Storm, Vol. 2: Bring the Thunder

Storm (2014) #6-11

by Greg Pak, Víctor Ibáñez (Artist)

In her adventures as an X-Man - and her own kind of rebel - Storm has made some formidable enemies. It doesn't take much for money and power to pull some strings, and now Storm is Public Enemy No. 1! Can she evade the authorities long enough to clear her name? As vengeful assassins armed to the teeth target her, Storm pursues the mastermind who made her a fugitive - but she might have to call in help from some unexpected places! Then, when Gambit gets in over his head, it's up to Storm to bail him out! But while she's remembering how to pick locks, a figure from her past resurfaces as a deadly new threat. Will Storm be able to right a wrong she caused long ago? Or is she doomed to relive history? COLLECTING: Storm 6-11

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, X Men, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2015

About the author

Greg Pak is an award-winning Korean American comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing "Lawful" for BOOM and "Sam Wilson: Captain America" (with Evan Narcisse) for Marvel. Pak wrote the "Princess Who Saved Herself" children's book and the “Code Monkey Save World” graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) the acclaimed “Make Comics Like the Pros” how-to book. Pak's other work includes "Planet Hulk," "Darth Vader," "Mech Cadet Yu," "Ronin Island," "Action Comics," and "Magneto Testament."

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half of this series is covered by this volume, in which once again Storm has to challenge authority to fight injustice, and then has to handle an enraged mutant from the X-Men's past who sees Storm as a hypocrite. This series is definitely better than all the previous Storm Limited Serials, and one hopes in future Marvel will start investing in top writers like Greg Pak (and indeed better artists than the one on this series) for these limited run solo books like they did with The Vision and Mockingbird :)

2019 read

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read!

It pretty much starts with Storm on a plane and some people attack it from inside but the senator in the plane think its her and so they target her and well she navigates both the trouble but mutant hate follows even though she rescues the plane and FBI arrests her and we have Storm going Rogue and well the situation leads her to a man named Dave Harmon and his co. Eaglestar International and we see how he ties upto this and the previous stories and its Storm vs this cyborg man and well the way the utopia island ties into is awesome and we see Storm in such an epic fight and that rainbow scene was so awesome and so worth it and we see Storm fighting for the right thing!

Finally she is attacked by an old student Kenji and this is where Pak tries to bring together every element of his run so far in a consolidated story and yep uses old continuity to show the threat that Kenji has become now thanks to the events of the previous story and its well done but the reasoning comes off as not entirely clear but its not the worst as we see all supporting characters in this comic so far and maybe a heroic moment for Storm as she uses the "talk" to calm the bad guy down and it gets over I guess.

So yeah not the worst but I enjoyed it as it shows Ororo being heroic and a different facet of her and the team up with Gambit was fun too harkening back to old continuity which always make for a great read! So yeah I recommend this one big time and its a shame it ended with Secret wars because this comic till then was really amazing!

[Sesana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather uneven, unfortunately. It averages out to kind of mediocre, despite some good scenes and really nice art. The Indiana Jones-esque Gambit issue fell particularly flat for me. I wanted this series to be so much better than it was, which is a shame. At least the cover art is almost universally fantastic.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Storm series was OK. It was entertaining without ever really doing anything that put it above the average line.

To be honest, Storm ends up interacting with the other X-Men SO much and tying up so many loose ends from previous X-Men stories that the book ends up being an argument for why Storm can't support a solo title.

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really, really dig Greg Pak's Storm and wish he'd write more. She's out there, trying to balance her desire for wide skies and freedom with her responsibilities at home --with Beast as essentially co-parent to a big old school of rowdy (mutant) teens-- and she's doing a great job. In general: why are there so few Storm books???????

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine volume of Storm being an absolute badass. Oh, and some more extraordinary team-ups for good measure.



The covers of this series alone are damn good additions to Storm's badassery.

[Miss Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

LISTEN UP internet i have a mission for you

i am going to need you all to band together to pull for a storm movie

think like the carol corps only we'll call ourselves something cool and storm related. storm watch?

i would also like lupita nyongo to be cast in that movie but that is negotiable, she is the only actress i can think of who could match storm's radiant beauty but i don't watch a lot of movies so i'm sure there are other options i'm just not familiar with

anyways i'm counting on you here internet. i want to see a storm movie in my lifetime. just think of how fantastic is would be, you could write the most amazing character arcs (from thieving street kid to queen to literal goddess!) and you would have viewers GLUED to their seats whenever she pulled off amazing feats of weather related badassery

you could grab stuff from this volume too, that moment of all those black people mobilizing for storm was beautiful; it'd be like a shining antidote to the Incredible Whiteness of Being (copyright: DC and Marvel) that is most every other superhero movie currently out there

just think about interpeeps. think about it and hmu when you're ready to campaign for the storm movie we all need and deserve

3.5 stars

(we can even make it multiple series, we'll have main Storm movies focused on her core storyline and then mini-series like Storm and Gambit Go on Indiana Jones Style Adventures! Storm in Gangster Land: The Yumi Chronicles!, Storm and Beast Run a School!)

