He is a Master of Magnetism. He is one of the most complex and ambiguous figures among the X-Men. We’re talking about Magneto, alias Max Eisenhardt, or Erik Magnus Lehnsherr.
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, Magneto started as a one-dimensional foe for the young X-Men team led by Professor Xavier, mostly defined by his mutant-versus-human ideals. The Magneto we know today was developed by Chris Claremont, who transformed him into a more complex, three-dimensional character. The first turning point came with the classic Uncanny X-Men #150, which introduced the first notion of Magneto’s past as a Holocaust survivor.
Over the next few years, Magneto continued to evolve, leading to the milestone Uncanny X-Men #200—”The Trial of Magneto”—which concluded with a major change in the status quo for the mutants. Magneto’s potential for redemption became central to his character, pushing him into a more complex grey area, often shifting between good and evil depending on the writer’s interpretation.
Here’s a guide to some of the most important and recommended comics featuring Magneto, Marvel’s Master of Magnetism!
Your Magneto Comics Reading Guide
This reading order is focused on Magneto, an X-Men character! As always, check out our Complete X-Men Comics Reading Guide for more X stories!
Where to Start with Magneto? The Origin Story of the Master of Magnetism
When Magneto was first introduced, little was known about his past until Chris Claremont started to expand and revealed he was a Holocaust survivor. This tragic period was explored by writer Greg Pak and artist Carmine Di Giandomenico in the limited series Magneto Testament. Primarily a Holocaust story with no superpowers involved, this series also serves as Magneto’s origin story.
- X-Men: Magneto Testament
Collects X-Men: Magneto Testament (2008) #1-5
You can then continue with “A Fire in the Night!” story from Classic X-Men #12, following Magneto after he escapes from Auschwitz with Magda and their start of a new life in the Carpathian Mountains. But as he tries to make a living and build a better life for his family, tragedy strikes again and destroys his life. He later becomes a nazi hunter for the government in “I, Magneto” from Classic X-Men #19 where events tipped him from his transformation to master of magnetism. Both stories were reprinted in Magneto #0.
Magneto Comics in the Silver Age
Though the Silver Age X-Men is an optional read, this is where you’ll find the beginnings of Magneto, with his first appearance in X-Men #1, the introduction of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, his confrontation against the X-Men and The Avengers, and more!
- The X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 1
Collects X-Men #1-31. From this collection, it is recommended to check out X-Men #1, #4-7, #11 and #17-18. - Avengers (1963) #49
Magneto travels to the U.N. to demand that the mutants be given a nation of their own. - The X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 2
Collects X-Men #32-66, Avengers #53, Ka-Zar #2-3, Marvel Tales #30. From this volume, Magneto’s most noticeable appearances are issues X-Men #43-45, Avengers #53, and X-Men #62-63.
X-Men’s original run stopped as issue #66, though the X-Men didn’t completely disappear from Marvel Comics. During the following years, Magneto faced off against various superheroes in:
- Fantastic Four (1961) #102-104
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vol. 10. Magneto team up with Namor to wage a war on the surface world. - Avengers (1963) #110-111
Collected in Avengers Epic Collection: A Traitor Stalks Among Us. The Avengers came to the X-Men’s rescue in one of their battles against Magneto. - Defenders (1972) #15-16
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders Vol. 2. Professor Xavier sends a plea for help to the Defenders to stop Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants!
Magneto is turned into a baby at the end of this Defenders story! Was this the end for the Master of Magnetism? Not at all. Chris Claremont later brought him back to adulthood and began reshaping him into one of the most iconic and complex characters in X-Men history.
Magneto in Chris Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men era
If you’re an X-Men fan, you already know how much Chris Claremont’s run on the series defines the mutants—and, as mentioned earlier, how it also redefined Magneto. It spanned 17 years with many iconic stories and new characters. For the Master of Magnetism, it begins in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #104 where he is brought back to life and restarts his fight against the X-Men. Following is a list of recommended comic issues highlighting the essential moments of his character’s evolution during this era.
