Original Valiant Covers Columns 

Unifying Valiant, Part 14: “Magnus” #12-14

By | October 3rd, 2017
Posted in Columns | % Comments

Welcome to Unifying VALIANT, our celebration of the 25-year anniversary of VALIANT’s companywide crossover ‘Unity.’ A precursor to the now omnipresent annual comic event, ‘Unity’ and VALIANT changed the face of the comic industry in the early ‘90’s. In each entry we’ll be focusing on one of the company’s storylines until culminating at ‘Unity.’ Follow along as we dig deep and rediscover what made VALIANT the innovative and revolutionary company it was.

This week we reach the last few issues before the ‘Unity’ crossover begins in earnest. In what are some very Gold Key inspired issues, we travel with Magnus as he meets Turok, and then makes a traumatic choice that changes his past and future.

It’s Place within VALIANT:

The three issues that fall within ‘The Xyrkol Trilogy’ and ‘Unity’ are of particular interest for “Magnus.” First and foremost there is the introduction of Turok, Dinosaur Hunter. Of Course, the importance of Turok goes far beyond the pages of “Magnus,” or even the pages of VALIANT comics as a whole. One of the primary factors in the purchase of VALIANT by Acclaim, Turok was the prime beneficiary of the transaction. In fact he is probably the only intellectual property beneficiary. By having multiple award-winning video games made with the character Turok was exposed to millions of fans and potential readers.

The other interesting portion of these issues is the painted work by Ernie Colon for issues #13-14. Beautifully detailed in their dark and horror-infused mood, the issues once again bring a nostalgic view to “Magnus.” A view that is actually more in line with the character’s original Gold Key run. While Colon has contributed in the art chores for numerous issues up to this point through the entirety of the VALIANT line, this is the first time that his mastery has been put fully on display. The net result is highly pleasing, bringing to life one of the more traumatic aspects of VALIANT’s “Magnus” run.

Issue #12 features the first modern appearance of Turok.

During this relatively late stage within the VALIANT run, we have yet to see any dramatic spikes in production for “Magnus.” Even with the introduction of Turok, a highly anticipated character at the time, print runs remained flat at around 55,000 units. This would mark the last time VALIANT would experience such modest returns, as with the advent of the ‘Unity’ crossover and the market mayhem that would soon follow, print runs would soon swell to unheard of volumes.

Storyline Summary:

“Magnus” #12-14
Publication dates: May 1992 – July 1992

Written by Jim Shooter & Faye Perozich

Penciled by Gonzalo Mayo & Ernie Colon
Inked by Gonzalo Mayo & Ernie Colon
Colored by Knob Row & Ernie Colon
Lettered by Brad Joyce, Joe Albelo, Jade & Scott Friedlander

After helping Leeja and the Freewill robots cement their independence and saving North Am by overthrowing Xyrkol, Magnus finds himself passing judgement on the ownership of a slave deep within the bowels of the Goph levels. Instead of passing judgement though, Magnus helps free Willow Talltrees. Inquiring how she had come to the Goph lands, she leads Magnus to a portal that can transport them to the Lost Land. There, she and Dr. Lazlo Noel have established a settlement with the intent of living tech-free lives. Wary of Noel given his past reputation, Magnus is quick to inspect the situation. It becomes clear that the settlers are in fact aggressors in a conflict with the local native people, causing Magnus to join the savages and their leader, Turok. With Magnus’ help Turok is able to defeat Noel, even when he brings in complex mechanical dinosaurs to scare the indigenous people. Noel is ultimately left trapped within one of his robot contraptions, as Magnus departs with Turok as a new and powerful ally.

Upon returning to North Am, Magnus finds himself battling a strange mutated creature. The creature, threatening to kill Willow, convinces Magnus to return with him in exchange for Willow’s safety. Trapped, Magnus agrees and is taken by the creature on a ship. Their destination being 1-A’s asylum on Phobos. Once aboard the ship Magnus learns of 1-A’s numerous genetic trials in creating the ultimate robot fighter. Attacked by Magskrag, one of 1-A’s better genetic examples who is convinced that Magnus has betrayed their creator’s mission, Magnus subsequently defeats him and the creature which had threatened Willow. The remaining inmates on the ship, Frost and Fluffy, convince Magnus to free the others still imprisoned in Phobos.

Continued below

In an almost comical departure for the comic, Noel is trapped within his own creation.

Arriving at the Asylum on the Martian moon of Phobos, Magnus is met by a bevy of inmates. He soon realizes that his exploits have been passed along here as well as North Am when he meets Izak and Chuh-Chuck, who idolize Magnus. To his surprise, Grand-One, the robot amalgamation of 1-A and Grandmother, is on the moon as well. Intent on erasing their past shortcoming, Grand One plans on flooding the asylum with poison gas. With no way out Magnus finds himself battling through Grand One’s defenses, and in a swift move is forced to kill the robot that was once his father. As the ramifications of this sad encounter wash over him, Magnus vows to help the remaining inmates of the Asylum, knowing full well that they can never be released.

Colon’s work is the main star of this 2-issue arc.

Review:

After the previous ‘The Xyrkol Trilogy’ arc brought an entirely new aesthetic to “Magnus,” issues #12-14 push the envelope even further. While issue #12 treads on the same path, by introducing a former Gold Key villain into the proper VALIANT universe, it takes the additional step of introducing the only remaining Gold Key hero yet to make an appearance, Turok. Thus, fulfilling Jim Shooter’s original premise of crafting a universe with the Western Publishing licensed Gold Key characters.

The horror aspect of Colon’s work is exceptional.

Although innovative, I’d venture to say that issue #12 is the weakest of the group. The entire premise seems a bit contrived (as much as that can be given the sci-fi nature of the stories) and shoehorned in just to bring Turok to the forefront. Additionally, the entire scenario at the beginning where the denizens of the Goph levels are arguing over the ownership of Willow is a bit strange within the context of “Magnus.”. There’s nothing particularly egregious with the writing or artwork, it’s simply that the vibe of the issue comes across as a significant departure with what has been established up to this point.

Forced into committing what is in effect patricide, Magnus is left reeling from the results of this battle.

Interestingly enough, issues #13-14 also offers a storyline with a significant departure in style. In this case though, it is for the betterment of the comic. In an abrupt about-face, “Magnus” takes a decisively darker tone, beautifully brought to life by Ernie Colon. These issues are not only pencilled by Colon, but inked and painted as well. The net result is a dark and brooding aesthetic that could easily fit in throughout Magnus’ initial Gold Key run. I’d venture to say that these two issues, with their accompanying artwork and shill inducing creatures, could rival the work of known horror masters such as Bernie Wrightson.

While Magnus will transition into the ‘Unity’ crossover starting with issue #15, it would have been interesting to see what dark directions Shooter and Colon could have taken our titular character.

Coming up Next:

This is it! We’ve finally hit ‘Unity.’ It all starts with “Unity” #0, then read “Eternal Warrior” #1, “Archer & Armstrong” #1, “Magnus: Robot Fighter” #15 & “X-O Manowar” #7. We’re going to pick up the pace to maintain the vibe as this is a crossover that will definitely draw you in.


//TAGS | Unifying Valiant

Rodney Ortiz

When not writing about comics you can find Rodney blogging about home improvement and cars at SmartEnoughtoDIY. He's also read every Star Wars Legends novel which is not as impressive as it once was.

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