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Issue Guide: Classic X-Men
Issue: Classic X-Men #12/2
Story Title: A Fire In The Night
Date: August 1987
Credits: Chris Claremont (writer), John Bolton (pencils, inks, cover), Tom Orzechowski (letterer), Glynis Oliver (colors), Ann Nocenti (editor), Jim Shooter (editor-in-chief), Terry Kavanagh (assistant editor)
Cast:
Erik (see notes), Magda, Anya
Townspeople
Brief Synopsis:
Erik and Magda meet in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Both had lost their families in the Camp, and Erik had been imprisoned there since the camp's beginning. Erik saves Magda as she is about to be shot by a guard, takes his gun, and they escape together. Barefoot and starved, Erik and Magda traveled through the snow-filled woods, feeding of whatever food Erik could find. Both had lost their entire family in the camp, and Magda wished only to die and join them. Erik refused to let her think that way, knowing the Nazis would have won if she let that happen. Although sick and hungry, they traveled south into the Carpathian Mountains, where Erik eventually found work and new friends. Times passed and Erik and Magda taught each other how to laugh and love again. They wed, and soon after Anya is born.
Erik had a desire for knowledge and they bid the small village farewell and traveled to the city of Vinnitsa, the biggest city they'd ever seen, in hope the University would give him knowledge and help him provide well for his family. First finding work, Erik became enraged when his boss tried to take a share in his earnings, and he then displayed his magnetic power for the first time, by raising a nearby crowbar and projecting it towards the man. His boss gave him his due share, and upon returning to the Inn where his family stayed, Erik found his home in flames. Entering the fire to save his family, he found Magda first who panicked as her child was trapped by the flames up stairs.
Instinctively acting, Erik raised a protective magnetic shield, taking his wife to safety. Trying to use his power once more to save his child, Erik was struck by an officer. It appears his boss had turned him in for extortion and assault. His boss gloats over "what Erik had brought upon himself", as Anya's flame ridden body makes an attempt to jump from the 2nd story window. Consumed with rage, Erik is filled with power, and kills all of the by-standers, save Magda. Erik tried to use his power to save his daughter, but when they denied him his chance, he used his power to avenge her. Magda, in fear of her husband's power, and the night's events flees. Erik felt great pain that night, but unknown to both Erik and Magda, she was pregnant once more.
Notes:
1.) This is a recap of the 2nd story in Classic X-Men #12. The first was devoted to an X-Men reprint, and had no Avenger related information. The cover shown is the back of the issue.
2.) This story takes place before the birth of Pietro and Wanda, obviously they did not appear, but the story is crucial to their history.
3.) Magneto's name has never officially revealed, he used "Erik Lehnsherr" in Uncanny X-Men #304. Is was later revealed an alias in X-Men #73, but I'm simply using the name Erik in the story recap, rather than saying Magneto, or the man who would become Magneto.
Issue Guide By:
Douglas Cuckler
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