The X-Men‘s upcoming Hellfire Gala will end with a bang, as confirmed by the recent announcement of a subsequent, Magneto-centric mini-series that is set to have major ramifications for all mutant kind. The Trial of Magneto is a five-issue series beginning in August that will see the Master of Magnetism accused of murder at the end of the Gala.
While X-Factor investigates, Magneto will be placed on trial, and given his importance to Krakoa the outcome will likely also determine the future of the mutant nation. It’s not the first time the Master of Magnetism has been forced to deal with the consequences of his violent past in court and his previous run-ins with the law demonstrate how significant the next trial will likely be.
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Uncanny X-Men #200
The first Trial of Magneto occurred in Uncanny X-Men #200 by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr. Prior to this special anniversary issue, Erik surrendered to Mystique’s Freedom Force so that he could stand trial for his past crimes, which he hoped would be good for both himself and all mutant kind. He was charged with crimes against humanity and tried by the World Court, with Gabrielle Haller and Charles Xavier serving as his legal team. During the trial, the Fenris twins hired a group of mercenaries to frame the X-Men for a string of terrorist attacks where they left messages demanding Magneto be freed. This was all part of the twins’ elaborate plot for revenge against Magneto, who had defeated their father, Wolfgang von Strucker of Hydra in the past. While the X-Men battled the mercenaries throughout Paris, Fenris attacked the courthouse directly, hoping to kill Magneto. Their attack damaged the building and caused it to be flooded but with help from Rachel Summers and Xavier, Magneto was able to rescue everyone inside, including the bigoted prosecutor, James Jaspers.
Charles’ health was deteriorating severely at the time and following the battle he lay close to death. He asked Magneto to take over his school and serve as the mentor of the New Mutants and as a member of the X-Men. Initially believing he was unworthy of such roles Erik agreed to try when his friend insisted. He remained committed to the task even though Shi’ar Empress Lilandra, Charles’ lover, and the Starjammers were able to save his life with alien technology. The World Court’s head judge stated that she would have argued for mitigation of sentence for Magneto had he been found guilty but that his fate and that of the X-Men would now be determined by public opinion.
X-Men Vs. Avengers #4
Erik’s next trial occurred during the X-Men Vs. Avengers mini-series. When pieces of his old outer-space base, Asteroid M, fell to Earth, world governments feared that a new Magneto attack was underway. Both the Avengers and the Soviet Super-Soldiers were sent to bring Magneto in, leading to a three-way battle between the two teams and the X-Men, who came to their ally’s defense.
After discovering that Captain America’s pursuit of him was not motivated by anti-mutant prejudice but by a genuine hope for justice, Magneto surrendered himself again and in X-Men Vs. Avengers #4 by Tom DeFalco, Jim Shooter, and Keith Pollard, he again faced the World Court with Haller as his lawyer. However, he eventually became frightened that if he was convicted and executed war would break out between mutants and humans so he used a mind-control device to have one of the judges acquit him.
These past trials raise doubts about whether the next trial can possibly succeed in delivering an honest verdict, but they also illustrate that no matter what happens, it is sure to be a very influential event in Marvel history.
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