[It's just Deano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bring The Thunder is the second and concluding volume to Storm's 2014 series.

I'll come right out with it - I felt we took a dip in quality here. Sure, the awesome characterisation is still here, but the plot direction seems questionable at best. There was undoubtedly a lack of story in volume one, but it was relatively new reader friendly. Bring The Thunder sadly seems the other way around - we get a glaringly last minute attempt to tie the series together, but it will ultimately come at an expense to those new readers of the X-Men.

That said, the artwork is still good here, but we do sadly seem to get less and less of Victor Ibanez on art as it progresses.

Overall, the characterisation here maintains a wonderful job of expressing Storm as an individual, it's just sadly not enough to equate for the strange plot structure. Be warned - new X-Men readers will undoubtedly feel a little duped by its conclusion.
___________________

My Score: 5/10
My Goodreads: ⭐⭐⭐
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[Gerry Sacco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was good, but I wasn’t a fan of the ending. The story deserved better than it.

[D. F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Volume one of Pak's Storm book was a surprise hit for me, so it really brings me no joy to slap this one with a two-star. Pak fumbles to put a larger story together out of the episodic adventures from volume one, and what could have been a perfectly comfortable episodic narrative turns into a sloppy atonal mess. The opening story arc with Storm being arrested was decent. The art was pretty center of the road, but there was a handful of powerful notes that invoked the racially/globally aware nature of the book. The issue in the middle was a massive flop, an ill-conceived Gambit crossover with a bad ending and some truly terrible artwork. The last two issues were prettier, but boy were they messy. Pak brings back Generation Hope's Kenji as a secret long term big-bad and everything reads like an afterthought. Everything happens too fast, and the threads attempting to connect Kenji to the previous short stories are shameless fastballs attempting to make the whole thing look clever. I wouldn't be surprised if this was mostly an editorial flub, with Secret Wars rushing in to shut everything down, but there's just no excuse for what happened here.

I hope Storm continues to get the spotlight after Secret Wars. This series began with a whole lot of promise and Storm as a solo act works. It's a shame to watch it all shamble towards such an anti-climactic ending.

[Michael Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had actually braced myself (yet again) to hate this volume and decide to drop this title, but that was no where near the case. It lost a star because parts of the story are a bit way out there and a bit of a stretch to make things work the way Greg Pak wanted, but it was mostly pretty strong. I also loved that Storm was a person and not entirely consumed by the recent death that has dictates her voice in so many other titles. One thing I have to call out, though, was there REALLY no where that she could've set that plane down between Las Vegas and New York? Come on.

There was also a lot of required reading to understand some of the stuff going on with Marisol and the Morlocks and the second villain that popped up. That said, it turned out really well and I enjoyed the stories. Though I almost wish she had been forced to make the difficult decision. There's not always a way to avoid that (which is why I've like the latest New Avengers run so much) and giving a way out feels like a cop out almost every time it happens.

The art was pretty solid. I liked Al Barrionuevo quite a bit by the end. There were a couple of artists that added pages in the later issues that were pretty weak, but I still liked it overall.

Pretty excited to see what spins out of Secret Wars for our weather goddess.

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

In which Storm does a bunch of badass things that even more strongly set her in my mind as queen. There are some moments where I question whether Storm's character would actually react the way she does in this book, but I'll shrug and take it if it progresses the story and lets me see her do more cool stuff. It has some really good moments where Storm gives me feelings, like inspiration and admiration, but there's also mediocre stuff (like the issue with Gambit). Overall, I do like it though. There are some weird angles in the art sometimes, but mostly it's pretty good.

[Michelle Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

To put it simply Storm kicks ass.

[Christal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was a bit more cohesive than the previous volume, but I still felt like Storm could have done more. It's a shame this is the end because she is such a great character.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and entertaining. It had a good story.

[Tyler Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second volume of Storm’s standalone series is just as good as the first. I really enjoyed the complexities that the writers continue to bring to her character. It was interesting seeing how she deals with getting arrested by officials after being framed for a crime she didn’t commit. I thought that was a horrible situation to see her navigate. I also think one of Storm’s skills that doesn’t get talked about a lot is being able to understand people and the complexities of human nature. People’s moods change like the weather and she is aware of those subtle differences in temperature when people are about to pop off, cause a problem, or are in dire need of help. Her heart also keeps her accountable, which is what makes her such a great character and leader.

