The legendary X-Men villain-turned-hero Magneto is the star of an upcoming miniseries that will explore his first foray into heroism as the Headmaster of the Xavier's School, acknowledging how through some lenses, "Magneto Was Right!"

When Magneto - from iconic writer J. M. DeMatteis and beloved artist Todd Nauck - was first announced last month many fans of the Master of Magnetism were ecstatic to see the complex antihero back on panel, especially after Magneto's tragic death at the hands of Uranos in the Judgment Day event.

Marvel's solicits for their August releases were recently announced, and this included two exciting new covers for Magneto #1 illustrated by Luca Maresca and Greg Land, both highlighting the iconic but ridiculous sleeveless-hunk look that Magneto adopted in the mid-80s.

MAGNETO WAS RIGHT! MAGNETO burst onto the scene as the most diabolical of "Evil Mutants"! But when PROFESSOR XAVIER 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 J.M. DeMatteis and Todd Nauck weave a 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! Get ready for an all-new saga set during Magneto's tenure as Headmaster of the NEW MUTANTS, and learn how the once die-hard villain emerged as a conflicted figure in the saga of the X-MEN!

Marvel Is Finally Acknowledging That Magneto Was... Mainly Right

When Magneto first debuted more than 60 years ago he was the quintessential evil villain, controlling the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and attacking any human in sight, with no clear goal in mind besides wanton destruction and mutant supremacy. However, after the X-Men's 1975 relaunch in Giant-Size X-Men #1 Magneto's characterization became a lot more complex, with the Holocaust survivor's intense passion for mutant survival evolving with more nuance and understandably righteous anger, especially in light of the repeated assaults on mutantkind by various factions of humanity. For many years Magneto and Xavier stood on opposite sides, with Charles arguing for human/mutant coexistence and Magneto advocating that this was an impossibility, but over the years Magneto's world-ending views have evolved to involve less wanton murder and more mutant rights advocacy.

The phrase "Magneto Was Right!" was popularized by the obnoxious but powerful young mutant Quentin Quire in Grant Morrison's New X-Men series after his apparent death in the Genoshan Massacre, and since then there have been countless arguments about whether Magneto's anti-human approach to mutant survival really was "right." Thankfully, the new Magneto series will see Marvel exploring Magneto's complex philosophy through a fresh lens, focusing on a "lost tale" from a time when Magneto first became intimately acquainted with Xavier's Dream. In truth, Magneto's first real redemption came as Headmaster of the New Mutants, a role he took on at the specific request of his dying friend Xavier.

Krakoa Has Vindicated Much Of Magneto's Philosophy

The founding of Krakoa was an important moment for both Xavier and Magneto, with Xavier finally admitting his dream of peaceful coexistence was dead, and Magneto acknowledging that the destruction of humanity was not necessary, instead agreeing that separating their mutant population and focusing on mutant community and sovereignty was the best way to create a sustainable future for mutantkind. Marvel has often skirted the popular idea that "Magneto Was Right!" - acknowledging the antiheroic Magneto's beliefs that human and mutant unity were unrealistic - so it is exciting to see the official synopsis for Magneto's new flashback series will formally explore his nuanced philosophies.

Magneto #1 from Marvel Comics debuts August 2nd, 2023.