Ororo Monroe, aka Storm of the X-Men, is a very busy woman these days. Storm recently joined the Avengersand his ongoing solo series “Storm” (written by Murewa Ayodele, drawn by Lucas Werneck) has already been very eventful with only three issues so far.

To recap: Storm saved Tulsa from a nuclear meltdown, which was, in fact, a mutant child facing a power surge. This inspired her to build the hovering “Storm Sanctuary” for mutants, but it also left her with radiation poisoning. After being sent to Brother Voodoo for magical treatment, her life is saved, but she cannot use her mutant powers for a week. So in “Storm” #3, Ororo visited Rogue’s Uncanny X-Men in Louisiana and met Wolverine. At the end of the issue, she was summoned by Doctor Doom, who, as of the 2024 “Blood Hunt” crossover, is Earth’s new Sorcerer Supreme.

“Storm” #4 will pick up with Ororo’s arrival in Doom’s domain in Latveria, and Marvel has shared an exclusive preview with /Film. The issue’s summary reads:

“A FLAME IN THE WIND! DOCTOR DOOM is the SUPREME WIZARD. He has special plans for the mutants of Earth. He would like to discuss them with the beautiful STORM over fine cuisine and expensive wines. What is What could go wrong? The epic saga continues — with this new installment featuring a battle Latveria will never forget.”

The problem appears to lead to the next crossover, “A doomed world,” where the Doctor/aspiring God Emperor will use his new magical power to take over the Earth.

The cover of “Storm” #4, drawn by Mateus Manhanini, can be seen below:

Marvel Comics

The comic opens with a summary page, showing Brother Voodoo healing Storm and explaining the terms of his magical contract to new readers. Cut to her arriving in Latveria on the back of Doom’s giant raven and meeting Victor for dinner in a green dress (Doom’s favorite color, naturally). Storm says she almost feels flattered, but her host says: Doom never flatters.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

These two sitting at dinner will be a familiar site for longtime X-Men fans. Back in “X-Men” #145-147 (by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum), the mutant heroes and Doom fought for the first time. Storm was tasked with “distracting” the Doctor by acting as a guest and they both ended up being more genuinely in love with each other than expected. Claremont was notoriously in love with Storm, so so were all the men he wrote under his pen – including Doom.

Marvel Comics

Certainly, John Byrne (then author of “Fantastic Four”) retconned the Doom who appeared in “X-Men” into a Doombot impersonating his creator. Many years later, in “SWORD” #7 (by Al Ewing and Stefano Caselli), Storm hosted Doom for dinner on the planet Arrako (aka Mars terraformed with the power of mutant gifts). They remembered their last dinner, Doom excusing some of his bad behavior as a robot: “The real Doom would never disrespect a goddess.” At this, Storm warns Doom not to indulge in flirting.

Marvel Comics

“Storm” #1 even included a variant cover (drawn by the wonderful Marco Checchetto) in what looks like a lovers’ dance. Is this comic about to make Storm the Queen of Latveria? I wouldn’t bet on it.

Marvel Comics

There is a little mutual interest between Storm and Doom, but it never goes further. Doom is above the childish habits of a schoolboy crush, and he would never let his attraction to Ororo compromise his vision. Ororo would also never be willing to accept Doom’s world-conquering ambitions and even if her feelings evolved from simple intrigue to attachment, she is not naive or insecure enough to follow Doom as a lovesick girl desperate to change the bad boy. Yet Doom sees Ororo as a rare woman: a woman powerful and worthy enough to be the Queen of Doom.

However, this meeting could well be more than a social visit. The issue’s synopsis mentions that Doom has “plans” for mutants in his new world order. In last year’s “X-Men” #35, Latvian agents stole a piece of Krakoa the Living Island, the now defeated home of mutants. Could Doom consider winning Storm to his side by giving her a restored Krakoa?

“Storm” #4 is scheduled to be released in print and digital on January 15, 2025.