Customer Reviews

X-Men: Magneto Testament

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A subperb example of expanding a super hero character's origin story. Greg Pak and Carmine Di Giandomenico have done an epic job. They manage to tell Magneto's story, remain true to most of the existing continuity, and maintain historical accuracy. This is a moving and important account of a Jewish boy's coming of age during the Nazi era in Germany, and the story of survival in Auschwitz. But more, this story shows us how the young Magneto (Max Eisenhardt) survived in Auschwitz, working in the Sonderkommando, which reveals much about the character's later history as Magneto. The writing and art are first rate. The coloring is excellent as well. The book contains a true Holocaust story -- that of Dina Babbitt, called "The Last Outrage" and a teacher's guide for Holocaust studies in the classroom.

Magneto is one of Marvel's most important and sophisticated characters. Despite repeated depictions in the comics (in recent years) that are flat, one-dimensional, and uninspired, (usually due to the writer not wanting to address the full complexity of Magneto's psychology and history), Magneto remains one of the best adversaries in comic book history precisely because of his Holocaust and World War II backstory. This character was a good man who became a costumed "villain" to protect his mutant people. Magneto spent most of his life trying to play by the rules, trying to forget his past. He started out as a heroic and well-intentioned boy, growing up in a loving family -- but a family increasingly beset and attacked by Nazi-inspired hatred and violence. MAGNETO TESTAMENT depicts a part of this journey of the character, from the years 1935 to 1944, with a coda from 1948 at the end.

I highly recommend this book, for fans of the comic book character, fans of the movie version of Magneto, and for anyone interested in a graphic novel about the Holocaust, for either reading or teaching others.

Magneto's Testament finally gives readers the background story of Magneto in one book. Certain things are different then what had been assumed in the past, and a few things are tweaked- for example the only time when magneto's powers come into play is when he is shot at and it is severely downplayed. It's not obvious that it was his powers and instead looks as if his father acted as a shield. This is different from the scene in the X-Men movie where his will to stay with his parents bends the metal gates at the labor camp. Also, there was no saved by wolverine or captain america which was shown as happening in the series X-Men Evolution.

All in all this is a good read, and a great addition to anyones shelf.The artwork is both well done and respectable to those who actually survived the holocaust. It, however, is not filled with epic action sequences between mutants and Charles Xavier makes no appearance in it whatsoever. However, you do meet Magda, the gypsy who is destined to be the mother of Pietro and Wanda Maximoff.

A definite necessity for an X-Men fan, and a good read even for those who aren't. :)

This is one of the best origins I have ever read for a comic book character. I have been collecting comics for over 20 years and always was fascinated about Magneto's origin. We all know Magneto was a Jewish kid growing up during WW2 but this book gives us more detail into his childhood life and his family.

If you took off the X-men name on the cover, and you took off the Magneto in the title, this would still be a fantastic comic.

Spoilers: There are no mutant abilities or any super powers happening in this book. It's a tale of Max Eisenhardt (Magneto's birth name) growing up during the Nazi rise to power and his struggles for survival. I was moved by the book simply because it is retelling real life. The stuff that happens in the comic happened in real life during those times and it is saddening to think people can treat others this way. The art while not the best, fit the book and the mood perfectly. The book moves at a fast pace and can be read in about 30 minutes. This is also a great book to us as supplemental material to teach young children about the Holocaust and why we can never sit back and ever let anything like this happen again.

5 stars! Get this hidden gem today.

remember all those Marvel comics fill of 20 pages of fighting and 6 pages of conversation... well Magneto: Testament is nothing like that. Marvel has done a great job creating its best origin story ever. Fill with emotions this story tells the life story of young Magneto starting from the 1937, and gets us through to the World War II through the eyes of Max (Magneto). By reading this historic story based on facts you can understand the hatred of Magneto towards humanity. But what is more important u will see the caring person he was before.
The HC edition its a must have. When u done reading the story you can read the facts behind it, the history, and the choices about the character of Magneto. The red cover with imprinted black letters will b the best thing in ur collection even compared to books.
This may be consider a spoiler by some: The best thing about this story for me was the fact there arent any usage of -supper-powers.

Words never suffice to describe the pain of the victims of WWII, but this collaboration by Pak and Di Giandomenico truly reaches your heart. As you share in young Max's (Magneto) anguish and hate for the Nazis, and truly understand what drives the infamous villain on his quest against humanity. The art is superb and beffiting of this dark story, the characters nothing short of martyrs and demons, testament of the quality of the Marvel Knights brand. A story for the ages and that I hope makes it's way to the X men Origins: Magneto film.

This story is told from the points of view of Erik 's family and of his own experiences, as a Jewish boy, growing up during the rise of Nazism and Hitler 's power, as a dictator. It is definitely a book to educate the reader to realize how trauma, paranoia and death were three of the biggest reactions of life being tortured, murdered and of committed suicide, in WWII.

I felt very sad (after reading) to think of how I would feel, being raised in a world of fear. This is a book I look forward to reading again and again.



MIG OUT.

I was a little uneasy about the premise of this book thinking it could get cheesy but Greg Pak writes an incredibly moving and harrowing piece about a Marvel icon that clearly could've taken place in the real world. Obviously a ton of research, time, effort, and heart went into this project and you can see it in every panel. The art by Carmine Di Giandomenico was really good and fir the piece nicely. I wished the colors were toned down at times but it was still superb. This novel should be read by everyone including non-comics fans. Great work!

It was great to see some of the back-story for one of my favorite villains. The artwork is great and the classroom work exercises are interesting also. Great read - pick it up!

The story gives a great deal of insight into what made magneto who he is in the X-Men series.

THIS COMIC SUCKS BECAUSE THERE IS NO ACTION WHATS SO EVER, IT JUST A BORING STORY ABOUT HOW THE NAZIS PERSECUTED THE JEWS. WASTE OF MONEY....