Marvel pits X-Men Storm against one of the greatest comic book villains of all time (Exclusive Preview)

Ororo Monroe, also known as Storm of the X-Men, has been a busy woman lately. Storm recently joined the Avengersand its ongoing solo series “Storm” (written by Muriwa Ayodele, drawn by Lucas Wernick) has already been eventful with only three issues so far.

To recap: Tulsa was saved from nuclear meltdown by Storm, who was actually a mutant child suffering from the onset of power. This inspired her to build a “storm shelter” for mutants, but also left her with radiation poisoning. After being sent to Brother Voodoo to receive some magical treatment, her life is saved, but she cannot use her mutant powers for one week. So in “The Storm” No. 3, Ororo visited Rogue’s Uncanny X-Men in Louisiana and came into contact with Wolverine. At the end of the issue, she is summoned by Doctor Doom who, since the 2024 “Blood Hunt” crossover, is Earth’s new Sorcerer Supreme.

Storm #4 will begin with Ororo arriving in the Doom Zone in Latveria, and Marvel has shared an exclusive preview with /Film. The case summary reads:

“A Flame in the Wind! Doctor Doom is the Sorcerer Supreme. He has special plans for Earth’s mutants. He would like to discuss them with Beautiful Storm over fine cuisine and expensive wine. What could go wrong? The epic saga continues – with this new installment featuring a battle Latveria will never forget never.”

Looks like the problem will lead to the next crossover.”one world under death,“Where the aspiring Doctor/God Emperor will use his new magical power to take over the Earth.

The cover of “The Tempest” No. 4, illustrated by Mateusz Manhanini, can be seen below:

Marvel Comics

The comic book begins with a summary page showing Brother Voodoo healing a storm and explaining the terms of her magical contract to new readers. Cut to her arriving in Latveria on the back of Doom’s giant crow, and meeting Victor for dinner in a green dress (Doom’s favorite color, naturally). Storm says she’s almost flattered, but her host asserts: Death is never satisfying.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

These two people sitting at dinner will be a familiar site for long-time X-Men fans. Back in “X-Men” #145-147 (written by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum), the mutant heroes and Doom battled for the first time. Storm was tasked with “distracting” the Doctor by acting as his guest and they ended up being more fascinated with each other than expected. Claremont was fascinated by Storm, so all the men he wrote with his pen – including Doom – were also fascinated by him.

Marvel Comics

Sure enough, John Byrne (then “Fantastic Four” writer) retconned the Doom that appeared in “X-Men” into a Doombot impersonating his creator. Several years later, in “SWORD” #7 (written by Al Ewing and Stefano Caselli), Storm hosts Doom for dinner on the planet Arrako (aka Mars that has been terraformed by the power of mutant gifts). They remembered their last dinner date, where Doom apologized for some of his bad robot-like behavior: “A true death would never respect a goddess.” At that time, Storm warns Doom not to give in to flirtation.

Marvel Comics

“The Storm” #1 even included a variant cover (drawn by the wonderful Marco Cecchetto) in what looks like a dance of lovers. Is this comic about to turn Storm into the Queen of Latveria? I wouldn’t bet on it.

Marvel Comics

There are some small mutual interests between Storm and Doom, but they never go any further. Doom is beyond childish habits like a schoolboy crush, and has never allowed his attraction towards Ororo to cloud his vision. Ororo will also never be willing to accept Doom’s world-conquering ambitions, and even if her feelings evolve from mere intrigue to attachment, she’s not naive or insecure enough to follow Doom like a love-struck girl desperate to change the bad boy. However, Doom sees in Ororo a rare woman: a woman strong and worthy enough to be Queen of Doom.

However, this meeting may be more than just a social visit. The issue synopsis states that Doom has “plans” for mutations in his new world order. Back during last year’s “X-Men” #35, Latverian agents stole a piece of… Krakoa is the living island, home of the now defeated mutants. Could Doom be planning to win Storm over to his side by offering her a restored Krakoa?

“Storm” #4 is scheduled to be released in print and digital on January 15, 2025.