New Magneto limited-series goes back to Magnus’ headmaster days

Most X-Men fans probably know Magneto as a villain, but he’s been a hero as well, and has even served as the Xavier School’s headmaster.

Magnetic personality

Over the last few years, Marvel Comics hasn’t exactly been afraid to turn back the clock, and revisit past eras. A big part of that has been with the X-Men actually, and it’s a theme that the publisher is about to dip back into once again.

This August will bring readers a new Magneto “limited series”, which will center on his time with the New Mutants. But this isn’t going to be a classroom drama, as there’s some retconning planned as well.

That will come in the form of a new X-villain called Irae. And as you’ll see, her attire bears more than a passing resemblance to Magneto’s most iconic form.

Magneto burst onto the scene as the most diabolical of “Evil Mutants”! But when Professor X 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 this new 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!

Marvel Comics press release

The above book will come from the creative team of writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Todd Nauck. And if those names seem familiar, they probably should, since both talents have been around the industry for a long time at this point.

“Magneto may be the single most complex character in the Marvel Universe: a man of dizzying contradictions who has endured, and caused, extraordinary suffering. Who’s been both villain and hero. Whose long, tangled history invites endless exploration,” DeMatteis said. “Our new Magneto series allows us to look at all aspects of Erik Lehnsherr’s soul and psyche—at a period when he was trying to put his life as a so-called ‘evil’ mutant behind him and step, somewhat reluctantly, into Charles Xavier’s shoes, attempting to guide a new generation of mutants. We also get to look back at the early days of the X-Men—one of my favorite periods in Marvel history—and introduce a new villain, born in the cauldron of Magneto’s dark past.”

“I am very excited to return to draw an X-Men comic, especially this Magneto series,” Nauck said. “When I started reading Marvel comics as a kid, Magneto had just taken over as headmaster of the Xavier School and overseeing the New Mutants. Our new Magneto series taps into that deep fandom for me. During the pandemic, I had done a reread of the 100 issue run of the original New Mutants series (plus spin-offs, specials, and annuals) for fun. So when I got the opportunity to join this Magneto creative team, I was more than ready to tackle art duties for this all-new Magneto/New Mutants adventure! Each New Mutant has such a distinct look and unique personality. Their friendship and camaraderie are so much fun to convey. And Magneto’s struggle to fill Xavier’s shoes and challenges he faces in trying to mentor these kids make for great dramatic and emotional moments to draw.”

Marvel Comics press release

Look for Magneto #`1 on the stands this August the 2nd.