Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant #4 – Visions of the Future Made Real

Storm is Earth’s mightiest mutant and she has seen a future worth fighting for. Before the Thunder War and before her current struggles, Storm was shown a future with her daughter Furaha. As the War Above All rages, Storm has encountered an alternate version of her mother. Now she must take to the fight to protect the future she saw.

This review is brought to you by Megan and Shawn from the Nerd Initiative team!

Creative Team

Writer: Murewa Ayodele
Artist: Federica Mancin
Color Artist: Javier Tartaglia
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artist: R.B. Silva
Cover Color Artist: David Curiel

Writing

Megan: Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant #4 continues to prove that the best person to write for Storm is Murewa Ayodele and that’s not ever up for debate. In the story, things are explosive, emotions are high, and the action is larger than life. Ayodele keeps the reader locked into the story, following every side story that happens with baited breath. The emotional tone is set immediately with a look at Ororo’s parents, who are packing to leave for Cairo. Ororo’s mother, N’Dare has so many different emotions, excitement, guilt, anxiety, all because her husband is making the huge move with her. Ororo is just a baby at that time.

Starting the comic with this particular story already shows you that this will be an emotional one, especially after being teased in the last issue with meeting Storm’s daughter, Furaha. In Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant #4, we see Storm fight to keep her universe alive, while the alternate version of her mother is more than happy to let it die. We also see a war beginning in Olympus, Storm’s native universe.

Things are heating up beautifully and we only have one issue left. This comic absolutely shouldn’t have been cut short as Ayodele has been building and building and I really would have loved to see his vision come to fruition. However, knowing Ayodele and seeing how incredibly talented he is, I know he will make a beautiful finale that’s driven in heart and emotion.

Shawn: Murewa Ayodele continues to be one of my favorite writers. Storm #4 opens with such a loving and tender moment that even the hardest of hearts can help but soften. Seeing early moments of Storm’s life is a really beautiful moment. I love that Ayodele has made at least a version of Storm’s mother N’Daré, a central figure to this story raising the emotional stakes.

Speaking of emotional stakes, my favorite part of this issue is Ayodele taking the future of Furaha that we saw teased in the Hellfire Vigil and making it part of the story. I won’t spoil anything for anyone but this is more satisfying that you think if you only read the blurb about this story. One thing I have always appreciated about Ayodele’s work on Ororo is the depth of not only the character but the story. Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant #4 is no exception.

While we continue the overarching story of the War Above All, Ayodele is giving us little tidbits of life lessons about not letting the world tear you down. Through Storm, we are learning about the dedication to those we love even if it comes at a cost. Every issue of this story I pick up, makes me more frustrated that this run was shortened to a limited series rather than an ongoing. The War Above All while still enjoyable would have made for an absolutely outstanding 10-12 issue run and now that I’ve seen more of Furaha, even if she is in the next issue, it’s not enough of her. I want more!

Art

Megan: Goodness gracious, there is no way to describe this comic by anything other than stunning. Federica Mancin and Java Tartaglia make each page practically tell the story itself. You can feel the heavy emotions in the room with Storm’s parents. The desperation for Storm to save her universe is portrayed beautifully. The tension building larger and larger in Olympus is clear. Federica Mancin brings beautifully detailed panels and Java Tartaglia works perfectly alongside Mancin with the colors. Every page brings a new depth to the story and allows the reader to experience Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant #4 in a whole new way.

Shawn: Federica Mancin and Java Tartaglia continue to craft beautiful visuals throughout this series. The settings and timeline featured in this issue posed some unique challenges for the art team. This issue featured a variety of visual styles and color palettes and they all flowed together beautifully,

When it comes to Mancin’s work, there’s one particular panel in this issue where the lines are allowed to remain uncolored. It’s not only a beautiful tribute to the artist’s line ability, but works narratively for the story. Tartaglia does a great job capturing the vibrant colors of this issue and Travis Lanham masterfully guides readers through the story with his lettering. The “Summon” SFX from Lanham deserves particular praise for its unique feel.

Final Thoughts

Megan: 9.2/10. Murewa Ayodele just doesn’t miss, and Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant is proof of that. Every part of this story is handled beautifully; the action, the emotion, the heart. I’m very disappointed to see we only have one issue left, but knowing Ayodele, it’s going to be a finale for the ages.

Shawn: 9/10. This series has been spectacular. I loved seeing the relationships with Storm’s family in this issue. My heart aches that we only get one more issue of this limited series before it ends. This story has been unique and special. The creative team has taken chances, blended stories, and even pulled from archives and lore. I can’t wait to read the finale.

Overall Grade: 9.1/10

Have you enjoyed this Storm run? Leave us a comment below!