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This week’s Scarlet Witch #5 sees the resurrection of Magneto after his death during Judgement Day. However, this version of Magneto looks to be treading the dark side once more. Unlike the sacrificial hero readers have gotten used to, there is an air of villainy to this newly alive Magneto. While we are only given a glimpse of the returned mutant, he is promised to return in this summer’s magical event, the Contest of Chaos.
Magneto The Ghost?
During last year’s Judgment Day event, Magneto was part of the X-Men Red team. Along with mutants like Storm, Magneto helped fend off a terraformed Mars (known as Arakko) from destruction at the hands of Uranos. While the group is able to save the planet, it comes at a great loss. Magneto is mortally injured and eventually succumbs to his wounds. However, before his death, he asks Storm not to resurrect him using the Krakoan resurrection protocols that give every mutant basic immortality. While he doesn’t give a specific reason not to be resurrected, he does offer a cryptic warning about Charles Xavier and asks Storm to keep an eye on him.
Fast forward to this week’s Scarlet Witch #5 from Steve Orlando and Russell Dauterman, and Magneto is alive again. The closing pages of the issue follows two men as they enter a cave with some beer to party. However, the metal cans suddenly shift into weapons and stab the would-be-partiers. They flee the cave, thinking it is haunted. However, it was no ghost that attacked them. A chuckling Magneto is then shown in a black suit and matching helmet. He is sitting on a rock-like throne in the cave. He remarks that he may just be a ghost as he refuses to stay dead.
Magneto Returns for Contest of Chaos
The issue ends with the promise that Magneto plays a role in the upcoming Contest of Chaos. This event, led by writer Stephanie Phillips, is set to unravel throughout several annuals this summer. According to CBR, it will be a showdown of epic proportions in the Marvel Universe. It all starts with June’s Scarlet Witch Annual #1, which preludes this Contest of Chaos. It deals with a newly transformed Agatha Harkness as she attempts to teach her former pupil once more on the lessons of magic. However, Wanda Maximoff has been through a lot since she last saw Agatha and has become incredibly powerful. Smells like a battle is brewing between these two powerful witches! What role could Magneto possibly play in this magic battle?