Spoilers ahead for Trials of Magneto #1!
It's no secret that Magneto’s powers make him hard to defeat, as witnessed in X-Men: The Trial of Magneto #1. However, in 2006’s Astonishing X-Men #18, Beast cobbles together a device that can stop the Master of Magnetism dead in his tracks. Yet it has not been seen since.
Since his introduction in 1963’s Uncanny X-Men #1, Magneto has been one of the X-Men’s premiere villains---and at times one of their most staunch members. An Omega-level mutant with the ability to manipulate metals, Magneto is also one of the founders of the mutant nation of Krakoa, as well as the father of the Scarlet Witch. Recently, Scarlet Witch traveled to Krakoa to speak with her father, and it was a trip that cost Scarlet Witch her life. X-Factor and X-Force are called in to investigate her death, and all signs point to Magneto being the culprit. The two teams attempt to bring Magneto in for questioning, but he refuses to go, maintaining his innocence. Magneto lashes out at the two teams, leading to a brutal fight in which several mutants, including Wolverine’s son Daken, were seriously injured.
Yet in Astonishing X-Men #18, by Joss Whedon and John Cassady, the Beast has made a device that can counter Magneto’s attacks. He explained that Magneto inspired the device. He then uses it against Ord and Danger, proving its effectiveness. Interestingly enough, it does not affect Wolverine or his adamantium skeleton. When Wolverine asks Beast how it works, he largely glosses over it, explaining that it is “technical” and “big magnet” is the best way to describe it.
After this one issue, Beast’s wonderful device never made another appearance. This is unfortunate, as it would have worked well in the recent fight against Magneto. Several mutants were brutally injured that may not have been otherwise. The question is: what happened to the device? It is quite possible it got lost in the shuffle of the other amazing gadgets Beast has constructed over the years or was destroyed in a battle. Or possibly, Beast assumed Magneto’s dark days were behind him; the Master of Magnetism helped create Krakoa and sits on its ruling body, the Quiet Council. Many, including the Beast, may have assumed that Magneto had turned over a new leaf. And they (falsely) assumed Magneto would surrender quietly if the need ever arose. And while Magneto more than likely did not kill Scarlet Witch, the X-Men have no way of knowing this and are continuing to pursue him. Perhaps Beast will remember his anti-Magneto device this time.
The X-Men once created a device that would have come in handy in their recent battle with Magneto—too bad they seem to have forgotten about it.