Unleashing Thunder: The Untold Story of Storm's Power in Marvel Comics!

So, “What If...?” has dropped the trailer for its third and final season, and let me tell you, it’s as if they threw a cosmic party where all the coolest alternate universes hang out! Marvel's first animated venture isn’t merely playing the field; it’s diving headfirst into the multiverse pool with a cannonball that leaves everyone gasping for air. But wait for it because the climactic reveal in this trailer is nothing short of divine: Storm, our beloved mistress of the elements, is seen wielding Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. Yes, you heard that right! It's like watching an artist trade their paintbrush for a lightning bolt.

Now, the real kicker is that Alison Sealy-Smith is back to reprise her role as Storm, and let’s just say, if she were a superhero, her superpower would definitely be the gift of continuity. What does this all mean? Well, for the uninitiated, it’s a clear indicator that “What If...?” is ending with a spectacular bang, rummaging through the depths of Marvel’s comic book history for some inspiration, much like a seasoned chef searching for the perfect spice. Storm's celestial makeover has roots in a classic X-Men narrative, and let’s just say, you might want to sit down for this one.

Picture this: Storm, powerless and under the thumb of mischief-maker Loki, finds herself in Asgard alongside the New Mutants during the 'Asgardian Wars' (thanks, Chris Claremont and Arthur Adams, for the drama!). When the X-Men came to the rescue, Loki, in all his devious glory, gifted her Stormcaster, a hammer that commanded the elements as if it were a conductor leading a symphony of thunder and lightning. Spoiler alert: Storm, instead of sipping the Kool-Aid, decided to head back to Earth, righting her ship and regaining her former powers. Talk about a plot twist!

But hold onto your capes, because Stormcaster didn’t just disappear into comic book history. Oh no, it waltzed back onto the stage during “X-Men Gold” in 2017 when our favorite mutants had a showdown with a furious deity named Scythian. Storm, like any good superhero, used its majestic powers to keep the pieces in play until the dreaded ‘death god’ Uovu showed up, turning it all to cosmic dust. Perhaps there’s a moral here, like "with great power comes great reality,” which is probably meant to be a tongue-in-cheek reminder of why dusting your superhero tools is crucial.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more exciting, the “What If...?” comics swooped in to play up Storm’s godly status. In an alternate timeline where she didn't return to Earth, Storm embraced her role in Asgard and became a full-blown Goddess of Thunder. Can we get a high-five for that creative freedom? In fact, we've even seen this electrifying version of Storm in Jonathan Hickman & Esad Ribic’s “Secret Wars,” where she was strutting her stuff as a member of the "Thor Corps." Honestly, one can only imagine how fun it must be to be part of an army of Thors—like a Halloween party where everyone shows up dressed as the same person!

Fast-forward to “What If...?” Season 3, which seems poised to fully embrace the idea that Storm is no ordinary mutant. It's almost poetic, like watching your favorite author finally get to the good part of their novel. As Storm joins the fray, it's evident that the world of the X-Men is roaring to play a pivotal role in this grand Marvel Cinematic Universe saga. With flicks like Deadpool & Wolverine already teasing alternate versions of our well-loved antiheroes and the promising Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars on the horizon, we’re clearly in for a wild ride.

It’s also worth noting that the Russo brothers are back at the helm, ready to sprinkle their cinematic magic. And if Robert Downey Jr. is traded in his Iron Man suit for some Doctor Doom armor, well, isn't that the cherry on top of this multiverse sundae? With Secret Wars potentially adapting Hickman and Ribic’s graphic storytelling, the door does swing wide open for Doctor Doom—and a godly Storm—making their grand entrance into the MCU.

So, as we gear up for the Season 3 premiere of “What If...?” on December 22 on Disney+, let’s brace ourselves. This isn’t just a send-off; it’s a heralding of the future, a reminder of how threads from comic lore weave together, forming the very fabric of our superhero dreams. And who knows? Maybe this ride through alternate timelines could make us rethink just how powerful our women in capes truly are!