Magneto – Collecting Guide and Reading Order

The Magneto comic books definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and trade reading order for omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Find every issue and appearance! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated October 2024 with titles scheduled for release through December 2024.

Magneto. He’s the X-Men’s most legendary foe and also one of their greatest allies.

He is also one of the most nuanced villains in all of comics thanks to an origin tied to World War II, an old friendship with Charles Xavier, and a persistent goal of protecting mutants from harm.

Magneto was a sparsely-used villain in the 20 years from his debut in X-Men #1 in 1963 through 1984. He regularly appeared once every year or so in X-Men, plus had a few exploits with the Avengers and his former recruits, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

What changed in 1984 was one major implication of the original Secret Wars, written by then editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. In the mini-series, an all-powerful, all-knowing force named The Beyonder chooses Earth’s most-prominent heroes and villains to fight on his Battleworld. He selects his cast of characters based not on their actions, but upon their intent … and he groups Magneto amongst the heroes.

That idea – that Magneto has a noble intent and feels those ends justify his means – has never since worn off the character. After Secret Wars, Chris Claremont had Xavier tap him as a replacement headmaster for the Xavier School. Claremont would eventually turn him against the X-Men again, but his goal was now explicitly creating a safe and sovereign space for mutantkind. Though he would have several more villainous turns, none were pure mustache-twirling – every time it would be grounded in his compassion for fellow mutants.

Magneto has suffered many apparent deaths over the course of his career, a tradition stretching back to his earliest appearances and referenced not once but twice by Grant Morrison in his 2001-2003 New X-Men run. He also has a theme of flickering power levels and genetic instability that have played out repeatedly and as recently as Brian Bendis’s run with the character in 2013.

Finally, in 2010, the inevitable happened – X-Men’s situation had grown so desperate and Cyclops’s tactics so necessarily ruthless that Magneto joined the team without any need to alter or water down his own ideology. That lead to his longest sustained run as a regular character, as well as his first ongoing series – a character study of surprising depth that elevated Cullen Bunn to writing the Uncanny X-Men flagship with Magneto as its lead character.

Due to Magneto’s career as a villain and frequent guest star, this guide is not a straightforward list of issues from runs of singles title. Instead, it tracks every single appearance he’s made from 1963 to present, including flashbacks to his early life.

That’s overwhelming even for a longtime X-fans like me, so I also made you a “Best Of” list of Magneto’s most important stories. If you’re just trying to read his greatest hits and get up to speed, that’s where to start.

• Magneto: Recommended Reading
• Magneto Reading Order
  • Before Magneto
  • Silver Age X-Men (1963 – 1970)
  • X-Men: The Hidden Years (AKA X-Men on Hiatus) (1970 – 1974)
  • Uncanny X-Men (1977 – 1982)
  • Secret Wars & Magneto The Headmaster of the New Mutants (1984 – 1989)
  • Asteroid M & Avalon (1990 – 1995)
  • Joseph, The Imposter (& Magneto, Vol. 1) (1996 – 1999)
  • Magneto War & Sovereign of Genosha (1999 – 2001)
  • Xorn in New X-Men (2001 – 2004)
  • Magneto Returns & House of M (2005 – 2006)
  • Repowered and Repentant (2007 – 2010)
  • Heroic Age: Magneto & Rogue in X-Men Legacy (2010 – 2011)
  • The Extinction Team and AvX (2011-2012)
  • Marvel Now: Magneto in Uncanny X-Men and Magneto (2012 – 2015)
  • All-New, All-Different Marvel: Magneto in Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 4 (2015 – 2017)
  • ResurrXion: X-Men Blue, X-Men Black, & Age of X-Man (2017 – 2018)
  • The Age of Krakoa (2019 – 2022)
  • Magneto (2023) #1-4
  • Resurrection of Magneto (2024) #1-4

Magneto: Recommended Reading

Even if you’re Magneto’s biggest fan, you might not be interested in reading every one of his appearances from over 50 years of comics. That’s why I’ve boiled down Magneto to his most important and interesting appearances.

Use this list to start your collection, fill in some blanks, or just guide your reading on an online app like Comixology or Marvel Unlimited. To learn where these issues are collected, keep reading!

• X-Men: Magneto Testament (2008) #1-5
• Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 2 (2007) #3 (2nd story)
• X-Men (1963) #1 & 4-6
• Avengers (1963) #47-49 > X-Men (1963) #43-45  > Avengers (1963) #53
• X-Men (1963) #62-63
• Fantastic Four (1961) #102-104
• Avengers (1963) #110-111
• Uncanny X-Men (1963) #111-113 & 150
• Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) #5: X-Men – God Loves, Man Kills
• Secret Wars #1-2
• Uncanny X-Men #199-200
• X-Men vs. The Avengers (1987) #1-4
• New Mutants (1st series) #40, 51, & 74-75
• Captain America (1968) #366-367
• Uncanny X-Men (1963) #269 & 274-275
• X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #1-3
• Fatal Attractions: X-Force (1991) #24-25, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #304, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #25-26
• Uncanny X-Men (1963) #309
• X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #41 & 43
• Magneto War: X-Men: Magneto War (1999), Uncanny X-Men (1963) #366, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #86, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #367, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #87, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #368
• X-Men Unlimited (1993) #24 (2nd story)
• Magneto: Dark Seduction (2000) #1-4
• X-Men Legacy #209
• Uncanny X-Men (1963) #500 (+ final two pages of 507), 515-516, #520-522
• Uncanny X-Men #526 (2nd story)
• Uncanny X-Force (2010) #9
• X-Men (2010) #16-19
• Magneto: Not A Hero (2012) #1 -4
• Uncanny X-Men (2013) #1
• Magneto #1-21

From here, continue to the reading list in Age of Krakoa, below.

Before Magneto

Max Eisenhardt was born in pre-Nazi Germany, though his family eventually fled to Poland during Hitler’s rise to power. Magneto survives capture, the death of his family, and eventually being imprisoned in the World War II Concentration Camp, Auschwitz. He would later rechristen himself Erik Lehnsherr and pose as a man of gypsy decent. It was in this time period he met Charles Xavier in Israel.

As international awareness of and unrest over the global population of mutants increased, Magneto saw a potential parallel to the anti-semitism that lead to the Holocaust. Swearing to lead and protect his people, he adopted the name “Magneto.”

Before Magneto Testament: in Red Skull Incarnate (2011) #4 Magneto is seen in a handful of panels sweeping the floor in his father’s shop prior to his family being taken to a Concentration Camp, while S.S. guards look on and urge a young guard to shoot them.

X-Men: Magneto Testament (2008) #1-5
The series connects and contextualizes several flashbacks of Magneto’s time in the Auschwitz Concentration Camps in World War II, which had been seen in brief in flashbacks starting in 1982. Also available in hardcover and original 2009 paperback.

During #3…

In Uncanny X-Men (1963) #344 we see a page of sepia-toned flashbacks to Magneto’s time in the Camps.

In New Mutants (1983) #49 Magneto dreams a montage of horrors from his imprisonment, including the day his powers first manifested.

In Vision & Scarlet Witch (1982) #4 there are two panels showing a Concentration Camp and Magneto’s subsequent freedom and retribution in the context of him explaining his (presumed) parentage of Scarlet Witch.

