After a period of longing for Marvel to give us more X-Men, our prayers were answered. In March of 2024, we were blessed with X-men ‘97, an animated series that continues with the characters from the hit series that first aired in 1992. While there have been many members of the X-Men through the years, there have only been a handful of Black members, and even fewer female Black members.
When it comes to a list of Black female superheroes, Storm is at the top. Ororo Munroe began her comic career as one the first major Black female heroes and one of the first Black comic book characters. She is one of the most powerful mutants in the X-Men comics and, at one point, served as leader of the X-Men when Cyclops resigned. Storm is one of the X-Men’s most essential members; she always looks the part. From 1975 to now, Storm continues to wow and amaze with her Omega-level powers and stunning outfits. Here are a few of our favorites. Which Storm costume is your favorite?
1975: Pryde of the X-Men Storm
The OG outfit! After being recruited by Professor X, Storm entered the public eye in Giant-Size X-Men 1975 #1 by writer Len Wein and penciller Dave Cockrum. The suit is a bikini-style two-piece connected at the waist by a gold ring. Paired with black thigh-high boots and a black tiara (hiding lock picks), Storm had to know she was rocking a look. She accessorizes with a gold-trimmed black cape and gold cuff bracelets. She tops it all off with a ruby broach from her mother as a clasp for her cape. This look influences many of her later looks.
(Spoiler Alert) In the episode “Lifedeath – Part 2” of X-Men ‘97 (2024), we see a powerless and struggling Storm overcome her fears and anxieties to find a cure for Forge. In doing so, Storm regains her mutant powers. In a stunning transformation, Storm creates an explosive thunderstorm while flying through the air, unveiling a new costume based on her iconic original.
1983: Punk Rock Storm
In Uncanny X-Men #173 by writer Chris Claremont and penciller Paul Smith, we see Storm with a brand new look that is an overwhelming fan favorite. After a Brood alien caused Storm’s powers to malfunction, she adopted a punk-inspired look influenced by her friend Yukio. From classic to punk, Storm pulled off a badass mohawk with a tight, black leather bodysuit and fitted black, sleeveless leather jacket. She accessorizes with yellow lightning bolt earrings, black boots, gloves, and a black choker. Storm rocked this look throughout her time leading the X-Men and during the era in which she lost her powers.
Fans would have recently seen a version of this punk-era look in “Fire Made Flesh,” X-Men 97 Season 1, Episode 3.
1985: Asgardian Goddess Storm
All hail the Asgardian Goddess! When Storm lost her powers, she was briefly captured by Loki who made her the Asgardian Goddess of Thunder in the New Mutants Special Edition (1985) #1 by writer Chris Claremont and penciller Arthur Adams. Ororo’s outfit included Asgardian armor with a large cape, furry boots, and chainmail plating. Her hairpiece is adorned with white wings similar to those on Thor’s helmet. As a powerful accessory, she had a weather-controlling hammer called Stormcaster. Other accessories included a lot of gold jewelry around the neck. Though Loki’s control was brief, this outfit made a statement, and she has worn variations of it on a few occasions.
1991: X-Men The Animated Series Storm
White/silver, yellow, and black: This is the Storm I grew up with from the 90’s X-Men The Animated Series. This outfit is engraved in my X-Men-loving heart. Storm began wearing her iconic white costume when the X-Men divided into blue and gold sub-teams in X-Men (1991) #1 by writer Chris Claremont and writer and penciller Jim Lee. The outfit was a white, long-sleeve bodysuit with yellow trim. Giant shoulder pads and a white (at times black) cape were attached to the outfit by a pair of black and red X badges. Accessories included a yellow belt, yellow lightning bolt earrings (she loves those earrings), and gold cuff bracelets. Look at that hair: thick and luscious. Truly iconic on every level. Mistress of the Elements, Storm has immense power at her fingertips, so when her eyes went white, you knew something was about to go down.
1996: Crop Top Storm
Post Morlock adventures, Storm went for a new look. She did a big hair chop, shortening it to chin length, with a longer strand of hair in front on each side. She wore a black, tight crop top with shoulder holes with sleeves that turned into two long ribbons that could be connected to her bracelets. The top was paired with low-rise leggings and boots. The stylish combo was presented as black and gold, but it soon switched to purple and silver. This outfit is found in X-Men Vol.2 #62 by writers Scott Lobdell, Ben Raab, and penciler Carlos Pacheco.
1999/2007 Queen of Wakanda Storm
Ode to a classic! Found in Uncanny X-Men (1st series) #372 and part of the Reconstruction arc of Fantastic Four #548, Storm opted for a more classical look. She wore an off-the-shoulder, black bodysuit with a low neckline connected to a ruby ornament. Her ribbon-like cape was trimmed with gold and attached to gold wrist bangles. Around her waist was a gold sash connected with tiny lightning bolts at her hips. In addition, she wore a sash with little lightning bolts. The outfit appears in both purple and black/gold.
2015: Sporty Storm
Sporty Storm! From writer Jeff Lemire and penciller Humberto Ramos comes a stylish, sporty outfit from Extraordinary X-Men #1, with a thicker mohawk than her punk-rock days. Storm gives athletic warrior vibes with the white leggings and black and white long-sleeve crop top. The look is accentuated with gold utility belts.
2021: Hellfire Gala Storm
This Hellfire Gala look is stunning! The X-Men are dressing up in high fashion for the Hellfire Gala. This is the Mutant version of the Met Gala. Designed by Russell Dauterman (Giant-Size X-Men, The Mighty Thor, War of the Realms), Storm debuted a dramatic new look. This leader rocked a long-sleeved black one-piece paired with thigh-high boots. Gold shoulder pads were accompanied by several gold necklaces with a black and red X brooch. Gold bracelets and gold trim adorn the costume. Accented by a lightning bolt headpiece and lightning bolt earrings, Storm’s hair is long and cloud-like. The white hair dramatically ombres to black like a storm is brewing behind her. You can find this outfit in S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #8.
2022: Dora Milaje Storm
Wakanda Storm! Storm got a Wakandan upgrade in this costume, and it is fabulous. Dark Ages, which introduces a dystopian future with no technology, finds Storm settled down in Wakanda with Black Panther. She is gorgeous in a new gold and silver costume with callbacks to her original outfit. With bold patterns, gold drop hoops, and Wakandan neck rings, similar to the Dora Milaje in the MCU, Storm is a true Queen in this style. Her hair is short, and she has a small ponytail that whips in the wind behind her. This outfit is seen in Dark Ages (2021) #4 by writer Tom Taylor and penciller Iban Coello.
2022: Brotherhood of Arakko Storm
Brotherhood of Arakko outfit! In X-Men Red (2022) #1 by writer Al Ewing and penciller Stefano Caselli. The outfit features a long-sleeve, black leather crop top with gold lightning bolts. The top is covered with a black leather crop jacket with gold-spike shoulder pads. She pairs the tops with black leather pants with peekaboo hip cutouts and a gold chain attachment on the front. Accessories include spiked knuckle fingerless gloves and a knife holster. It looks like a cross between her punk rock costume and Hellfire Gala costume. The cherry on top of a runway-worthy outfit is the hair! Storm’s thick, white hair is in a long, mohawk style that flows with the current of her power. She loves those lightning bolt earrings. I may just have to buy a pair of my own.
