Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!
And today’s not just another X-Men Monday — it’s my birthday! This past weekend, a few friends and I went to dinner in Central Square, Cambridge, for what ended up being a surprisingly X-Men-filled good time.
First, if you’re a Boston-area X-Fan and are unaware, Central Square’s popular Veggie Galaxy restaurant was mentioned in 2018’s Astonishing X-Men #13, which I spoke to both writer Matthew Rosenberg and Veggie Galaxy about in this interview. In all this time, I’ve somehow never seen the plaque Veggie Galaxy made to commemorate their X-Men crossover in person. So while in the Square, I popped in and snapped this photo.
Courtesy of Chris Hassan
So cool! Later in the evening, my friends and I made our way to Roxy’s Arcade down the street, where we played and successfully beat the Konami X-Men arcade game. I played as Cyclops and blasted so many Sentinels, Bonebreakers, and crocodile men (or whatever those were).
Courtesy of Chris Hassan
And finally, I stumbled across this very interesting X-Men pinball machine, which featured a mix of bizarre evergreen costumes — but also Krakoan-era Professor X — and even friend of X-Men Monday Connor Goldsmith’s CEREBRO logo! Wild stuff, but still nice to see a piece of Krakoa is thriving in Central Square.
Courtesy of David Brooke
Courtesy of Chris Hassan
Courtesy of Chris Hassan
Anyway, you didn’t come here to celebrate my birthday — you came for writer Murewa Ayodele, who has plenty of interesting insights into his ongoing Storm series, the three-part “Thunder War” epic (which starts this week), and the upcoming “Age of Revelation” tie-in, Rogue Storm. Read on to see what Murewa has to say.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Welcome back to X-Men Monday, Murewa! Something I’ve enjoyed about our Storm conversations is learning where you pull inspiration from and how it influences everything from the costumes Ororo wears to a single panel in an issue. So, as “Thunder War” begins, I’m curious, how does Murewa Ayodele go about crafting a multi-part modern epic?
Murewa Ayodele: X-Men Mondays are always some of the most fun I have talking comics, so it’s a pleasure to be back, Chris. The Storm series has been a massive enabler for my tendency to overthink. I’m glad you’re enjoying the madness it breeds. 🤣 🤣 🤣
Olorun is my favorite mythological figure across cultures — maybe he is the reason I am so deeply fascinated with all-powerful characters and the complexity of their story potential.
When I was doing random research into Olorun, I discovered he was, at the time, a recently included playable character in the Smite video game — a battle arena video game that features gods from pantheons across numerous cultures.
The tagline was, “The reign of Zeus has ended. The Ruler of the Heavens (Olorun) has arrived to take his seat on the throne.” It was at this moment that my fascination with potential interpersonal politics and power dynamics between gods from different cultures was ignited.
I also particularly found thunder gods interesting because of how similar many of them are. Rageful temperaments, fierce warriors, and powerful deities, who are often nemeses to great serpents. They are also mostly male figures. Female thunder gods are usually married to, serve, or are related to other male thunder gods. Ororo Munroe might be or is at least the most popular female thunder god that is not directly affiliated with a male thunder god. I wanted to explore and have fun with some of those similarities and contrasts.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Artists Lucas Werneck and Mario Santoro will help bring “Thunder War” to life. At this point, jaw-dropping visuals are par for the course in Storm, but what can readers expect to see from Lucas and Mario over the next three issues?
Murewa: Over the decades, we’ve had great powerhouses like Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Joe Madureira, Frank Quitely, John Cassaday, R.B. Silva, Pepe Larraz, etc., who have redefined the great visual storytelling heights X-Men stories are capable of reaching and surpassing. Mario Santoro, Lucas Werneck, and C.F. Villa will be doing the same thing with Storm stories in “Thunder War.”
