A subperb example of expanding a super hero character's origin story. Greg Pak and Carmine Di Giandomenico have done an epic job. They manage to tell Magneto's story, remain true to most of the existing continuity, and maintain historical accuracy. This is a moving and important account of a Jewish boy's coming of age during the Nazi era in Germany, and the story of survival in Auschwitz. But more, this story shows us how the young Magneto (Max Eisenhardt) survived in Auschwitz, working in the Sonderkommando, which reveals much about the character's later history as Magneto. The writing and art are first rate. The coloring is excellent as well. The book contains a true Holocaust story -- that of Dina Babbitt, called "The Last Outrage" and a teacher's guide for Holocaust studies in the classroom.
Magneto is one of Marvel's most important and sophisticated characters. Despite repeated depictions in the comics (in recent years) that are flat, one-dimensional, and uninspired, (usually due to the writer not wanting to address the full complexity of Magneto's psychology and history), Magneto remains one of the best adversaries in comic book history precisely because of his Holocaust and World War II backstory. This character was a good man who became a costumed "villain" to protect his mutant people. Magneto spent most of his life trying to play by the rules, trying to forget his past. He started out as a heroic and well-intentioned boy, growing up in a loving family -- but a family increasingly beset and attacked by Nazi-inspired hatred and violence. MAGNETO TESTAMENT depicts a part of this journey of the character, from the years 1935 to 1944, with a coda from 1948 at the end.
I highly recommend this book, for fans of the comic book character, fans of the movie version of Magneto, and for anyone interested in a graphic novel about the Holocaust, for either reading or teaching others.