Those issues have been collected in various X-Men Omnibus, Epic Collection, or Marvel Masterworks. For more details, check out our complete X-Men reading order to choose the best collection for you! You can also buy those issues digitally.
Magneto returns! – After being brought back as an adult, the Master of Magnetism resumes his battle against the X-Men:
Turning Points in Magneto’s story – the consequences of his philosophies are explored as important elements of his past are revealed. During this time, the Master of Magnetism found himself having to work with the X-Men rather than against them:
- Uncanny X-Men (1963) #141-142
- Uncanny X-Men (1963) #147-150
- Uncanny X-Men (1963) #161
- Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) #5: X-Men – God Loves, Man Kills
- Secret Wars #1-12
Magneto, Mentor – The Master of Magnetism is seeking redemption, and a path towards this journey is offered to him as a mentor for the New Mutants. As his past comes back to haunt him, Magneto also crosses some lines, pushing him back toward villainy…
- Uncanny X-Men #199-200 (The Trial of Magneto)
- New Mutants (Vol. 1) #35, #38-40
- X-Men vs. The Avengers (1987) #1-4
- New Mutants (Vol. 1) #74-75
The 2023-2024 limited comics series Magneto, collected in Magneto: Magneto Was Right is set during this period.
Magneto at a Crossroads – Magneto’s shifting alliances place the character in a more morally grey area at the end of Claremont’s run on the X-Men.
- Acts of Vengeance, specifically his appearances in Captain America (1968) #366-367
- Uncanny X-Men (1963) #269 & 274-275
- X-Men (1991) #1-3
’90s Magneto
In the nineties, Magneto gave up on conquering the world and focused on creating a safe haven for mutants. He lived on Asteroid M with his followers, the Acolytes. But he wasn’t done with humanity—one of his attacks started the crossover story Fatal Attractions, revisiting the struggle for peace between mutants and humans.
- X-Men Epic Collection: Fatal Attractions
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1981) #301-306, X-Men (1991) #24-25, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2, Wolverine (1988) #75, Gambit (1993) #1-4 and X-Men: Survival Guide to the Mansion. See also X-Men Milestones: Fatal Attractions - X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #42-43
Collected in X-Men: Road to Onslaught Omnibus
The Age of Apocalypse begins here! This alternate reality is created after Legion, Charles Xavier’s son, travels back in time with the intention of making his father’s dream a reality by killing Magneto. The X-Men’s attempts to stop him have unintended consequences, leading to the creation of Earth-295. In this dystopian timeline, Magneto takes up Xavier’s dream, becoming the leader of the X-Men.
- X-Men: Legionquest
Collects Uncanny X-Men #318-321, X-Men (vol. 2) #38-41, X-Men Unlimited #4-7, X-Men Annual (1992) #3, X-Factor #107-109, Cable #20. - X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Omnibus
Collects Uncanny X-Men #320-321, X-Men #40-41, Cable #20, X-Men Alpha, Amazing X-Men #1-4, Astonishing X-Men #1-4, Factor X #1-4, Gambit & The Externals #1-4, Generation Next #1-4, Weapon X #1-4, X-Calibre #1-4, X-Man #1-4, X-Men Omega, Age Of Apocalypse: The Chosen and X-Men Ashcan #2.
An amnesiac man who looked a lot like Magneto first appeared in X-Men (Vol. 2) #46. Named Joseph, he soon displayed magnetic powers (Uncanny X-Men #327) and turned to the X-Men for help. Despite thinking he is Magneto, the team accepts him among them. Joseph was part of the Onslaught event—an optional reading for Magneto, though it touches on his influence on Xavier and the creation of Onslaught.
Joseph later headlined Magneto’s first solo series (uncollected), written by Peter Milligan and Jorge Gonzalez with art by Kelley Jones. In this series, Joseph starts to believe he truly is Magneto and assumes the role of the Master of Magnetism.
