Era #10, Part 24: Planet X (New X-Men)

Grade: B+

Magneto is back! The X-Men's oldest foe had been hiding and recovering inside the school as one of the newest teachers, Xorn. While masquerading as the mysterious pacifist, Magneto was building an army from the disenchanted students. When he strikes, it is a decisive blow by separating the team leaving them unable to protect Professor X or stop a brutal attack on New York City.

Once you get past the fact that this is another "return of Magneto" story (and a couple of other overused tropes), this is a good read. Despite executing a masterful strategy to bring down the X-Men from within their own ranks, he could not surround himself with any substantial allies to capitalize on his initial victory. Because he needs to do more to compensate for that limited support, Magneto takes the performance-enhancing drug Kick which makes him more erratic and out of control. As a result, his growing mob of followers quickly waiver in their commitment to the mutant revolution.

My only complaint is that I think that the conclusion is way too confusing and relies on another overused X-Men plot devise.

 

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #146

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #147

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #148

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #149

[5-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #150

Collected in New X-Men (Vol. 6): Planet X