X2: X-Men United, where he extracted iron from a prison guard's blood after being injected by Mystique. However, the comics had already taken this ability to an even greater extreme. As the greatest X-Men villain turned anti-hero, Magneto’s constantly evolving omega-level powers have made him one of the most complex and powerful mutants in the Marvel Universe.

... Magneto’s abilities continue to sur even his own expectations...

While Magneto’s iron extraction in the film was impressive, The Amazing Spider-Man #327—written by David Michelinie and illustrated by Erik Larsen—showcased Magneto’s powers at an entirely new level. In this issue, Magneto attempts to recruit Spider-Man, mistakenly believing he is a mutant whose powers manifested later in life.

When Magneto encounters Spider-Man, he boosts the "metallic salts" in Peter Parker’s body to trap him on a nearby electromagnet. This moment highlights the terrifying level of control Magneto has over the human body and sets the stage for the unimaginable power he demonstrates in subsequent appearances.

The Evolution of Magneto’s Powers Made Him an Unstoppable Force of Nature

Magneto Has Shown His Powers to Reach Earth-Shattering Levels

Seeing Magneto draw an increased amount of iron from someone’s body on the big screen was an incredible feat that changed the general perception of his power limits. However, Magneto’s control over magnetism in the comics has long since sured his film counterpart. As an omega-level mutant, his abilities extend beyond merely controlling metal and magnetism. He has full control over Earth’s magnetic fields, essentially granting him the capability to shut off gravity, and his powers even extend to the manipulation of matter on an atomic level.

The most famous instance of Magneto pulling metal from someone’s body occurred when he extracted the adamantium from Wolverine’s bones in X-Men #25, written by Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by Andy Kubert. However, as seen with Spider-Man, Magneto doesn’t need large quantities of metal to manipulate the body. His powers can be as grand in scale or as refined as he chooses, which is the crux of what makes him such a formidable omega-level mutant. Magneto could destroy the Earth if he chose to do so, but he could also control the microscopic elements within a person’s bloodstream.

The X-Men's Master of Magnetism Has Always Wielded This Truly Terrifying Power

Magneto’s Abilities Go Beyond Mere Metal

The average person doesn’t have an abundant amount of iron in their body, but even that small quantity is enough for Magneto to cause serious internal damage. As demonstrated with Spider-Man, Magneto doesn’t actually require much to take full control. At any moment, he can seize complete control of a person’s body by magnetically boosting the trace amounts of metal they possess. The terrifying ability to strip away one’s free will using their own composition speaks to the complex nature of Magneto’s morals and his incredible omega-level power.

When magnetizing the iron in Peter Parker’s body, Magneto doesn’t seem to hurt Spider-Man. However, the introduction of this horrifying ability raises many questions about how much control Magneto has over the human body and how much pain he can inflict. With these powers, what’s to stop Magneto from tearing his foes apart from the inside out or causing a villain’s blood vessels to rupture using the trace amounts of iron within them? If Magneto can control Spider-Man’s body, he could theoretically dominate or destroy an entire army using the same ability.

Magneto began as a villain to the X-Men, but his origins as a member of two discriminated groups paint him as an empathetic man pushed to his absolute limits regarding societal ostracization, giving him one of the best redemptions in Marvel history. As established, Magneto possesses godly powers that can quickly become body-horror nightmare fuel, yet he rarely uses them to that extent. The fact that Magneto doesn’t use his magnetic abilities to control the population or eliminate his enemies—despite being fully capable of doing so—offers an intriguing look into his complex moral com.

Magneto Is Approaching an Apex Power Surge – Heightening His Abilities to the Next Level

The Master of Magmatism’s Powers Continue To Grow Throughout Marvel Comics

Magneto has gradually become a hero who, more often than not, aligns with the X-Men and their goals, especially following the Krakoa Era. His omega-level capabilities have only grown stronger—to the point where his power has become too much even for him. In X-Men #7 by Jed MacKay and Netho Diaz, Magneto’s R-LDS illness, brought on by being resurrected, has made him so overpowered that its effects have shown deadly potential. While his control over magnetism has never been stronger, his inability to manage this new power level has done far more harm than good.

X2: X-Men United showcased Magneto’s power in a way that cemented the Master of Magnetism as one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes, elevating him from a mutant who could control metal to a supervillain with the deadly ability to alter human physiology. While this grotesque power was popularized in the film, Magneto’s control over the human body had been hinted at in Marvel Comics decades earlier—and in much more menacing ways. As Magneto’s abilities continue to sur even his own expectations, whether intentional or not, his body-controlling powers have the potential to make a terrifying comeback.