MARVEL TAPS ERIC JEROME DICKEY FOR SIX ISSUE STORM SERIES

[MattBrady]

Press Release

MARVEL TAPS AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ERIC JEROME DICKEY TO PEN SIX-ISSUE LIMITED SERIES OF STORM

New Series Reveals the Epic Romance of X-Men Favorite Storm and Black Panther Series to Launch in February 2006, Coinciding With Black History Month

Eric Jerome Dickey, critically acclaimed author of New York Times bestsellers Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve, has signed on to create a spectacular, six-issue limited series of Storm, spotlighting the ever-popular X-Men heroine. The first highly anticipated issue is scheduled to debut in February 2006, coinciding with Black History Month.

Dickey's Storm story arc will present an epic romance, revealing the untold love story of the world's two most popular African American Super Heroes, Ororo (also known as Storm of the X-Men) and T'Challa (a.k.a. The Black Panther), the world's first African American Super Hero. Marking Dickey's first comic book writing effort, the captivating series blends romance and adventure against the backdrop of Africa's cruel plains. Emerging star David Yardin (Black Panther, District X) will illustrate the books.

"I never would have imagined that I'd get an opportunity to step into the Marvel Universe and work on Storm," says Dickey. "She is such a remarkable character. And being allowed to incorporate T'Challa, the future Black Panther in the same series...wake me up because I have to be dreaming."

The six-issue series follows how the famed African Prince T'Challa crosses paths with Ororo, an orphaned street urchin who only survives by sheer wit as her mutant powers are still in their infancy. As the story and romance unfold, the duo come together to fight against a mutual foe who seeks to put them in a cage and exploit them toward wicked ends.

"This is a truly groundbreaking storyline that will draw in readers from all cultural backgrounds," said Joe Quesada, Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics. "Eric's unique vision for this series will thrill traditional comic fans of Storm and The Black Panther, as well as appeal to a whole new audience drawn towards Eric's remarkable storytelling ability."

Dickey's novels Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Naughty or Nice, Drive Me Crazy, and Genevieve have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Naughty or Nice, and Drive Me Crazy have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for a NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Fiction in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. His 12th novel, Chasing Destiny, will be released in May 2006.

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[Marchie77]

im not sure i'm convinced by the "epic love story" between them both, but the recent Wild Kingdom arc helped a little...

but that aside, wherever the art in this article came from, that is one amazing looking Storm!

[dirk hopeless]

i dont know what it is but something just urks me about pairing Storm and the Black Panther.

[tof]

Since when are Ororo and T'Challa African American? Ororo being from Kenya and T'Challa from Wakanda don't make them american.

Even if the story may be interesting, I'm not convinced that it was really necessary to do yet another retcon: AFAIK, it was established that they were already super-hero when they meet for the first time. At least it can be considered as out-of-continuity, contrary to Jessica Jones, Sentry, the Illuminati, Sue Dibny's rape and Batman mind-wipe.

[DianaKingston]

Originally posted by dirk hopeless
i dont know what it is but something just urks me about pairing Storm and the Black Panther.

Likewise... personally, I think it's because there's always been something very forced in that relationship, ie: they're paired off just because they're prominent African characters.

[EmeraldGuy32]

Originally posted by tof
Since when are Ororo and T'Challa African American? Ororo being from Kenya and T'Challa from Wakanda don't make them american.

I was about to say the same thing. God that kinda stuff really ticks me off.

[The Bry]

Maybe it's just me but I always figured Storm had the hots for Logan. I read some of the Wild Kingdom arc and her and panther didn't vibe like her and logan do. Not only that but if he hurt her in the past why would she allow herself to revisit that? it just seems out of character for her...but I could be wrong

[bossofbam]

Originally posted by tof
Since when are Ororo and T'Challa African American? Ororo being from Kenya and T'Challa from Wakanda don't make them american.

It reminds me of a skit I saw when I was at the Second City Comedy Club in Chicago. One was black from England and they called him African American, and he was like, but I'm not american.

Then they had a guy from russia and they called him asian america...it was just funny.

Silly Marvel.

[Defunkt]

I absolutely love Storm and Black Panther but one back up story, years ago, in Marvel Team Up #100 and now they are "lovers for life"!?

I too, do not like the pairing of these two heroes.
But I will buy everything Storm and Black Panther!
So I will give my final judge when I have read the mini series.

[DianaKingston]

Actually, Storm is American; she was born in Harlem. Didn't make it to Kenya until she was a teenager, IIRC.

[Angelophile]

Originally posted by DianaKingston
Likewise... personally, I think it's because there's always been something very forced in that relationship, ie: they're paired off just because they're prominent African characters.

Bingo.

[Fred Hadley]

Originally posted by tof

Even if the story may be interesting, I'm not convinced that it was really necessary to do yet another retcon: AFAIK, it was established that they were already super-hero when they meet for the first time. At least it can be considered as out-of-continuity, contrary to Jessica Jones, Sentry, the Illuminati, Sue Dibny's rape and Batman mind-wipe.

