Uncanny X-Men #186 (1984) Review

Writer: Chris Claremont & Barry Windsor-Smith
Art: Barry Windsor-Smith

Colors: Terry Austin

Letters: Tom Orzechowski

Publisher: Marvel
Price: $1.00
Release Date: 10/1/1984
Reviewer: Soycornholio

Hidden Gems

I have a love/hate relationship with omnibuses. On one hand, they collect a plethora of forgotten stories that help bridge the gap between different eras of superheroes. On the other hand, they are HUMONGOUS and can be a headache in terms of storage. However, focusing on the good, an omnibus easily allows you to re-discover (or in this case, discover) hidden gems from years past. This was the case when I finally read Uncanny X-Men #186 by Chris Claremont and Barry Windsor-Smith titled Life Death.

Often, we can read without really connecting to a particular story or the characters. Life Death is the complete opposite. Besides my love for all things Storm, I was able to fully grasp the headspace she was in once she had lost her powers. This story is many things. First and foremost, it is a love story. The love of not only a person but of power. Life Death is also a depressing story; a story of a fallen goddess who (at the time) was cursed to walk amongst us mortals. Let’s do a deep dive into Life Death and revisit some of Storm’s greatest moments.

*Major spoilers are to follow*

The Story:

Ororo no longer has her powers. After a battle in Mississippi, she is awakened by the builder Forge in his apartment. Ororo looks horrible. It is obvious she has not eaten in days and is depressed. Windsor-Smith’s details convey the image to the readers that she has given up. Ororo has nothing else to live for. Meanwhile, an angry Rogue is on the hunt for Dr. Valerie Cooper in hopes to find Ororo. Along the way, she encounters Dire Wraiths and a shocking government plot to depower mutants.

Life:

Up until the point of the story, life for Ororo was pretty simple. As a member (and eventual leader) of the Uncanny X-Men, she fought for mutants to live equally amongst their peers (homo sapiens). After a trip to Tokyo, the normally calm and serene leader, became more emotional and rawer (hence the mohawk and new clothes). She was discovering who she was as a woman. She was learning how to allow herself to feel. After the loss of her powers, Ororo had to continue moving forward to discover who she was now as a “normal” human being. She had to discover who was in her new life. After a slight tug-o-war with Forge (in regard to her will to live), we see a flicker of hope for Ororo. Like a baby deer, Ororo is learning how to be human by developing romantic feelings for Forge. As the reader, we witness the flirting and awkward thoughts of Ororo as she learns how to navigate this new territory. Ororo is self-conscious to the point that she changed her dress as to not offend Forge (even though Forge loved it). A classic case of overthinking, but still, the beginning of a new life.

Death:

Death plays out in many ways throughout Uncanny X-Men #186. First, we have the death of Storm. The Wind Rider is on land. Her powers and abilities are no more. On one page, we see Ororo frighten, genuinely frightened of the storm that was taking place outside. Ororo recognizes that at one point in time, she was able to not only command the weather but to sense when and where any pattern was going to take place. Her control over her powers was so intricate, that she could even tell how long it was scheduled to rain at any given moment. Heck, she was even impervious to heat and cold. This is Claremont at his best. Not only is he forwarding the overall mutant mythos, but he is also forwarding Ororo as a person. She and her powers were one. What happens when her powers disappear…dies…and seemingly never returns?

There is also the death of various illusions. As the Wind-Rider, Ororo was under the impression that she would never be grounded. She had her powers, what more did she need? As Ororo the woman, she believed that there was something building between her and forge. He had the potential to become a seemingly positive influence in her life. A companion that she could love for eternity. After a shocking discovery, she realized that this too, cannot be. With these shattered illusions, we are witnessing a vulnerable woman.

Final Thoughts:

Arguably, since the initial Phoenix stories, death and rebirth work hand in hand within the X-Universe. When one dies, they are also reborn. This theme is in full swing with the current Krakoa era of the X-Men where death is more so a game for several of the mutants. In Uncanny X-Men #186, we see the death of Storm BUT witness the rebirth of Ororo. Much like Wonder Woman, if you take away her powers, she is still a warrior. Ororo is still a warrior. This issue served as a great way to understand Ororo not only as a woman but as a mutant. If you can come across this issue pick it up. It is a prime example of why Ororo Munroe is one of the best comic book characters of all time.