While the climax of this volume was a bit anti-climactic, I thought the team-ups were fun. I loved the dynamic of a Storm and Gambit team up. The thief angle is such a fun way to unite them, especially since they grew up somewhat similarly on the fringes of society, as outcasts and having to fight throughout their entire upbringing. I also think Storm has a sense of security whenever she’s working alongside one of her fellow X-Men, which is cute. I did have a qualm about the villains in the second volume. They were lacking a bit for my taste, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. Maybe I don’t know enough of the backstory (if these characters have appeared before) and I just don’t know about them, which is totally on me. I also was low key hoping for an awesome female villain to act as a foil for Storm to go up against, but it never happened. If women can be awesome heroes, they should be allowed to be baddie villains too right? (Maybe I’m alone here.)

The artwork, like the first volume is still awesome and consistent throughout. Again, the color choices are on point with the story that is being told. I love Storm’s costume in this series, it’s a really bold look for her. I also love the subtext of having a black woman arrested for speaking truth and doing what’s right. History has a long and troubled past with this, so it felt very cathartic that the most iconic Black X-Man would find herself at the end of such a horrible situation. In a post Black Lives Matter world, we’re much more aware of how discriminatory the system is toward minorities, especially Blacks. I thought Storm was the perfect character to take this issue on. It’s also on par with the landscape of X-Men comics where those who are othered get to finally tell their stories. I’m surprised this series doesn’t have more volumes because it is phenomenal. I will always read anything Storm related, but I could definitely see myself rereading this series for sure!

[47Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storm is pretty cool in this volume too. Her powers might seem boring, but she uses them and her wits to finally close the matter of Yukio's criminal organization, to complete a short quest with Gambit and to deal with Kenji, a mutant returned from the dead. This comic won't win any prizes for writing or artwork, but it's not bad either.

The instability in Yukio's organization means that Ororo is also a target. She helps land a plane after terrorists attack it, but is still arrested for it. The matter goes deeper than she thought, when she discovers that the senator who accused her of destroying the plane is implicated in something designed to have the blame fall on Ororo. Storm escapes and threatens the senator into revealing that Harmon forced him to accuse Storm. Harmon, Yukio's rogue gang leader, tries to get away by triggering a large wave aimed for a bridge filled with people, but Storm saves them and captures Harmon, thus clearing her name.

Gambit needs Ororo's help to investigate a technomancer dealing in magical items. They explore a dungeon in search of a magical item that turns out to be a simple mirror.

Kenji, a mutant thought dead after he tried to kill the X-Men, returns to the school after Harmon experimented on him. His initially innocent facade is quickly offset by attacks coming from his techno-organic monsters. As he assimilates Storm, she eventually manages to use the connection to confront Kenji in the mind realm. She convinces him to give up the attack and hopes he will decide to return to the school.

[Krzysztof Grabowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drugi i ostatni jak dotąd zbiór solowych przygód Storm, jednej z moich ulubionych X-men, która udowadnia, jaką hardą babką z jajami jest. Kropka. Basta. Jest postacią, która lawiruje pomiędzy byciem zagrożeniem dla ludzi, którzy obawiają się mutantów, a byciem ubóstwianym przez tych, którzy mieli z nią kontakt i wiedzą, że jest super osobą, która w razie czego ich obroni.

Historia nam tu ukazana zaczyna się kapitalnie. Ororo leci... samolotem. Jednocześnie na pokładzie mamy polityka z obstawą. Panią, która jest ewidentnie nastawiona negatywnie do heroski, choć to się trochę zmienia. Panią, która transportuje organ do transplantacji i pozytywnego pilota. Traf chce, że jednostkę ktoś atakuje, a polityk obarcza całą winą liderkę X-men. Do akcji wkracza FBI.

Kto stoi za całym zamieszanie i co będzie miał z wrobienia Storm. Odpowiedzi są całkiem niezłe, jak i akcja towarzysząca całości. Tą cześć uważam za naprawdę dobrą, ale niestety potem, gdy na scenę autor wrzuca pewną postać z przeszłości X-men, ale brak jej charakteru. Wszystkiego brak w sumie, może poza byciem ohydnym...

Z kreską mam problem, bo nie podobała mi się miejscami bardzo. Natomiast efekty mocy używanych przez Storm prezentują się świetnie. To ten przypadek, gdzie dobra fabuła ratuje resztę. Nieco szkoda, że bohaterka dostała tylko dwa zeszyty. Widać było, że całość zaczęła się rozkręcać, a Ororo mogła by sporo zamieszać na tle rozwiania uprzedzeń na temat mutantów. Niestety nie będzie jej to dane, bo nadchodzą Tajne Wojny.

