While superhero comics are famous for advocating the existence of moral absolutes in the pursuit of justice, Storm takes that idea of the “one rule” and stabs it in the heart very early on in her tenure as leader of the X-Men. #xmen 1/8 @MutantElement

The consequences of this action are steep for Storm as a character, reflecting a more mature perspective on the burden of leadership, whilst operating consistently with Storm’s sense of martyrdom and indomitable will. It’s a shocking move for her, but not out of character. 2/8

The shock value is enhanced in a number of ways – Storm’s femininity (highly stereotyped in 1980s comics), her harmonious existence with nature, her genial and polite demeanour and emotional empathy all speak against the act of killing. 3/8

And that’s kind of the point. Through this, the reader is made to identify with Callisto, in learning that Storm’s entire strategy hinged on her opponent assuming she was too decent to use lethal force. Like Callisto (and Kurt for that matter) we underestimated Ororo. 4/8

Thus, the message that the action sent was clear to both readers and to the other X-Men: Storm will do whatever it takes to succeed. At the same time, however, the horrified reaction of her teammates symbolizes the understanding that morality is a privilege, not a virtue. 5/8

Kurt even admonishes her for her actions, perhaps unaware of the privilege that Storm has extended him in taking on the grim but necessary action herself. He had volunteered for the duel, but Storm replaced him, identifying the burden as belonging to the X-Men’s leader alone. 6/8

In the aftermath of the battle, Storm weighs her individual values against family obligation. Claremont further symbolizes her descent as she loses control of her weather powers and electrocutes her beloved plants. A few issues later, she gets rid of them entirely. 7/8

This character arc will continue throughout Claremont’s run, surfacing prominently in the Mutant Massacre, and Fall of the Mutants, with Storm frequently left to contemplate the extent to which her personal ideals have been sacrificed to her role as leader of the X-Men. 8/8