During #4: In X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2 on a single page Gabrielle Haller narrates a presentation on Magneto’s formative years.

During #5: In Classic X-Men (1986) #12 (2nd story) Magneto (circa UXM #111) is awakened from sleep by dreams of his time in Auschwitz.

Uncanny Origins (1996) #2 – Not collected. This retelling of Quicksilver’s origin parallels portions of Magneto Testament #5. He also factors into #3 (Angel) and #6 (Beast), though his appearances there may fit later in sequence.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #304 – See Uncanny X-Men. Several pages of flashback (drawn by Jae Lee!) depict Magneto burying the body of his first daughter, Anya, after he is unable to save her from dying in a fire despite manifesting his power for the first time as an adult. He is attacked by soldiers hunting for the strange man with powers and murders them all.

First X-Men (2012) #1-2 & 5
This Neal Adams retcon series makes the case that an original team of pre-X-Men consisted of a pre-paralysis Xavier and a pre-Adamantium Wolverine and Sabretooth! At this point, Magneto is in Argentina the midst of his hunt for former Nazi officers, as depicted in the X-Men movies. Magneto cameos in a single panel of #1 in the middle of torturing a former Nazi. He’s confronted by the team (such as it is) in #2, but declines their invitation. He is seen for a single page in #5 in a mixture of sadness and gloating over the team’s failures, swearing to form his own army of mutants. Available in hardcover.

In X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2, further flashbacks show Magneto’s defense of Wundagore Mountain.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #161 – See Uncanny X-Men. In this full-issue flashback tale, we see Xavier meeting Magneto (and Gabrielle Haller) for the first time in Israel. When they are later attacked by Hydra and face off against Baron Von Strucker, Magneto reveals his powers.

During UXM #161…

In Uncanny X-Men #309, a single panel parallels the action in UXM #161. Mostly this issue is a tale of Xavier’s convalescence after his paralysis, in which Magneto does not factor.

More of Xavier and Magneto’s time as friends in Israel are revealed in the lead-up to Age of Apocalypse in X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #40, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #321, and X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #41, as well as in the events epilogue in X-Men: Omega (1995). See Marvel Universe Events for collection information.

Classic X-Men (1986) #19 (2nd story): See Classic X-Men in X-Men Ongoing Series. This is the earliest story of Magneto as a costumed adventurer using his name, albeit still deploying to hunt down former Nazi agents.

Magneto (2010) #1: X-Men: First Class – Class Portraits
Magneto has both his name and his costume in this story, but no Brotherhood. He also appears in Marvel Girl (2011) #1 in this collection.

X-Factor (1986) #243: See X-Factor. This issue briefly flashes back to a costumed Magneto (with Mastermind in his service) altering Polaris’s memories after she causes her mother’s plane to crash. While the timing of this story isn’t explicit, Polaris is such a young girlin it that it must occur as far back into Magneto’s recruitment of the Brotherhood as possible (but still after he employed Mastermind).

In Generation X (1994) #10 we see Magneto briefly attempting to recruit Banshee during his time as an interpol agent.

Further flashbacks in X-Men Forever (2001) #3-4, Avengers (1963) #47 & X-Men (1963) #4, Uncanny Origins (1996) #2. 

In Uncanny Avengers (2015-A) #4-5 each open with a single page flashback to scene where Magneto rescues/recruits Scarlet Witch.

X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #-1:  See X-Men, Vol. 2. Part of a line-wide flashback month, this story shows Xavier still with Amelia Voight, and Magneto having recruited Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch and brought them to his Asteroid M. Back on earth, Magneto and Xavier have a final confrontation that sets them each squarely on their separate paths.

In Uncanny X-Men (1963) #300, Magneto is implied in flashback

Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 2 (2007) #3 (2nd story): Not collected (though other stories from this issue are collected). This flashback tale shows Magneto with Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch hunting down one last Nazi while he assembled his Brotherhood of mutants.

Magneto appears in  X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) #1, X-Men Origins: Cyclops (2010) #1, and Avengers Origins: The Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver (2012) #1

Magneto in Silver Age X-Men

X-Men: Season One (2012) OGN HC
This is a modern retelling of the X-Men’s earliest stories. Re-released in paperback.

X-Men (1963) #1 & 4-6: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto’s historic introduction! In #1, he tries to take over the Cape Citadel military base and faces off against the X-Men! In #4 he takes over a South American country, in #5 he kidnaps Angel (and the X-Men destroy Asteroid M!), and in #6 he attempts to recruit The Sub-Mariner to his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants!

During and After X-Men #1: flashbacks in X-Men Origins: Cyclops (2010), X-Men: Wedding Album (1994), Web Of Spider-Man Vol. 2 (2009) #2

During X-Men #4: flashbacks in X-Men: Legacy (2008) #209 and Avengers (1963) #234 (cameo)

After X-Men #5: material in DC crossover supplement Unlimited Access (1997) #3-4

After X-Men #6: Avengers (1963) #401 (flashback)

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #109: See Thor. Thor tracks mysterious magnetic emanations to Magneto’s submarine, where he is plotting his next attack on the X-Men. An epic fight ensues!

After Journey Into Mystery #109: X-Men Origins: Jean Grey (2008)

X-Men (1963) #7 & 11 (implied in #8): See Uncanny X-Men. In #7 Magneto briefly recruits The Blob. In #8, Mastermind tries to recruit Unus The Untouchable (under Magneto’s direction). In #11, X-Men and the Brotherhood spar over a presumed mutant (but actual alien) The Stranger.

After #8: Flashbacks in X-Men Forever (2001) #3, X-Men (1963) #18, Marvel Heroes & Legends (1996) (an expanded retelling of Avengers #16)

X-Men (1963) #17-18: See Uncanny X-Men. In the wake of the team’s first confrontation with Sentinels in #16 (in which Magneto is implied but not seen), he infiltrates the Mansion from the shadows in #17 and nearly disposes of the entire team. Luckily, Iceman saves the day in a 1-on-1 confrontation in #18! Issue #18 is primarily a Magneto story.

X-Men: First Class (2007) #14 & Special: See X-Men: First Class in X-Men Ongoing Series. This flashback series fit new stories into the period prior to X-Men #24.

Avengers (1963) #47-49: See The Avengers. Magneto is the featured villain in Avengers #47-49! Lured by magnetic waves broadcast by Black Knight, he draws the attention of the Avengers – including Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch – who he wants to rejoin the Brotherhood! He plans to build an island refuge for mutants, and travels to the UN to announce his plan. This story continues directly to X-Men #43-45.

During Avengers #47: Flashback elements in Uncanny Origins (1996) #11, which retells Cyclops’s origin, and a single panel in flashback mini-series Domination Factor (1999) #1.2.

X-Men (1963) #43-45: See Uncanny X-Men. Xavier is presumed dead, and it’s up to the X-Men to stop Magneto’s real plot for his island – to build a machine that will enslave humanity! This story continues to Avengers #53.

