5 Best X-Men Storylines Where Magneto Became A Genuine Hero

Published Sep 22, 2026, 6:23 PM EDT Mark has been a comic book journalist for over 15 years and has interviewed comic book creators like Gail Simone and Caspar Wijngaard. And when he's not writing, he's working on beating his record of 1,200 comics read in a year. Magneto started off as one of the X-Men’s greatest and most feared enemies. Though he is known as the Master of Magnetism, his powers over metal were only the beginning. Over the years, Magneto has found ingenious ways to use his mutant abilities. For example, he could manipulate the iron in people’s blood, and once removed the adamantium from Wolverine’s skeleton and claws. His continued evolution is why every superhero team needed a contingency plan for him. Over time, Erik Lehnsherr’s war on humans became less violent and less terroristic. His thoughts on mutant supremacy and protection didn’t end, but he changed his tactics. It led him to conquer Genosha and give mutants a nation of their own. Sadly, that ended in the deaths of most of the nation’s mutants and Magneto faking his death. Magneto would continue to change from villain to hero over the years, but there came a time when he stayed on the side of good. Since then, he’s shown how great a leader and hero he can be. Like every exceptional leader, the defining moments happen in unexpected and memorable ways. 5 I’ve Come To Praise Caesar Uncanny X-Men Nos. 516, 521, and 522 by writer Matt Fraction It was post-House of M, and Magneto had just got his powers back from the High Evolutionary. While this was happening, Cyclops was leading the X-Men to victory against Norman Osborn and his Dark Avengers and X-Men (Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia). This battle forced the remaining mutants to leave San Francisco and find a new home on an island that was once Asteroid M. That obviously raised the eyes of Magneto, but not in the way many would have thought. Erik didn’t return to his former base to take it over or even chastise them for using it without his permission. He took his helmet off, dropped to his knees, and said, “I come not to bury Caesar…But to praise him.” Sadly, this wasn’t enough for Charles Xavier and Scott Summers to believe that Magneto deserved a place on their island. Rather than take offense to that and start a fight, he took the path of a pacifist. He sat on a mountain in a meditative position and risked his life to bring the bullet that was carrying Kitty Pryde back from Space. A hero doesn't give up when they're doubted. They find a way to prove themselves. This one act was all that Cyclops needed to accept his former enemy as one of his own. However, Max never stopped trying to show that he was there to help progress and not hinder it. 4 Not Yet! X-Men Legacy No. 237 by Mike Carey After bringing Kitty Pryde back to Earth, Magneto was out of commission. When he woke up, the X-Men were in the middle of a war with Bastion and the humans under his control, like the Sapien League and the Purifiers (X-Men: Second Coming). He was so hurt that he could barely get out of bed, but that didn’t stop him from getting involved and defending the island from Sentinels. Bastian was sending his Nimrod Sentinels, and Beast was prepared to fight them, knowing that it was a death sentence. Instead, Magneto got out of bed and told Hank to tend to his patients while he tended to their enemies. Erik was injured, not as powerful as he normally was, but he still fought with the vigor a fan would expect. He yelled, “Not yet, you soulless bastards! Not quite yet!” He destroyed the Nimrods and still had enough in him to remind the mutants that they would inherit the Earth. Magneto was more than willing to die if it meant that other mutants survived. Some heroes talk about sacrificing for their cause, but this showed that it was more than talk for Erik Lehnsherr. Once again, the mark of a great hero, and the Magneto that everyone knows and loves. 3 “You Have New Gods Now” House of X No. 1 and X-Men No. 4 by Jonathan Hickman To many comic book fans, Marvel Comics Krakoa Era was one of the best times for mutants. They lived on their sentient island without the fear of being judged by humans. They also defeated death, and their home was acknowledged by the United Nations. What people forget to mention is how much Magneto attributed to Krakoa becoming an island. In particular, on the “diplomatic” side. Erik Lehnsherr isn’t known for being diplomatic. Years of oppression as a survivor of the Holocaust and beaten down as a mutant didn’t give Magneto much of a reason to try and settle things without hostility. Nevertheless, he continued to be peaceful when world leaders attempted to kill him. During the first meeting of Krakoa to the world (House of X), a former S.H.I.E.L.D. and S.W.O.R.D. agent brought a gun to what was supposed to be a peaceful meeting. In X-Men No. 4, another diplomatic meeting was attempted. This time, rather than hiding a weapon, they attempted to assassinate Magneto, Charles Xavier, and En Sabah Nur. Once again, Magneto showed restraint when everyone reading knew he would have rather killed them. If he had reacted with violence, Apocalypse would have followed, and that would have started a world war. Thankfully, like any hero, he showed the restraint that was needed. 2 A Reminder X-Men No. 11 by Jonathan Hickman Marvel Comics’ Empyre wasn’t a crossover that’s talked about often. Maybe because it centered around Reed Richards, and he’s not someone that people are excited to follow. One good story that came out of this was Magneto reminding the world that he’s still a premier leader and omega-level mutant. With Cyclops off-world and Charles Xavier and most of the other telepaths preoccupied, it was up to Sophie of the Stepford Cuckoos to help Magneto organize the fight. Erik didn’t just lead the mutants to victory. He made it look easy by using each of the remaining mutant combatants to the best of their ability. For example, he obliterated the Krakoan invaders after ordering Magma and Iceman to combine their powers to make shards of iron. Then, when the big boss showed his face, the fight was over before it even began. Magneto dropped three satellites on him without moving a muscle. It was anticlimactic, but also very satisfying. This was another example of Erik being a leader, a hero, and effortlessly dangerous. 1 Magneto The Mentor Jed MacKay's X-Men Erik was no longer the Master of Magnetism. He couldn’t control his powers and was confined to a chair like Charles Xavier in his early days (kind of ironic). However, if you thought something like that would stop him from being a hero, you’d be wrong. Rather than fight on the battlefield, once again, he changed tactics to help the next generation of heroes. Magneto couldn’t move mountains of metal without a serum, but he could make sure that the young mutants were ready for the future. This wasn’t an easy job since two of the mutants on his team were Quentin Quire and Idie Okonkwo (aka Temper). Both of whom have anger in their hearts from years of oppression at the hands of humans. They’ve both attempted to try and be less violent, but they’re both still young. Luckily, Magneto is around to show them that he's been where they are. Sometimes, being a hero is showing people that they don’t have to follow the path they were once on. While mentorship looks good on him, it’s doubtful that this will be his role if he regains the full use of his powers after DNX. If that’s the case, it was good while it lasted. Created By Stan Lee, Jack Kirby Cast Ian McKellen Alias Magnus, Max Eisenhardt, Erik Lehnsherr Race Human mutant Movies X2: X-Men United, X-Men, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class, X-Men Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix TV Shows X-Men: Evolution, X-Men