Magneto’s New Power Feat Is a Major First, Changing What He’s Capable of in Marvel Lore

Summary In Invincible Iron Man #18, Magneto harnesses the power of Marvel's most powerful new substance, Mysterium, to defeat the evil Sentinel Nimrod, once more showcasing his unmatched ability with metal manipulation.

Mysterium proves to be Magneto's ultimate weapon, unlocking new levels of power for Marvel's original Master of Magnetism in the wake of his latest return from the dead.

Invincible Iron Man #18 highlights Magneto's full potential, making it clear that he remains one of the most resolutely powerful characters in the Marvel Universe – thankfully, for the rest of Marvel's heroes, he seems to have embraced his true destiny as a hero upon his return.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Invincible Iron Man #18!!

Magneto is among the most powerful mutants in the Marvel Universe, possessing an unparalleled ability to control and manipulate metal. Now, thanks to a long-awaited chance to bend the ultra-rare metal, Mysterium, he has stretched his mutant ability to new heights, and taken down a copy of Nimrod to prove it.

Invincible Iron Man #18 – by Gerry Duggan and Crees Lee – Magneto arrives to offer aid to Iron Man. His recent resurrection has seemingly left him more powerful than ever, and he’s easily able to coax Tony’s dead Sentinel Armor back to life, and help him pilot it on a path of destruction against Orchis’ Sentinel factories.

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Acting as the armor's heart was not his most impressive feat. As they reach Tokyo, Max pits himself against Nimrod – the X-Men's current greatest nemesis. Magneto utilizes Mysterium for the first time, and directs it to destroy the seemingly unkillable Sentinel.

Related Tony Stark Answers Iron Man vs. Magneto, Proving There’s Only 1 Possible Winner Magneto and Iron Man stand on the same side in the war against Orchis, but their rivalry and past conflicts are never far from Tony's mind.

Mysterium, which is as unyielding as adamantium, resistant to magic and precognitive abilities, and much more, almost "seems alive" as Magneto manipulates it.

Mysterium Is Revealed To Be Magneto’s Ultimate Weapon

Key To Defeating Mutantkind’s Greatest Enemy

Magneto is an Omega-level mutant, and dangerous with any form of metal, but he’s able to do the unthinkable with Mysterium. Nimrod has proven impossible to defeat, and its resilience has allowed it to cause untold devastation to the mutants. Yet, when Magneto gets access to Mysterium, he quickly proves that Nimrod can be defeated after all. Mysterium, which is as unyielding as adamantium, resistant to magic and precognitive abilities, and much more, almost "seems alive" as Magneto manipulates it. He says that it "wants to be free", and it's seemingly eager to do his bidding.

Both Nimrod and Iron Man seem shocked at what transpires as Magneto manipulates Mysterium. Invincible Iron Man #18 features Magneto truly in his element; after he's already pushed his mutant ability to its greatest heights, it now seems clear he was born to work with Mysterium. In mere seconds, he destroys Nimrod, leaving the impression that it is but a glimpse of what he's capable of with the material at his fingertips. Storm resurrected Magneto to fight against Orchis, and now he has become a one-many army stronger than anything seen before.

Mysterium is seemingly the key to defeating Orchis, and of course, no one is better equipped to unlock the metal’s full potential than the Master of Magnetism.

Magneto Could Unlock More of Mysterium’s Secrets

No One Understands Marvel’s Rarest Material Better

Mysterium is seemingly the key to defeating Orchis, and of course, no one is better equipped to unlock the metal’s full potential than the Master of Magnetism. Mysterium was created in the White Hot Room, and it has proven invaluable to those able to work with the material, like Iron Man, but no one understands metal like Magneto. He was able to destroy one of Nimrod's bodies during his first encounter with the material, and with enough time to get fully attuned to it, the potential is limitless. Magneto proved Nimrod can be defeated with Mysterium, and now Max may be unstoppable.

Invincible Iron Man #18 is available now from Marvel Comics.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #18 (2022) Writer: Gerry Duggan

Artist: Crees Lee, Walden Wong

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artist: Kael Ngu