In the wake of the 2024 American election, the phrase “Magneto Was Right” has seen a resurgence on social media, capturing sentiments of disillusionment and frustration with the existing sociopolitical climate. The X-Men comics have long been political, often serving as allegories for civil rights and the experiences of marginalized groups. Initially depicted as a villain, Magneto espoused a philosophy that mutants must assert their place in the world through strength and, if necessary, force—a stark contrast to Professor Xavier’s vision of coexistence and protection for all, even those who hate them. Yet, as both real-world and fictional minorities face increasing violence and rights erosions, fans and characters alike are beginning to question the viability of Xavier’s approach, with many finding resonance in Magneto’s conviction that rights must be seized from those who would deny them.

A Legacy of Discrimination and Resilience

Magneto’s origins lie in the harrowing experiences of a Jewish child surviving Nazi Germany. As explored in the 2008 comic X-Men: Magneto Testament, Magneto was profoundly shaped by the traumas of his youth—losing his family, enduring the horrors of Auschwitz, and witnessing firsthand the destructive power of hatred. Though he initially attempted to bridge divides with humanity, persistent acts of bigotry and violence convinced him that humans would never truly accept mutants. This radicalized him, culminating in his declaration of war on those who would subjugate his people.

Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of Magneto in X-Men: First Class captures this character arc powerfully, with the line “Peace was never an option” underscoring his ultimate disillusionment. As violence against mutants worsened, Magneto became convinced that liberation could only be achieved by seizing control. His vision gained new relevance with the establishment of Krakoa in House of X (2019), an island nation designed to be a safe haven for mutants. Yet, even this peace was fragile, threatened by human supremacist groups intent on eliminating mutants. Such threats led fans to increasingly empathize with Magneto’s view that humanity may never allow peaceful coexistence for mutants.

“The X-Men are hated, feared, and despised collectively by humanity for no other reason than that they are mutants. So what we have here, intended or not, is a book that is about racism, bigotry, and prejudice.”
—Chris Claremont, Uncanny X-Men writer, 1981

Art Imitating Life, or Life Imitating Art?

The X-Men comics, debuting in 1963, arose during the civil rights movement, naturally lending themselves to themes of social justice and equality. Though it remains uncertain whether Stan Lee and Jack Kirby intended the X-Men as a direct metaphor for civil rights struggles, the parallels are unmistakable. Over the decades, mutants in the comics have faced relentless prejudice, violence, and threats to their fundamental rights. The Krakoan era, which began in 2019, builds on this foundation, engaging with themes of violence against minorities, homophobia, antisemitism, and misogyny. The parallels with contemporary American society, where similar issues have led to movements like Black Lives Matter, Me Too, and heightened activism against violence toward the LGBTQ+ and Asian communities, create a poignant connection for readers who see their own struggles mirrored in the X-Men’s experiences.

Embracing the “Magneto Was Right” Slogan

The slogan “Magneto Was Right” first appeared in New X-Men #135 (2002), as a provocative statement of solidarity with Magneto’s more militant stance. Like the iconic imagery of Che Guevara, this slogan resonated as a revolutionary call for self-assertion against oppression. In X-Men ‘97, the slogan’s meaning has deepened, capturing the evolving perspective that Magneto may understand humanity’s darker impulses more clearly than Xavier ever did.

A character monologue in Episode 8 of X-Men ‘97 powerfully expresses this sentiment:

“You know, in Genosha, I felt a lot of things: pain, grief, admiration for those who fought despite the odds. But you know what the oddest thing was? No one seemed shocked or surprised—not even me. Yes, I was scared, but really I just had the most profound sense of déjà vu, as if past, present, and future didn’t matter and never had, because we always end up in the same ugly place. Thing is, Magneto knows us better than Charles ever did, knows we know better, that most of us experience tragedies like Genosha as a bit of déjà vu before getting on with our day. But the scariest thing about Genosha wasn’t the death or the chaos. It was a thought, the only sane thought you can have when being chased by giant robots that were built to crush you: Magneto was right.”

A Unified Vision

In the Nation X story arc (2009), Magneto praises Cyclops for achieving a unity among mutants that he and Xavier could never accomplish. Reflecting this ideal, Krakoa’s governance is built on a council comprising former heroes and villains, bridging divides that once seemed insurmountable. Magneto’s transformation over the past decade reflects his growing realization that unification—not domination—is the key to mutant survival. By the time of Magneto #21, he questions his own legacy, acknowledging that the anger, hatred, and fear that once drove him to violence also blinded him to the needs of his people.

“Xavier warned that my war against humanity would consume me. He never fully understood the truth of it. The conflict gave me purpose… but it also fed a deeper compulsion… one as bottomless as my need to protect my people. Perhaps I never recognized it myself. Here… at the end… I see it clearly… the awful powers that have guided my hand. Anger. Hatred. Fear. These forces… more than any other… have fueled me… defined who I am… and carved out the legacy I will leave behind. (…) I let my own fury drown out the voices of the people I swore to defend. Mutants have been burdened… scarred by my actions. My war will not consume me… For there is nothing left to be consumed.” —Magneto #21

Now What?

Ultimately, fans interpret the meaning of these narratives in their own ways. Through Magneto, we see the powerful draw of pursuing justice through force when peaceful solutions seem to fail. Yet his evolution also highlights the risks of allowing hatred and anger to define a cause. The experiences of mutants in the X-Men comics reflect the challenges of many marginalized groups today, capturing the tension between the desire for peace and the necessity of self-defense. Magneto’s story—and, by extension, that of the X-Men—reminds us of the need for resilience, unity, and clarity in moving forward. In the end, giving up is not an option, but we must proceed thoughtfully, building a future where peace and respect can truly coexist.