After X-Men #45 (and continuing through Avengers #53): Flashback story in Domination Factor (1999) #2.4

Avengers (1963) #53: See The Avengers. Magneto manipulates his captive X-Men to attack the Avengers! Both teams escape with Magneto seemingly perished in the explosion of his base, with Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch missing.

X-Men (1963) #62-63: See Uncanny X-Men. The team battles Sauron in the Savage Land, where Magneto resurfaces as “The Creator” controlling a group of powerful mutates (and is, again, presumed dead at the end of the story).

X-Men: The Hidden Years

The X-Men’s series retired into a period of reprints starting with issue #67, which left Magneto without a home team to harass. In 1999, Marvel created a X-Men: The Hidden Years to fill in that gap. Naturally, it featured Magneto.

X-Men: The Hidden Years (1999) #1-5, 10-12, & 20-22 (only implied in #1):X-Men: The Hidden Years in X-Men Ongoing Series #12 & 20-22 is simultaneous to Fantastic Four #102-103, below.

Fantastic Four (1961) #102-104: See Fantastic Four. Magneto is found by Sub-Mariner and eggs him on to war with the human world, although his secret plot is to co-opt those forces for his own invasion.

Amazing Adventures (1970) #9-10: See Inhumans. While this title is well-known for showing Beast’s transformation into a literal Beast, these issues just precede that story and show Magneto facing off against the Inhumans! Magneto comes here directly from his defeat in FF #104, and we get to see his escape from a plastic prison a la X2.

Prior to Avengers #111: In Captain America (1968) #174 we see a flashback to Magneto attacking Angel.

Avengers (1963) #110-111: See The Avengers. One of the major X-Men stories during the time of their hiatus, squaring off against their signature foe.

Defenders (1972) #15-16: See The Defenders. Xavier calls upon The Defenders to assist him in the X-Men’s absence, but they are all captured by Magneto (fresh off of his Avengers defeat), who seeks to make “The Ultimate Mutant” and lay siege to the United Nations. The result is Magneto being changed into a baby! Off-panel, he is shipped off to Moira MacTaggert on Muir Island.

After Defenders #16: flashbacks in X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #2 and X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2

Magneto the Villain in Uncanny X-Men

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #103-104: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is only implied in #103. The X-Men are summoned to Muir Island, where they discover that Magneto is no longer a defenseless baby! He defeats the team and they must abandon the island to him.

During #104: Champions (1975) #17 (implied in flashback), Classic X-Men (1986) #12 (4 – 6), X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #76 (flashback)

After #104: Captain America (1968) Annual 4

Classic X-Men (1986) #12 (2nd story): See Classic X-Men in X-Men Ongoing Series. Shows Magneto after his escape in Captain America.

Super-Villain Team-Up (1975) #14 & Champions (1975) #16: Magneto meets with Dr. Doom for the first time! See Namor and Champions in X-Men Ongoing Series, respectively.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #111-113: See Uncanny X-Men. The team has an epic confrontation with Magneto in his antarctic base

During #111-113: Classic X-Men (1986) #17 (implied), additional material in the primary stories of Classic X-Men (1986) #18-19, X-Men (1963) #125 (implied in flashback)

After #113: X-Men (1963) #116-BTS

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #125: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is seen only briefly, plotting his next move. He also appears in Jean’s flashbacks.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #147-150: See Uncanny X-Men. Issue #150 is one of the most important Magneto stories of all time! Magneto is only implied in #147 as Cyclops and Lee Forrester wash up on his Caribbean island. He briefly cameos in #148 after operating behind the scenes and plays host to Cyclops and Lee in #149. Finally, in #150, his plans are revealed – any government that doesn’t completely disarm their nuclear arsenals and then hand their country to him will be destroyed. Before he can do that, he murders the entire crew of the Russian submarine Leningrad and destroys an entire town in Russia! It takes an epic, memorable showdownbetween Magneto and Storm (and Kitty Pryde!) to end the global standoff.

After #150: Vision & Scarlet Witch (1982) #4 (which, in its way, begins Magneto’s arc of redemption), Avengers (1963) #234 (20:2 – 21:2) (flashback), X-Men Unlimited (1993) #39, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #275 (flashback)

Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) #5: X-Men – God Loves, Man Kills: See Uncanny X-Men. This original graphic novel was treated as being of uncertain continuity, but over the years its place has been solidified. Magneto is a signature foe in this story, though not truly the villain – that title is better bestowed on Reverend William Stryker.

Secret Wars & Magneto The Headmaster of the New Mutants

After Secret Wars, Magneto joins the cast of New Mutants with issue #21.

Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars (1984) #1-12: See Marvel Universe Events. When the Beyonder abducts key heroes and villains from Earth to populate his battleworld, he combines Magneto with The X-Men! He remains a pivotal figure throughout the story, and though he departs on his own, the threads of his alliance with the X-Men have begun.

After Secret Wars…

Flashbacks in X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2

New Mutants (1983) #21: See New Mutants. Magneto cameos as Warlock collides with Asteroid M en route to Earth, which leads to the next story.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #188: Magneto is rescued at sea by Lee Forrester.

New Mutants (1983) #23-24, 26, & 28-29: See New Mutants. Magneto’s story is an ongoing B-plot, which finds him recovering on his former Bermuda Triangle island base along with Lee Forrester, who has been using it as her base of operations. They have a brief tryst, which Forrester recoils from in horror once she realizes she is one of the homo sapiens Magneto plans to subvert or kill. Before they can make amends (or Magneto can fully heal), they are interrupted by Xavier, pleading with Magneto to lead The X-Men and the New Mutants against The Beyonder’s return!

During NM #29: Magneto is implied in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #195, but does not appear

Secret Wars II (1985) #1: See Marvel Universe Events. This issue shows some action in parallel from New Mutants #29, but continues past it to show Magneto’s confrontation with The Beyonder.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #196: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is now living with the team, and he talks Rachel Summers down from a murderous act of retribution.

Uncanny X-Men #199-200: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto stands trial for his many crimes in this pivotal story, but ultimately abandons the proceedings to lead the X-Men in their fight against Baron Strucker’s children, Fenris. When Xavier nearly dies and is whisked off-planet by Lilandra, Magneto is left to lead the team.

This next period is hopelessly intertwined, as detailed below. In sum, Magneto appears in

• Uncanny X-Men #201-203, 210, Annual 10, #211-213, 219, vs. Fantastic Four, vs. Avengers, and #230: See Uncanny X-Men.
• New Mutants #35-36, 45-49, 51, Annual 3, 54-55, 57-61, 64-67, 69-71, and 73-75: See New Mutants

New Mutants (1983) #35 & Uncanny X-Men (1963) #201: See New Mutants, and Uncanny X-Men.

Marvel Fanfare (1982) #33: Not collected. A story of the X-Men relaxing

After Marvel Fanfare #33: Vision & Scarlet Witch Vol. 2 (1985) #6, Heroes For Hope (1985)

Secret Wars II: See Marvel Universe Events, New Mutants, and Uncanny X-Men.

Magneto’s reading order during this event is: Secret Wars II (1985) #7, New Mutants (1983) #36, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #202, Secret Wars II (1985) #8, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #203, Secret Wars II (1985) #9

New Mutants (1983) #38-40: See New Mutants.

