Return-Path: Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 16:33:59 -0400 Reply-To: Magneto Fan Fiction List Sender: Magneto Fan Fiction List From: "Michael R. Lavin, University at Buffalo" Subject: The Hunt for Magneto, Part 3 To: MAGNETO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM THE HUNT FOR MAGNETO: PART 3 *Uncanny X-Men 111 (June 1978) TITLE: "Mindgames." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker. STORY: The Beast, now a member of the Avengers, tracks the missing X-Men to a travelling circus, where he discovers they are under the mental control of Mesmero. Suddenly, the Beast and Mesmero are overpowered by an unseen foe, shown in the shadows. The last page, a dramatic full-page splash panel, reveals the enemy to be Magneto. NOTES: Cyclops, remembering how powerful Magneto was in their last encounter, thinks the new team is still not sufficiently experienced to face the X-Men's greatest foe. XMC 17 presents no new pages relevant to Magneto. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 17; Marvel Masterworks 24. *Uncanny X-Men 112 (Aug. 1978) TITLE: "Magneto Triumphant." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker. STORY: To their amazement, the X-Men find themselves confronting Magneto in a flying circus wagon, hurtling through the sky at a height of 70,000 feet. Magneto recounts how he followed the Beast to Mesmero's circus and bided his time until he could take the X- Men and Mesmero unawares. Magneto jettisons Mesmero, then pilots the strange craft halfway around the world to his base below an active volcano somewhere in Antarctica. Once on the ground, the X- Men are free to fight their captor, but he defeats all eight heroes, employing a combination of raw power, imaginative use of his abilities, impressive control, and ingenious battle tactics. Magneto imprisons his defeated foes in chairs which scramble their ability to mentally control their powers. Magneto intends for them to be as helpless as infants, humiliated under the care of "Nanny," a sickeningly sweet robot which resembles a French chambermaid. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto tells the subdued team that he is "a proud man," who plans to repay them for his past humiliations. He is especially angered over his recent regression to infancy, so decides to subject his foes to a similar experience. NOTES: Magneto follows Beast's Quinjet, indicating he can fly at extremely fast speeds. He also propels the circus wagon at incredible speed, traveling more than 4,000 miles in a half-hour. Magneto's underground base covers five square miles and is filled with complex technology "that would do Tony Stark or Reed Richards proud." It is but one of several similar installations around the globe. First appearance of volcano base. First appearance of robot Nanny (not to be confused with X-Factor/X-Men villain of the same name). XMC 18 provides 3 pages of new material. See entry for XMC for details. REMINDERS: Magneto's powers are at their peak following Eric the Red's rejuvenation. Magneto explains to Cyclops that the "Magneto" they fought previously (in UXM 50-52) was a robot, and that he has had no previous experience with Mesmero. This is news to Cyclops, but was revealed to the readers back in UXM 58. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 18; Marvel Masterworks 24; The very Best of Marvel TPB. *Uncanny X-Men 113 (Oct. 1978) TITLE: "Showdown." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker. STORY: Magneto executes a series of raids on heavily guarded research facilities in Australia and New Zealand, stealing undisclosed equipment and destroying the facilities. As part of Magneto's vengeance against the X-Men, he has left the helpless heroes in the care of a robot Nanny, who treats them like infants. Magneto flies off to Asteroid M. While gone, Storm uses her lock- picking talents to free herself and her teammates. When Magneto returns, the X-Men take him partially by surprise. Now fighting in concert, the team holds its own against the powerful foe. Colossus rains damaging punches on Magneto, injuring him severely, possibly breaking his ribs. During the struggle, Phoenix accidently damages Magneto's control consoles, and lava begins to pour into the base. Magneto flies to safety, Beast and Phoenix escape unharmed, the rest of the team appears to be trapped within the volcano. Magneto mourns the loss of a lifetime of stored data, as well as the inconvenience of several months of needed convalescence. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto mentions that the X-Men and Xavier are noble, courageous foes. REVELATIONS: Asteroid M orbits 1,000 miles above the Earth, boasting sophisticated stealth technology far surpassing that of Russia or the U.S. Magneto has altered the Earth's magnetic fields, creating a permanent, impenetrable wall of psychic static to break Xavier's psychic rapport with his students. He has painstakingly rebuilt Asteroid M, intending it to replace his various terrestrial bases. REMINDERS: Following Magneto's brutal raids on military bases, we are reminded that the world views him as a powerful, ruthless terrorist. NOTE: XMC 19 adds two pages of additional character exposition written by Claremont. See entry for XMC 19 for details. REPRINTED IN: Classic X-Men 19; Marvel Masterworks 24, The Very Best of Marvel TPB. *Avengers 186 (August 1979) TITLE: "Nights of Wundagore." CREDITS: Mark Gruenwald and Steven Grant, plotters; David Michelinie, scripter; John Byrne, penciler; Dan Green, inker. FLASHBACK (NEW): BEHIND-THE-SCENES. Bova tells Quicksilver the truth about his and Wanda's birth. "She told of a husband who had gained strange abilities, powers that sent him raving with a desire to rule the world. Fearful that his madness would corrupt the child he wasn't even aware she carried, she had fled." Several days after the birth of the twins, Magda ran away, leaving a note which explained her fear that the "unnamed husband" would find out about the children if she lived. REVELATION: The circumstances of Wanda and Pietro's birth. Magda's name is revealed for the first time. Bova cared for Magda for several weeks prior to the delivery, and the two became very close. NOTE: The fact that Magneto is the twins' father is not revealed here. REPRINTED IN: Yesterday Quest TPB; partially retold in Marvel Saga 14, with reprinted art work. *Uncanny X-Men 125 (Sept. 1979) TITLE: "There's Something Awful on Muir Island." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; John Byrne, penciler; Terry Austin, inker. BRIEF APPEARANCE: Magneto, on Asteroid M, recovers from the injuries he sustained when his Antarctica fortress caved in. (He is shown with taped ribs and a cane.) He views old videotapes of the X-Men, but accidentally loads a tape of Magda, "his late wife." Magneto says he had almost forgotten how beautiful she was, and "how deeply it hurt when you ran away from me." FLASHBACK (OLD): CAMEO. In a single panel, Phoenix recalls her battle with Magneto. REVELATIONS: First mention of Magda by Magneto. NOTES: Magda's face looks remarkably like the mask-less Wanda Maximoff seen in Avengers 186. Since both issues were drawn by John Byrne at approximately the same time, the resemblance is clearly intentional. No new pages appear in the XMC 31 reprint. COMMENTS: When I first read this story, I was not an Avengers fan, and I thought Magda resembled Kitty Pryde--not the artist's intent, obviously. Although readers of the previous month's Avengers story most likely guessed the relationship between Magneto and his yet- unrevealed children, the characters themselves would not make the connection until the Vision and Scarlet Witch LS of 1983. It is surprising that Magneto never noticed the resemblance between his long-lost wife and Wanda during the latter's tenure with the Brotherhood. In a story told much later (Professor Xavier and the X-Men 4), Magneto is shown making the connection during their BOEM days. REPRINTED IN: Classic X-Men 31; partially reprinted as "Epilogue" to Yesterday Quest TPB. *Amazing Adventures II 2 (January 1980) TITLE: "When Mutants Clash!" CREDITS: For new splash-page--Carmine Infantino, penciler; John Tartaglione, inker. Scripter for splash-page dialogue is not credited, but may be Danny Fingeroth, the issue's reprint editor. FLASHBACK (OLD): Reprints second half of UXM 1, with new splash page. The new page shows Magneto ranting as he prepares to direct his "Energizer" against the Cape Citadel missiles, as a further demonstration of his powers. *Uncanny X-Men 138 (Oct. 1980) TITLE: "Elegy." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, co-plotter, scripter; John Byrne, co- plotter, penciler; Terry Austin, inker. FLASHBACK (OLD): BRIEF APPEARANCES. Cyclops reminisces about the team's history, following "Jean's" funeral. Magneto is included throughout, but no new information is provided. Scenes with Magneto include the following: UXM 1 (2 panels); UXM 4 (2 panels); UXM 5 (2 panels); UXM 11 (2 panels); UXM 51 (1 panel); UXM 63 (1 panel); UXM 104 (1 panel); and UXM 113 (1 panel). REMINDERS: The X-Men's first battle with Magneto took place only hours after Jean joined the team. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver hated Magneto during their tenure in the Brotherhood. Destruction of Asteroid M in UXM 6. Lorna Dane originally believed she was Magneto's daughter. NOTES: Except for the cover, no new Magneto pages in UXM 44 reprint. ERRATUM: In recalling the events from UXM 50-52, Cyclops does not realize that the "Magneto" they confronted was actually a robot. Magneto actual revealed this fact to the X-Men in UXM 112. (In fairness, Cyclops may simply have forgotten due to the emotional strain of the funeral.) REPRINTED IN: Classic X-Men 44. *Uncanny X-Men 147 (July 1981) TITLE: "Rogue Storm." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; Dave Cockrum, penciler; Josef Rubinstein, inker. BEHIND-THE-SCENES: In UXM 145, Aleytys (Lee) Forrester and Scott Summers were shipwrecked on an island in the Bahamas. In this issue (the next day), they wake up to see another island, roughly one mile away, which literally wasn't there the day before. More amazing still, a giant, futuristic city sits on the mysterious island. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 51. *Uncanny X-Men 148 (Aug. 1981) TITLE: "Cry, Mutant!" CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; Dave Cockrum, penciler; Josef Rubinstein, inker. BRIEF APPEARANCE: Lee and Scott (who is blind without his ruby- quartz glasses) swim to the mysterious island. Up close, it is not so much futuristic as ancient and alien. While exploring the island, they encounter its "owner," who bids them welcome. The last panel reveals him to be Magneto. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 52. *Uncanny X-Men 149 (Sept. 1981) TITLE: "And the Dead Shall Bury the Living." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; Dave Cockrum, penciler; Josef Rubinstein, inker. STORY: Xavier sends the X-Men on a reconnaissance mission to investigate the remains of Magneto's Antarctic base. As they explore the base, they encounter a transformed Garokk, who has been ordered by Magneto to guard the wrecked facility. It seems Magneto rescued him from death when he was plunging to the Earth's core. After the team defeats Garokk, they realize Xavier's suspicions have been confirmed--Magneto has stripped the facility of its technology, and is planning something. Back in the Bahamas, Magneto tells Cyclops that he recognizes his old foe, and that his optic blast will not function while he is on the island. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 53. *Uncanny X-Men 150 (Oct. 1981) TITLE: "I, Magneto." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; Dave Cockrum, penciler; Josef Rubinstein and Bob Wiacek, inkers. STORY: From his island, Magneto broadcasts a message to the world, demanding total nuclear disarmament within the week. He does so to protect mutantkind from being destroyed in a possible nuclear war. He tells Lee and Scott that he hopes he will not have to demonstrate his powers to any opposing nations. He dreams of an era of peace and prosperity, under worldwide mutant control. When the Soviet Union attacks the island with nuclear weapons, Magneto neutralizes the missiles and destroys the Soviet submarine (the Leningrad). When the Soviets gear up to counterattack, Magneto destroys the Siberian city of Varykino, after allowing the inhabitants to escape. As the X-Men's Blackbird approaches the island, Magneto disables it, too. Once again, Magneto's inhibitor field neutralizes all their powers. While Magneto sleeps, the depowered X-Men manage to disable the villain's master weapon. Meanwhile, Storm encounters Magneto sleeping in his quarters, and debates killing him with a nearby knife. Magneto awakens and knocks her out. Xavier, from a boat offshore, unsuccessfully attempts to subdue Magneto with a telepathic bolt. Just as Xavier senses Magneto weakening, the villain uses his powers to transport Xavier to the island, where he is soon helpless. He then astonishes the X-Men by effortlessly reconstructing his gigantic weapon with magnetism. Storm manages to disable Magneto's power inhibitor, and the climactic battle begins. Magneto hold his own against the entire team, including Xavier. When Kitty begins to destroy Magneto's computer data (the "work of a lifetime"), Magneto becomes insane with rage. He sends a lethal charge of electricity through Kitty's body. He then realizes she is only a child, and he becomes immediately grief stricken. He tells Storm, "In my zeal to remake the world, I have become much like those I have always despised." When Storm replies that his dream has merit, Magneto says he cannot change because he has "lived too long with my hatred." He flies off, not realizing that Kitty survived due to her phasing ability. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: When Magneto learns that Jean Grey died some time ago, he is truly sorrowful. He says she was an honorable foe, worthy of respect, and that he "cared for her." When Storm exhorts him to pray to his God, Magneto replies that he believed once, but as a boy, he turned his back on God forever. In complete remorse, he then tells Storm to kill him if she wishes. REVELATIONS: This is the first mention of Magneto being a Holocaust survivor. Auschwitz is mentioned specifically. Telling Cyclops that he understands grief, Magneto explains that everyone in his family (a large family) was slaughtered, "without mercy, without remorse." Later, as he cradles Kitty's limp body, Magneto tells Storm of his childhood in Auschwitz. Because the lives of Magneto's family and neighbors meant nothing to his German captors, human life became nothing to him. NOTES: Magneto speaks Russian to the captain of the Leningrad. He absorbs Storm's lightning bolts, which only make him stronger. During his telepathic duel with Xavier, the text states that Magneto has no telepathic powers of his own, but his willpower represents a powerful barrier to telepathic attack. Kitty's phasing disrupts his natural electrical field, causing him pain. During the fight, Magneto calls Wolverine a "maniac" who fights for pleasure rather than a cause. As he has on other occasions, Magneto causes his metal suit to form around his body. COMMENTS: It is likely that the computer data destroyed here was among the technology that Magneto had previously recovered from his volcano base, as hinted in UXM 149. This is the second time Magneto mourns the loss of all his computer data (the first occurred in UXM 113). It seems unlikely that Magneto would not have extensive backup files, given the following considerations: a. his intimate knowledge of magnetism; b. his scientific expertise and his care in planning; c. the fact that he lost files once before at the hands of the X-Men; d. his penchant for establishing hidden bases around the world. Perhaps the remark is simply a rash overstatement by Magneto, caught up in a moment of histrionics during the heat of battle and the frustration of defeat. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 54. *Uncanny X-Men 161 (Sept. 1982) TITLE: "Gold Rush." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, story; Dave Cockrum, penciler; Bob Wiacek, inker. FLASHBACK (NEW): Xavier, in a near-coma, dreams about his earliest encounters with Magneto. According to the dream, Xavier left Egypt following his battle with Farouk. He then travels to Israel to work at a hospital for Holocaust victims. There he meets Magnus, an orderly/volunteer (who is himself a holocaust survivor) and Gabrielle Haller. Xavier cures Haller, and the two have an affair. Meanwhile, Baron Strucker attacks and kidnaps Haller because during the war she was hypnotized and given the location of a secret cache of Nazi gold. During the attack, Magneto reveals his powers. Magneto and Xavier rescue Haller and defeat Strucker. Magneto then confiscates the incredible supply of gold and flies off. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Though friends, Magnus thinks Xavier is an idealistic fool. He tells Xavier, "There is only one way to guarantee the survival of homo superior, and that is for them to hold the reins of power." Following their encounter with Strucker, the departing Magnus says, "Mutants will not go meekly into the gas chambers. We will fight...and we will win!" REVELATIONS: First explanation of how Magneto gained the wealth necessary to carry out his many plans over the years. NOTES: Magnus uses the term "homo superior." Auschwitz is once again specified as the place of Magneto's war-time incarceration. COMMENTS: Scene where Magneto crushes Baron Strucker's Satan Claw is worth the price of admission. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 65; X-Men Archives 4. Retold in part in Marvel Saga 4. *Vision and Scarlet Witch LS I 1 (Nov. 1982) TITLE: "Trick or Treat!" CREDITS: Bill Mantlo, writer; Rick Leonardi, penciler; Ian Akin and Brian Garvey, inkers. FLASHBACK (OLD): CAMEO. Wanda remembers her early days with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants; Magneto is shown briefly. *Vision and Scarlet Witch LS I 4 (Feb. 1983) TITLE: "Please Allow Me To Introduce Myself...!" CREDITS: Bill Mantlo, writer; Rick Leonardi, penciler; Ian Akin and Brian Garvey, inkers. STORY: A mysterious cowled figure, dressed in white, visits Bova on Wundagore mountain. Bova tells him the tale of Magda--that she gave birth to twins before fleeing into the night. This "White Pilgrim" becomes extremely agitated to learn that the children survived, and demands that Bova tell him their names. Bova realizes the stranger must be the husband from whom Magda fled, so she refuses to tell him. Angered, the stranger threatens Bova, then uses his Magnetic powers to control her mind. She reveals the names of Wanda and Pietro. The stranger, overcome with emotion, destroys Bova's cottage with a burst of energy, then rises into the sky. As he departs, he tells the cow-woman, "Fare thee well." The White Pilgrim next arrives on the blue area of the moon, where the Vision and Scarlet Witch are visiting Pietro and his family. He uses is powers to mask his presence from the Inhumans, then encases the palace in a magnetic force field. He reveals his identity to the heroes, and claims he has not come to fight--yet fight they do. Finally, Magneto reveals that he is Pietro's and Wanda's father, and Luna's grandfather. Wanda realizes the resemblance between Pietro and Magneto, while Magneto mentions that Wanda resembles Magda. The episode ends with a tearful Wanda wondering, "If you really are our father-- What in heaven's name do we all do now?" FLASHBACKS (OLD): Brief scenes show Bova with Magda, an image of Auschwitz, Magneto battling Soviet tanks, and Magda fleeing from him in terror. REVELATION: This is the first that the characters learn of the true relationship between Magneto and his children. However, astute readers guessed the connection based on events in Avengers 186 and UXM 125, back in 1979. Also the first we learn of Wanda's resemblance to Magda. