Storm is out in trade this week!
There is, unfortunately, a good chance you’re not reading the Storm ongoing (written by Greg Pak, with art on this volume by Victor Ibanez). Sales numbers were low enough that November saw fans tirelessly promoting the book in an effort to #SaveStorm. In January Greg Pak stated in an interview with Newsarama that the book is planned through issue 12, and under no immediate threat of cancellation. Which is great. But I kind of need this book to go on forever, so let’s talk about why you need to buy this trade.
Storm, as a character, is a lot of things. She’s regal, staggeringly powerful, ethical, forgiving, and warm.
She’s also a former thief who won leadership of the Morlocks in a KNIFE FIGHT, has history’s dopest mohawk, and can make a leather vest look cool.
Pak writes a Storm who is all of those things at once. She’s a woman visiting the people and places from her past, learning from her mistakes, and trying to do what’s right. She is complex and flawed in a way that doesn’t undercut how strong she is.
When I read hero books, I tend to want to know who the character is, what makes them do what they do, what’s unique about how they deal with things, all that. It’s been said that I’d rather read a comic where Jubilee goes to the ATM than one where Galactus shows up. And that’s totally true. Because who knows what could happen on that trip?! Does she thwart a crime? Accidentally assist one? Would she vamp out on someone for cutting in line? What’s the cash for? Is it for the pizza guy? If she’s late getting back, will Krakoa eat the pizza guy? I want to know these things! And, more importantly, I want to feel that if you subbed in anyone else the story would be 100% different.
And then, yeah, I want to see them fight someone. But only after the bank trip. Or the mouse infestation that they thought was mystical, but turned out to be because their neighbor is gross. Or the the argument with their ex-best friend (who, side note, is kind of a villain now). It can be wacky or serious, but I want to know how their life informs how they superhero, and how superheroing informs their life. Big battle stuff can feel like plot is just being thrown at whoever happens to be closest. I want to know that a story is happening the way it’s happening because of who is at the center. This book is shaped by who Ororo Munroe is, and by the sort of decisions she makes in a given situation.
Even if you don’t read any other X-books, you can (and should) still read Storm. The stories Pak is telling operate largely independent of the current X-continuity. The only noteworthy exception is a Death of Wolverine tie-in issue, which barely counts. To get through that you just need to know that 1) she and Logan were in a serious relationship, and 2) now he’s dead. As I mentioned before, there are a lot of links back to the character’s history, but even if you’re don’t know who Yukio is, you can still enjoy this book. Pak provides more than enough context within each issue to prevent confusion. And if you want to know more about why she’s so pissed at this Forge guy, there’s always Wikipedia.
Speaking of Forge, did you know he doesn’t have any other name? He’s just Forge.
How did I miss that?
When I was a kid, it was a MASSIVE DEAL that no one knew Rogue’s real name.
And there’s Forge just…chillin’.
Poor fella.
Books I’m Picking Up This Week:
Batgirl #39
Bitch Planet #3
Fables #149
Lumberjanes #11
Ms. Marvel #12
Storm #8
Uncanny X-Men #31
Track ’em: Pulllist.comixology.com
Find ’em: Comic Shop Locator
Grab ’em: Downtown Comics
Grab ’em metaphorically: Comixology
And you can pre-order Storm using this Amazon affiliate link, if that’s your thing.
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