Thier past relationship (as children) was covered very well in Priest's Panther

[mose73]

Originally posted by The Bry
Not only that but if he hurt her in the past why would she allow herself to revisit that?

It sounds like they are telling the story of the first time they get together which I guess would be when he hurt her originally.

I don't know much about what has previously been established to say if this is retconning, but I would be more interested in a mini series dealing with them getting together now instead of fleshing out something that happened before to which we already know the results.

[boomboom]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Emerging star David Yardin (Black Panther, District X) will illustrate the books.

and do not forget Image/StanWinston's "Realm of the Claw" and Image/Avalon's "Aria: Soul Market" ...

Yardin is an amazing artist!!

This is at least gonna be one of the best drawn miniseries next year!

[cookepuss]

Originally posted by DianaKingston
Actually, Storm is American; she was born in Harlem. Didn't make it to Kenya until she was a teenager, IIRC.

When she was 6 months old actually. Born in NY and moved to Kenya. Directly from Marvel's site. None of this contradicts her original GSX-M appearance or her recent LS.

See. Storm IS African American.

[DrCool976]

WOW!

All I can say right now. As a longtime African-American Marvel fan I am verrrrrry excited about this!

I just hope we get the REAL T'Challa as written by Priest and not the ridiculous "You got me straight Trippin', Boo" rude, playboy party Panther from Hudlin.

[capjr]

Man... this sounds great!!!!


Yardin is a very good artist and the coupleing with EJD will put a nice curiosity push to the book....


Friggin' Marvel... diggin' their grummy hands in my pockets...

[Justin M. Campbell]

DianaKingston & cookepuss said what I was going to:

Storm was born of an African mother and a Harlem photojournalist, and was raised in Africa after a plane crash killed both parents, and trapped her for several hours, causing her lifelong claustrophobia. She was raised and trained as a pickpocket by Ahmal Farouk, who was either an vessel for or later became the Shadow King (I've never been clear on that). Breaking free of Farouk's control, she eventually found a home w/ a tribe (believe it was her mother's, not sure), becoming godmother to one of the tribe's children, a mutant super-speedster whose name escapes me at the moment (Adjani, I think [Note: this may apply only to continuity of Saban Animated Series]), and tribal shamaness before being discovered by Professor X in Giant-Size X-Men #1.

I think it would be interesting if the Adjani character, if he isn't comic-based, were carried over into the comics.

And I think it would be cool if we were to see some of Storm's extended family, if any survive. A grandmother in Harlem who knew Isaiah Bradley, perhaps? Or maybe her father broke in to the news business w/ Joe Robertson?

Otherwise, this sounds pretty damn cool. Dickey's a big-deal writer, and he seems to be taking this seriously, so welcome aboard, Mr. Dickey.

[Rawle Austin]

Always glad to see Storm get primetime love.

She's a great character who got shuffled off during the Morrison New X-Men run. She's as canon to the X-Men as Prof X, Cyclops, Wolverine and Jean Grey and should always be played as such.

Just my two pence worth.

Growler

[Superfrick]

Originally posted by tof
Since when are Ororo and T'Challa African American? Ororo being from Kenya and T'Challa from Wakanda don't make them american.

Even if the story may be interesting, I'm not convinced that it was really necessary to do yet another retcon: AFAIK, it was established that they were already super-hero when they meet for the first time. At least it can be considered as out-of-continuity, contrary to Jessica Jones, Sentry, the Illuminati, Sue Dibny's rape and Batman mind-wipe.

Well.. Ororo was born & raised in Egypt, but I'm pretty sure her father was an American, I'd have to re-read and double check. Otherwise, they just might be using the term "African American" to be all Politically Correct, yo.

[bc1970]

This Storm looks like Michael Michele, who Fox shoulda replaced Halle with long long ago.

[DianaKingston]

[quote]Originally posted by Rawle Austin
Always glad to see Storm get primetime love.

She's a great character who got shuffled off during the Morrison New X-Men run.

Uh... no she wasn't. She was in Claremont's "X-Treme X-Men" during that time.

[Justin M. Campbell]

Note: People who would like more of Ororo's backstory will want to look for "Ororo: Before the Storm" by Marc Sumerak.

Places online to look for it (since many of the posters on this thread seem to be new, possibly fans of Mr. Dickey making their first foray into comics)

Mile High Comics in the Denver Area

MyComicShop, the online component of Dallas-Ft. Worth's Lone Star Comics chain

or by referring to any of the retailer links here on Newsarama.

[djshalope]

i'm looking forward to this book very much. it's a bit tacky to have them hook up, but i'm sure it will be interesting. plus, any book set in Africa is a welcome addition to the repetitious American settings.

the only thing that bothers me in this press release is that Black Panther is named as the first African American superhero - last time I checked, Panther is an African not an African American.

[Justin M. Campbell]

It's a relationship that's been hinted around at since the late '90's-early '00's ("Earth X," Priest played w/ it a little bit in "Black Panther"), but yeah it does seem a bit forced. Even so, it should be an interesting story.