However, the real Master of Magnetism makes his comeback, once again determined to do whatever it takes for Homo superior…
- X-Men: The Magneto War
Collecting X-Men (1991) #85-91 and Annual ’99, X-Men: The Magneto War, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #366-371, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #23, Magneto Rex #1-3, and material from X-Men Unlimited (1993) #24. - X-Men: Eve of Destruction
Collecting Magneto: Dark Seduction #1-4, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #390-393 and ANNUAL 2000, X-Men (1991) #110-113, X-Men Forever (2001) #1-6, X-Men: Declassified, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #30-33 and X-Men: The Search for Cyclops #1-4.
The New X-Men
Grant Morrison’s New X-Men begins with the destruction of Genosha and Magneto’s apparent death, as well as the introduction of the mysterious and powerful Xorn. Their stories are closely connected, though later retcons changed some of the major twists. The Planet X arc (New X-Men #146-150) is considered by some as one of the best Magneto story and by others as a non-Magneto story. Simply put, it’s complicated. While it occupies a complex place in Magneto’s history (and if we’re honest, not the most well-written part of this story), Morrison’s run is one of the most influential, so still worth reading it!
- New X-Men by Grant Morrison Omnibus
Collects New X-Men Vol. 1 #114-154, Annual 2001.
Magneto Comics, From Genosha to Schism
Charles Xavier and Magneto’s friendship is central to the new Excalibur volume as the two men work together to rebuild Genosha. Magneto soon takes on a significant role in the House of M event, where the Scarlet Witch alters reality. In its aftermath, the mutant population is devastated, and Magneto is left powerless. This situation, however, is temporary, as Magneto eventually regains his powers and aligns himself with Cyclops.
- Excalibur: Forging the Sword
Collects Excalibur vol. 3, #1-4 - Excalibur Vol. 2: Saturday Night Fever
Collects Excalibur #5-10. - House of M: Excalibur – Prelude
Collects Excalibur vol. 3, #11-14 - House of M
Collects House Of M #1-8 - New Avengers #20
Collected in The New Avengers: The Collective and more collections!
- X-Men: Legacy – Divided He Stands
Collects X-Men: Legacy #208–212. Magneto appears in #208-210. - Uncanny X-Men (1963) #500
Collected in Uncanny X-Men: Manifest Destiny
- Uncanny X-Men: Nation X
Collects Uncanny X-Men #515–522; Dark Reign: The List – X-Men; Nation X #1–4. - Young Avengers By Heinberg & Cheung: The Children’s Crusade
Collects Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1-9, Avengers: The Children’s Crusade – Young Avengers #1 and material from Uncanny X-Men (1981) #526. - Uncanny X-Men: Breaking Point
Collects Uncanny X-Men#534.1 and #535-539. - X-Men: FF
Collects X-Men (vol. 3) #15.1, 16–19.
Cyclops and Wolverine can’t find a common ground, leading to a Schism between the X-Men. After this event, Magneto sides with Cyclops and becomes a member of his team.
- Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1: Everything is Sinister
Collects Uncanny X-Men (vol. 2) #1–4. (5!) - Magneto: Not A Hero
Collects Magneto: Not A Hero #1-4.
This period comes to an end with Avengers vs. X-Men, where the two emblematic Marvel teams fight each other after the Phoenix’s return. Magneto plays a supporting role in this event, though it is an optional reading for the character as the story doesn’t have any noticeable impact on the character.
Magneto in Marvel Now!
The X-Men line was entirely rebooted with Marvel Now!, with Magneto still among Cyclops team in Uncanny X-Men before going solo as he “sets out to regain what he’s lost…and remind the world why it should tremble at the sound of his name.”
