The synopsis and cover for X-Men Red #11 show the iconic mutant hero Storm is finally starting a much anticipated battle with her former mentor Charles Xavier, which could be leading directly into Krakoa's Fall of X event. However things shake out, it's clear that the relationship of these iconic X-Men leaders will never be the same again.
While Ororo Munroe, better known as Storm, has always been a hero (in fact, she is one of the only X-Men to never go through a villain phase) but the recent Krakoan Era has seen her elevated to an even higher plane of heroism, becoming the Voice of Sol, leader of the Brotherhood of Arakko, and one of the most judicious members of Krakoa's Quiet Council. Shared by League of Comic Geeks, Russel Dauterman's gorgeous cover for X-Men Red #11 - written by Al Ewing with art by Jacopo Camagni - shows the impressive Storm calling down her lightning on an army of terrifying Charles Xavier duplicates, with the synopsis for the issue revealing they'll come to blows over Magneto's recent death.
THE CALM BEFORE… After Brand’s machinations and the Sins of Sinister, the mutants of Arakko are catching their breath…but even as Storm begins a new romance, she has no time to rest. Charles Xavier has questions about Magneto’s death. He’s not asking nicely.
Magneto Warned Storm to Watch Professor X
Since the dawn of the Krakoan Era, Professor Charles Xavier has been on a steady decline into well-meaning but ultimately harmful dictatorial leadership, highlighted by his emphasis on using the Pit prison, his ongoing disrespect of his son Legion, and his inability to see Moira X's true intentions, which led to her defecting to the mutant-hating Orchis. While still fighting for human/mutant co-existence, Charles now operates from a place of cold calculation, not his prior love for his students. Indeed, Magneto specifically requested Storm keep a careful eye on Charles while he lay dying, fearing he would sacrifice mutantkind to uphold his personal ideals.
Storm Has Replaced Magneto as Xavier's Foil
Storm has always been a believer in Xavier's dream, but recent events in her role as a ruling member of Arakko and leader of the Brotherhood of Arakko, namely the events of Judgment Day and the ongoing Sins of Sinister timeline, have clearly shown her Xavier's former dream is no longer attainable, while also showing her that the Quiet Council do not always act in the best interests of mutantkind. Sins of Sinister has seen Storm taking on Magneto's costume and headpiece, effectively becoming the new Magneto, showing just how serious she is about honoring his legacy. Magneto and Storm grew into close confidantes while working on Arakko's Great Ring, and both sacrificed their Cerebro backups - meaning they cannot be resurrected. Xavier is not happy about this, and he is apparently going to aggressively seek answers from Ororo. Of course, even if he gets the truth, he's not going to like what he finds.
Storm vs Xavier Could Be the Beginning of the End
Russel Dauterman's cover beautifully depicts a potential battle between the X-Men's weather goddess and the team's former leader, and there is a chance that Xavier has found out that Storm has been tasked with keeping an eye on him, something that would make the control-obsessed Charles very upset. Marvel has teased that the upcoming Fall of X event will be a massive war, most likely between the anti-mutant organization Orchis and Krakoa, but also potentially between mutant factions on Krakoa as well. It would not be surprising if Storm and Charles were left as representatives of either side, especially since other X-Men books like Sabretooth continue to show how Krakoan mutants are beginning to reject Xavier's leadership.
With many fans hoping that the Fall of X event will lead to Charles Xavier's downfall, and not the end of Krakoa, there is a chance that the X-Men's Omega-level powerhouse Storm could be taking the first official step in removing Xavier from power.
X-Men Red #11 from Marvel Comics debuts on May 10, 2023.
Source: League of Comic Geeks