My concerns about STORM, and 4 things @Marvel should do about it

I bought the first couple issues of STORM, the new ongoing series about Marvel's most prominent female super hero. I enjoyed them both, especially the first one. But there's definitely something bothering me about this series already...
Here's  the sales pitch:
• Long ago, after she was worshipped as a goddess on the plains of Africa, Storm was stripped of her mutant powers and fell into deep depression. A brilliant inventor named Forge came to her rescue and nursed her back to health, showing her that she is so much more than her superhuman abilities. And a romance blossomed between them. But it was a love made to be broken…
• Now, years later, Storm has the powers and stature of a goddess once more, and she is reunited with Forge. But what does fate have in store for the pair this time?

this cover...  i  s   p e r f e c t . . .

I will just go ahead and say it: I'm afraid Marvel is making a half-assed effort with this book. Fill-in art-by-committee already? On issue THREE? As I said before this series got started, now that we are seeing both major comics publishers taking serious (if somewhat clumsy) stabs at diversity, it's very important that STORM be an awesome book. After all, Storm is the most enduring black superhero in Marvel's portfolio. If  Marvel is really serious about diversity in their comic lines, it's important that the characters of color they already have get top-notch books. I can appreciate creating new characters to fill legacy positions Like Miles Morales and the new Ms. Marvel, and I will reserve judgement on Falcon as Captain America, but if Marvel can't give an iconic, popular and significant character like Storm a high-quality book, readers will have little choice but to dismiss this diversity initiative as a gimmick.  I am not at that point yet, but I can see it coming. I don't think I'm alone in seeing Storm as being significant, and right now, this book appears to be at risk of failing. Here's what I would do if I was brought in to keep this train on the rails:

1. Lock down the art team- Storm needs a consistent, top-tier art team. I thought Victor Ibanez was doing a good enough job. If he can't handle a monthly book, I would rather for Storm to go to a bi-monthly schedule than risk the brand with fill in artists. Having fill-ins gives the impression that this book is not that important. It screams "I am not a serious effort. I'm not sure what I'm doing. Feel free to ignore me." It's important to establish a look and feel for the series with the first story arc, and so far they have failed to do that. Instead of fill-ins, maybe they could give Ibanez assistants to help or something.
2. Make sure a strong story concept is in place- I have read enough Greg Pak stories to know that he is capable of writing Storm if his heart is in it. So far, I am not sure if that's the case or not, as the first two issues have not exactly established a direction. That is not a problem, if he HAS a direction in mind. Sometimes it takes a few issues to hit full steam, and that's okay. But from an editorial standpoint, I would need to know that he knows where he is going. 
3. Secure a brand name cover artist- Olivier Coipel should probably be the dedicated cover artist on Storm. Or maybe the Dodsons. I think they need to take the cover art chores off Ibanez's hands, at least for a while. Coipel (who would probably be my first choice to draw STORM) or someone of that caliber should be brought in to bring consistency to the covers.
4. Set the cross-over knob to "OFF" for a while- Storm is an integral part of the X-men, and one of the highest profile characters in the Marvel Universe. So I know there is an editorial urge to throw to the next big crossover event, or interweave the story with her X-men team books. I would avoid that if possible. Again, it is all about establishing Storm. I like the approach in the first couple issues. But if the writing and editorial team don't solidify the storyline in Storm, there is a strong likelihood that a crossover will come along and wipe out any hope of direction for this book. That needs to be prevented by any means.

Those would be my main areas of focus. Whether Marvel is aware of it or not, STORM would be a dream gig for many writers and artists. If Pak and Ibanez are not prepared to turn out the best work of their careers in a timely manner on Storm, they should let someone else have the chance. Storm is too important to get another lackluster effort. A female writer would be great, as would a male writer of color. And the list of artists who would go overboard to get it right is not a short one. Afua Richardson, N. Steven Harris, and Ross Campbell come to mind immediately. But like I said, I think Pak and Ibanez are up to the task if they want it. As it is, I just feel like this book is kinda wobbly. Maybe I'm wrong. Feel free to let me know what you think.

 

For the record, I still plan to buy Storm #3 which comes out in stores September 24th.

Peace,

 -samax

Samax Amen draws people, places and things for fun and profit. He is the artist of many great comics you never heard of like Herman Heed, Champion of Children, The Brother and The World As You Know It. He even writes and draws his own comics, like Dare: The Adventures of Darius Davidson, Spontaneous, and Manchild when he gets around to it. Because making comics is hard and stuff, he started GhettoManga as a blog in 2006 and as a print magazine in 2008. 
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