- Uncanny X-Men Volume 1: Revolution
Collects Uncanny X-Men (vol. 3) #1–5. - Uncanny X-Men Volume 2: Broken
Collects Uncanny X-Men (vol. 3) #6–11. - Uncanny X-Men (2013) #16
This issue is a prelude to Magneto (Vol. 3). Collected in Uncanny X-Men Volume 3: The Good, the Bad, the Inhuman - Magneto Vol. 1: Infamous
Collects Magneto (2014) #1-6. - Magneto Vol. 2: Reversals
Collects Magneto (2013) #7-12. Magneto vol. 3 #9–10 part of AXIS. - Magneto Vol. 3: Shadow Games
Collects Magneto (2013) #13-17 - Magneto Vol. 4: Last Days
Collects Magneto #18-21, X-Men (1963) #50-51.
All-New, All-Different Magneto
Desperate times call for a darker team of X-Men! As the homo superior must continue to fight for their survival, Magneto takes command of a special team. Under the leadership of the Master of Magnetism, Sabretooth, Fantomex, Mystique and Psylocke are working to take down their enemy.
- Uncanny X-Men: Superior Vol. 1 – Survival of the Fittest
Collects Uncanny X-Men (vol. 4) #1–5. - Uncanny X-Men: Superior Vol. 2 – Apocalypse Wars
Collects Uncanny X-Men (vol. 4) #6–10. - Uncanny X-Men: Superior Vol. 3: Waking from the Dream
Collects Uncanny X-Men (vol. 4) #11–15, Uncanny X-Men Annual (vol. 4) #1. Magneto departs the main cast of this title after issue #13 - Uncanny X-Men: Superior Vol. 4 – IvX
Collects Uncanny X-Men (vol. 4) #16–19, Uncanny X-Men Annual (vol. 4) #1. Most of those issues are part of the Inhumans vs X-Men crossover event.
Magneto during the Age of Krakoa
Under the supervision of writer Jonathan Hickman, a new mutant nation is created on the island of Krakoa! The Master of Magnetism is one of its leading figures alongside Charles Xavier and Moira MacTaggert. He also holds a seat on the Quiet Council, which is Krakoa’s governing body responsible for creating and enforcing laws. This establishes Magneto as an important and prominent character during this era.
- House of X/Powers of X
Collects House of X #1-6, Powers of X #1-6. - X-Men by Jonathan Hickman Volume 1
Collects X-Men (vol. 5) #1–6. - Giant-Size X-Men: Magneto (2020) #1 and X-Men (2019) #11
Collected in X-Men: Reign of X by Jonathan Hickman Vol. 2 - S.W.O.R.D. by Al Ewing Vol. 1
Collects S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #1-5. - X-Men: Hellfire Gala Red Carpet Edition
Collects X-Men #21, Marauders #21, Excalibur #21, X-Force #20, New Mutants #19, X-Factor #10, Hellions #12, S.W.O.R.D. #6, Way of X #3, X-Corp #2, Wolverine #13, Planet-Size X-Men (2021) #1. - X-Men: The Trial of Magneto
Collects X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021) #1-5. - Inferno by Jonathan Hickman
Collects Inferno (2021) #1-4. - Immortal X-Men #1
Collected in Immortal X-Men by Kieron Gillen Vol. 1 - X-Men: Red Vol. 1
Collects X-Men: Red (2022) #1-5. - A.X.E.: Judgment Day
Collects A.X.E.: Judgment Day #1-6, A.X.E.: Avengers #1, A.X.E.: X-Men #1, A.X.E.: Eternals #1, Free Comic Book Day 2022: Avengers/X-Men #1 (A.X.E. story). - X-Men: Red by Al Ewing Vol. 2
Collects X-Men: Red (2022) #6-10. #6-7 are part of A.X.E.: Judgment Day and the only issues with Magneto.
- Resurrection of Magneto
Collects Resurrection of Magneto #1-4.
The Krakoan era comes to a conclusion with the events of Fall of the House of X / Rise of the Powers of X. Back From the Ashes, Magneto relocates to Alaska to join Cyclops’ new X-Men. The story continues…
Did we forget an important issue? Did we make a mistake? Let us know in the comments!