Marvel Universe: Storm

By Denis del Callar

Presenting the X-Men's Storm from the Marvel Universe Series 17 toy line. Ororo Iqadi T'challa nee Munroe (Ororo Komos Wakandas), AKA Storm, AKA Wind Rider (Hmmm, haven't heard anyone call her Wind Rider in quite some time - Probably because till recently Storm took a backseat to Cyclops), AKA Weather Witch; Former Goddesss; 2nd in command of Cyclops' X-Men; Leader of one the X-Men teams; Member of Captain America's Avengers; former member of the Fantastic Four, Lady Liberators and Hellfire club; Former Leader of the Morlocks and reigning Queen of Wakanda by marriage to T'Challa, the Black Panther, and; One of the most influential and important African characters ever to be developed for comic books and the big-screen.

A Marvel Character with a history almost as colorful as Wolverine's.

Personally I was disappointed that she decided to stay with Cyclops despite the clash of values simply because Cyclops begged her that he needed her from a PR standpoint.

I was also disappointed when the Schism happened because there was a third option for leadership - Storm - who has led the X-Men for almost as long as Cyclops has (And kicked Cyclops' ass without powers for the leadership of the X-Men in a classic battle between the two in X-Men # 139, November 1980 - I was 7 at the time). But I suppose with the clamor for Rogue to come into a more prominent leadership position, two strong leaders with Wolverine seemed ill-balanced.

Comic Book news, Week of October 17, 2011

Marvel's "Fear Itself" is winding to a close and here's what I've learned in this week's comic book stash:

First off by now you all know that Captain America's shield was destroyed by Odin's brother The Serpent, God of Fear. I have to say I really enjoyed how The Serpent destroyed Cap's shield. He just raised it over his head and snapped it. It left Captain America totally flabbergasted. All he could say was "You can't" and other incoherent sentences before getting knocked out.

So it says a lot about his character to have bounced back and gone back to battle without his shield and opting for conventional rifles and firearms. In fact it reaches the point in Fear Itself number 7 - the last one - where we find Cap standing alone against the army of the Serpent using shotguns and automatic rifles - and actually holding the line.

He's standing alone because all the other Avengers are hiding in Broxton  - in the remains of Asgard - waiting for Iron Man to return with Asgardian blessed weapons. He finally does accompanied by a newly armored Thor bearing Odin's sword Ragnarok. He gifts eight Avengers - counting himself - with eight weapons that enhances the power of the Avengers making them a match for The Serpent's chosen - who are by then down to 6 what with the Thing having been reverted and the Hulk having lost to Dracula. Iron Man didn't bother though making something for Captain America because, well he had his shield. Tony didn't realize that the shield was gone.

So the Avengers Assemble and go to war.

Toy News: Angel and Storm Sideshow Collectibles

Presenting Angel and Storm Comiquettes from Sideshow Collectibles! Growing up in the Philippines, you get exposed to a lot of religious iconography: Saints, Jesus Christ, Crucifixes, the Virgin Mary, little cherubims, and a lot of angels. So while trawling through the Marvel.com website I confess that I had to stop and wonder what my sacred ancestors would think, say and do if they saw this hanging around a living room. 

Personally, I would expect the same reaction that I'd probably get from them watching Madonna gyrating to "Like a Prayer" while crucifixes burned behind her.