AIPT: And here’s proof of that, via an eXclusive look at Storm #11 from artist Mario Santoro and color artist Alex Guimarães.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
This week’s first X-Fan question comes from Umika, who says Storm always feels so strong but also soft inside. How do you think her personality changes or grows in “Thunder War”? What pushes her to keep fighting, even when everything feels so hard? Umika is curious about how you show Ororo’s heart amongst all the chaos.
Murewa: The change her personality goes through in “Thunder War” is a massive spoiler, so I might not be able to discuss it fully. But know these:
Firstly, Storm’s strengths can many times be weaknesses, especially when she is interacting with people who do not share the same moral standards as she does. We are going to see one of her core strengths exploited in a massive way.
Secondly, Storm is going to crash out… three times in this story arc.
As you rightly suspected, this is going to be an emotional journey for Ororo, and it’s going to be on wide open display for gods, abstract entities, you, and me to bear witness.
AIPT: Here’s an another eXclusive from Storm #11 by Mario Santoro and Fernando Sifuentes-Sujo. Could this be one of the three times Storm crashes out? We’ll see!
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
X-Fan KasyaCarey says the very concept of a “Thunder War” indicates that there are storm gods who support Hadad. They’ve thrown their lot in with him to hasten his approach. But why on earth would they do that? Do storm god relations trump their loyalties to their own pantheons? Did they swear ancient oaths, form alliances — or are they just rotten to the core?
Murewa: There are various reasons why a thunder god would align themselves with Hadad. He is the most powerful of the thunder gods; a less powerful god might want to avoid any smoke with Hadad. Many thunder gods naturally thrive in chaos. They’ll jump at any excuse to battle. But the main reason, which will be explored in the story arc, is that abstract entities and gods of the Marvel Universe have not always seen eye to eye.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Two X-Fans have Maggott on their minds. First, X-Fan Theodate Chase Morrison knows Storm is Ororo’s series, but can readers expect any more focus on Japheth? Then, X-Fan Bilal Abdul-Azeez asks if Maggott is an omega-level mutant now that he’s literally part god. If so, what abilities does he have to quantify his omega status?
Murewa: Maggott is a major supporting character in the Storm series. Even if it doesn’t always seem like it, he will always be a part of the series.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
In the Marvel Universe, an omega-level mutant has no upper limit to the potential of their ability. Maggott has many abilities, but his primary ability is the process of “matter consumption -> matter to energy conversion -> energy absorption to enhance physical abilities.”
Given enough time, Maggott can now consume as much as he wants and use the energy to enhance his body as much as he wants. We will get a glimpse of this new status in Storm #10. This status of his was inspired by X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #39, written by Alex Paknadel with art by Julian Shaw, where Maggott got titan-sized because one of his slugs consumed so much matter and released all the energy all at once into his body.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: A story I spoke to Alex about back in X-Men Monday #165! Now, I can’t have you here and not ask about all the commotion you and Luciano Vecchio caused in X-Men: Hellfire Vigil #1 by introducing Ororo’s possible future daughter Furaha. What can you share about the genesis of this new character and your decision to give Ororo a glimpse of her existence?
Murewa: To the best of my knowledge, the comic book direct market is having an upward swing at the moment, but it is still in its early stages and in a very delicate, fickle state, so most industry players are being extremely cautious. That said, even though we get five issues greenlit at a time, I don’t want it to reflect in the stories. I want fans who are following Ororo’s story in this era to feel like they are reading a saga. Every plot point we touch will have consequences, as though we already have 50 issues greenlit for production. I find that following a series is just much more rewarding that way.
Storm may have had unprotected sex in Storm #3; well, it comes back as a heartbreaking pregnancy test result in X-Men: Hellfire Vigil #1. Doctor Doom had a rather unsuccessful dinner with Ororo in Storm #4, but in Storm #9, his ever-petty self helps the FBI get an upper hand over Ororo. The kaiju power generator in Storm #1 is revealed to now be one of five power sources of the Storm Sanctuary in Storm #6 and X-Manhunt Omega #1. Nothing happens by chance — not even the smallest things.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Now, we’ve established that Storm may have a future daughter with a man who has black hair and fangs — and fans are already interacting with our stories in a very different way. Suddenly, some fans are checking if Hadad has fangs, and some are asking if T’Challa or Blade will show up in future issues of the series.
