Warning: Contains spoilers for Storm #2!!

A staple of the Storm offers a glimmer of hope for me. I think her discovery of a hospital funded and run by other superhero groups could change everything.

In Storm #2 – written by Murewa Ayodele, with art by Lucas Werneck – Ororo begins a desperate search to combat her rapid radiation illness. The hunt leads her to the Hospital for the Extramundane. While the existence of this hospital is an exciting revelation in and of itself, I immediately saw it as a possible omen for things to come.

Her discovery comes on the heels of R-LDS, or Regeneration-Linked Degenerative Sickness, beginning to show up among the X-Men, causing a loss of control over X-Gene abilities; the illness is likely the next great mutant tragedy, and I think Storm stands on the precipice of ensuring they don't face it alone.

Storm’s Powerful Connections Could Offer The Help The X-Men Desperately Need

Storm #2 – Written By Murewa Ayodele; Art By Lucas Werneck; Color By Alex Guimaraes; Lettering By Travis Lanham

Storm's status as an Avenger is a key component to my theory that she needs to change the status quo for the X-Men. Sam Wilson approached her, specifically, to be a voice for mutants, because Captain America felt the weight of the Avengers' failure to aid mutants against Orchis. That's hardly the only time the Avengers and other superhero teams did too little too late, and I, for one, will never forget mutants facing the Genoshan Massacre practically alone. Ororo accepting a position with the Avengers could (and should) make the difference, and mutantkind couldn't ask for a better liaison.

Storm is positioned to push the Avengers and other heroes to aid the X-Men, and I can't think of a more perfect vessel than the Hospital for the Extramundane. Every hand that could aid mutants in facing R-LDS is already in the pot as, by my count, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Heroes for Hire, and Defenders are already involved. Pooling their assets and minds to provide true, meaningful assistance to the X-Men wouldn't even be a stretch; as such, I'd find it a complete waste not to combine Storm's connections with the vast knowledge and resources involved in the hospital.

The New Era Of X-Men Is Setting Up A Devastating New Threat To Mutantkind

"R-LDS" Is Only Beginning

As if the fall of Krakoa and subsequent scattering of mutants wasn't enough to contend with, R-LDS promises to cause further unrest among an already suffering population. It's a repetitive cycle I've been watching for decades, perpetuated by The creation of Krakoa came as no surprise to me, viewed in that light. The X-Men and mutantkind were left to fend for themselves in times of need – leaving readers to ask why they shouldn't isolate their paradise too.

Not only is Storm an Avenger, but she just bought the X-Men age into this incredible superhero hospital.

Yet, I think isolation is at the core of the franchise's biggest problems. The feeling of hopelessness is pervasive, and I'm confident that the way to combat that is with a new kind of upheaval. It's time for the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and everyone else to step up, with Storm at the helm. Not only is Storm an Avenger, but she just bought the X-Men age into this incredible superhero hospital. To me, it's the perfect setup to finally show the X-Men that they're not alone and dispel the heavy feeling of bleakness that hangs over them.

I Believe Storm Could Bring The Change The X-Men Franchise Direly Needs

Storm #3 – Available December 11, 2024 From Marvel Comics

The fall of Krakoa was devastating, not just to mutants themselves, but to me and plenty of other X-Men fans out there. While the era had its drawbacks and complications, it offered some respite from the sense that mutants could never have positive experiences in the world. Now we're mired in that feeling again, but somehow returning to it feels worse this time around. Krakoa offered an alternative, and its loss means something else needs to change. The best answer I see is for the superhero community to fully embrace the X-Men and clarify that they have .

I firmly believe that Storm should unite mutants with Marvel's other heroes and prevent the X-Men from suffering through the impending R-LDS devastation alone.

Something bigger than Krakoa has failed for the X-Men, making it difficult to continue being excited about a franchise I've loved for decades. The characters feel the same weight I do, with even veteran players struggling to find a reason to go on, and it is past time for something to break the cycle. Luckily, the Hospital of the Extramundane is the perfect platform, and Ororo Munroe is one step away from taking center stage. I firmly believe that Storm should unite mutants with Marvel's other heroes and prevent the X-Men from suffering through the impending R-LDS devastation alone.

Storm #2 is available now from Marvel Comics.