This article contains spoilers for X-Force #14, by Benjamin Percy, Gerry Duggan, and Joshua Cassara.
The X-Men's Storm has proved she doesn't need her powers to conquer Death. Ororo Munroe numbers among the most powerful beings on Earth. She is an Omega level mutant whose powers grant her an innate, instinctive connection to the world around her. But in truth, Storm's powers have never been what makes her truly remarkable.
Most mutants find their identities in their powers, but Storm's sense of identity transcends that. She actually led the X-Men at a time when she had been stripped of her powers, successfully defeating Cyclops in a duel for leadership of the team. Storm knows that, as formidable as her abilities may be, they can so easily become a crutch that she depends on. And she is dependent on nothing, not even her Omega level abilities.
And so, in this week's X-Force #14, Storm proves she doesn't need her powers to defeat Death himself. Ororo has been chosen to fight for the sake of Krakoa, dueling against Death, one of the First Horsemen of Apocalypse. The matches have been rigged by the Omniversal Majestrix Saturnyne, for unknown reasons, and consequently Storm is handicapped; she's up against one of the most powerful mutants ever to walk the Earth, but she has also been stripped of her powers. "As sick as you are, death will be a welcome kiss," the First Horseman tells Storm. But she refuses to give up, and fights on - with style.
Influenced by his father Apocalypse and his mother Genesis, Death mistakenly believes the only thing that matters is power. Storm knows better. Strength of will is more important than raw power, and that is what allows her to triumph. She uses her Vibranium sword Skybreaker to shatter Death's blade, disarming him. Impressed in spite of himself, Death unmasks to unleash his greatest power, a lethal death-stare. But he has again underestimated Storm, because she averts her eyes, and instead uses Skybreaker to reflect his gaze back upon him. It's a classic trick, and it proves devastatingly effective, with Death left reeling. Storm takes advantage of the opportunity to strike. The fight is absolutely breathtaking, especially given it comes at the end of an issue that was far less intense than this surprisingly brief duel.
The battle takes place in the Otherworldly realm of Sevalith, which is inhabited by the undead. Storm leaves her opponent on the ground, bleeding out, being feasted upon by zombies. It's difficult to say whether Death is truly dead, as he is technically an immortal mutant called an External, so should be able to resurrect himself. Given the X-Men's own resurrection protocols do not work, though, it's possible Storm has literally just slain Death himself. And she did so without her powers, proving that the X-Men are far more than just mutants.