But why Furaha specifically? Storm has many alternate future children. Not many, if any, have a Swahili name like Ororo does. Ororo’s hair is white, but it’s a (fictional) gene that skips a generation. I wanted a character whose physical traits reminded us of that fact. I wanted Furaha to be a daughter so we can explore the N’Dare -> Ororo -> Furaha dynamic. I needed a daughter whose father’s identity is not immediately recognizable. A child lives within its mother for a substantial amount of time before it meets its father, after all.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Other reasons for my decision to feature a glimpse into Ororo’s future are more emotional ones that I believe the short story in X-Men: Hellfire Vigil #1 encapsulates perfectly.
AIPT: And as a follow-up — X-Fan Vannessa asks if we can expect to see Furaha again, and whether the knowledge of her existence will affect the decisions Ororo makes in the issues ahead.
Murewa: I certainly hope so.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: OK, Rogue Storm— your just-announced “Age of Revelation” tie-in. This is a comic featuring Rogue and Storm, but “Rogue Storm” also has significance in X-Men history — you even mentioned the classic Uncanny X-Men story of the same name in your first X-Men Monday appearance. So, without spoiling too much, what can you share about Rogue Storm? Have you been building toward this all along?
Murewa: Tom Brevoort had told me about the “Age of Revelation” event even before I wrote the script for Storm #1. Tom is popular for being measured and controlled; hardly wearing his emotions on his sleeves, but this time was different. You could tell Tom was excited and noticeably thrilled for this event and its potential. His enthusiasm quickly grew infectious and long-lasting – from the early stages when I considered making Storm bald for the event to digitally pitching the most recent incarnation of the story to a room full of editors.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Our job was to make sure our story subtly built up to the event without the readers noticing it too strongly, and weather the tempest of possible cancellations till our last breath and till we reached the promised land. Well, we’ve reached the promised land now. Get ready for pure madness, intense emotions, gargantuan stakes, no-holds-barred storytelling, electric character interactions, shocking new ideas, and massively creative takes on pre-existing concepts as we begin to ignite the explosives we’ve spent more than a year setting up. There is beauty in madness, and come October 2025, you’ll see the beautiful insanity, too.
What more can I tell you about Rogue Storm? If you have not been following the Storm series, it’s the perfect jumping-on point, but if you have been following the Storm series, you may need to wear an extra pair of pants when you read this series. If you are a Storm fan, this is the book for you. If you are a Rogue fan, this is also the book for you. If you are an X-Force fan, drop everything you’re doing and go pre-order your copy now.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Rogue Storm is illustrated by the great Roland Boschi, the incredible French artist with well over 25 years of experience in the comic book industry – not counting his prior decades in the animation industry. An unparalleled storyteller who has mastered the visual language. He has worked on titles such as The Holy Roller, Ghost Rider, Winter Soldier: The Bitter March, and many more. We’ll also have covers by the iconic Humberto Ramos – a living legend who blessed the pages of Amazing Spider-Man and Strange Academy.
Rogue Storm‘s Synopsis
KILL THE GODDESS, SAVE THE WORLD! X YEARS LATER, with Earth’s gods gone, only Ororo Munroe, the mutant god of storms, remains. She is a goddess driven mad by dark magic and grief. Now, as Storm threatens to freeze the world into a new Ice Age, Rogue leads a team of killers and legends — Gateway, Iceman, Fantomex, Spiral, and Warpath. The sole mission of this Uncanny X-Force: kill Storm.
