The Marvel Comics History of Storm as an Asgardian Goddess, Explained

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As a seasoned gamer and avid comic book fan with a soft spot for Storm, I must admit that the teaser for the final season of What If…? has me absolutely thrilled! The idea of seeing Storm as an Asgardian Goddess of Thunder is not only intriguing but also pays homage to her rich and complex history in the comics.

One intriguing aspect of the trailer for the third and last season of What If…? on Disney+ is the introduction of Storm within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Previously, Ororo Munroe, the Kenyan mutant weather deity, was only depicted in the Fox X-Men film series and the animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. In What If..?, however, Storm appears to wield an Asgardian hammer akin to Thor’s Mjölnir. It could even be Mjölnir itself, which aligns with the character’s comic book history where Storm was portrayed as an Asgardian Goddess of Thunder. This reflects Marvel Comics lore for Storm.

In the comics, Storm initially wielded divine power using a hammer distinct from Mjölnir, known as Stormcaster. This hammer debuted in issue #9 of Uncanny X-Men: Annual, dating back to 1985. During this period when Storm had lost her mutant weather-altering abilities, she remained with the X-Men. One of their encounters involved battling the Goddess of Death, Hela. As a result, they found themselves in Asgard. The trickster god Loki attempted to deceive Ororo and crafted an enchanted hammer called Stormcaster, which granted her abilities akin to Thor’s. This included summoning lightning and thunder, powers she previously used naturally. However, Storm eventually recognized that Loki was attempting to exploit her for revenge against his brother. She ultimately rejected Stormcaster, although her original mutant powers would be restored soon after.

For several years, Ororo didn’t use the Stormcaster again. Later, Thor gave her the Stormcaster once more, making her the Thunder Goddess once more. However, during a disagreement with Thor (as is common among superheroes), she used Mjolnir to obliterate it. Despite being destroyed, it resurfaced in the remnants of Old Asgard. Eventually, the hammer reappeared on Earth and was reunited with Storm. Using it, she vanquished the evil deity Uovu. However, nothing in comics stays dead forever, and that includes the Stormcaster.

In issue #3 of the 2011’s “X-Men: To Serve and Protect,” Storm came into contact with the restored enchanted hammer, causing her to regain her form as the Goddess of Thunder once more. Recognizing the immense control it would exert over Storm, Thor attempted to shatter Stormcaster, but he was unable to do so. Instead, Thor persuaded Storm to grasp his hammer, Mjölnir, and they raised it high together. United in their strength, they finally destroyed Stormcaster. This act demonstrated that not only Storm, but also Captain America and a select few others, were deserving of wielding Thor’s powerful uru hammer.

In the primary Marvel Universe, Storm’s reign as the Goddess of Thunder was short-lived. However, there were alternate realities within the multiverse where she continued to wield her Asgardian power. For instance, a comic book from the 1990s called “What If…?” explores a world where Storm decided to stay on Asgard and ascended to the Goddess of Thunder position permanently. In this reality, she even became the supreme ruler of Asgard! In another storyline, like the 2015’s Secret Wars, Doctor Doom has a squad of Thor-like characters under his command on Battleworld, and among them is Storm, who once more possesses an enchanted hammer. It remains unclear why Storm will assume the role of Goddess of Thunder in the animated “What If…?” series, but we’re all excited to discover the reason!

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2024-11-12 18:33