Review by Ian Keogh
As the era of all mutants occupying their own island of Krakoa drew to a tragic close, one piece of business remained before all the toys were placed neatly back in the box for the next creative team. Although the technology existed to resurrect any mutant killed in action, in X-Men Red a disillusioned Magneto had left specific instructions that he would prefer to remain dead. With mutant societies falling apart both on Earth and Arrako, however, the resurrection technology is no longer an option, so Storm decides Magneto’s return is essential as a rallying point, which requires her entering the afterlife to locate his spirit.
If that all sounds like so much babble, you’ll be surprised at how convincingly Al Ewing and Luciano Vecchio sell it. The resurrection of mutants was possible due to a holding place created by the Scarlet Witch, and the genius that is Adam Brashear of course has an access portal. Vecchio’s contribution is immense, creating viably strange, yet credible technological and supernatural environments to match Ewing’s rigorously creative plot. It forces both Storm and Magneto to consider their past, both jointly and individually, and so produces a surprising amount of emotionally strong interludes. Some are heavy on self-flagellation, as Magneto has a murderous past, but Ewing’s use of those he’s killed is imaginative in building sympathy with few words.
An old enemy of the X-Men makes a pivotal appearance in order for Magneto to explain the fine distinctions of his personal philosophy, and Vecchio’s art of two characters suspended in darkness for an entire chapter is incredibly stylish as they mutate from one identity to another.
Anyone expecting slam-bang battles to rescue Magneto is going to have to make a rapid adjustment to a cerebral exercise minimising that form of conflict in favour of something less physical, but equally painful. Until the final chapter. That’s Magneto back, which of course was always going to be the case, apprised of what Orchis has been up to (see assorted other X-Men titles) and set loose. The way Ewing has Magneto use his power is as imaginative as the remainder, and this is a late highlight among the X-Men reboots begun in 2019.
