There are many things to post today and I'm busy (plus my head is not focusing aaa) but I'm trying my best so forgive me if words are not wording or if I miss or forget stuff.
Let's start with Storm. There are so many incredible things to say about the book, all the references, the lore... Man, did I miss a writer who knows about cosmic and magic lore? Bearing Orlando and North in these last months was... an experience. It did leave us with some emotional damage to unpack, huh?
But the most important thing is the build-up: Wanda's talk about how sorcerers operate through mischief is simply brilliant and on point. How many times has Stephen defeated his enemies by wielding wits and cunning? Don't get me wrong, he's indeed very powerful, and we'll touch that matter in a sec. But it was nice to see that magic is all about tricks and imagination.
Murewa's Wanda is just such a nice breath of fresh air, thank all the magic deities for that. I can finally sit and appreciate Wanda as an approachable and caring character, one who doesn't dismiss people's opinions and understands the burden of the mantle. Moreover, the roles are reversed now: she has to build up her patience when dealing with Ororo's need to go to war. Ororo is adamant despite her lack of experience in things magical, so Wanda acknowledges that while also respecting her agency. Which isn't something that different from what Stephen did back in the days. It always boils down to the moral ambivalence of having the power to dictate the state of the world but refusing to do so.
But okay okay, we're all here because this is a Stephen blog. And boi do I have delicious food to bring to the table
A good portion of this issue is a (very deserved) build-up for Stephen. Maybe not our current Stephen, trapped in Asgard... but at the very least it showcases his deeds. His legacy. His very name. And Murewa was perfect to balance the nuances of his history.
While Wanda and Ororo discuss the dangers and mysteries of magic, there are flashbacks of the War of the Seven Spheres, which is extremely important to me. Because most readers who are not into Strange lore hardly know Stephen fought 5000 years in the name of the Vishanti. MacKay was the first to touch that matter (and trauma), which resulted in General Strange.
It's important to reiterate that only Stephen's very kindness was able to touch and save General from the horrors™
Murewa uses this same concept and twists it through Death, a very familiar and old enemy. Without his soul and heart, Stephen is indeed an unstoppable menace. And that's precisely how the issue ends, revealing that zombie!Stephen is her champion.
It's funny for me to realize my happy chemicals were activated by something so simple and yet so lacking these days. Putting care into one's work, being mindful of characterizations and lore, elevating these characters... It's been so long that I forgot the feeling.
In fact, the whole issue is a breath of fresh air. In our current status when Brevoort is proud of admiting he's raigebaiting the readers, a creator's love for their work is resistance. And I can and will acknowledge that.
Go get this book at your local comic shop if you can!! (plus don't get on Amazon for several reasons but most importantly, the last page is missing)
Storm - Earth's Mightiest Mutant #2 (2026)
