Marvel Comics has announced that Storm is set to become Earth's Mightiest Mutant in the pages of Avengers #17 this August. Ororo Munroe will join the team in Jed MacKay's current run of the series, with artist Valerio Schiti, fresh off his bold work on G.O.D.S., also joining the title.
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 superhero 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 rely on her unique expertise and leadership skills as MacKay's overarching plots involving Kang, the Twilight Court, and more kick into high gear.
It's said this only marks the beginning of what's shaping up to be a monumental period for Storm as the character is also set to headline an all-new solo ongoing series launching later this year.
Addressing 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!"
Talking about joining Avengers, 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 below along with the issue's official solicitation text and credits.
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!
AVENGERS #17
Written by JED MACKAY
Art by VALERIO SCHITI
Cover by JOSHUA CASSARA
On Sale 8/7