REVIEW: ‘Giant-Size X-Men: Storm,’ Issue 1

Giant-Size X-Men: Storm #1 is written by Jonathan Hickman, illustrated by Russell Dauterman, colored by Matthew Wilson, and lettered by VC’s Ariana Maher. It is published by Marvel Comics. Following a battle with the Children of the Vault, Storm was infected with a techno-organic virus that is slowly killing her. When Monet discovers something that might save her life, Storm travels with Cypher and Fantomex to the World to find a cure.

This comic is the conclusion to a story that ran through Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey & Emma Frost and Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex. It’s the latter that has the biggest effect on this story. Hickman effortlessly weaves plot threads from Fantomex into Storm, setting the stage for some truly epic fight scenes. He also excels at character interactions-whether it’s Fantomex and Monet haggling over monetary compensation or Jean comforting Storm following the techno-organic virus diagnosis. The X-Men are a big unwieldy and sometimes happy family, and Hickman understands this.

Hickman also makes sure to put the title character at the center of the action. Unlike the one-shot focused on Nightcrawler, Storm is the focus from beginning to end. And even though she’s battling a disease that is killing her, even though she could be resurrected on Krakoa, she refuses to give up. And she still serves as a leader of the X-Men! One of the many things I love about Storm is her unbreakable will and that’s on full display here.

Hickman’s script is brought to life by Dauterman, who also helped with the story for the one-shot. Dauterman is no stranger to epic sequences involving Marvel characters, as War Of The Realms showed. This is on full display here, especially in the World. When Cypher summons Warlock to do battle, the alien flows over his body like water forming claws and armor. And when Storm uses her powers, the effects are literally explosive. The World also looks immensely alien, with floating killer eyes and diamond-shaped structures.

Rounding out the artistic team is Wilson on colors. He handles the different settings with care, bathing Krakoa in golden light to make it the paradise it’s been described as and featuring a fuchsia-colored sky for the World. Most importantly, he gives Storm’s skin the rich dark hue it needs. Ororo Munroe is a dark-skinned African woman, and very few colorists seem to remember that; thankfully Wilson is among the ones who do. He also gives the proper weight to her weather powers, especially her lightning-it hits with the full force that you’d expect actual lightning to.

Giant-Size X-Men: Storm #1 is the perfect standalone tale for one of Marvel’s fan-favorite mutants, with top-notch characterization and artwork. I’m glad that Storm got the spotlight in this tale, and that it managed to be a standalone tale that helps advance the grand narrative of Dawn of X. Fans of the X-Men, and Storm in particular, will definitely want to pick this one-shot up.

Giant-Size X-Men: Storm #1 is available wherever comics are sold.