Kickin’ It Old School: Magnus Robot Fighter #0

It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another new edition of Kickin’ It Old School, our weekly column in which we look to the past and review books from the original Valiant universe! This week, I’ll be discussing Magnus Robot Fighter #0.

Magnus Robot Fighter #0

Published in January 1992
Written by Jim Shooter
Penciled by Paris Cullins
Inked by Bob Layton
Colored by Janet Jackson with Mike Caballero, Paul Auto, and Maurice Fontenot

Synopsis

This is Valiant’s first 0 issue. It takes place right before the Steel Nation arc, building the character of 0-1X and giving some insight into how so many robots gained free will.
We start off with a group of robots, led by 0-1X, busting into Dr. Giardino’s research lab and beating the poor doctor to within an inch of her life. Magnus shows up and beats some robots to death, but they get away with a piece of T-1’s brain.

Magnus leaves a gathering with Leeja and her father go head back to 1-A’s hideout in time to catch 0-1X’s gang. He tears them up, but they make away with another piece of T-1’s brain and leaving behind a mangled 1-A.

Magnus heads home, and his growing unease becomes more obvious. The next day, Magnus heads to the Great Lakes Power Complex and is shown a minor malfunction in a robot that regulates the power flow that robots receive. As he witnesses this malfunction, we cut away to see W-23 gaining his free will due to the malfunction.

Back to the power complex, as they attempt to disconnect the malfunctioning robot, C-31 attacks the humans, trying to prevent them from stopping the malfunction that is freeing robots. Magnus eventually wins the fight, but the gravity of the situation is becoming apparent.

Review

Since this comic is a prequel, it focuses on building what is already there rather than establishing something new. 0-1X’s character is developed, showing the early part of his struggle, and more knowledge is given into the beginning of the rogue robot revolution. Before reading this, I wasn’t particularly eager to revisit the first Magnus story arc. I thought it was a fine story, but I was glad to see things move into new territories.  I was pleasantly surprised by this comic and the layers I added on to the original arc. I’m still more interested in where things go from here, but I felt this issue was a pleasant addition between Magnus’ time in Japan and the next arc.

Kickin’ It Old School: Magnus #8 and Rai #4 Flip Book

Originally from ValiantCentral.com