Comic Book Review: Magneto #1

John F. Trent |

Jun 9, 2014

Magneto, the greatest villain ever created according to IGN, has finally received his own comic book series and it is a decent start. Writer Cullen Bunn and artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta are able to build a true aura of terror around Magneto in just the opening pages. A coffee barista, whose expressions really convey the terror, recalls the unspeakable horror he witnessed when Magneto replaced a doctor’s cavities. It is definitely a holy crap moment.

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Following the brutal coffee shop scene, Bunn dives right in to explain the motivations of Magneto mainly what he does, is in the name of all mutants and his goal is to make those who have wronged mutants pay for their transgressions, a bit terse, but hopefully this will be fleshed out as the series progresses. Bunn appears to get sidetracked or attempts to fill space with an interaction with a hotel maid, which was extremely awkward and just seemed out of place.

However, the story moves along when Magneto shifts into detective mode, tracking mutant murderers through newspaper clippings and an old fashioned map with thumbtacks. Magneto locates a promising lead and pursues it to a police station in California, opting to travel via car rather than flying, hinting at the weakening of his powers.

Upon entering the police station, Walta uses a nifty trick of highlighting the metal objects in the room, tantalizing the reader as they wonder how Magneto will use the objects. Sadly Bunn and Walta are not creative with the objects, but opt for sheer power instead, which is still fun to see especially when he slams a police officer against the wall. Magneto’s suit is also something to behold and Walta did a great job piecing the helmet together (literally).

Bunn’s use of an interior monologue really hits home in the police station when Magneto begins putting himself in the place of the jailed suspect. Many of the questions and thoughts perhaps are not even about the suspect, but Magneto himself.

After Magneto storms through the police station, he finds the suspect, Colton Hendry, and attempts to interrogate him. Nevertheless, Hendry has a few surprises which leads to an engaging fight scene, displaying Magneto’s sheer will and his need for vengeance.