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto tells his children, "Mine has been a hard life, and I have become a hard man in order to accommodate it." He says that he has begun to reassess his opinions about the human race, even more so now that he realizes he has a human grandchild. Although we are beginning to see Magneto in a more sympathetic light beginning in UXM 150, there is no doubt he is still a villain. His treatment of Bova is quite brutal; as in the past, he lets nothing stand in the way of achieving his objectives. NOTE: Magneto is central figure shown on the cover. Magneto's control over Bova is not telepathic, but based on adjusting the flow of blood to the brain, as he first did in Avengers 111. As in other early stories which show scenes from Auschwitz, the Star of David is emphasized, implying that Magneto and his family were Jewish. ERRATUM: The flashback with Magneto and the Soviet tanks did not occur in the manner depicted. It suggests that Magneto destroyed tanks before Magda fled, which is not the case. It is possible that Soviet troops pursued Magneto after he left Vinnitsa, but this has never been mentioned. X-Men Unlimited 2 shows Magneto battling East German troops near Wundagore, but at a much later time. *Power Man and Iron Fist 90 (Feb. 1983) TITLE: "The Untouchable!" CREDITS: Kurt Busiek, writer; Denys Cowan, penciler; Mel Candido, inker. STORY: Power Man and Iron Fist versus Unus the Untouchable. FLASHBACK (OLD): CAMEO. Unus reminisces about his days in the BOEM. Single panel shows Unus with Magneto, Toad, and Quicksilver. COMMENT: Delightfully droll story by Busiek. *Avengers 234 (August 1983) TITLE: "The Witch's Tale" CREDITS: Roger Stern, writer; Allen Milgrom, penciler; Joe Sinnott, inker. STORY: The Vision is in a "coma" after battling Annihilus, and the Scarlet Witch is inconsolable with worry. In an effort to distract her, Captain Marvel persuades Wanda to recount her life story. FLASHBACK (MOSTLY NEW): This issue provides one of the most detailed versions of Pietro and Wanda's early life. It also takes up where the V&SW limited series left off. After Magneto announces he is Luna's grandfather, Quicksilver lashes out in anger, renouncing all ties to Magneto. When Magneto asks Wanda how she feels, Wanda replies that Pietro has said all that needs saying. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto, upset and angry over his children's coldness, tells them, "You will come to see the error of your ways... all of you," thus reminding the reader that Magneto has not truly reformed and that he has a fierce temper. NOTE: Wanda states her father was a Gypsy (referring to Django Maximoff), but Magneto does not take the opportunity to mention his own ethnic heritage. Similarly, Magda is not identified as a Gypsy here. *The X-Men and the Micronauts 4 (April 1984) TITLE: "Doppelganger!" CREDITS: Chris Claremont and Bill Mantlo, writers; Butch Guice, penciler; Bob Wiacek, inker. FLASHBACK (OLD): CAMEO. To combat the Entity (a psychic manifestation of his own dark side), Professor Xavier's astral form enters his own mind. He sees a series of vivid memories, including an image of the helmeted Magneto. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 1 (May 1984) TITLE: "The War Begins." CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Mike Zeck, penciler, John Beatty, inker. STORY: The Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Hulk are transported to a "battle world" by the Beyonder, as are an array of super villains. Inexplicably, the Beyonder teams Magneto with the heroes. The Avengers call Magneto a murderer, and want to subdue him. When the X-Men decide to square off against the others to protect their temporary ally, Magneto flies off, saying he won't abide watching other mutants injured on his behalf. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto defends his past actions, saying he is an avowed enemy of mankind, but never the slayer of innocents. He also states that among the other heroes, only Thor is his equal. COMMENTS: This issue presents one of the most realistic and believable portrayals of Magneto heretofore seen in a non-Claremont book. When protesting that he has never slain innocents, Magneto is being a bit disingenuous. For one thing, he is forgetting the Leningrad incident (though one might argue that members of the armed forces are not "innocent." He also overlooks the many times he tried to kill innocent people but was thwarted. REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 2 (June 1984) TITLE: "Prisoners of War!" CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Mike Zeck, penciler, John Beatty, inker. STORY: On the Beyonder's Battle World, Magneto claims an alien fortress. There he ponders the fate of the universe, and is surprised that he feels an unexpected kinship with homo sapiens. Under cover of nightfall, he infiltrates the heroes' base planning to sabotage its power core in order to create a diversion. He is discovered and attacked by the heroes. While the Wasp is pursuing him, Magneto encases her in a metal trap, and escapes--with the Wasp in tow. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto is in his imperious mode, with such dialogue as, "None may touch the person of Magneto!" NOTE: Magneto is the key figure depicted on the cover of this issue. REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 3 (July 1984) TITLE: "Tempest Without, Crisis Within!" CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Mike Zeck, penciler, John Beatty, inker. STORY: Magneto releases the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) and tells her he wishes to talk. A deadly storm rages outside the fortress, forcing the duo to remain indoors. Magneto abruptly (and unsubtly) attempts to seduce her. He admires her beauty and intelligence, but it seems he has ulterior motives as well. Magneto tells her, "I am not the monster you believe I am." Then he is called away momentarily by a message from Dr. Doom, who seeks to recruit him as an ally. Magneto refuses, and Doom promises that the Master of Magnetism will regret his decision. Magneto returns to the Wasp, and makes his move. He pulls Janet to him and kisses her, saying, "Let us not deny our desires." She resists at first, then says, "Oh, I-I guess... I suppose it's... oh, why not?" She does tell him, "You have the iciest blue eyes." CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto treats Doom's threat in a very off- handed manner. Magneto, though trying to be charming towards the Wasp, is still his old regal self. Wasp intentionally tweaks his pride. When he tells her she cannot harm him because, "my person is shielded," she replies, "Well la-dee-da!" and zaps his dinner from his lap. Later, Magneto tells Janet, "We agree that when my eyes meet yours, there is something electric!" She impishly replies, "I don't remember agreeing to that!" He doesn't appear upset by her teasing.. NOTES: In a fine display of his mastery of magnetism, Magneto frees the Wasp by sending his "magnetic force" through the labrythine corridors" of the fortress, freeing her from her steel prison. Janet calls Magneto "Magnus" several times in this issue. COMMENT: Magneto as seducer is a role we have not seen before, and it is one which does not suit him particularly well. He may indeed have felt sexual stirrings for the beguiling Wasp, especially since she was acting coy and forceful at the same time. And being "trapped" together while a storm rages outside certainly presents a romantic opportunity. He may have also been attracted to the fact that she stood up to his blustering. But, if he seduced her simply to gain an ally -- well, Magneto has been coldly calculating in past actions, but the entire scene is strange, despite any ulterior motives on Magneto's part. And the suddenness of this romance between two enemies is also a bit too much. As for the flirtatious Wasp, this was probably a meaningless dalliance, but her true motives are revealed in the next issue. REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 4 (Aug. 1984) TITLE: "Situation: Hopeless!" CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Bob Layton, penciler, John Beatty, inker. STORY: Professor X and the X-Men approach Magneto's fortress on Battle World, seeking to recruit him as an ally. Meanwhile, Magneto is shown harnessing a small, concentrated field of magnetism, generating enough power "to raze a small city." The object of his efforts? He creates a comb for the Wasp. When the X-Men interrupt his tryst, Magneto tells them they must slay all the villains, thus preventing their enemies from gaining the Beyonder's beneficence. At the same time, by winning the conflict, they would receive enough power from the Beyonder to initiate a golden age on Earth. Shocked, the Wasp tells Magneto he is "the most evil scum since Hitler!" She takes this opportunity to tell Magneto she was merely playing along with him to discover his plans. Pinching his cheek, she says, "You know Mag, you're a pompous, overbearing jerk! Cute, though..." She goes on to say, "You're a great kisser Magneto, but like a lot of men, you presume that once you romance a woman, her mind turns to mush and then you own her." Before Magneto can pursue her and vent his anger, Xavier takes the opportunity to lecture him about responsible use of one's powers. NOTES: The captions indicate these events take place in the morning following Magneto's kiss. