Magneto got his start as the X-Men's leading villain, but he's had one of Marvel's most comprehensive character arcs in the decades since his introduction. His role has changed significantly, and with it, his appearance. The Master of Magnetism utilizes incredible attention to detail in any plan he makes, and he puts that same energy into his wardrobe, leading to intensely memorable costumes.

Magneto has grown into one of the most recognizable figures in the Marvel Universe, and there's no question his recognizable appearance plays a role in that process. From his iconic anti-telepathy helmet, to his dramatic capes, it's impossible to miss an entrance from the mutant leader. From his classic red and purple look to the dual white and black ensembles of Krakoa, these are the best costumes and armor suits Magneto has worn throughout comic history.

11 The Big M: A Shift Away From Villainy (1985)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #200 by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr.

Magneto's "Big M" look is one of his most polarizing, but it's so narratively significant and eye-catching that it deserves the tenth spot. In his earliest villain-to-hero turn, he abandoned his classic "villain" look and helmet for a purple, sleeveless suit stamped with a massive letter 'M' and long gloves. The wardrobe change accompanied Uncanny X-Men's plot that led Magneto to become heaster of Charles Xavier's school, thus allying with the very team he spent so much time fighting.

The suit would go on to be the first of many costume swaps tied to Magneto's shifting beliefs and morality, and it is one of his most stark stylistic departures. The massively popular X-Men '97 show recently adapted the story, as well as the "Big M" suit, so it continues to secure its place in Max's history.

10 House of M: A Realistic Master of Magnetism (2005)

First Appearance: House of M #1 by Dennis Hallum and Marco Failla

Like the "Big M", Magneto's House of M suit originated within an incredibly impactful storyline. Scarlet Witch created a new reality as a way to be with her lost twin sons, and her presumed father played a major role in the world. In the altered timeline, Magneto ruled over the sovereign island-nation of Genosha and mutants and humans essentially switched places within society, with mutants acting as the ruling class.

HoM came with a distinct suit, too, with Magneto's design being more realistic than his typical fare. It had a look similar to formal military regalia, complete with sashes of his customary red and purple colors as a nod to his other life. The Master of Magnetism held a great deal of power in that world, having been granted his heart's greatest desires, though it ended in one of mutantkind's biggest tragedies.

9 Ultimate X-Men: A New Spin on the Classic (2000)

First Appearance: Ultimate X-Men #1 by Mark Millar and Adam Kubert

Marvel's Ultimate universe offers several interesting spins on Magneto, including an updated origin story and history. However, several important focal points remain the same. His friendship with Charles Xavier is still incredibly important in the trajectory of his life, although they both made different choices within the Ultimate universe, and Erik makes radical moves on behalf of mutantkind.

Morality isn't the only thing the Ultimate universe kept intact. There are several familiar aesthetic choices in Erik’s suit, as he still wears his helmet to block out Xavier and sports his signature red and purple color scheme. The suit itself is a less fitted version of his original, with a looser shirt and larger cape. Ultimate Magneto sured his mainstream counterpart in of sheer violence and bloodshed and did it all in an undeniably "Magneto" look of his own.

8 Uncanny X-Men: A Darker Look for a New Team (2016)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #1 (2016) by Cullen Bunn and Greg Land

Magneto's progression from villain to hero has come in fits and starts, and there's a certain "edge" to the character even when he's working directly with the X-Men. Cullen Bunn's Uncanny X-Men started a new chapter for Max Eisenhardt, including starting a new team of X-Men with Psylocke, Archangel, Monet, and Sabretooth. In other words, he assembled a group of mutants with a sketchy history who were trying to turn over a new leaf, or at least help in the ways they knew how.

Uncanny X-Men also ushered in a new, darker design, as artist Greg Land put the Master of Magnetism in a mostly black ensemble with red accents and a hint of purple in the cape. He still retained elements of his classic style, but the primarily black outfit added a more modern, sleek look.

