REVIEW: ‘Storm #7’ - A Clash of Storm Gods! The 50th Anniversary
- Keith M.
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
One of the things I love most about Storm—aside from the consistently stunning chapter pages—is the seamless back-and-forth between Ororo Munroe's grounded adventures on Earth and the expansive cosmic narrative unfolding beyond. The first few pages of Storm #7 serve as a chilling reminder of the vast powers and complex machinations that exist far beyond the concerns of Earth’s heroes. Before we even catch up with Ororo herself, Murewa re-establishes the hierarchy of cosmic beings in the Marvel Universe, emphasizing that in such a boundless cosmos, there’s always a bigger fish.
As we shift to Brazil, we are reminded once again of Storm’s unique position in the world. She's a mutant, an Avenger, and yet, when Tony Stark calls upon her, it’s not for any of these roles. What he needs is a Storm God. While one might immediately think of Thor, the All-Father's departure from the Avengers in The Avengers #18 left the role of the God of Thunder open, with Ororo stepping into that mantle. Now, we find her in the jungles of Brazil, where she and Maggott are hunting a super-soldier-powered serpent amidst a strange weather anomaly.
Vecchio’s art shines throughout this issue, especially in his portrayal of Ororo with sharp cheekbones, full lips, and her thick, flowing hair. But it’s in the depiction of the battle that follows that the artist truly dazzles. The arrival of thunder gods, Mamaragan, Sango, Susanoo, and Chaac, may cause some unfamiliarity, but it’s quickly clear that these are formidable storm gods, powerful enough to challenge even Ororo herself. This confrontation is particularly intriguing, as many may argue that Ororo isn’t a goddess by traditional definitions, but Chaac addresses her as one here, which adds a layer of complexity to her identity.
Despite her formidable power, Storm finds herself nearly defeated by her adversaries. It’s only by tapping into the strength of her ancestors, powerful magic users and Sorcerer Supremes, that she is able to escape, though not before delivering a chilling threat that would make any villain pause. This moment underscores an interesting shift in Storm’s narrative, as writer Ayodele continues to explore her vulnerability. While her defeat here doesn’t feel as devastating as the loss in issue #4, where she faced death, it still stings, especially considering she’s up against forces of nature she’s deeply connected to.
This situation brings up an interesting debate surrounding Omega-level mutants. If there is no upper limit to their power, can they not defeat even a god of the same domain? Could she hold her own had she faced just one god? Another fascinating aspect is that we don’t see the appearance of Eternal Storm in this encounter—where, in the past, Eternity would temporarily possess Ororo’s form whenever she faced death or defeat, even to the point of clashing with her friends. Perhaps this instance wasn’t a guaranteed defeat, or maybe the reasoning will be revealed later.
In the end, Storm #7 wraps up with the arrival of Thor, who I’m sure will shed light on the gathering of storm gods and their apparent conflict with Ororo. This issue once again blends beautiful artwork with Ayodele’s trademark anime and manga-inspired style, weaving together cosmic and mystical elements in a way only Storm can. While the X-Manhunt tie-in may have detoured from our true destination a bit, Storm #7 has certainly brought the story back on track in spectacular fashion for her 50th Anniversary issue.
About Storm #7
Release Date: April 09, 2025
Written by: Murewa Ayodele
Art by: Luciano Vecchio
Cover by: Mateus Manhanini
Page Count: 26
Synopsis: SERPENTS, SALAMANDERS AND STORM GODS - 50TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! Fifty years ago, ORORO MUNROE - the iconic STORM - made her debut in GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 - thundering her way into our hearts! On this day, in her very own solo series, she will host a mix of debuts, reinventions and guest appearances of FIVE legendary thunder gods: THOR, CHAAC, SANGO, MAMARAGAN and SUSANOO! But first, a mission to BRAZIL goes horribly wrong. How much more can our hero endure?
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