[Zack Ruszkai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great continuation from the first volume. Pak previously presented us with a very emotionally driven collection of issues in volume 1, with strong character work at its forefront. Here, he changes things up and gives us an overarching story packed with plenty of action. Gambit's appearance in particular was really fun to read and I loved the dynamic between him and Storm. Although the character work here isn't quite as strong as in the first volume, this volume certainly makes up for it in not only in the story but the artwork. From start to finish, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and make this comic all the more enjoyable. As a whole, I really enjoyed seeing a series led by Storm and hope that we get to see much more of her in the future.

[Satyam Singh Niranjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storm Vol. 2: Bring the Thunder offers more adventures, excursions, and problems in Storm's daily life as the headmistress of Jean Grey's Mutant School. However, these adventures weren't particularly interesting, mostly revolving around some of Storm's acquaintances. There's also an adventure featuring Gambit, which initially seemed promising but turned out to be another bland morality quest. The art in the last chapter was fantastic, which prevented me from giving it a lower rating and ultimately led to a 3/5. As the final volume of the series, I didn't find it very engaging. While it was meant to be a brief glimpse into Storm's life as both headmistress and vigilante, I was quite disappointed by its brevity and the disjointed nature of each chapter.

[scorpionwoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

6 & 7 - ok i lost track of 6 ending and 7 starting because i was enjoying the story. lots of action. really liked the telepathic conversation. they can’t keep my girl down!

8 - “all this over 14%?” she saved everyone, like she always does. PERIOD! loved the last page with the little girl hugging her.

9 - GAMBIT! cajun king… nil is pretty funny for calling gambit old.

10 - wtf! who is kenji? is he actually evil?

11 - i’m getting kelela vibes from the cover. i liked this story overall… storm has to learn to about herself, grieve, how to help people in the ways that they need it… it was nice.

[Viki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story-wise I wanted to give 3 stars to this volume because I wasn't exactly blown away by the overall storyline, but Ororo is still one of my most favourite female characters ever, and I love seeing her badass and strong and stubborn and loyal and honest and just not letting others break her. Plus, I absolutely loved the covers of this volume, they are all beautiful - so I gave another star. I'm biased and I'm weak for nice art.

[Ronan The Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Vol. 1, but still a conclusion to Pak’s chance on Storm. This volume felt less personal and focused largely on a brief techno-organic global crisis orchestrated by a former student. This just didn’t feel like an overarching story for Storm, and more of a monster of the week kind of thing, but not in a good way. It felt more disposable and a bit sloppier. Still, I didn’t hate it, it was just ok.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the first volume showed promise but it fell apart here. We get some interconnected stories but by the thinnest of plot points and a return no one wanted. Storm continues to be an amazing character, and Pak voiced her extremely well but the story itself was bland and felt forced where the first volume had more soul. The art was also a downgrade as we get less Ibanez. Overall, a sadly forgettable book.

[Amanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd be able to come in and read this as a stand alone but it seems to require a lot of background information I don't have. Each issue is pretty disconnected and there are quite a few plots going on that don't go together and I guess get resolved elsewhere. But it's got some fun body horror at the end so it's okay.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved these. Storm is unapologetically forceful and fantastically powerful. Watching her let loose and make real impacts while being conscious and thoughtful of the realities of such choices is refreshing and inspiring. The comfortable dynamics with the rest of the team feel so natural and true. I would read a million more, but I also appreciate the self-contained arc. Great stuff.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

continues at the same level.
it's pretty good stuff. I've not read about Kenji Uedo before but it felt like a good closing of the loop as well as a redemption for them/a reset has happened for the character.

the artist changed but is very similar. in issue 9 I think, the first panel of Storm's face was horrible, but other than that I like the artists hired here.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2017/18...

I feel like my review of the first volume could easily stand in for the second here. It's a bit of a nostalgia fest that I personally really liked but could see it falling flat for others.

[Ashe Catlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one didn't rub me the wrong way as much as the first one, was it good? Not really it tries to thread some of the single stories from the last volume in an attempt to give a satisfying conclusion. It doesn't work they throw in 2 bit bad robot dudes who weren't even mentioned or seen before, that are supposed to be the masterminds of the whole thing. Yes the random events are all connected, the weather machine in Africa, the run away kids and the leaking tap. I still have yet to figure out how they are all connected but the villain said it was him so why argue? You can't argue with a stupid person, Storm was finally given centre stage and a chance to shine by herself and they couldn't even give her something decent to do what a waste of a series.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing very exciting (for me) as this title dissolves into Secret Wars