After New Mutants #40: Alpha Flight (1983) #33, Vision & Scarlet Witch Vol. 2 (1985) #12

Mutant Massacre: See New Mutants, Uncanny X-Men, and X-Factor.

Magneto’s reading order during this event is: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #210 & X-Factor (1986) #9, Uncanny X-Men (1963) Annual 10, New Mutants (1983) #45, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #211, New Mutants (1983) #46, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #212, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #213

New Mutants (1983) #47-49, 51, Annual 3, 54: See New Mutants. Magneto is mostly out of action in these issues as he acts in the role of headmaster and disciplinarian. He makes a major decision in #49 and 51 that will have ramifications for all of the X-Men in the future.

X-Force Vol. 3 Annual 1 contains a flashback to Magneto joining the Hellfire Club around this time.

After #52: Fallen Angels (1987) #1-2, Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 3 (1990) #1 /6

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #219: Uncanny X-Men. After being splintered since the end of Mutant Massacre, the team is briefly reassembled.

Fantastic Four Vs. X-Men (1987) #1-4: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is a key player.

X-Men Vs. Avengers (1987) #1-4: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is a particular focus of this story.

At this point the X-Men are on their own narrative path, and Magneto becomes a permanent cast member of New Mutants as the school’s headmaster.

Magneto does not appear in X-Factor (1986) #Annual 4 (2nd story), despite some guides listing him there.

New Mutants (1983) #55, 57-61, 64-66: See New Mutants.

After #66: In Uncanny X-Men (1963) #230, Magneto appears in a single panel with the New Mutants team – they all presume the X-Men to be dead in the wake of Fall of the Mutants! Magneto does not appear with the team in Power Pack (1984) #40.

New Mutants (1983) Annual 4, #67, 69-71, 73-75: See New Mutants. This marks Magneto’s progression to a return to villainy.

After #75: a flashback in X-23 (2005) #3, a brief flashback in Avengers (1963) #Annual 19 (3rd story)

Acts of Vengeance: See Marvel Universe Events. Magneto is one of the featured super-villains assembled by a disguised Loki to destroy The Avengers. However, another one of the assembled villains is the Red Skull – leading to major conflict in the ranks! The key magneto issues to read in this avenger are Captain American #366-367 (where he betrays the Red Skull) and Uncanny X-Men (1963) #253 (where we see him on Muir Island), and Avengers West Coast (1989) #55-57 & 60 (where he visits the Scarlet Witch)

Magneto’s reading order in this event is Spectacular Spider-Man (1988) #158, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #327, Avengers West Coast (1989) #53, Captain America (1968) #365 (off panel and implied), a flashback in Avengers (1963) #Annual 19 (3rd story), Captain America (1968) #366, Wolverine Vol. 2 (1988) #19, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #253, Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #60, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #328-(behind the scenes or implied), Spectacular Spider-Man (1988) #160 (behind the scenes or implied), Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #61, Captain America (1968) #367, Avengers (1963) #312, Avengers West Coast (1989) #54, Avengers (1963) #313, Captain America (1968) #368, Avengers West Coast (1989) #55-57 & 60

After AWC #60: Wolverine Vol. 2 (1988) #23, Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #78 /4

Magneto, Asteroid M, & Avalon

After a brief hiatus, Magneto returns to a pair of old stomping grounds – the Savage Land and his satellite base, Asteroid M!

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #269 & 274-275: See Uncanny X-Men. These issues show Magneto’s return as an unaffiliated agent in the Savage Land, and end with his ascent to a restored Asteroid M.

After #275: Iron Man Vol. 3 (1998) #35 (flashback)

X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #1-3: See Uncanny X-Men or X-Men. One of the most-prominent Magneto stories of all time, this finds him facing off against the full might of the X-Men with his new followers, the Acolytes!

After #3: Implied in X-Men Unlimited (1993) #1 (we later see a flashback of this action in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #309) and implied in Wolverine Vol. 2 (1988) #69.

Fatal Attractions: Magneto remains on his asteroid, but Xavier has decided it is time to intervene by force. This story crosses several titles; Magneto’s appearances are in X-Force (1991) #24-25, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #304, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2, and X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #25-26

During UXM #304 and XM #25: Flashbacks in X-Men Legacy #209

During X-Men #25: X-Men Gold (2014) (5th story)

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #309 & 315: Magneto is a figment of Xavier’s psyche in #309 (…or is he?) and catatonic in #315.

After UXM #315: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #393 (flashback)

X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #41 & 43: See X-Men. While Magneto is not an active player in this story, his Asteroid M (now re-christened Avalon) crashes to Earth, and he is presumed dead.

Age of Apocalypse: See Marvel Universe Events. Though it does not involve present-day Magneto, the lead-in to this event heavily features Magneto’s period of friendship with Xavier, and as a result Magneto is a key figure in the event itself.

Joseph, The Imposter (& Magneto, Vol. 1)

A familiar long-haired man with magnetic powers and no memory. Is he truly Magneto? During this period, Uncanny X-Men and X-Men Vol. 2 regularly crossed over on a monthly basis.

Before Joseph’s debut: a brief flashback in X-Men #86

X-Men #46, Uncanny X-Men #327, X-Men #53, X-Men Unlimited #11: See Uncanny X-Men & X-Men

Onslaught: See Marvel Universe Events. Joseph’s appearances during this event are Avengers #401, X-Men #55, Uncanny X-Men #336, a flashback in X-Men #56, a flashback in Onslaught: Marvel Universe, and implied in Uncanny X-Men #337, X-Men #57

Magneto (1996) #1-4: Not collected

Uncanny X-Men #338, X-Men #58, Uncanny X-Men #339, X-Men #59, X-Men Annual 1996, X-Men Annual 1997, X-Men Unlimited #14: See Uncanny X-Men & X-Men

Uncanny X-Men#341-345 & 347-350: See Uncanny X-Men & X-Men

After #345: a flashback in Uncanny X-Men #358

X-Men #70-71, Uncanny X-Men #352, X-Men #72, Uncanny X-Men 353-354, X-Men #73: See Uncanny X-Men & X-Men

Magneto: Rogue Nation
Joseph’s story is resolved in this crossover between the two X-Men titles, which also serves as the launchpad of Magneto’s new status quo. X-Men Magneto War, Uncanny X-Men #366, X-Men #86, Uncanny X-Men #367, X-Men #87

Magneto War & Sovereign of Genosha

Flashbacks in the following issues help fill in Magneto’s story: X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #86, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #366, Gambit Annual 1999, implied action in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #346-348

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #349-350: See Uncanny X-Men. This is the first true Magneto appearance since the crash of Avalon.

X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #72: SeeX-Men. Magneto appears briefly, seemingly to erase up his identity as Erik Lensherr.

Magneto is implied in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #353

X-Men / Dr. Doom Annual 1998: SeeX-Men. This annual is effectively an Xavier and Magneto retrospective as seen through the eyes of Doom!

Magneto is implied in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #364

X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #85: See X-Men. A brief panel of action prior to the Magneto War storyline.

