The “Master of Magnetism” is back on Genosha for Magneto issue 14. After the events of AXIS, Magneto's fears have been given significant attention. He has returned to the place where he's experienced both his greatest triumphs and tragedies. Unfortunately, S.H.I.E.L.D has Magneto surrounded, but Magneto is always a step ahead.
S.H.I.E.L.D is coming into Genosha's airspace with Magneto standing around the ruins of Genosha. Magneto tells a young mutant to run and hide while he prepares for S.H.I.E.L.D. This action leads to a flashback of the Sentinel assault, that killed 150 million mutants, on Genosha. Once the flashback concludes, we see Agent Hines preparing her team to capture Magneto. At this point, Magneto starts to wield his power and inflicts some serious damage to S.H.I.E.L.D forces. From here, we are taken into another flashback, this time it is of the aftermath of the Sentinel attack.
This issue is short on text, but heavy in emotion. Cullen Bunn has done an excellent job not only writing this issue, but also writing Magneto period. Magneto is a character who has been a villain and a hero, with most recognizing him in the villain role. In this complex issue, he is walking a VERY fine line between the two spectrums. He defends Genosha and he does it for his people; he's clearly on the offensive during this issue. And as readers that have prior knowledge of what happened to Genosha and of Magneto's past, his reasoning is completely defensible. It is this empathy for Magneto that Cullen Bunn evokes impeccably with the character of Magneto. As a reader you not only understand and have an appreciation of Magneto's view of the world and Mutantkind, but you also feel compassion for him.
Even though the text is a bit on the short side, the story progresses without any issues. Magneto's inner dialogue drives the story into and through the action panels. Magneto is written without any thrills and straight to the point, which works well for his character. I will say that the ending was great. I won't post any spoilers, but I certainly didn't see it coming and I'm already looking forward to next month's edition. It is this anticipation and excitement that a good writer hopes to accomplish: tell a great story and leave them hungry for more.
If you have been on the sidelines with picking up Magneto, I suggest grabbing this issue and possibly even going back and reading the previous issues. I'm pretty certain that you'll be glad you picked this one up.
What are you currently reading? Did you pull this week's Magneto too?
Posted by: Jeff @jeff201