7 The White Uncanny X-Men Suit: A Sleeveless Wonder (2013)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo

2013's Uncanny X-Men was a time of extreme turbulence for the X-Men, and Magneto was hardly the only mutant shaking up his look. As Cyclops entered into his most revolutionary era (and his most controversial costume), the Master of Magnetism wasn't far behind. He abandoned his signature colors, leaving the red and purple behind for a fully white suit with black accents. Although he kept the helmet, he abandoned his sleeves.

The combination of exposed arms, dramatic cape, and stark color scheme makes it one of Magneto's most striking looks. Magneto often uses color to indicate moral shifts, and Bendis' Uncanny X-Men often had him as a voice of reason for Scott Summers. The overall look is unique among the other X-Men at the time, as even Emma Frost debuted a black suit instead of her endless closet of white outfits.

6 X-Men Blue Armored Suit: Battle Ready & Unique (2018)

First Appearance: X-Men Blue #25 by Cullen Bunn and Jorge Molina

Presumably, Magneto typically puts a good deal of thought into his costume concepts, as they're often tied to great shifts in his life. That isn't always possible, and X-Men Blue showcased exactly what he can pull together off the cuff. When confronted with a fight he wasn't prepared for, the Master of Magnetism leaned on his mutant gifts and assembled metal from all around him to craft an armored look that sured several of his planned designs.

Given that he relied on resources around him, the costume appears heavier than usual, with high metal boots and armor that extends over his sides, along with a helmet made out of the same scavenged material. Even without his usual dash of color, his X-Men Blue armor is still the essence of Magneto - both in appearance and creation.

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4 Age of X: A Suit to Defend Mutantkind (2011)

First Appearance: X-Men: Age of X #1 by Mike Carey and Mirco Pierfederici

In another reality-altering scenario, this time dreamed up by Moira, Magneto was cast into a timeline where the X-Men represented mutantkind's last hope. They were locked in an endless battle against their enemies, and Magneto pulled together every available resource to aid his surviving people. He fashioned Fortress X to be a safe haven for what remained of mutantkind, attempting to act as their protector.

Although Legion ultimately set the universe right again, it still gave Magneto the chance to pull out one of his best looks to date. The fully white AoX suit had a more armored look than usual, with white shoulders pinning down Magneto's cape, and a battle-ready helmet with a nose guard and fin that doubtlessly influenced his later white looks. Magneto's costume was inspiring, and truly set him apart as a mutant leader.

3 Trial of Magneto Black Suit: Grief, But Make it Fashion (2021)

First Appearance: Trial of Magneto #1 by Leah Williams and Lucas Werneck

Just as white costumes tend to indicate that Magneto is adopting more of a "heroic" role, black tips the scale in the other direction. When Max pulls out a black ensemble, it often signifies grief, anger, and a general turn toward his more ruthless methods. That was certainly the case in Krakoa's Trial of Magneto, which saw Max accused of killing his adopted daughter, the Scarlet Witch.

As the Quiet Council and others began leveling their accusations against him, Magneto pushed back - and he did it in style. Lucas Werneck's design took cues from Max's other black costumes but was particularly eye-catching with a high-collared trenchcoat and wide belt. Only simple white stripes on his torso and helmet broke up the dark aesthetic, making it an intimidating look to accompany one of his more dramatic moments on Krakoa.

2 House of X's White Suit: Magneto's Krakoan Era (2019)

First Appearance: House of X #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz

At the dawn of the First Krakoan Age, everything Magneto dreamed of seemed to be coming true. Mutantkind had stability and power ahead of them, and he had helped to build the world anew for his people. Mutants seemed to hold all the cards. Along with Hickman's comprehensive overhaul of the X-Men came a new Magneto concept from Pepe Larraz, and it instantly became one of his best looks to date.

The House of X suit was white, like some predecessors, and featured many of the best design elements from other costumes. With a fully white bodysuit and cape, sleek helmet, and black piping, Magneto cut a regal figure against the lush backdrop of Krakoa. As a whole, the suit encapsulates one of the most important parts of mutant history and an incredible turning point in Max's life.