Magneto War #1: X-Men: The Magneto War
Collects X-Men (1991) #85-91 & Annual 1999; X-Men: The Magneto War #1; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #366-371; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #23; Magneto Rex (1999) #1-3; and material from X-men Unlimited (1993) #24. Previously collected as Magneto: Rogue Nation (2002 paperback), which only included the issues resolving Joseph’s story from X-Men: Magneto War (1999), Uncanny X-Men (1963) #366, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #86, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #367, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #87, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #368, and the subsequent Magneto Rex (1999) #1-3.

Magneto Rex (1999) #1-3: X-Men: The Magneto War
Full contents above. Shows the installation of Magneto as the ruler of Genosha and the conflict that ensues. Previously collected as Magneto: Rogue Nation (2002 paperback).

After Magneto Rex, a flashback in Avengers Vol. 3 (1998) #24

X-Force (1991) #94-95: See X-Force. X-Force are drawn to visit Genosha by Pete Wisdom.

X-Men Unlimited (1993) #24 (2nd story): See X-Men Unlimited in X-Men Ongoing Series. A solid story of the business of ruling Genosha.

The Twelve: See Uncanny X-Men & X-Men. Magneto is effectively a prop in this long-hinted Apocalypse story, though it makes him one of the centers of attention. X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #96, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #377, Cable (1993) #76, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #97, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #378, Cable (1993) #77, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #98

In Fantastic Four Vol. 3 (1998) #27, Magneto cameos in a single panel, commenting on the dire consequences of Susan Richards marrying Dr. Doom.

Powerless: See Uncanny X-Men & X-Men. Uncanny X-Men (1963) #379, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #99, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #380

Magneto: Dark Seduction (2000) #1-4: X-Men: Eve of Destruction (2019 oversize hardcover)
This sees Magneto negotiating the fractured relationships with all three of his children as well as facing off against The Avengers! Collects Magneto: Dark Seduction #1-4; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #390-393 & Annual 2000; X-Men (1991) #110-113; X-Men Forever (2001) #1-6; X-Men: Declassified #1; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #30-33; and X-Men: The Search For Cyclops #1-4. (search single issues)

After Dark Seduction: Black Sun: X-Men (2000) #3, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #388, flashback in Bullseye: Perfect Game (2010) #1, Black Panther Vol. 3 (1998) #28, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #33 (5th story), Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 (1999) #36

Dream’s End: See X-Men. In an epilogue in X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #110, Magneto confronts the Neo and destroys many of them, forcing them to kneel before him.

X-Men Unlimited (1993) #36 (2nd story): See X-Men Unlimited in X-Men Ongoing Series. This minor story has some continuity issues, and really only works as read here (which makes sense given Magneto’s actions in the preceding story)

Eve of Destruction: See Uncanny X-Men & X-Men. A Magneto-focused plot that finds him back to his entirely villainous ways. X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #111, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #392, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #112, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #393, X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #113

New X-Men (2001) #115: See New X-Men. This functions as a sort of depressing epilogue to Eve of Destruction, although there is some slight-of-hand going on here that would both fuel Morrison’s New X-Men run and later be altered just prior to House of M.

Xorn in New X-Men

Xorn is a member of Grant Morrison’s New X-Men. He winds up linked with Magneto in such a way that makes his story both unrelated to Magneto’s history but essential to how other characters treat him in the future. To say more would be a spoiler!

New X-Men #115, Annual 2001, 122-127: See New X-Men

After #115: flashback in #132

After Annual 2001: flashback in Exiles #69

After #127: flashback in Young X-Men #10

Uncanny X-Men #425-426 (implied in #426): See Uncanny X-Men

New X-Men #135-138, 140-141, 146-150: See New X-Men

During #138: Uncanny X-Men #430

After #150: Implied in Uncanny X-Men #442-443

Magneto Returns & House of M

Excalibur Vol. 3 (2004) #1-14: See Excalibur. This is effectively a very low key, non-super-heroic Xavier and Magneto team-up book.

During #8: A brief, key appearance in Avengers (1963) #503 that will have later ramifications

During #11: X-Men Vol. 2 (1991) #165, Astonishing X-Men Vol. 3 (2004) #11 (implied behind the scenes with Xavier)

House of M #1, 3, 5-8: See Marvel Universe Events. Magneto is a key figure in the House of M universe due to his relationship to Scarlet Witch.

Magneto’s approximate reading order in this event: House Of M (2005) #1, flashback in House Of M (2005) #7, Spider-Man: House Of M (2005) #5, Pulse: House Of M (2005) (4th story, implied in #13), Incredible Hulk Vol. 3 (2000) #84 (implied), Black Panther Vol. 4 (2005) #7, Fantastic Four: House Of M (2005) #1-3, Secrets Of House Of M (2005) (3rd story, voice-over), Iron Man: House Of M (2005) #3 and during that Incredible Hulk Vol. 3 (2000) #86 and Uncanny X-Men (1963) #463, House Of M (2005) #3, Giant-Size Ms. Marvel (2006) #1 (flashbacks to House of M from post House of M), House Of M (2005) #5-7, Onslaught: Reborn (2007) #1 (in flashback), House Of M (2005) #8

After House of M: Son Of M (2006) #4-6, Black Panther Vol. 4 (2005) #16, New Avengers (2005) #20

Magneto: Repowered and Repentant

Magneto has been unseen since the events of House of M. His comeback is one of his most surprising stories, and also marks the beginning of his most prolific period of appearances in over 40 years of history.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #487 & 489 (implied) and 490-491: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is implied by discussion between Xavier and Nightcrawler in #487 and envisioned by Xavier in #489. Magneto makes a brief, wordless appearance in plain clothes and appears in portentous bookends to #491.

X-Men: Legacy (2008) #208-210: See X-Men Legacy. Magneto cameos in plain clothes on the final page of #208, greeting his former acolyte minions. #209 is heavily focused on Magneto and his relationship with Xavier over the years. He plays a supporting role in #210.

X-Men: Divided We Stand (2008) #1 (4th story): See Uncanny X-Men. Hellion takes a lunch meeting with casual Magneto as he rages at being left behind by Emma Frost in the wake of Messiah Complex.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #500 & 507: See Uncanny X-Men. Issue #500 is an intriguing mostly self-contained story that explains Magneto getting his powers back. The final two pages of #507 act as an epilogue to that story.

After #507: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #522 (flashback)

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #515-518: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto arrives on the final page of #515 and is the focus of #516 – a critical issue for him! It continues directly to #517, where he helps the team defend the island of Utopia.  In #518, Magneto appears briefly in the Sick Bay, where Dr. Nemesis speculates about the nature of his returned powers. Some time may pass prior to #519, although you could easily read to #522 here with no spoiler ramifications for the stories that follow.

Nation X (2010) #1 & 4: See Uncanny X-Men. In #1, Magneto teams up with the young X-Men on a brief adventure in the 1st story, and cameos in a meeting later in the issue. In #4, Magneto appears in passing several times in the 1st Doop story. Both likely happen in the minor gap between #518-519.

Nation X: X-Factor (2010): Magneto cameos for a single panel with Emma and Namor, basically as a punchline to the X-Factor team’s surprise at the happenings on Utopia.

