Spoilers for X-Men Red #7!Ever since the Storm will be forced to step up and take Erik’s place.
Magneto and Professor X share the same goal of protecting mutantkind from the human world that hates and fears them, but their differing philosophies on how to go about accomplishing that goal have put them at odds throughout the years. Magneto used violence to subjugate or eradicate human enemies, while Professor X used diplomacy and heroism to bring about peaceful co-existence. In the present day, the pair put aside their differences and formed the Krakoa nation as a home for all mutants, independent of human society. Storm and Magneto even helped expand their reach to the wider galaxy by claiming Mars as another mutant haven and capital of the solar system. Although the balance between mutantkind and humanity seemed to have fulfilled Xavier’s dream, Magneto still doesn’t fully trust his old friend’s vision.
In X-Men Red (2022) #7 by Al Ewing and Madibek Musabekov, Magneto has seemingly saved Arakko’s mutants and possibly his entire race by killing Uranos the Undying, an Eternal sent to wipe out the mutant species. However, in the aftermath of the fight Magneto lies dying in Storm’s arms, likely succumbing to a wound in his chest. Choosing to give up the possibility of resurrection in order to get the Arakki people (who are firmly against immortality) to rally behind Krakoa’s mutants, Magneto willingly sacrifices himself in the pursuit of Xavier’s dream. But there is a caveat to Magneto’s death.
Magneto Makes Storm His Replacement
In Magneto’s final moments he expresses the fear that without him there to act as the pragmatic counter to Xavier’s idealism, Earth’s enemies will end both mutantkind and humanity. And when push comes to shove, Xavier is willing to let mutantkind die as a martyr to his beliefs, even if he doesn't consciously intend to. So as a last request, Magneto asks his Omega mutant confidant Storm to not only replace his seat on Arakko’s ruling council, but also to be the one to watch over Xavier and if necessary, take action against him, no matter how terrible. As both an enemy and friend to Xavier for decades, Magneto’s role has always been to combat his often foolish optimism and all-or-nothing philosophy with practicality and extreme measures. Ororo has never been shown to truly waver from Xavier’s dream, but nonetheless she accepts Magneto’s request, which may spell an eventual confrontation between the regent of Arakko and head of Krakoan society.
Magneto spent his last years finally reforming to become a hero but even in death he knows he can’t leave the future in the hands of Xavier. Assuming Magneto will stay dead, his dynamic with Professor X and the X-Men will carry on through Storm and how that impacts their relationship will surely affect mutantkind’s future going forward.
