Template:Featured Articles/11-2008

Magneto: Born in Gdansk, Poland before the Second World War, Erik Lehnsherr was imprisoned in the Auschwitz concentration camp where he suffered the loss of his family at the hands of the Nazi regime. The experience forever scarred the young man, and set him on the path to become one of the world's most dangerous superhumans. In his youth, Lehnsherr studied in America and met Charles Xavier, and the two eventually collaborated on the creation of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. However, as time passed, a philosophical schism between the two would result in the shattering of their friendship, as Erik went his own way to become Magneto, and Charles formed the X-Men to counter his former friend's plans. Magneto is fanatically dedicated to the survival and prominence of mutantkind, even if it must be at the cost of humanity's survival. To this end, he has gathered a number of like-minded mutants to his Brotherhood of Mutants, and has often used other mutants as tools to further his goals. He has engaged in various terrorist acts, ranging from kidnapping other mutants to the gruesome murder of Senator Robert Kelly, to commandeering a secret Russian space laser in his crusade to establish mutant superiority. With his power over electromagnetism, Magneto is considered to be one of the most powerful and dangerous mutants on the planet. He also possesses a genius-level intellect with extensive knowledge of technology and genetics - although not on the level of Charles Xavier or Moira MacTaggart, Lehnsherr possesses a brilliant mind that is as much a threat as his mutant powers. His twin children, Wanda and Pietro have not chosen to follow his path, however. Both served as X-Men for a time, opposing their father's schemes. It is thought that this betrayal may have pushed Magneto even farther towards his violent goals. Presently, following the crashing of the Russian space station, Magneto is at large, though his whereabouts are unknown.