Magneto does not appear in Iron Man/Thor (2011) #3. He appears in a non-continuity, non-speaking capacity in Avengers (2010) #4 & 6

X-Men: Legacy (2008) #231-233: See X-Men Legacy. Part of X-Necrosha. Magneto is on Rogue’s away team that visits Muir Island, bringing a bit of closure to a long-ago Magneto plot. He has some good action beats throughout (and looks great – Clay Mann draws a fantastic Magneto!)

If Magneto appears in X-Force Vol. 3 (2008) #22 or 25 during Necrosha, it’s a minute cameo. Immediately after Necrosha, in New Mutants (2009) #10 he is pictured in flashback to UXM #516 as related by Karma to his former mutates from the Savage Land.

The cameo in Nation X (2010) #1 (3rd story) fits here

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #519-522: See Uncanny X-Men. In #519, Magneto meets with Namor to learn what has transpired in his absence (suggesting there might be more to his sudden deference to Cyclops than meets the eye. His conversation continues briefly in #520 as they both repair the base of the island, followed by a tense scene with Cyclops that causes Magneto to realize he cannot so easily atone for a lifetime of sins. A day transpires before #521, which mostly finds Magneto meditating and Cyclops and Emma speculating on what he’s trying to achieve – finally culminating in a major event in #522! I won’t spoil it.

X-Men: Legacy (2008) #234: See X-Men Legacy. Magneto and Rogue have a confrontation that starts out being about the training of one of the Young X-Men, but turns into something more. It’s inessential, but a good teaser for their upcoming stories after Second Coming.

After #526: In Doomwar (2010) #6 Magneto appears incidentally in two crowd shots; the first is before Second Coming, but the second may fall after Second Coming. Magneto does not appear in S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) #4, though some guides list his appearance.

Second Coming: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto is a relatively low-importance supporting character in this epic crossover, although he gets a few cool moments. He appears in Second Coming: Prepare (2010), Uncanny X-Men (1963) #524, New Mutants (2009) #14, X-Men Legacy (2008) #237, X-Men: Second Coming (2010) #2

Also in this period, Magneto appears in Strange Tales II (2010) #1, Thor: First Thunder (2010) #3, Heroic Age: X-Men (2011) #1, Deadpool Team-Up (2010) #883

Heroic Age: Magneto & Rogue in X-Men Legacy

At this point Magneto is a full-fledged X-Man, committed to the cause of Cyclops – but, he winds up on Rogue’s away team.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #526 (2nd story): See Uncanny X-Men and Young Avengers. Magneto anchors a backup story here that leads to his involvement in Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Some guides place this story later so it read as a prologue to Crusade. However, we clearly see Magneto emerging from the sick bay after Second Coming – this is definitively his first appearance after that event.

After #526…

Heroic Age: X-Men (2011) #1 is the history of X-Men told by Steve Rogers.

New Mutants Vol. 3 (2009) #20: This is the second X-Men story after Second Coming – the resolution of the Fall and Rise of the New Mutants. Magneto appears in the background of two crowd scenes in #20 and he does not appear in #21, despite being listed there by some resources.

In Doomwar (2010) #6 Magneto appears incidentally in two crowd shots; the second may fall after Second Coming. 

Curse Of The Mutants: X-Men Vs. Vampires (2010) (3rd story)

Magneto makes non-continuity appearances in Avengers Academy (2010) #1-2 and Uncanny X-Force (2010) #2 in flashback and memory.

X-Men: Legacy (2008) #238-241: See X-Men Legacy. Magneto co-leads this story with Rogue.

Generation Hope (2011) #5: See New Mutants. Magneto has a significant, lengthy discussion with Xavier as they continue rebuilding on Utopia.

Wolverine (2010) #5-7: See Wolverine. Part of the showdown between a possessed Wolverine and the X-Men. Magneto appears in the final panel of #5 to confront Wolverine with Cyclops and Emma, and he winds up as Wolverine’s primary antagonist in #6-7.

Uncanny X-Force (2010) #5.1: See X-Force. Magneto & Cyclops briefly address the invasion of Utopia by a group of Reavers, but they’re dispatched by X-Force before the men can learn anything.

Uncanny X-Force (2010) #9: See X-Force. Issue #9 is a Magneto-focused story.

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade (2010) #1-9: See Young Avengers. Magneto is the key to this counter-intuitive placement. Due to the cast of X-Men that appears here and Magneto’s chronology after Age of X, this story must come first (placing it before Fear Itself, which conflicts with Marvel’s official placement – they’re wrong).

Uncanny X-Men (1963) Annual 03: See Uncanny X-Men. Part of a “Negative Zone” crossover with Steve Rogers and Namor, though Magneto does not appear in those issues. Magneto is a supporting character.

X-Men Giant-Size (2011) #1 & X-Men (2010) #12-15: See X-Men, Vol. 3-4. Magneto is a supporting character.

X-Men Legacy #242-243: See X-Men Legacy. Magneto is back on Utopia for this story leading up to Age of X.

After XML #243: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #531 (implied), Doomwar (2010) #6, Generation Hope (2011) #5, Uncanny X-Force (2010) #2, Curse Of The Mutants: X-Men Vs. Vampires (2010) (3rd story)

Age of X: See X-Men Legacy. Despite being in a somewhat alternate reality, this is a major Magneto story – showing him as an absolute monarch of the besieged mutant race. Magneto appears in Alpha (2011), X-Men Legacy #245, New Mutants Vol. 3 (2009) #22, X-Men Legacy #246, New Mutants Vol. 3 (2009) #23, X-Men Legacy #247, New Mutants Vol. 3 (2009) #24

X-Men Legacy (2008) #248-249: See X-Men Legacy. The Aftermath of Age of X, in which Magneto is a main character.

New Mutants (2009) #25 – Magneto wordlessly cameos with Rogue’s team, placing this prior to the next run of Legacy.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #534.1 & 535-537: See Uncanny X-Men. Cyclops forms a new away team that includes Magneto.

X-Men Legacy (2008) #250-258: See X-Men Legacy. Magneto is a featured member of Rogue’s team (along with Xavier and Gambit!) in these stories.

X-Men: Prelude To Schism (2011) #1-4: See Uncanny X-Men. This is a time-filling mini-series meant to remind readers of some of the history of the major players of the X-Men. With hindsight, even though it thematically set up Schism, it was actually a prelude to Fear Itself.

Fear Itself: See Marvel Universe Events. Magneto appears in Fear Itself: The Worthy (2011) #2, New Mutants (2009) #29-30, Fear Itself (2011) #4, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #541-543, Shame Itself #1

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #541-543: See Uncanny X-Men. Part of Fear Itself. Magneto is a participating team member in this arc.

X-Men (2010) #16-19: See X-Men, Vol. 3-4. This story features Doom in white as a member of the FF, which places it in the small window of time after Fear Itself and before Schism. It also closes a long-running loophole of both Cyclops’s and Magneto’s relationship with Lee Forrester.

Wolverine Vol. 4 (2010) #16: Magneto appears twice in brief cameo in the parts of this issue that occur prior to the opening of Schism.

Schism: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. Magneto appears in X-Men: Schism (2011) #1-2, Generation Hope (2011) #10, X-Men: Schism (2011) #3 & 5, Generation Hope (2011) #12, X-Men: Regenesis (2011) (and Uncanny X-Men #544)

X-Men Legacy #259-260: See X-Men Legacy. Magneto is the featured hero into this epilogue to Mike Carey’s run on Legacy.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #544: See Uncanny X-Men. Magneto appears.

