Uncanny X Men

Five Comics To Read Before "X-Men: First Class" Hits Theaters

What makes it great: This is the definitive look at what turned Magneto into a relentless terrorist. Greg Pak writes a chilling depiction of Magento’s adolescence spent in Auschwitz and how his hatred for humanity began to grow while confined within the concentration camp. Even though Magneto may believe that humans are nothing more than violent, frightened animals, Pak made sure not to write this book as a superhero revenge story. It's simply an amazing tale of survival with thinly veiled hints at Magneto’s true powers. Writer Chris Claremont portrays Stryker as a Fred Phelps-type character who organizes and promotes violence against mutants while pandering to humanity’s fears. Claremont was the first writer to really grab hold of the social issues facing the X-Men and, in turn, transformed the team from an average superhero squad into a metaphor for tolerance. But the story really shines when it focuses on Magneto. His devotion to his people and his hatred for humanity borders on an obsession and this book provides the best character study on him. However, as depicted in #161, there's one very strong difference that will always keep them at odds with each other. Xavier believes that mutants and humans can live peacefully among each other, while Magneto knows that mutants will have to eliminate the human race to ever truly achieve peace. This issue sets up the friendship yet also sews the seeds for their eventual hatred. )

What makes it great: Tricking the world into thinking he was dead, Magneto actually infiltrated Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters disguised as a mutant named Xorn. Relishing the fact that the prof had made minimal progress in his attempts to improve the volatile relationship between mutants and humans, Magneto decides to secretly teach his militant philosophies to some of Xavier’s more talented students. This storyline, written by Grant Morrison, shows Magneto at his most unhinged and megalomaniacal. Very rarely has the character been so brutal and merciless, but after years of frustration, and a nasty drug habit, Magneto goes off the deep end. Herding humans off to crematoriums and murdering them by the hundreds, he finally puts into practice what he experienced as a Holocaust survivor himself. 1985

What makes it great: After years of terrorism and violence, Magneto is finally put on trial for crimes against humanity. But, to the shock of both civilians and mutants, he is found to be innocent. However, Professor Xavier, who actually acts as Magneto's defense attorney, suffers what seems to be a heart attack after a battle erupts in the courtroom.

Review: Uncanny X-Men #536 - Comic Book Resources

Following up on the events of Joss Whedon’s “Astonishing X-Men” run, the third issue of Kieron Gillen’s first arc as the sole “Uncanny X-Men” writer sees the citizens of the Breakworld arrive on Earth apparently looking for some help and guidance, even though - as a result of their warrior culture - they’re not quite sure how to actually make that request.

It’s fair to say that fans weren’t particularly clamoring for the X-Men to revisit the Breakworld and its associated story threads. Although introduced by Joss Whedon in his critically acclaimed run on “Astonishing X-Men,” the characters were largely drawn from a generic monoculture of alien foes, and indeed, the ones who were developed beyond that were further developed into corpses by the end of the arc.

Having identified their generic nature as a major failing of the Breakworlders, it’s impressive that Gillen manages to fix it in a single page. In the short sequence, various members of the Breakworld’s race give their feelings on their civilization’s current predicament, and in doing so they all finally come alive as characters. It takes some skill to realize an entire civilization in six panels, but Gillen and Terry Dodson make it look almost elementary.

It’s not without a price, however. This issue pulls away from the X-Men a little in favor of exploring the Breakworlders and their situation, which one can imagine upsetting some people. Even so, the alternative – building the story around the fate of characters we neither know nor care about – would undeniably have left us with an unsatisfying arc. Even if you’d rather see more of the X-Men in this issue, sacrificing some of the focus to Kruun and his associates should ultimately allow Gillen to deliver a more satisfying story overall.

Similarly, with space for only a few X-Men here, Gillen has chosen his players carefully. Clearly, he’s very interested in Magneto, and has given him his own ongoing sub-plot (this, in addition to making him the “.1” issue’s focus). Interestingly, Gillen pursues an atypical line with the character, examining his more intellectual and scientific background, rather than the philosophical and political route most writers take. It’s an entirely valid angle for Magneto’s character, and a much fresher one than we’ve seen in some time, which makes it hard not to enjoy.

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