What's Fun About This Book
I enjoyed reading Storm #1 for many reasons. This book marks what hopes to be a long run led by writer Greg Pak. Storm is such a great character on which to take a risk because she has broad appeal and an even broader audience through the X-Men movie franchise; she's recognized now in pop culture; she's led the X-Men through various incarnations of the team; and she's a strong, African-American (Kenyan) female super-hero who deserves to lead her own series. Moreover, Storm #1 really attempts to restore the X-Men meta-narrative of social justice without glossing over real-world issues at home and abroad.
"So thank you"
Storm was one of the first black female super-heroes in mainstream comics. She was introduced by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum in Giant-Size X-Men #1 in the 1970's. In a way, that issue of the X-Men set the standard for all things, All-New in Marvel Comics publishing. The readers hadn't seen a new issue of X-Men in years since the Roy Thomas run. All there was were the reprints of issues from the 1960's run by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Heck, they weren't even "Uncanny" until the Chris Claremont run that came after Giant-Size X-Men #1. Not only was Storm a mutant; she was black. She was also from Kenya (a backstory actually established later by Claremont), which added a twist. Yes exotic perhaps, but all of the new characters were from different countries: Nightcrawler (Germany), Colossus (Russia), Banshee (Ireland), Sunfire (Japan), Thunderbird (Native American) and of course Wolverine (Australia...er...I mean...Canada). Darn it Hugh Jackman!
Of the X-Men who appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1, four currently lead their own solo series: Wolverine (of course), Cyclops (finally), Nightcrawler (wow) and of course Storm. Storm joins Captain Marvel, Elektra, Black Widow and She-Hulk in female-led, on-going series in the All-New Marvel Now. The girl is in good company. So her comic book history is one rich with narrative and appeal. This shows up in the pages of her first issue.
I really like the way Victor Ibañez drew her costume. It pays homage to the original one she wore in Giant-Size X-Men #1 and throughout her early days. He also tones down the sexual overtones without totally making her ridiculous. He simply dresses her in tight-pants. The waist-cape Storm wears also pays homage to the original, which is cool. She certainly demonstrates why she's the Windrider. Overall, the artwork was great. Ruth Redmond's colors were also fantastic. She did a good job of depicting different shades of darker skinned people.
The story in this first issue was also good. Ororo Munroe glides between escape and the tensions of home, which drive home issues of community and interaction in it. Does she go it alone, or does she find solace in the skies? Can she call any place "home" where she is not welcomed? Much of this is expressed in a short, but very poignant exchange between her and a student at the school nicknamed "Creep." Storm is called on by Beast to address some acting out behavior by the student. At first she reflectively listens to the student rant, attempting to enter the problem-solving process with her. However, Creep insults Storm's dignity. Instead of staying in control, she loses it and goes off and away. She knew better as the adult, but she let Creep push her button. Boy have I been there. Creep represents a type of student whom I'm familiar with at the therapeutic day school where I work. I really identified with this because I too am an educator who works with at-risk youth. The demands of reaching young people, to supply them with the tools to succeed when it seems like the world is against you, are a real-world challege I and many other teachers face every day. Oftentimes it only takes one mistake to momentarily lose a kid. But these young people are resilient. Often they are ready to forgive when we as educators level with them, own our own stuff, challenege them to do the same, do good repair, love them and still manage to challenge their thinking. They are looking for their place in the world, who they are and how to navigate it. Greg Pak hit the nail on the head with this issue, and I hope he continues to explore it.
What's Not So Fun
Kill that mutie!
The fact of the matter is, when one is dealing with serious issues and thought-provoking narratives, there is not a lot of room for levity. I think an attempt at this was tried in the dialogue between Beast and Storm. However, causing an international incident somewhat trumps the fun-factor when the issues hit close to home. As noble as the task was of protecting the people of Santo Marco from its own government, did Storm have jurisdiction? Rhetorical question. She justifiably threw jurisdiction to the wind, but what will be the ramifications of this action? Injecting humor into a book that may see few moments of it will need to be purposeful. Humor will need to be narrative-driven and character-focused if Team Pak is to write Storm in character.
The Punch-Line
Don't mess with Storm. Nuff' said. I guess the joke was on the military of Santo Marco. Don't think that justice will take a back seat to bigotry with Storm involved. And a touching end to her first issue: she and Creep worked it out. Great job Team Pak!
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