The momentous change came in Avengers #17 (by Jed MacKay, Ryan North, Javier Garrón, Valerio Schiti, Bryan Valenza and Cory Petit), with Sam Wilson's Captain America asking Storm to their ranks. The mutant hero was undecided on the offer until she spoke to Thor, who revealed he planned to leave, and asked her to ensure that "a God of Thunder rides with the Avengers still."

Since then, Storm has indeed taken Thor's place on the Avengers, while the God of Thunder's solo adventures continue in Al Ewing and Jan Bazaldua's Immortal Thor. So far, Storm helped the Avengers fend off the Superman-level villain Hyperion, and has already started bringing the team into a far closer alliance with Cyclops' X-Men. Asking Storm to replace him was a smart move by Thor, whose powers have been going haywire when on Earth.

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Thor Appointed Storm As His Successor

The God of Thunder Has a Major Problem Operating on Earth

In recent issues of Immortal Thor, the Son of Odin clashed with the combined forced of the Enchantress, Executioner and Roxxon CEO Dario Agger, aka the Minotaur. Enchantress used magic to create a false Thor answerable to Roxxon (aka Chad Hammer), while also clouding the true Thor's mind. Due to her magic, Thor becomes a clichéd action hero whenever he's in Midgard (aka Earth), robbing him of the ability to think creatively.

That's a huge problem, because Thor recently unlocked the All-Power - a godly ability that makes him an Odin-level creator god. However, the All-Power is only accessible through the wisdom of the individual using it. Due to his lack of wisdom on Earth, Thor can't access his increased power levels, and even becomes a liability. Enchantress and Executioner smartly used this condition to frame Thor for the murder of Dario Agger, who - despite being resurrected shortly afterwards - is still believed dead by the public, killed by one of Thor's new mystic weapons, the ax known as 'Tormod the Keen Edge.'

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Sticking with the Avengers would embroil them in this murder investigation, and Thor also knows that if he fights besides the Avengers on Earth, he'll be operating as an oafish parody of his true self, potentially creating even more issues. It's a huge shame, as Thor's wisdom has been a major focus of his appearance in recent Avengers comics, for instance putting aside his pride and surrendering to Nightmare, rather than forcing the team to fight the eldritch god. However, while it's a shame Thor can't stay with the team, he chose the perfect replacement.

Storm Is Only the Third Hero to Every Major Marvel Team

The Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four Trifecta

This isn't the first time that Storm has ed the Avengers - she was actually recruited back in 2011, but the Avengers vs X-Men event meant she barely appeared as a team member before leaving again. Her hip makes her only the third hero - after Spider-Man and Wolverine - to become a member of the Avengers, X-Men and Fantastic Four. While Storm was originally depicted as a mutant with control over the weather, she's since discovered her connection to ancient magic, and is worshiped as a goddess in parts of Africa, making her a true "Thunder God."

It's no surprise that Thor would approve of Storm replacing him, given she's one of very few heroes to be judged worthy of Mjolnir. Only recently, Thor gathered an alliance of heroes who had wielded his hammer, with Storm ing Jane Foster and Loki to back up the Odinson against the Elder God Toranos.

Thor has also shown significant sympathy to the mutant plight, especially as the X-Men are more hated and feared than ever. Storm's tenure on the Avengers has already shown them working more closely with the X-Men, with the two teams uniting against Hyperion, and meeting for a game of baseball in Avengers #21, where Captain Marvel committed to ing Cyclops against mutantkind's enemies.

Storm replacing Thor has solidified her A-list status in Marvel comics, especially as it coincides with her own solo series from Murewa Ayodele and Lucas Werneck. It's also built a new connection between the Avengers and X-Men, who often don't see eye to eye. Hopefully, Thor can resolve his various problems and return to Earth's Mightiest Heroes eventually - but not before fans have had a chance to see Storm live it up as the Avengers' new god in residence.

Storm's adventures continue in Avengers volume 9, available now from Marvel Comics.

Thor

Alias

Thor Odinson, Eric Masterson, Kevin Masterson, Beta Ray Bill, Thordis, Throg, Red Norvell, Jane Foster

Created By

Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby

Franchise

Marvel

Race

Asgardian, Human

First Appearance

Journey into Mystery

Alliance

Avengers, Warriors Three, Thor Corps, God Squad

Associated with the mythical realm of Asgard, Thor is a Marvel Comics hero who channels the power of thunder to slay their foes. Though the name is chiefly tied to Thor Odinson, several other characters also take on the role of God of Thunder, including Odinson's love interest, Jane Foster. Odin is portrayed as a physically imposing hero with incredible strength and typically wields the dwarven forged hammer, Mjolnir.

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