X-Men’s Most Meaningful Mutant Friendship is Influencing Its New Era

Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Exceptional X-Men #2!As a new class of mutants join the new era of X-Men, Kitty Pryde finds herself reflecting on her heartwarming bond with one of her fellow mutant heroes, the weather goddess Ororo Monroe. The hero’s relationship with Storm has been strong since Kitty’s first appearance, and now, as Kitty leads a new team, she’s inspired and influenced by her close friend and mutant mentor.

An unlettered preview released by Marvel for Exceptional X-Men #2 – written by Eve L. Ewing, with art by Carmen Carnero – includes a beautiful single page with Kitty Pryde reminiscing on her introduction to Storm and the X-Men after officially adding new mutants Melee and Axo to the mix.

While Kitty began the new series determined to leave the X-Men behind, her interaction with the young mutant Bronze, aka Trista Marshall, may be giving her some second thoughts. As Kitty takes the brand-new characters under her wing, her bond with Bronze and the other young mutants could mirror her powerful relationship with Storm.

As The X-Men Rise “From The Ashes,” The Bond Between Two Iconic Characters Is More Important Than Ever

Exceptional X-Men #2 – Written By Eve L. Ewing; Art By Carmen Carnero

Since Kitty Pryde was introduced as a teenager in Marvel Comics almost forty-five years ago, Storm has mentored her and they’ve grown to become chosen family to one another. Since that time, the duo have by far been one of the best friendships in X-Men comics, albeit at times one of the more underrated. Storm looked after Kitty for decades in a relationship that’s been portrayed as maternal or placed Ororo in a big sister role as Kitty flourished as a hero in her own right.

Storm joined Kitty’s Marauders team at the beginning of the Krakoa era, sticking by her side while Pryde questioned her mutant identity as she couldn’t enter Krakoan portals. However, as the Fall of X paved the way for the X-Men’s relaunch, Storm and Kitty have not been featured together as prominently. Kitty has decided to leave the X-Men and begins Exceptional X-Men looking to leave the mutant world behind, while Storm joins the Avengers to be a mutant advocate. As Kitty leads a new team and remembers her mutant mentor fondly, there’s still a chance for them to reconnect stronger than ever.

Storm Inspires Kitty To Officially Take On A Mentor Role For Young Mutants

Exceptional X-Men #2 – Available October 9, 2024

The preview for Exceptional X-Men #2 illustrates Kitty’s warm and happy memory of meeting Ororo, while she contemplates her current relationship with mutants and the X-Men overall. Kitty moved to Bridgeport and attempted to live a normal human life before a chance meeting with a young mutant in peril seems to set in motion a change in heart. As she rescues Bronze and they instantly connect, since the young character could use a mutant friend, Kitty may be seeing their newfound bond as a reflection of her deep friendship with Storm, and how she was initially mentored by the hero.

It’s widely believed that Storm is the best hero in X-Men comics, and it’s repeatedly proven as Ororo’s leadership of and care for Kitty has made her into one of the team’s fiercest heroes. While Kitty’s confidence in the cause has been shaken by mutant tragedy, taking a cue from Storm as she leads the three young mutants of Exceptional X-Men will make her stronger and more well-rounded than ever. As X-Men splinter off into various groups across the Marvel Universe, Kitty’s team with Emma Frost and the new mutants could become the best of the bunch with Storm’s influence.

New Characters Melee & Axo Mirror The Dynamic Between Storm & Kitty Pryde

Marvel’s Next Generation Of Mutant Heroes

With the first look at Melee and Axo’s Exceptional X-Men debut, the series further explores the anti-mutant bigotry mutants face in the post-Krakoa era. The previewed scene shows Melee rushing to defend Axo from a group of bullies during a soccer game, forced to use their powers defensively when things go awry. Emma Frost has previously clashed with both Storm and Kitty Pryde, but Kitty and the White Queen will work together to form a team including the new characters. The rivals join forces to help young mutants navigate the world just as Ororo supported Kitty in her teen years.

The new mutants will need Kitty and Emma’s help after their fight with the bullies, since they won’t be afforded the understanding that human kids would get in the same situation. The heroes are especially suited to help the teenagers with their specific power-sets; Melee has intangibility abilities like Kitty and Axo has emotion manipulation abilities similar to Emma’s telepathy. Since Storm has become a mutant representative and a guiding figure in their world overall, it would make sense for her to make an appearance to assist in inspiring Kitty’s fresh class of mutants as she did their new mentor.

Kitty & Storm Deserve A Proper Reunion In X-Men’s “From The Ashes” Era

Marvel Needs To Let The Duo Have An Epic Adventure

After Kitty looks back fondly and her time with Storm inspires her mentorship of the new young mutants, there is still hope for their dynamic friendship to return to X-Men comics. Storm is quite busy, currently taking her rightful place as one of the most high-profile mutants with a brand-new solo series in addition to her joining the Avengers. However, if Ororo is reminded of how effective her leadership can be as Kitty aspires to be more like her friend and mentor, the two heroes reuniting at the right time could really fuel both characters’ journeys in the Marvel Universe.

While Storm’s relationship with Kitty has previously been portrayed as motherly, it’s important that they’re now seen as true peers for the sake of both characters and their standing in Marvel Comics. Though Ororo took Kitty under her wing when she joined the X-Men, and helped mold her into a strong hero and one of their most formidable fighters, they’ve also grown up together in many ways. Storm and Kitty Pryde have built a powerful friendship full of deep respect and admiration for one another, making it one of the most meaningful and impactful relationships to come out of the X-Men.

Exceptional X-Men #2 (2024)
	Writer: Eve L. Ewing Artist: Carmen Carnero Cover Artist: Carmen Carnero

X-Men

The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.