The Craziest Example of a Dead Comic Book Character Reviving
The comic book world is full of mind-bending plot twists, but perhaps one of the most absurd ones involves the apparent death and subsequent resurrection of Storm in Uncanny X-Men 248. This episode so defied the laws of logic that even seasoned comic readers were left scratching their heads.
The Plot Twist: Storm's Faked Death
In Uncanny X-Men 248, Orphanmaker and Okay Nanny escape in a craft, with Storm hot on their heels. While escaping, Orphanmaker deploys tentacles to grab Storm. Havok, a member of the X-Men, seemingly inadvertently blasts the craft, which then impaled Storm upon impact. Given the proximity, it was clear: Storm was dead.
They even buried her in the next issue to seal her fate.
A Serial of Logical Questions
While the X-Men were unaware of Nanny’s elaborate scheme, several aspects of the scenario are steeped in inconsistencies. The very idea that Nanny was able to foresee every possible outcome, including future Hvosk’s actions, seems almost godlike. Her ability to plan for every possible scenario requires extreme foresight and omniscience.
Havok accidentally fired a wave that could have killed Storm, but Nanny had already made a backup plan: a robotic duplicate of Storm. This practice beggars belief. If Nanny was sure of her foresight, why didn’t she also create decoys for herself and Orphanmaker? Considering the X-Men had records of everything, why didn't they notice discrepancies?
The questions pile up. First, how would the X-Men not have noticed the size discrepancy between the decoy and the actual craft? And why go through such an elaborate scheme to fake Storm’s death when they could have simply retrieved her while everyone was distracted?
Moreover, countless scenarios arose where Nanny's plan could have failed. A stronger blast, unexpected movements, or a delay in actions could have all led to the doom of both Nanny and Storm. The near-infallibility of Nanny's plan highlights a significant retcon necessity in the storyline.
A Deeper Analysis: Retconting Storm’s Fate
Does this convoluted and believable fail safe suggest that the plot-crushing death of Storm was a mere retcon by writer Chris Claremont? It certainly seems that way. Dispatching Storm without a fight and then reviving her later in a convoluted manner feels like a complete overcompensation to save face for a perceived logical flaw or event the writer.
Conclusion
Comic books are known for their plot twists, but the apparent faked death of Storm in Uncanny X-Men 248 takes the cake for its ridiculousness and illogic. It’s a story that until now, will most likely remain one of the most peculiar among comic book continuity. While it’s thrilling for fans of the X-Men universe, it also raises questions about the integrity of comic book storytelling and the continuation of mainstream fiction.