In 1992, X-Men: The Animated Series made its debut. The comic book cartoon series, based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name, followed the story of a team of mutants who fight for equality in a world that hates and fears them.
Upon making its debut, X-Men: The Animated Series was deemed a hit with audiences and quickly became appointment television. Critics loved the compelling writing and excellent character work, while fans appreciated the care that was taken to ensure the X-Men mythology was presented in a respectful and entertaining way.
One of the key aspects of X-Men: The Animated Series was its cast of villains and deadly foes. One of these foes was Magneto, who appeared in the series multiple times.
But if you’re new to the series, you want to catch up on Magneto’s journey throughout X-Men, and are keen to check out all of his major appearances, what are all the significant Magneto episodes? For all the details and more, keep reading.
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Season One
Enter Magneto
Magneto’s first major appearance comes during Season One in the episode, Enter Magneto. In this episode, Xavier’s old friend, Magneto, arrives on the scene to break the Beast out of prison.
The Beast refuses, but Magneto is not done yet. To demonstrate his powers, as well as his fight for mutant supremacy, Magneto attacks a military base to launch missiles.
Deadly Reunions
Following his attack on the military base, Magneto embarks on another attack – this time a chemical plant. He wants Xavier to know his view on mutant rights will not be silenced.
The Final Decision
In The Final Decision, Magneto joins forces with the X-Men as they set out on a rescue mission to save Senator Kelly from the clutches of Master Mold and his Sentinel army. This is something which the team understand could be a suicide mission.
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Season Two
Onto Season Two, and Magneto appears in almost every episode of this season, beginning with a brief appearance in the opening two-parter, Till Death Do Us Part. However, Magneto’s role in this season largely consists of a couple of minutes per episode, where he and Charles Xavier are trapped in the Savage Land without their powers.
Almost every episode in the season picks up with Xavier and Magneto as they traverse the landscape and encounter threats. Each sequence with Xavier and Magneto only lasts a couple of minutes, while the rest of the episode focuses on a completely different story involving one of the X-Men.
If you wish to see every moment of Magneto on screen, then watch Season Two in full. But all you need to know is that Magneto and Xavier get trapped in the Savage Land, before the X-Men mount a rescue in the final two episodes of the season:
Reunion – Part One
In Reunion – Part One, Professor Xavier, Magneto, and Jean Grey are captured by Mister Sinister and held captive in the Savage Land. Sinister then uses the mutant, Sauron to control Xavier and convince the X-Men to attempt a rescue mission.
Reunion – Part Two
Continuing the story in Reunion – Part Two, Xavier, Magneto, and the X-Men team up to defeat Mister Sinister and his Nasty Boys.
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Season Four
Sanctuary – Part One
After sitting out of the events of Season Three, Magneto’s next major appearance comes in Sanctuary – Part One. In this story, weary from his fight for mutant supremacy, Magneto offers to transport mutants off-planet to his floating space station, Asteroid M, where they can live in peace.
Sancturary – Part Two
Continuing the story in Sanctuary – Part Two, Magneto’s dream of peace is scuppered from within when he is betrayed. The treacherous Fabian Cortez takes control of the asteroid and launches missiles toward Earth, prompting Magneto and the X-Men into action.
Family Ties
In Family Ties, details of Magneto’s past are explored and secrets are revealed. These secrets include the revelation that super heroes, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are his children.
Beyond Good and Evil – Part One / Two / Three / Four
Magneto’s next major appearance is in the four-part story, Beyond Good and Evil. In this epic adventure, Apocalypse sets in motion his grand plan to kidnap psychics and gain control of all of time.
Magneto is one of the many villains recruited to take part in Apocalypse’s scheme. He doesn’t appear in every episode, but the entire four-part story is worth watching, especially to see how Magneto fits into it all and why he is willing to work with Apocalypse.
Please note: In addition to the above episodes from Season Four, Magneto also has a brief cameo in One Man’s Worth – Part One. However, he is not a major part of the story.
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Season Five
The Phalanx Covenant – Part One / Two
Onto Season Five and Magneto’s next major appearance is in the two-part story, The Phalanx Covenant. In this tale, a techno-organic alien race sets out to assimilate the Earth, leading to a rag-tag team of X-Men to save the day.
Magneto’s involvement comes in the second episode of this two-part story. Initially he is happy to watch humanity suffer at the hands of the Phalanx, until he realises the life of his son, Quicksilver, is on the line.
Graduation Day
And finally, in Graduation Day, Professor Xavier is attacked and left fighting for his life. As Xavier faces his darkest hour, Magneto and the X-Men gather round for one final goodbye.
Please note: In addition to the above episodes from Season Five, Magneto also has a brief cameo in the fantasy episode, Jubilee’s Fairytale Theatre, where he appears in a fairy story as Magnus the Magnificent. Not essential viewing at all.
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about Magneto in X-Men: The Animated Series. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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