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.