Magneto (Atlas Comics)

Magneto
Publication information
Publisher	Atlas Comics
First appearance	Strange Tales #84 (May, 1961)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Hunk Larken
Abilities	Magnetism manipulation

Magneto is a fictional character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #84, in May 1961, just before Atlas Comics became Marvel Comics. Even though the character name and creators are the same as the modern Marvel's Magneto, the Atlas Comics character is not related to Marvel's mutant.

Fictional character biography

Eight-foot-tall (2.4 m) Hunk Larken is one of the strongest men in the country and can lift a car with his own hands, but he is a dim-witted worker who can not find a job. One day, Larken hears a government announcement and volunteers for the US space program. Because of his strength and low excitability he is chosen as the first human to travel to outer space.

During his mission, Larken is accidentally exposed to a cosmic mist of radioactive anti-matter. When he returns to Earth, Larken discovers that he now has the power to control magnetic fields and move large objects and other beings. Driven by a desire for revenge against those who taunted him in his past, Larken assumes the name Magneto and begins a wave of violence and robbery. He soon discovers, however, that his powers are fading, and are apparently only temporary. Fearing being captured for his crimes, Magneto infiltrates a rocket that will be sent to space. In actuality, however,the rocket was part of a plan to exile Magneto into space where he could live a peaceful existence and even find another world that suits him better.