MAGNETO

In December 1985's Uncanny X-Men #200, "The Trial of Magneto," the Master of Magnetism did the unthinkable: he surrendered. After decades of terrorism, Magneto turned himself in to face the World Court on charges of crimes against humanity — and in the chaos of the trial, as Professor Xavier lay dying, his oldest enemy became his chosen successor. Xavier's last wish: that Magneto take his place as headmaster of the School for Gifted Youngsters and mentor to the New Mutants.

The trial itself was pure Claremont melodrama. Magneto's defense was handled by his old acquaintance Gabrielle Haller; the prosecution by Sir James Jaspers. Then the Von Strucker twins, Fenris, attacked the courtroom to avenge their father — and Xavier, already failing, threw himself between them. As the courtroom flooded and Magneto pulled his dying friend from the water, Xavier made him promise: run the school, teach the kids, carry the dream. Magneto, weeping, said he would try.

And he meant it. For the next two years Magneto genuinely tried to reform — a strict, overprotective headmaster to Cannonball, Mirage, Sunspot, Wolfsbane, Magma, Cypher, Magik, Warlock, and Karma, forbidding field missions and fighting beside the X-Men as an ally. In New Mutants #35 he told the students plainly: "His last wish was that I take his place — and try my best to fulfill his dream of a world wherein human and mutant may live together in peace." The world's most wanted mutant terrorist, grading homework.