Warning: this article contains spoilers for Marauders #17
When Jonathan Hickman took over as Head of X at Marvel Comics, it was the beginning of a new age for the X-Men. Not too long ago, mutants were facing extinction after the world-shattering events of House of M. Now, they’ve practically taken over the world, live on an Elysian island where they are safe and welcomed, and, to put icing on the cake, they’ve also cracked immortality. Alas, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for Earth’s mutants. For those who survived but were left depowered after the events of House of M, the transition to the Krokoan age hasn’t been painless.
At the heart of one of these stories is Storm, whose powers were unaffected by Scarlet Witch’s reality-bending abilities. Not that the X-Men’s foes would notice a difference had they vanished, as she has already proven she’s deadly, if not deadlier, without her powers, especially while wielding a sword. The X of Swords event, for example, featured a weakened Storm in a fight to the death against the Horseman of Death himself, in one of the most epic duels in Marvel Comics history. This month, fans of the character are getting a glimpse of just how lethal she can be.
A subplot in this month’s Marauders #17, written by Gerry Duggan and illustrated by Matteo Lolli, involves Storm and her onetime adversary Callisto. The former leader of the underground mutant society, the Morlocks, is one of those mutants who has been attempting to integrate into the new way of life on Krakoa without her powers. For context, before the events of House of M, Callisto was gifted with superhuman senses. This means that for the majority of her life she has been interacting with the physical world in a very deep and extensive way. With her powers gone, that connection has been shut off and the world—as she describes it—feels fake. She tells Storm, whom she considers a close friend, that she’s suffering. The rub here is that under the laws of Krakoa, mutants wishing to be resurrected for the purpose of regaining their powers must enter the Crucible where they would face Apocalypse in combat, die and be born anew with their gifts restored. Since Apocalypse’s self-imposed exile on Arakko, mutants willing to undergo the process must be accompanied by a willing second to act as their adversary and killer.
Though not as against the Crucible as some of her fellow X-Men are, Storm initially refuses Callisto’s request. On the day of Callisto’s trial, however, she makes a surprise and dramatic entrance into the arena. A thankful and relieved Callisto turns to face her opponent. The fight, mercifully, doesn’t last long. After trading a few blows, Storm closes the distance and delivers a devastating strike to Callisto’s solar plexus, channeling a powerful charge of electricity straight into her heart, killing her instantly. On the following page, readers see Callisto freshly emerged from a resurrection egg fully restored. A happy ending, but a wake-up call for enemies of the mutant weather goddess.
There’s no denying that Storm is one of the most powerful mutants on Krakoa. This defibrillating punch just goes to prove that she has mastered her powers to the point of being dangerous at any distance and in any situation. Unfortunately, with Callisto’s happy ending, and the recent advancements they’ve has made in terms of security and outreach, Storm is due for change. What this means exactly is unknown, but to lose her would deal a mighty blow indeed to the X-Men and Krakoa.