The "Marvel Union of the Century"

By Darlene Öst
December 18, 2006 - 09:59

When comic book writers make an effort to bring a brilliant idea to life, they can sacrifice the characters for the plot. For myself and many other Storm (Ororo Munroe) fans it would seem that Reginald Hudlin has done just that with his union of the Black Panther (T’Challa) and Storm.

“ The only way someone is going to marry Ororo is if they show just as much of themselves as she does and a mutual bond is formed,” A fan of Storm writes. “ I just don't see any of that between her and T'Challa.”

The problem seems not only to be that Storm had been pulled from the comic series of her birth, the Uncanny X-men, but also that her personality seemed to take a change—for the worst. Reginald Hudlin, new writer for the Black Panther comics, had a fierce idea in his head though, and despite harsh criticism from his fans, he pursued it.

"Besides the fact that they fell in love with each other as teenagers, both T'Challa and Ororo are people with a lot of responsibilities to a lot of people," Hudlin said. "Both are great warriors, both humble people despite being near divinities in their homeland and superheroes in the US, both are natural leaders. . . .I can go on and on."

Fans, however, are still not convinced.

“… We get a marriage reliant upon Ororo willfully submitting herself to someone else. Not only is that demeaning in general, but in Ororo's specific case, is actually impossible,” a fan writes, in response to the Black Panther # 19. That’s not to say that some Marvel fans are not supportive of the idea. Some embrace the opportunity for change and a unity of two characters that, instead of breaking the Marvel world, will renew it.

“ Oh I think it's a strong thing. It brings stability and love to two characters in the Marvel Universe who need it.” A fan writes.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12

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