With the X-Men’s Krakoan Age now at a close, Marvel has been announcing where we’ll find their merry mutants as its “From the Ashes” line kicks off this summer. Earlier this week, we learned that a mutant will be joining the ranks of the Avengers–none other than Ororo Munroe herself, the mighty Storm! This August, the weather wielder will join the ranks of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers #17 from writer Jed MacKay and artist Valerio Schiti. Why the addition? According to the press release for the announcement:

In the aftermath of Blood Hunt and Fall of the House of X, the Avengers are licking their wounds and reassessing their goals. One member takes the initiative by approaching Storm, hoping to add her strength and perspective to the team’s upcoming missions! And the roster won’t be the only thing shaken up when a deadly threat sets its vengeful sights on Earth!

On the decision to add Storm to the lineup, MacKay said, “When we were putting together thoughts for X-Men, one problem kept coming up—Storm needed to have a presence in a book befitting her status, but it would be weird for her to be on an X-Men team if she wasn’t the leader. The solution was simple—she needed to be on the global stage, among equals, and what better place for that than the Avengers? We’re excited to bring Storm back to the Avengers and show what adventures she’ll get up to as part of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!”

 

AVENGERS #17 cover by Joshua Cassara

 

But the Storm news hasn’t stopped there. Just yesterday, we learned that Storm will be getting her own solo series this October, from the minds of writer Murewa Ayodele (Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods—check out our interview on that book) and artist Lucas Werneck. Werneck has provided art for the Krakoan Age comic Immortal X-Men and Sins of Sinister, so he’s not new to Storm or X-Men lore.

 

STORM #1 cover by Mateus Manhanini

 

In the press release, Ayodele said:

As a fan of Storm, her duties to the X-Men, and what she stands for in various real-world communities, I would like to assure the audience that Storm is in danger. Extremely so. We love Ororo Munroe, and that is why we have crafted a thrilling story that will put the strength of her character on wide-open display. But when you’re an Omega-level mutant, few things can test your limits, and even fewer things can shatter those limits. For our STORM series, one thing we would like fans to remember is that there are threats that are beyond Omega. Prepare yourselves for an extraordinary display of superheroism that leaves knuckles bloody, knees bashed in, and mountains cratered.

One of the threats that Storm will face right, according to Marvel, is a meltdown at a nuclear facility, rousing Storm from the home she’s built in Atlanta, Georgia. Between this threat and others, it seems that Marvel is setting the stage for Storm to take her place as one of the prominent mutant heroes–and heroes, period–in the world.

And if that wasn’t enough, the House of Ideas just dropped art today featuring alternate covers to Avengers #17 from Sam de la Rosa, Luciano Vecchio, and Pablo Villalobos!

 

AVENGERS #17 cover by Sam de la Rosa

 

AVENGERS #17 cover by Luciano Vecchio

 

AVENGERS #17 cover by Pablo Villalobos

 

Check out all the press releases below! It’s a good week to be a fan of the weather goddess!

Announcement of Storm joining the Avengers:

Yesterday, fans learned an X-Man would be joining the ranks of Marvel’s premier super hero team this summer, and today, it’s revealed to be none other than the goddess herself— STORM IS EARTH’S MIGHTIEST MUTANT!

Storm will join the cast of Jed MacKay’s current run starting in August’s AVENGERS #17. The issue will also mark the debut of new series artist Valerio Schiti! Fresh off his bold work on G.O.D.S., the acclaimed artist known for his breathtaking action and dynamic character work takes the helm just in time for this exciting new era.

Krakoa’s tragic fall has made the Avengers realize how vital a mutant voice on the team is, and they’ll settle for nothing less than the most prominent and beloved mutant super hero on the planet! A pop culture icon, Storm has assembled with the Avengers before—in both comics as well as other forms of media—but never like this! Not only will the Avengers need her Omega-level power for the battles ahead, but they’ll need to rely on her unique expertise and leadership skills as MacKay’s overarching plots involving Kang, the Twilight Court, and more kick into high gear. This only marks the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a monumental period for Storm as she’ll also headline an all-new solo ongoing series launching later this year!

In the aftermath of Blood Hunt and Fall of the House of X, the Avengers are licking their wounds and reassessing their goals. One member takes the initiative by approaching Storm, hoping to add her strength and perspective to the team’s upcoming missions! And the roster won’t be the only thing shaken up when a deadly threat sets its vengeful sights on Earth!

On the decision to add Storm to the lineup, MacKay said, “When we were putting together thoughts for X-Men, one problem kept coming up—Storm needed to have a presence in a book befitting her status, but it would be weird for her to be on an X-Men team if she wasn’t the leader. The solution was simple—she needed to be on the global stage, among equals, and what better place for that than the Avengers? We’re excited to bring Storm back to the Avengers and show what adventures she’ll get up to as part of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!”

On being the new AVENGERS artist, Schiti said, “As a reader, I am a great fan of Jed’s run, and I really love the way he writes the team: not just as fellow soldiers, but as a group of friends with a shared past. At the same time he doesn’t hold back on action and fight scenes! The balance between these two moods is exactly what excites me the most when I have to start a new gig!”

“I have a soft spot for the mutants, so you can imagine my happiness when I knew that Storm was joining the team,” Schiti continued. “It’s always fun to draw her powers, her body language, and her outfits. There’s just one challenge: you always have to remember that she’s not just a mutant, she’s a goddess!”

