War Above All in only three more chapters.

Maybe the book will be relaunched, but still stick to the current saga by Ayodele, like how Storm EMM is continuing the story from the previous Storm series? Hmmm.

Did you read Storm Earth’s Mightiest Mutant issue 2? What did you think of it?

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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