Giant Size X-Men: Storm #1
The X-Men search the World for a cure to Storm's techno-organic virus in Giant Size X-Men: Storm #1, by writer Jonathan Hickman, artist Russell Dauterman, colorist Matthew Wilson, and letterer Ariana Maher. This issue of Giant Size X-Men picks up on some of the lingering plot threads from previous installments, bringing it all to a nice close… for now.
Jean Grey and Emma Frost tell Storm about the techno-organic virus she has and how no one on Krakoa knows how to stop it. M comes in and says she has an idea. She and Cypher make their way to Fantomex's house but find an AIM agent there also waiting for him. Eventually, they all meet up at the World, where the AIM agent gets the group in. They find themselves in the middle of a battle and make their way to a strange structure. There, Fantomex asks Weapon XV if he wants to leave the World, while the AIM agent shows Storm to a machine that will separate the machine virus from her. As it's working, the lab is attacked, and Storm contemplates giving up before she's separated from the virus and blasts the attackers, saving the day. The AIM agent uses a containment field on the virus. He and Fantomex decide to stay in the World, and as the X-Men are leaving, Cypher talks to the virus, and it tells him it will see him around.
Hickman brings together several plot threads in this issue in exciting ways. He mixes the Storm's virus subplot with Fantomex's missions to the World. It makes sense- if there's anywhere that could be of help to Storm in her quest to divest herself of the virus, it would be the technology of the World, and the only way to get in would definitely be Fantomex. It takes the one-shot nature of previous issues of Giant Size X-Men and makes them into something a little different, rewarding readers for reading every issue.
The most interesting part of the book, though, is Cypher. As revealed in Giant Size X-Men: Nightcrawler, Cypher's Warlock looking arm is actually Warlock. He wants it kept a secret in that issue, and in this one, Warlock again helps him in combat, but Cypher isn't trying as hard to keep the whole thing a secret. After the virus is separated from Storm, Cypher realizes that it's sentient and can communicate. He doesn't tell anyone else this, which seems strange, but here's a tinfoil theory- it's Phalanx. Cypher knows it and is okay with it because Warlock is also Phalanx. There's a chance, of course, that this isn't going to happen, but Hickman has been known to layer story elements like this, and the Phalanx are still one of the most inexplicable things about HoX/PoX- Hickman wouldn't have included them for no reason. Could this be the genesis of their attack? It's all very intriguing, and it will be great to see what happens next.
Russell Dauterman's art is grade-A, as usual. His linework is detailed and straightforward, and he does a great job with every character. There are a lot of great shots in this book. One of the hidden weapons of the art in this issue is Matthew Wilson's colors, which give the whole thing a style and pizzazz the chapter might not have had if he wasn't on the book.
Giant Size X-Men: Storm #1 ties up a lot of plot threads in a satisfying manner. Hickman lays out some clues to what might come next for the World, and it'll be fun to see where he takes the whole thing. Russell Dauterman's art makes the whole thing pop, with Matthew Wilson's colors giving the pencils the flair they need. All in all, Giant Size X-Men: Storm #1 is a wonderful ride.
Grade: A