Check out Joshua Cassara’s electrifying AVENGERS #17 cover now. Stay tuned later this week for the full announcement of Storm’s new solo ongoing series and reveal of her new costume! For more information, visit Marvel.com.

 

Announcement for Storm’s solo series:

Earlier this week, Marvel proudly announced that Storm, one of comic books’ most iconic super heroes, will be joining the Avengers this August! It’s the first step in what promises to be a renaissance for the beloved character as Marvel will also be launching an all-new STORM solo ongoing series in October!

Set in the X-Men’s highly anticipated From the Ashes era, STORM will be brought to life by Murewa Ayodele, the acclaimed writer behind Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods who made his Marvel debut last year with Moon Knight: Black, White & Blood and I Am Iron Man, and Lucas Werneck, the superstar artist known for his work on recent X-Men epics like Immortal X-Men and Sins of Sinister. Werneck also designed a stunning new costume for Storm’s exciting new venture into solo storytelling!

Storm has always been a prime protector of the planet. With the loss of Krakoa, that position becomes more important to her than ever. From her new super hero headquarters, Storm begins making decisions that will forecast the future of the Marvel Universe. Her bold actions will stir forces around and even beyond Earth, calling forth enemies that match her strength and determination. Storm has never needed a throne to rule the skies. Now, watch in awe as this new series elevates her to the heights that only she can reach!

Ororo Munroe has lived many lives. She’s been a thief, a goddess, an X-Man, a queen, and now…an Avenger! She is the most prominent, most respected and most powerful mutant on the world stage—and in that role, she intends to be a force for positive change. First up: a major meltdown at a nuclear facility in Oklahoma City draws Storm from her Sanctuary in Atlanta—and into a moral conflict that will test her iron resolve! As one of the year’s biggest launches, it’ll be packed with guest stars including Storm’s fellow Avengers, X-Factor’s Frenzy, and more!

On the challenges Storm will face, Ayodele said, “As a fan of Storm, her duties to the X-Men, and what she stands for in various real-world communities, I would like to assure the audience that Storm is in danger. Extremely so. We love Ororo Munroe, and that is why we have crafted a thrilling story that will put the strength of her character on wide-open display. But when you’re an Omega-level mutant, few things can test your limits, and even fewer things can shatter those limits. For our STORM series, one thing we would like fans to remember is that there are threats that are beyond Omega. Prepare yourselves for an extraordinary display of superheroism that leaves knuckles bloody, knees bashed in, and mountains cratered.

“We are building towards gargantuan conflicts that will shake the universe from Planet Earth to the Dimension of Manifestations,” Ayodele continued. “We are crafting stories filled to the brim with humanity, love, mystery, adventure, heartbreak, and ALL-OUT ACTION. Tom Brevoort, the editor behind Marvel’s most universe-shattering events, Lucas Werneck, the incredible artist known for his genius-level attention to design and character work, and I are cooking with supernovas on this series. So join us on this journey that promises to be exciting till the bitter-sweet end. Get ready for an ETERNAL STORM.”

“I still can’t believe that Marvel gave me this gift,” Werneck added. “Storm is a character that I love, and I have so much respect for what this character represents to people. We’re working with so much love and devotion on this project, and I hope that fans enjoy it as much as we’re enjoying making it.”

Drawn by acclaimed artist Mateus Manhanini, the series’ covers will be just as breathtaking as Storm’s feats! Check out his debut issue cover now along with Werneck’s original design sheet for Storm’s new costume, and be there when the clouds part on STORM’s new era this October. For more information, visit Marvel.com.

 

Announcement of alternate covers to Avengers #17:

There’s been a hurricane of Storm announcements this week! Not only is the stalwart X-Man leader joining the cast of writer Jed MacKay and new series artist Valerio Schiti’s AVENGERS run this August, but Storm will also headline her very own solo ongoing series in October. She’s EARTH’S MIGHTIEST MUTANT, and both titles will showcase her soaring to Omega-level heights! Today, fans can see all-new variant covers for the issue where she’s recruited by the Avengers—AVENGERS #17.

Among the new covers is an homage to Avengers #144 by Luciano Vecchio and a gorgeous pinup piece by Pablo Villalobos, both of which spotlight her new costume. In addition, artist Sam de la Rosa depicts Storm’s ex-husband, Black Panther, whom she’ll now stand alongside once more as teammates.

In the aftermath of Blood Hunt and Fall of the House of X, the Avengers are licking their wounds and reassessing their goals. One member takes the initiative by approaching Storm, hoping to add her strength and perspective to the team’s upcoming missions! And the roster won’t be the only thing shaken up when a deadly threat sets its vengeful sights on Earth!

On the decision to add Storm to the lineup, MacKay said, “When we were putting together thoughts for X-Men, one problem kept coming up—Storm needed to have a presence in a book befitting her status, but it would be weird for her to be on an X-Men team if she wasn’t the leader. The solution was simple—she needed to be on the global stage, among equals, and what better place for that than the Avengers? We’re excited to bring Storm back to the Avengers and show what adventures she’ll get up to as part of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!”

Check out three new AVENGERS #17 covers and preorder the highly anticipated issue at your local comic shop! For more information, visit Marvel.com.