If Only There Were More...
Magneto's one of those cases where a "villain" should really have an on-going series. He has a rich history, an extremely complex moral compass, and a unique personality that could make him an interesting character to follow around from month to month. Unfortunately, such a thing we many never see, but this one-shot written and drawn by Howard Chaykin has potential. Is it squandered, or does the "MASTER OF MAGNET" (reference...) get a good self-contained story here?
Ambitious Youth
This is a flashback story that has Magneto looking back on his first arrival in America. This is a much brasher and more "immature" Magnus, and we see his earliest musings about becoming a defender and champion of homo-superior. You'll see him get his costume, meet (and date) Cassandra Michaels, and show-off his magnetic mastery before issues end.This is a brisk read thanks to the interplay between the young Magneto and his older self, and Howard Chaykin does a great job of making the older Magnus contrast with his younger self in interesting ways, but still keeping a consistent feel of Magneto's personality throughout. This is by far the funnest part of the issue, and it really enriches Magnus's monologuing as we see how his older self reacts to the bold scheming of his much more ambitious younger self. Chaykin's art is also extremely beautiful in spots. His iron-jawed Magneto gives the already distinguished mutant leader an iconic look. When Magneto first dawns the purple and red, its a pretty amazing panel.
WELCOME... TO DIE!!!11
The problem I have with this issue is that, regardless of how well-written Magneto is here, there's not a terribly exciting self-contained story here. It'd be fine if this was the start of an on-going or even a limited series, but the fact that the story just kinda ends without anything all that interesting going on. I don't know WHAT the motivation behind this story was, but it feels like what we have here is only part of a far greater story. For $2.99, it's easier to overlook, but it also feels like there was wasted potential. Lastly, for every few really amazing panel Chaykin draws, there is a pretty wonky looking one. Something about his style means that certain angles and close-ups don't quite look right.This is a nice little character study. Sadly, that's all it is. Fans of Magneto are going to love this small side-story about his past, but this is a completely skippable book. It's not bad by any stretch, just a little too insignificant and short to draw attention from a non X-Fan.