Lord of the Rings meets Mad Max: Fury Road in this high-octane, brutal, post-apocalyptic action-adventure steeped deep in the horrors of magical fantasy.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Uncanny X-Men (1963) #147, the conclusion of the original “Rogue Storm” story arc, teased the enormous devastation that will hit the planet if Storm offsets the natural climate of the world for just a moment. At the start of Rogue Storm (2025), Storm had offset the climate of the planet for years and continues to do so.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Well, on that note, what can you tell us about this mad “mutant god of storms” from X years in the future? What drives her? And why is Rogue the perfect counterpoint to this twisted version of Storm?
Murewa: As Storm fans, we’ve always wanted Ororo’s magical heritage explored in bigger capacities. We’re finally getting that story, but the thing about magic is – there are many ominous consequences always lurking in the shadows. Fans will especially need to brace themselves tightly – because the mystical side of the Marvel Universe holds many surprises and secrets, and they don’t give themselves up easily. We call this Storm, who has succumbed to the allure of dark magic… Primal Storm. She was designed by Roland Boschi.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
To me, Rogue is Storm’s best friend. All the way back in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #171, when Rogue was still a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, she came to the X-Men for help. Storm’s assessment of Rogue was, “She is dangerous.” By Uncanny X-Men #185, Storm was sharing laughs and her powers with Rogue. By the end of the issue, Storm leaped in front of an energy blast meant for Rogue – sacrificing herself for her new friend. The question we are asking with this series is, “What will Rogue do when Storm is the ‘dangerous’ one?”
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Our Rogue is designed by Humberto Ramos. We call her Rogue Red.
AIPT: Finally, X-Fan PinkShirtVegeta wonders, from “Thunder War” to Rogue Storm, is there a point you really want to drive home about Ororo as a character, hero, and person as a whole?
Murewa: There is the much shallower point that I want to drive home, and maybe the more profound one, but they are equally dear to my heart.
For the “shallow” point. To the best of my ability, I want to prove to the world that Ororo is such a cool character that we can have stories of various magnitudes told about her. I want to show the whole world she can have cool costumes and radical battle armors. We can have cozy scenes with her caring for hippos and capybaras, yet have magnificent cosmic epics where she challenges cosmic entities to a brawl. We can have sci-fi noir interrogations with her, yet make deals with ancient voodoo demons. And with Rogue Storm, show that we can have a vicious barbarian story that’ll scare Ragnar Lothbrok, Conan of Cimmeria, and Kratos.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
For the maybe more profound point. In the movie SE7EN, the character William Somerset said, “Hemingway once wrote: ‘The world’s a fine place and worth fighting for.’ I agree with the second part.”
No matter how dark the night becomes, Ororo’s torch will never cease to burn bright. And I hope it inspires us all to keep our torch of love, strength, faith, compassion, hard work, openness, forgiveness, self-respect, grace, courage, and many great virtues burning fervently as the night gets darker.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
P.S. — Don’t forget to pre-order and pick up your copies of “Thunder War” (Storm #10 – #12) and Rogue Storm #1. It’s going to be loads of fun — an emotional rollercoaster worth sharing with loved ones.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: You heard the man, X-Fans! The first part of “Thunder War” — Storm #10 — goes on sale this Wednesday (July 23, 2025). You can read the preview here.
Murewa, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday — always a pleasure!
And X-Fans, as you noticed, we sprinkled this week’s X-Men Monday eXclusives throughout the article. So if you missed them, start over (like the X-Men arcade game)!
Next X-Men Monday
Given that San Diego Comic-Con is this week (July 24 – 27), and all the energy in the comics industry is redirected toward the San Diego Convention Center, there’ll be no new edition of X-Men Monday on July 28. However, AIPT will have another X-Men eXclusive later today, so check back around 2 PM ET.
And while I won’t be at SDCC this week, I did just receive a press pass to Fan Expo Boston 2025 next month, so at least some summer con coverage will make its way into X-Men Monday very soon. (Last year, I had great conversations with Steve Orlando, Gerry Duggan, and Marguerite Sauvage.)
Until next time, X-Fans, stay eXceptional! I need to get back to X-Men pinball…
Courtesy of David Brooke
