Magnus, Robot Fighter Vol. 1 (1991–1996): The Book That Launched the Valiant Universe
Magnus, Robot Fighter Vol. 1 (1991–1996): The Book That Launched the Valiant Universe
A man who breaks robots with his bare hands, a city that covers a continent, and the comic that kicked off the Valiant Universe. Here's our guide to the 1991 Magnus series.
Before X-O Manowar, Harbinger and Bloodshot, there was Magnus. In May 1991 the young publisher Valiant launched Magnus, Robot Fighter, reviving a 1960s hero and making it the first title of what became the Valiant Universe, one of the most collected lines of the 90s.
We have a good run of the 1992 to 1995 issues on our shelves at Siomic Comics, including several copies of the #25 anniversary issue. Here is a guide to the series, its creators and the issues that matter.
Magnus, Robot Fighter at a glance
- Publisher: Valiant
- Run: #0 and #1 to #64, cover-dated May 1991 to February 1996
- Original creator: Russ Manning, for Gold Key Comics in 1963
- Launch writer: Jim Shooter
- Launch art: Art Nichols, inked by Bob Layton
- Later writers: Keith Giffen, John Ostrander, Tony Bedard, Roger Stern
- Setting: North Am, a continent-sized city in the year 4000
- Key characters: Magnus, Leeja Clane, Tekla, the Malev Emperor
From Gold Key to Valiant
Magnus first appeared in Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 A.D. #1, published by Gold Key Comics in February 1963. Writer-artist Russ Manning created a sleek science-fiction world: North Am, a single city stretching across North America, where humanity has become dangerously dependent on robots. Magnus, raised and trained by the robot 1A, can smash steel with his hands and fights the machines that have turned against people.
In 1991 Valiant, led by former Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, licensed the character and relaunched him. Shooter wrote the new series, with pencils by Art Nichols and inks by Bob Layton, and the story picked up where the Gold Key comics had left off. Sales started modestly but grew as the Valiant line took off.
The creators
Jim Shooter
Valiant's founding editor-in-chief and the writer of the early issues, who built the shared universe Magnus anchors.
Art Nichols and Bob Layton
The launch art team, with Layton's polished inks giving the book its clean, classic look.
Steve Ditko
The co-creator of Spider-Man plotted and pencilled #18, Inside the Metal Mind.
Later writers
Keith Giffen, John Ostrander and Tony Bedard each wrote long stretches of the later run.
Building a shared universe
Magnus was where Valiant began connecting its titles. From #5 to #8, each issue was a flip-book with Rai, a Japanese hero of the future, who went on to his own series. #12 reintroduced Turok, Son of Stone, to modern readers. In 1992 the line-wide Unity crossover ran through #15 and #16 and revealed that Magnus himself was born during the Unity conflict. Later, #21 introduced the alien Malevolents and their emperor.
Key issues for collectors
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #0 | Special issue | Emancipator: the origin of Magnus, written by Jim Shooter |
| #1 | May 1991 | The first Valiant Universe title; first Valiant appearance of Magnus |
| #3 | August 1991 | First appearance of the robot W-23 as Tekla |
| #5 | October 1991 | First appearance of Rai, in the first of four flip-books |
| #7 | December 1991 | First appearance and origin of Magnus's X-O armour |
| #12 | May 1992 | Stone and Steel: Turok's first appearance in the Valiant Universe |
| #15–16 | August–September 1992 | Unity crossover issues |
| #18 | November 1992 | Inside the Metal Mind, plotted and pencilled by Steve Ditko |
| #21 | February 1993 | First appearance of the Malevolents and the Malev Emperor |
| #25 | June 1993 | Flesh and Steel, the 25th-issue anniversary special |
| #64 | February 1996 | Curtain, the final issue |
Curiosities collectors should know
Valiant's first
Because #1 was the first Valiant Universe book, it is often the first issue collectors look for when starting a Valiant run.
Flip-book format
#5 to #8 are two comics in one. Turn them over and you get Rai #1 to #4.
A star of the CBG list
Leeja Clane, Magnus's partner, was ranked 56th in Comics Buyer's Guide's 100 Sexiest Women in Comics.
A cliffhanger ending
The final issue, #64, leaves Magnus transported to an unknown time and place.
Magnus beyond the 90s
After this run ended, Magnus kept coming back. Dark Horse published a new series in 2010, again written by Jim Shooter, with art by Bill Reinhold. In 2014 Dynamite launched a 12-issue series by Fred Van Lente and Cory Smith. A film version was pitched more than once over the years, but none has reached the screen, so the comics remain the heart of the character's history.
Where to start reading Magnus, Robot Fighter
- #0 and #1, for the origin and the start of the Valiant Universe.
- #5 to #8, for the Rai flip-books.
- #12 to #16, for Turok and Unity.
- #21 to #25, for the Malevolents, The Fall of North Am and the 25th issue.
Magnus, Robot Fighter covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see what we have on the shelf.
#0
#3
#5
#7
#12
#14
#21
#64Browse our Magnus, Robot Fighter back issues
These are some of the Magnus, Robot Fighter issues currently in stock. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#18
Magnus, Robot Fighter #18: Inside the Metal Mind
Plotted and pencilled by the co-creator of Spider-Man.
View our copy -
#23
Magnus, Robot Fighter #23: The Fall of the Milespires!
Part three of the storyline that brings down the towers of North Am.
View our copy -
#24
Magnus, Robot Fighter #24: The Fall of North Am
Part four, as the disaster spreads across North Am.
View our copy -
#25
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#36
Magnus, Robot Fighter #36: The Beasts and the Children
From the second half of the series.
View our copy -
#47
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#55
We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Magnus, Robot Fighter comics.
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Frequently asked questions about Magnus, Robot Fighter
When did Valiant's Magnus, Robot Fighter start?
Magnus, Robot Fighter #1 is cover-dated May 1991 and was the first title of the Valiant Universe.
Who created Magnus, Robot Fighter?
Russ Manning created Magnus for Gold Key Comics in 1963. Jim Shooter wrote Valiant's 1991 relaunch.
How many issues did the 1991 series have?
It ran from #1 to #64, plus a #0 origin issue, ending in February 1996.
Which Magnus issues are flip-books with Rai?
Issues #5 to #8 are flip-books that include Rai #1 to #4.
Which issue introduces Turok to the Valiant Universe?
Magnus, Robot Fighter #12, Stone and Steel.
Did Steve Ditko work on Magnus?
Yes. Ditko plotted and pencilled #18, Inside the Metal Mind.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Magnus, Robot Fighter comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Magnus, Robot Fighter and all related characters are trademarks of their respective owners. Cover images are shown for reference.