Magneto on The Extinction Team and AvX (2011-2012)

Avengers Academy (2010) #22: Magneto is heavily featured in this issue, one of the first stories after Schism. He (along with Cyclops and Emma) are summoned to the Academy to help investigate on ongoing mystery, but what actually occurs is a long-simmering confrontation between Magneto and Quicksilver.

X-Club (2012) #1 & 4-5: Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4.

Uncanny X-Men (2012) #1-4: Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. Magneto is now part of Cyclops’s “Extinction Team,” assembled to combat the biggest threats against mutant-kind.

Vengeance (2011) #1: Despite the beautiful cover bearing his visage, Magneto’s appearance here is a brief, supporting turn.

Magneto: Not A Hero (2012) #1-4
This series addresses some long-dormant plot points, but ultimately is a sideline to the main X-Men plot and is not referenced.

Uncanny X-Men (2012) #5-8: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4.

Generation Hope (2011) #13 & 16-17: See New Mutants.

Uncanny X-Men (2012) #9-10: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4.

Avengers (2010) #24.1

Avengers vs. X-Men: See Marvel Universe Events. Magneto is a key supporting player in this event, though it does not have a strong direct effect on his story.

An approximate reading order for Magneto’s appearances in this event: Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #1, Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 (2012) #11, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #2 and Avengers Vol. 4 (2010) #25 , Avx Vs. (2012) #1, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #3, Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 (2012) #12, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #4, Wolverine & X-Men (2011) #11, Avengers Vol. 4 (2010) #28 (flashback), Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 (2012) #13, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #6, Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 (2012) #15-17, Avengers Vol. 4 (2010) #28, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #7-8, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #10 and Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 (2012) #18, Avengers Vol. 4 (2010) #30, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #11, Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 (2012) #19, X-Men (1963) #274, Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #12

Marvel Now:
Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 3 and Magneto (2012 – 2015)

Magneto makes a wordless single-panel appearance in Uncanny Avengers (2012) #1, watching Xavier’s funeral on television.

AVX: Consequences (2012) #4-5: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4.In #4, Magneto and Storm confront a fugitive Colossus and we learn Magik is already in hiding with Magneto, who intends to break Cyclops out of prison. They, along with Danger, do that in issue #5. (He does not appear in #1)

All-New X-Men #3: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. Flashbacks show Cyclops’s plan after he breaks out of prison, and he and Magneto freeing Emma Frost from captivity, setting up the run of Uncanny X-Men.

Magneto makes non-continuity appearances in Indestructible Hulk (2013) #1 and X-Men: Legacy (2013) #2 in visions or psychic projections. He does not appear in #9.

All-New X-Men (2013) #1 & 3-5: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. The present day events in these issues are not critical for a read of Magneto himself, but provide essential background to understand Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 3. In #1, Magneto makes his first appearance with Scott’s Uncanny team to recruit Eva Bell. #3 is mostly flashback, but ends in a present day scene where the Uncanny team is confronted by the All-New X-Men as they try to recruit Benjamin Deeds. Magneto speaks only briefly in #4, which sees the team retreat to their base, and cameos wordlessly in a single panel of #5.

Magneto does not appear in Age of Ultron (2013) #10

Uncanny X-Men (2013) #1-2: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. Issue #1 is pivotal and sets up Magneto’s two new dueling status quos. He appears only glancingly in #2.

All-New X-Men (2013) #9-11: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. In #9, Cyclops, Emma, Magneto, and Magik cameo on the final page. Magneto is merely a background character in #10, which focuses on Cyclops confronting Wolverine’s X-Men, and #11, where he briefly battles Wolverine.

Uncanny X-Men (2013) #3-11: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. Issue #3 does not feature Magneto in action but deepens his gambit with SHIELD. He appears throughout #4 in a supporting capacity. The team fights in Limbo in #5-7. Issue #8 has two key pages furthering the SHIELD story. Magneto appears in #9 but does not speak. In #10, Magneto meets with Maria Hill and seemingly bretrays the team. In #11, he joins them in the fight against sentinels.

Uncanny Avengers (2012) #11, 15, 18-20: This story is not in continuity

X-Men: Legacy (2013) #16-18: See X-Men Legacy. In #16, Legion faces off against the Uncanny team, including a 1:1 fight with Magneto. Magneto cameos wordlessly in #17-18.

Battle of the Atom: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. Magneto is featured but this story is not important for him.

Reading Order: X-Men: Battle of the Atom (2013) #1, All-New X-Men (2013) #16, X-Men (2013) #5, Uncanny X-Men (2013) #12, Wolverine & The X-Men (2011) #36, All-New X-Men (2013) #17, X-Men (2013) #6, Uncanny X-Men (2013) #13, Wolverine & The X-Men (2011) #37, X-Men: Battle of the Atom (2013) #2

All-New Doop (2014) #1 – This series parallels Battle of the Atom

Magneto does not appear in Uncanny X-Men (2013) #14

All-New X-Men (2013) #18: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. The All-New X-Men team joins Cyclops’s revolution; Magneto is seen in the background and later is briefly confronted by young Beast.

Uncanny X-Men (2013) #16: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. A Magneto solo story (!) that leads directly into Magneto #1-4!

X-Men: Legacy (2013) #22-23: Magneto does not appear in #19 & 21. He (and a large group of X-Men from both teams) confront (and assist) Legion in #22 – Magneto has a brief speaking scene. He only cameos in #23.

X-Men: No More Humans (2014) OGN HC
Similar to Battle of the Atom, Magneto is a cast member but this is non-pivotal for him.

Magneto makes a non-continuity appearance in All-New X-Men (2013) Annual 1 andAll-New X-Men (2013) #25 in a vision or under narration.

Uncanny X-Men (2013) #18: This issue occurs across three different times, aligning it with both #14 and #16. Magneto doesn’t speak or perform significant action throughout.

Revolutionary War: Omega (2014) #1: Magneto makes a single-panel cameo repelling the invasion.

Magneto (2014) #1-4: Magneto, Vol. 1: Infamous

X-Force (2014) #2: Magneto makes a single-panel speaking appearance.

Original Sins (2014) #5: Magneto makes a single-panel non continuity appearance

Uncanny X-Men (2013) #21: See Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2-4. Includes a tense Magneto scene that works as a sidebar from his own title.

Uncanny X-Men (2013) 23 & 28-31: This story is not in continuity and can be safely ignored.

Magneto (2014) #5-6: Magneto, Vol. 1: Infamous

Magneto #7-12: Magneto, Vol. 2: Reversals

Magneto does not appear in Uncanny Avengers (2012) #23 or X-Force #7.

After #8, Magneto makes a single-panel non continuity appearance in both Death of Wolverine: Life After Logan (2015) #1 and Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy (2014) #6

Axis: See Marvel Universe Events. Magneto is a key player in this event – maybe the most heavily featured non-Avenger other than Medusa.

