At this point, it’s practically a cliche to talk about how the best villains are the ones who don’t think they’re villains. Sure, there’s something charming about a mustachio twirling evil for evil’s sake villain, but when you’re dealing with a fiendish foe who sees themself as the hero, that’s when you can make something special. One of the best examples of this, at least from a comics’ perspective, is Magneto, a character filled to the brim with interesting motivation and pathos. While the master of magnetism has had a few face turns and heel turns in his long history, it’s interesting to think of him in the full context of his character. Has he always had a noble side, even as he’s leading a team with evil right in the name? Is redemption for his past even possible? These are interesting questions, and while these themes might seem familiar, it appears that J.M. DeMatteis wants to give the definitive take in “Magneto” #1, a fascinating character study of a complex character.
Written by J.M. DeMatteisCover by Todd Nauck
and Rachelle Rosenberg
Illustrated by Todd Nauck
Colored by Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by VC’s Travis LanhamMAGNETO WAS RIGHT! MAGNETO burst onto the scene as the most diabolical of “Evil Mutants”! But when PROFESSOR XAVIER must leave the planet for life-saving treatment, Magneto inherits a new title: TEACHER! With the NEW MUTANTS under his tutelage, how will these young and powerful mutants learn to take orders from…a super villain?! And one who tried to KILL them and their predecessors?! There are two sides to every story, and J.M. DeMatteis and Todd Nauck weave a tale that will show how Magneto Was Right…from a certain point of view. In fact, one mutant, known as IRAE, in her FIRST EVER APPEARANCE, has taken Magneto’s lessons to heart in a way that will upend even the Master of Magnetism’s best strategies! Get ready for an all-new saga set during Magneto’s tenure as Headmaster of the NEW MUTANTS, and learn how the once die-hard villain emerged as a conflicted figure in the saga of the X-MEN!
While “Magneto” #1 starts with plenty of bombast and humor, it becomes clear that J.M. DeMatteis isn’t writing your typical superhero comic. The issue begins with some charming banter with the original lineup of the New Mutants and plenty of propelling of lower appendages through derrieres as they fight the original lineup of the Brotherhood of evil mutants. Still, as soon as the narration cuts in, you can begin to see the inner struggle of Erik Lehnsherr. While the narration doesn’t seem all that dissimilar to his flair for the dramatic, something about it looks different. He’s trying to understand the philosophy of his greatest foe, working to understand the desire of these children putting their lives on the line for a world that hates and fears them. The pieces become apparent when we learn that he’s their teacher, not their enemy. It’s not Magneto trying to understand why the X-Men exist, but rather if he’s worthy of being their teacher.
DeMatteis creates an incredibly insular story in “Magneto” #1 that relies on investigating the character’s less-than-savory past from his point of view. It’s interesting to watch the character struggle with his seeming redemption, especially as the world around him continues to put him under the microscope; after almost losing his composure with Rahne, the literal ghosts of his past haunt him, a man who has suffered greatly and treated those who would oppress him without mercy. But, now reformed, he preaches compassion. It’s a juxtaposition not lost on his students or himself. It’s not a perfectly balanced issue, but seeing his justification for the actions is interesting. Was his role as a terrorist a ploy to give the human world a boogeyman for other mutants to defeat, or is this a new justification for old wrongdoings? What is the legacy of someone like that? The issue presents some answers, but we probably won’t truly know. He may never know.
Now the issue isn’t quite as dour as the narration suggests. You do get some delightful banter from the New Mutants as they train in the Danger Room. Magneto’s Scrooge-esq personality change is incredibly charming. DaMatteis captures his ability to write lighthearted and fun superhero action, but “Magneto” #1 is a successfully messy character study, and Todd Nauck’s art helps capture some of that messiness. Nauck’s action is fluid and dynamic, and considering that it becomes such an introspective issue, it makes sense that you start with the battle. But as the issue continues, his ability to capture Erik’s emotions perfectly complements the script. In the confrontation with Rahne, he goes from curious to furious and then from angry to shame in a few short panels. It’s an incredible sequence and helps establish the visual tone from that point forward.
Continued belowSimilarly, it’s interesting to see Naucks use of Erik’s literal ghosts in “Magneto” #1. He uses it infrequently, but every time it’s incredibly impactful. As the issue progresses and he confronts his past Cape Citadel, those ghosts remain. It’s a moment that suggests his personal belief that Magneto as a construct is either a betrayal of those he’s lost or a shield defending himself against his past. It’s also clever to see Nacuk and Rosenberg capture the visual language of silver age comics, complete with Ben-Day dots and Kirby lines. (There are, however, some layouts that feel modern.) It’s a fun use of the medium and a fantastic chance to really make the ghosts feel visually anachronistic, adding a new element to a familiar story.
The one problem with the issue is that it does seem to require a certain degree of prior X knowledge. “Magneto” #1 doesn’t necessarily give you a strong understanding of things like Asteroid M or why Magneto teaches the new mutants. Sure, if you’ve been following the story, it fills in some gaps, but if you don’t have this information, it all hits you fast. Similarly, it’s hard to tell if the ending is a twist or an exploration of an already pre-established idea. It’s not terrible for comics to explore preestablished canon, but it can sometimes be alienating as a person who hasn’t followed these series for long. Sure, it’s interesting for a reformed villain to face part of a legacy they’d instead leave behind, but with so much exploration of preestablished stories, it left me a little confused. Still, the story was intriguing enough to give the second issue a shot.
Final Verdict: 8.5 While “Magneto” #1 does reward a pre-established knowledge of mutant lore, intriguing art, and solid narration make this a rewarding first issue.
