Warning: Contains spoilers for X-Men #1!!
Magneto’s journey from the X-Men’s first villain to the leader of mutantkind’s next chapter is nothing short of extraordinary. With Orchis defeated and an uncertain future stretching ahead, Max Eisenhardt has stepped into Charles Xavier’s place and made it his own, with a style and title to match. The Master of Magnetism has always played whatever role he felt would benefit mutants, and now acts as their “dragon” and protector.
X-Men #1 marks the new crew’s foray into the world after Krakoa’s destruction and the harrowing Orchis war. Charles Xavier’s betrayal of his own dream and beliefs has rendered him an exile and outcast and left mutantkind to forge ahead without him, but they won’t be without guidance.
As Beast gives the local chief of police a tour of the X-Men’s new home, Magneto reveals himself, taking a few major cues from his oldest friend. He makes it clear that he isn’t looking to forge new friendships and will be “the dragon” ensuring that mutantkind thrives.
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X-Men Lore Changes Forever, As Magneto Abandons His Mutant vs Human Ideals for Good
Magneto’s moral compass has shifted greatly over the last 60 years, and now, as the Krakoan era winds down, he has updated his mission.
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Magneto Rises “From The Ashes” To Become THE DRAGON, Mutantkind’s Protector
X-Men #1 – Written By Jed MacKay; Art By Ryan Stegman, Marte Gracia, & Clayton Cowles
Magneto has played many parts over the years, always with the underlying motivation of mutant survival. This chapter comes with a new Xavier-inspired look, in his classic Magneto colors, and the sarcastic “Professor M” title, but his true purpose isn’t changing. As Magneto explains in X-Men #1, he isn’t friendly and is “to be feared” – the very thing he believes will protect vulnerable mutants. Tbis isn’t the first time Max has led the X-Men, but his intense journey of self-discovery makes him better suited to it than ever before, and his formidable presence can make a difference.
With the fall of Krakoa, the X-Men’s most prosperous era came to an end. As Beast tells the police chief, mutants lost “an Eden” and are now left with scraps. Magneto was resurrected because he was needed, and though Storm brought him back to help win a war, his role has expanded beyond it. Charles Xavier was a guiding force (for better or worse) for decades, and Max is preparing to wield the same influence. Rather than risk his people being trodden upon yet again, Magneto is doing what he always does – making himself into their fiercest, most unrelenting protector.
Magneto Is The Fearsome Leader That Marvel’s Mutants Need Right Now
His True Hero Era Definitively Begins
Max is a flawed individual, and though the guilt for his old mistakes weighs heavily on him, it won’t stop him from acting as a hero. Calling himself “the dragon” is tinged with Magneto’s typical level of drama, but it’s still an apt description. He’s willing and able to be destructive, but is giving humanity a chance to keep their distance instead. As long as the Children of the Atom are left undisturbed, he has no reason to strike. Magneto is acting as the new guiding hand of the X-Men, but he’s still one of the world’s most dangerous mutants.
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Magneto
The oldest and best-known adversary of the X-Men, Magneto has been a part of Marvel Comics since the mutant team was introduced. Bearing powers over magnetic fields, he views mutants as superior to normal humans, and aims to build a world where humans are dominant. The only thing stopping him is Professor X and his team of heroes.
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.
