Marvel's New X-Men Series Officially Changes Magneto's Lore Forever

The X-Men's original nemesis is officially only a few months away from becoming mutantkind's very own "genetic prophet."

Marvel Comics' DNX is just a few months away, and it is set to bring with it some of the biggest shakeups to the usual status quo that mutantkind has ever felt. As noted by the official solicit synopsis for X-Men #38 by writer Jed MacKay and artist Netho Diaz, Magneto himself is on the cusp of stepping into a new role as the "genetic prophet" of all mutantkind, and there is no telling just how much that mantle will mean until the time comes.

X-Men #38

• Written by JED MacKAY
• Art by NETHO DIAZ
• Main cover art by NETHO DIAZ, SEAN PARSONS, and ARTHUR HESLI
• Variant covers by GEOFF SHAW; MARCO FERRARI; TONY S. DANIEL; and (TBA)

The official solicit synopsis for X-Men #38 by Marvel Comics reads, "Terrorist, warrior, father, teacher, killer. Magneto has been all of these things. Now he unconsciously assumes a new role: genetic prophet, with a message from the future written in his very blood. But will that message spell deliverance... or doom?"

Although Magneto has long served as one of the most prominent mutant villains in the entire Marvel Universe, the past few decades have seen the character gradually shift closer and closer to the role of an unlikely hero, more so than anything else. Recently, Magneto has been left reeling from the Resurrection-Linked Degeneration Syndrome that has reduced his powers and physical state, even if the long term affects of the affliction (and even its entire existence) have been called into question.

Magneto Has Always Been A Tragic Character in Marvel Comics

Writer Jed MacKay recently opened up about Magneto's trajectory, stating, "I think the work Al Ewing did with Magneto is extremely interesting, and we've touched on it a bit—that Magneto has transcended the limitations of his initial philosophy of gene war and instead looks at disassembling structures of oppression, regardless of who the oppressed are. Of course, before he can get back to any such pursuits, he has a great deal of difficulty ahead of him first."

The complications surrounding Magneto's condition will be a major focal point during the upcoming DNX series and event, which will mark the culmination of the X-Men's ongoing battle against the mutant organization known as 3K. Led by the original, now villainous Beast, aka the Chairman, 3K have set out to recreate the X-Virus that dominated so much of the Age of Revelation and use it to ensure mutantkind's ultimate rise over humanity as the Earth's dominant species.

DNX #1 is slated to go on sale on September 2, just weeks before X-Men #38 arrives in stores. MacKay previously teased what fans can expect from the next X-event, explaining that "Age of Revelation showed the future, and DNX shows that future’s impact on the present! The X-Men and 3K are on a collision course that has been set since issue one—and only one will survive. And with The Fantastic Four joining the fray, this is going to be an event that will transform the X-Men dramatically."

X-Men #38 from Marvel Comics goes on sale on Sept. 23.