Magnetohas grown from theX-Men’sfirst, greatest antagonist to a celebrated hero of mutantkind, significantly changing the trajectory of both his life and moral compass. His ever-present determination to protect his people is needed more than everin a post-Krakoa world, buthis stubborn nature may also put the X-Men and their alliance with the Avengers in jeopardy, ashis resistance to outside help leaves everyone in danger.
X-Men#10 – written by Jed MacKay, with art by Netho Diaz – features a pivotal Magneto moment.After the tense battle at Greymalkin, which began as an attempt to rescue their imprisoned friends and teammates, ONE* turned its attention on the X-Men’s Alaskan base.
Although Magneto is suffering from R-LDS,sending his powers spiraling out of control, he refuses to “call upon others to fight [his] war.“The moment offered a glimpse at his thought process and showed that Magneto would pit his uncontrolled magnetism against ONE* rather than make good on the alliance Cyclops just forged.
Magneto’s Refusal To Ask The Avengers For Help Proves He Still Believes Mutants Should Defend Their Own People
X-Men#10 – Written By Jed MacKay; Art By Netho Diaz; Color By Fer Sifuentes-Sujo; Lettering By Clayton Cowles
While Magneto has turned over a new leafand exchanged his ideas of mutant superiority for the notion that he stands for all the oppressed against their oppressors, some things never actually change. He’s willing to embrace new philosophies and take non-mutants under his protection, but some part of him is clearly hanging onto the idea that only mutantkind can be counted upon to defend themselves. When ONE*’s assault initially begins, Magneto only has Xorn, Glob, and two new, untrained mutants with him, leaving them woefully unprepared, yet with the perfect window to test the Avengers' promise.
Captain Marvel committed herself and the Avengers to have the X-Men’s back, yet some part of Magneto still defaults to isolationism, consequently putting the X-Men in danger with his inability to accept help.
Instead, Magneto’s solution is reckless at best.Calling upon his uncontrolled powers may have allowed him to defeat ONE* but would have, in all likelihood, also caused incredible damageto the base itself and the surrounding area. Even a “win” in that scenario would come at a higher cost than stowing away pride and skepticism to call on the allies Scott Summers' secured. Captain Marvel committed herself andthe Avengers to have the X-Men’s back, yet some part of Magneto still defaults to isolationism, consequently putting the X-Men in danger with his inability to accept help.
The X-Men & Avengers Alliance Is Too Vital For Magneto To Jeopardize
But He Might Not Be Able To Help Himself
The Avengers and X-Men have a spotty history with one another, to put it lightly, but they’re currently positioned to be a stronger alliance than ever before. Not only did Captain Marvel approach Cyclops first, signaling that she truly does want things to change for the better, but the current Avengers roster has more reason than ever to aid mutantkind. Magneto’s adoptive daughter, Scarlet Witch, and close friend and fellow mutant Storm even hold two positions on the team. Their presence should theoretically soften the blow of asking for aid, but so far that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Magneto’s 10 Strongest Superteams, Ranked
Operating alone a lot of the time, Magneto also has been in several teams to help achieve his means, with some being led by Magneto himself.
Magneto gave no indication that he wasn’t on board with the Avengers' alliance when it was struck, but he still refused to seek their aid when his back was against the wall. Action is more telling than words, especiallywith the Master of Magnetism, and it’s clear he has a long way to go in terms of trust. Cyclops' return nullified the threat from ONE*, so the consequences of Max’s choice didn’t manifest, but it doesn’t bode well for the future.Magneto’scynicism and pride is already jeopardizing theX-Men’salliance with the Avengers, and mutantkind could bear the cost.
