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Creative Team – Murewa Ayodele(writer). Lucas Werneck(artist). Alex Guimaräes(color artist). Vs’s Travis Lanham(letterer). Mateus Manhanini(cover artist). Ejiwa “Edge” Ebenebe, Ernanda Souza, Sara Pichelli & Federico Blee, Stephanie Hans(variant cover artists).
Published by Marvel Entertainment
Be sure to catch up with Storm #1 here!
Storm #2 had so much excitement in the Nerd Initiative Bullpen, that it took two reviewers to cover it! This review is written by Nerd Initiative Editor in Chief, Ken, and yours truly, brand advisor/ast. editor of Nerd Initiative, Megan!
*Some Spoilers ahead!*
The Dying Goddess
Storm is dying from a rare form of radiation syndrome with only hours to live. With the clock ticking closer and closer until her time is up, she spends her last days as any hero would. She goes out of her way to save people, even people who don’t trust mutants. She feeds animals in the Storm Sanctuary, as any goddess would do. Even when she’s nearing death, she shows how much she cares for the creatures of the world. But what happens when she gets too sick to be a hero?
Storm seeks help at the Night and Daye Hospital for the Extra Mundane, AKA Night Nurse’s hospital for superheroes. While she’s there, she finds out she only has a certain amount of hours to live. The only way she can live is with the assistance of dark magic. The only person in the world that can help her is all the way in Haiti. She must travel all that way while her time is quickly running out.
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The Writing
Ken: In two issues, Ayodele has connected Storm to the audience in such a distinct manner. Even when her world is crashing around her, Storm fights onward. One element that may throw some readers off is the post-Krakoa sentiments of the public. Not everyone is accepting of mutants back on the public scene. Storm handles this like a true goddess. Through poise and grace, she raises herself above the comments below her.
The hospital sequence brings a more grounded approach to that dilemma. Storm’s response is one that fits her character to a tee. Ensuring other mutants have no issues there is second nature to Storm. The rest of the page is a race to get help. With the closing page, readers see a familiar face all too ready to help someone who always puts others first.
Megan: Having Murewa Ayodele behind the writing of Storm was an absolute genius move. Ayodele captures everything that I love about Storm such as her selflessness, her love for the world and all its creatures, and her heroism. Storm #2 is the perfect example of who Storm is as a character to her core. Even when she’s sick and facing death, she spends her time tending to the needs of the world. Whether it be feeding animals or saving humans who are uncomfortable around her, Storm is a hero through adversity.
The Art
Ken: Wernick sends Storm directly into action with the opening pages. The pace speeds with every panel. There’s a great missile dropkick followed by lightning strike sequence which will excite readers. Her condition shoots to the lead with a strong visual of her blood on her sleeve. In the distance of a pig-headed captain and crew, the image lets readers know Storm is weakened but fighting.
The hospital moments are filled with a range of emotions. None more shocking than Storm realizing time is running out. In her journey, Storm gets a full page splash of “Oblivion Waits”. This sub-plot continues to build in the background. From here, events lead right to the closing image. Seeing who’s hear to help greets readers will a full page image. It caps off a fast growing story with big ramifications for failure.
Megan: I don’t have enough words to describe how stunning the artwork is. Lucas Werneck is an absolute genius when it comes to the drawings in Storm #2, along with Alex Guimaräes and Travis Lanham. The color schemes throughout the comic are so striking, which I feel is perfect for Storm. Travis Lanham adds even more depth to this already gorgeous comic with the lettering. He makes each word pack even more of a punch. The art itself deserves a 10 out 10.
Final Thoughts
Ken: 9.4. This series has already set a high bar of how Ororo Munroe should be portrayed in comics (and beyond). Ayodele guides readers through the dire search for hope with his strong writing. Wernick, Guimaräes and Lanham construct the emotional pull through an unbreakable will with the art. This series continues to deliver on the buzz surrounding it!
Megan: I’m giving this a 10 out of 10. The story was fantastic! The art was inspired and it left me on the edge of my seat asking for so much more. I had high hopes when I first learned Storm was getting her own comic run in From the Ashes. Two issues in and this Storm run has exceeding all of my expectations.