An approximate reading order for Magneto in this event: Magneto (2014) #9, Uncanny Avengers (2012) #24 (continues some of the action from #9), Magneto (2014) #10, Uncanny Avengers (2012) #25, Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #1-2, Loki: Agent of Asgard (2014) #7, Magneto (2014) #11, Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #3, Magneto (2014) #12, Deadpool (2013) #36, Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #4, All-New X-Factor (2014) #17, Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #5-9

Magneto (2014) #13-17: Magneto, Vol. 3: Shadow Games

After #17 is a period of pre-Secret Wars stories. Magneto appears in Uncanny X-Men (1963) #600 and Deadpool (2013) #45

Magneto (2014) #18-21: Magneto, Vol. 4: Last Days
These are Time Runs Out tie-ins that are not strictly in continuity when titles return from Secret Wars, but they include good Magnero/Polaris material. Also collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #50-51.

In Secret Wars: Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars (2015) #1, 3-4

Also in this era: Thanos: The Infinity Finale (2016) OGN HC

All-New, All-Different Marvel:
Magneto in Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 4 (2015 – present)

In this period Magneto is the lead character in Uncanny X-Men (2016)

Death of X (2016) #2-4: See See Guide to X-Men Flagships (2010-2019). Though released in 2016, this story is one of the first to occur after the resolution of Secret Wars; it sets up the status quo of the X-Men line in All-New, All-Different Marvel.

Uncanny X-Men (2016) #1-7 & 9-10: See Guide to X-Men Flagships (2010-2019).

In this era, Magneto also appears in: Deadpool (2016) #8-9 & 11, Vision (2016) #5, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe (2016) OGN HC

Civil War II: See Marvel Universe Events. Magneto has appeared only in tie-in titles in Civil War II: X-Men (2016) #1-4, Captain Marvel (2016) #9

Uncanny X-Men (2016) #11-13: See Guide to X-Men Flagships (2010-2019).. Magneto departs the main cast of this title after issue #13 as the focus shifts to Inhumans vs. X-Men, though he still appears.

Uncanny X-Men (2016) Annual 1 & #14-15: See Guide to X-Men Flagships (2010-2019).

Also in this period, Unbelievable Gwenpool (2016) #9, Monsters Unleashed (2017) #2-4, and Mosaic (2016) #7.

Inhumans vs. X-Men (2017) #0-6: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Inhumans vs. X-Men. He also appears in All-New X-Men (2015) #17-18, Uncanny X-Men (2016) #19, and Extraordinary X-Men (2015) #19 during this event.

ResurrXion:
X-Men Blue, X-Men Black: Magneto, & Age of X-Man (2017 – 2018)

Magneto is a regular star (and sometimes antagonist) in X-Men Blue, which is effectively a new volume of All-New X-Men. He appears in #1-3, 6, 8-20, 23-28, 31-34, & 36. See Guide to X-Men Flagships (2010-2019).

While that team’s story ends with Extermination, Magneto’s continues to his X-Men Black: Magneto one-shot – written by Christ Claremont!

X-Men Black
Collects the five X-Men Black one-shots: Magneto, Mojo, Mystique, Juggernaut, and Emma Frost – plus, a five-part Apocalypse story that ran across all of the books. This works as a sort of epilogue on some the themes of Gold and Blue – setting Magneto on his own individual path, showing where Mojo wound up after his crossover, and reframing Emma Frost after her villainy in Blue.

Then, after his X-Men Black one-shot, he appears in the “X-Men Disassembled” arc of Uncanny X-Men (2018) in issues #3-6 & 8-10. Again, see Guide to X-Men Flagships (2010-2019).

Then, he transitioned to being a major player in the “Age of X-Man” pocket reality event. See Guide to X-Man, Nate Grey for details. He primarily stars in Age of X-Man (2019) Alpha, Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men (2019) #1-5, and Age of X-Men (2019) Omega.

The finale hints at having a major long-term impact for his character, though that’s not explicitly followed up on in the following era.

Click for a full list of appearances in this period.

Magneto in The Age of Krakoa (2019-2022)

Magneto is one of the major forces throughout this period of X-Men, as kicked off by Jonathan Hickman in 2019 with House of X and Powers of X. As one of the trio of architects of Krakoa and member of the Quiet Council, Magneto is omnipresent in the line and appears incidentally in many stories. However, here are some of the “greatest hits” of his participation.

For collection information for these titles, see Guide to X-Men, The Age of Krakoa.

• HOXPOX
  • House of X (2019) #1 – This establishes him as one of the major voices in Krakoa
  • Powers of X (2019) #1-2 & 4-6 – These issues explain the formation and behind-the-scenes drama of Xavier & Magneto’s shared dream
  • House of X (2019) #6 – Introduces the Quiet Council in full
• Dawn of X
  • X-Men (2019) #1, 4, & 6 – An active mission, a diplomatic mission, and an internal conflict – all key plot points moving forward
  • Giant-Size X-Men: Magneto (2020) #1
  • X-Men (2019) #11 – An issue focused on the myth of our titular mutant
• Magneto is not a major player in X of Swords
• Reign of X
  • SWORD (2021) #1-5 – After X of Swords, this first arc becomes his home title before shifting focus to Storm and Cable.
  • Way of X (2021) #1 – Includes some key scenes related to his philosophy
  • Planet-Size X-Men (2021) #1 – Includes his major contribution to the first Hellfire Gala as well as setting up for X-Men Red.
  • X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021) #1-5 – Despite the title, this isn’t really a series focused on him, so much as a series focused on characters connected to him. See Guide to X-Factor or Guide to Scarlet Witch.
• Inferno (2021) #1-4 – This is a significant Xavier + Magneto team-up with intense developments for them both.
• X-Men Red (2022) #1-4 – His new home title after Inferno.
• Judgment Day – All of these issues are MUST READ.
  • X-Men Red (2022) #5-6
  • Judgment Day (2022) #5
  • X-Men Red (2022) #7

After X-Men Red, Magneto stops making appearances for nearly two years.

Click for a full list of appearances in this period.

Magneto (2023) #1-4

A retcon series set during the 40s of New Mutants (1983).

#1-4: Magneto Was Right (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302954215 / digital)

The Resurrection of Magneto (2024) #1-4 by Al Ewing & Luciano Vecchio

Despite the title, this is at least 50% a Storm series – if not more. Yet, it is also an imaginative and highly-detailed sequel to X-Men Red, which makes it the critical next step in this reading order.

#1-4: (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957025 / digital)

In this period, he is referenced prior to Resurrection in X-Men (2021) #29. After Resurrection, he appears in Invincible Iron Man (2023) #17 (somewhat parallel to issue #4), Invincible Iron Man (2023) #18, Fall of the House of X (2024) #5, and Rise of the Powers of X (2024) #5, Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver (2024) #4, X-Men: The Wedding Special (2024) [AKA Marvel’s Voices: Pride (2024)] #1, and X-Men (2021) #35.

X-Men: From the Ashes (2024 – Present)

Magneto is an enigmatic advisor to Cyclops’s team in X-Men (2024), where he appears in nearly every issue. He also receives some focus in X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic (2024) #13-14 (which you can read after X-Men (2024) #1-3.

See Guide to X-Men – From the Ashes (2024 – present) for collection information.

In this period, he also appears in X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic (2024) #15.

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