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Magneto's willingness to kill the super- villains is very much in character. Once again Magneto is proud, supremely confidant, and quick to anger. Janet's ego-deflating remarks are more than his pride can bear. In his rage against the Wasp, he declares, "I'll crush the vehicle and her in it!" COMMENT: Readers might debate the extent of Magneto's liaison with the Wasp, but it seems Shooter wants us to believe the two did sleep together. The scene following the kiss takes place the next morning, the storm has subsided, and Janet's hair is rumpled, though both are fully clothed. Did the Wasp simply use Magneto? Both Magneto and the Wasp used one another in this brief fling, but my impression is the characters also shared a strong sexual attraction. It is also possible that the Wasp believed Magneto's, "I'm not a monster" speech, and was stunned and hurt when he suggested they kill the villains. The Wasp gets all the best lines in issues 3 and 4. In fact, she gets the last word, making Magneto appear foolish. Although Shooter clearly had fun writing this episode, it is not a high point in either character's career. REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 5 (Sept. 1984) TITLE: "The Battle of Four Armies!" CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Bob Layton, penciler, John Beatty, inker. STORY: Magneto and Xavier decide to join forces to stop the impending threat of Galactus. Xavier draws on Magneto's latent psionic powers to enhance his own, and together they attempt to contact Galactus. Disturbed by the contact, Galactus casually responds with devastating psionic feedback, which destroys the fortress. Magneto shields the X-Men from the blast. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: When Colossus is severely wounded in battle, Magneto coldly recommends that he be left behind. COMMENT: Once again the question of Magneto's supposed telepathic power is treated in an inconsistent manner. Here it is described as "latent" ability. REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 6 (Oct. 1984) TITLE: "A Little Death..." CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Mike Zeck, penciler, John Beatty, inker. CAMEO: Doom watches the heroes on his viewing screen as they sort through the wreckage of Magneto's fortress. In a single panel, Magneto is shown in a regal pose, watching the X-Men at work. Doom, trying to devise a plan to defeat Galactus, tells himself that Magneto and the X-Men haven't the raw power to confront Galactus. REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 7 (Nov. 1984) TITLE: "Berserker!" CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Mike Zeck, penciler, John Beatty, inker. STORY: Magneto and the X-Men battle Doom's villains. Magneto squares off against Dr. Octopus, handling him easily. CHARACTER EXPOSITION: Magneto is still arrogant, tossing out lines such as, "Bah! This is no challenge for my magnetic prowess!" REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *New Mutants 21 (Nov. 1984) TITLE: "Slumber Party!" CREDITS: Chris Claremont, writer; Bill Sienkiewicz, penciler and inker. BRIEF APPEARANCE: In a five-panel sequence, Magneto tries to protect Asteroid M from being hit by a rapidly-moving "celestial object." The object, which in reality is a panicked Warlock, fleeing his father, smashes through the asteroid. *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 8 (Dec. 1984) TITLE: "Invasion!" CREDITS: Jim Shooter, writer; Mike Zeck, penciler, John Beatty and Jack Abel, inkers. BRIEF APPEARANCE: Magneto, Xavier, and the X-Men monitor Galactus's actions while the other heroes fight the villains. REPRINTED IN: Secret Wars TPB. *Uncanny X-Men 188 (Dec. 1984) TITLE: "Legacy of the Lost." CREDITS: Chris Claremont, writer; John Romita, Jr., penciler; Dan Green, inker. STORY: Fishing in the infamous Bermuda Triangle, captain Lee Forrester sees a body floating in shark infested waters. She dives into the sea and pulls the man aboard. He turns out to be Magneto, and his metal armor saved him from the sharks' attack. He and Forrester recognize one another from her days with Cyclops. COMMENT: The book never mentions how Magneto came to be in his predicament, namely, that Asteroid M was partially destroyed when Warlock entered Earth's atmosphere, back in NM 21. Magneto evidently plunged into the ocean after falling from outer space. REPRINTED IN: X-Men Classic 92.