Fanboys Anonymous

Magneto 13 cover by Dan Panosian

The "Protector of Mutantkind" is looking to the future on Genosha.

AXIS has come and gone, but the effects will be felt for some time with Magneto. Writer Cullen Bunn is back to his psychological best with Magneto #13.

Anyone coming to this issue or series expecting a rambunctious adventure about mutants will be sorely disappointed. This is not that sort of comic. It is a thriller, taking its time to build suspense and story, both of which Bunn has shown adept skill with in this series so far.

With this issue we delve more into the character of Briar Raleigh, in fact, Magneto is really only seen in the closing pages. Yet his presence is felt everywhere in the story. For a man such as Magneto, his reputation breeds mystery, intrigue, and despair. Above all else, the master of magnetism induces fear of what could be done, should he wish to unleash his vengeance. It is this threat that is the underlying glue of the issue.

It is great to see Bunn shift the focus to Raleigh in this issue; readers were anticipating seeing more on her relationship with Magneto prior to the events of the previous AXIS tie-in issues. We get to see some of Raleigh's motivations and history in issue #13. The slow, methodical pace set by Bunn here is superbly enhanced by the art of Javier Fernandez (pencils and inks) and Dan Brown (colors).

Magneto during a flashback

Feel Magneto's self-righteous indignation

Fernandez's approach to storytelling in his art is a great match for the feel Bunn is effecting on readers in Magneto. The choice of shots to string out the back and forth narrative between Briar and Henry during the exchange in the underground mutant memorabilia market illustrates this. The seediness of the setting is given a gritty tone by Brown, who also plays up well the fake personas of the Magneto groupies in Magneto #13 by giving them a contrasting color arrangement in candy pink. Brown does well with the variety of scenes drawn, using contrasting color palettes throughout the story. This is carried over with the variances on each flashback to distinguish the different characters' memories being retold.

The artistic team continues to set a great standard in this series. With a few more series coming to an end in the Marvel library, it is great to see this one continue. The uniqueness of a comic like Magneto needs to be celebrated more than the industry media has allowed for so far. It is time to trumpet this series and send home a message that this type of book is worth the effort and difference.

What do you think about Magneto #13, Fanboys and Fangirls? What about the series as a whole? Do you love the approach and feel? Make sure you leave your thoughts below and continue to pick up this little gem.