Comic Book Update: Magneto

The other thing that I like more than LEGO is comic book. Since the day I was exposed to the comic universe, I have immersed myself the ins and outs of comic book characters - their profile and details (including origins but these are usually messy). So, when LEGO renewed the deal with both Marvel and DC in 2012, you can imagine I was elated, overjoyed to max. Of course, given that LEGO could only do so much to feature the comic book world and given that the comic book world is constantly changing (bad guys are becoming heroes, heroes are becoming anti-heroes etc), I have decided to write about the LEGO comic book characters that LEGO has featured so far. I'm doing this to inform the readers what the heck in going on in the comic world as well as keeping myself updated.

For my first post of such feature, I will talk about the classic X-Men villain-turned hero (or anti-hero), Magneto.

FYI, I actually took this photo a while ago and I posted it on Instagram as a short feature with the same intention as I have here with the current post. Well, it's always good to update again.

Anyway, let's begin.

As mentioned above, Magneto is a classic villain/rival of the superhero group X-Men. Possessing the powers to bend metals as well as controlling magnetic fields, his ideals consist of designating mutants as the sole ruler of the world, the next step in evolution. Of course, this is radical and the X-Men are always there to stop him. In retaliation, he led his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants to fight off the X-Men but in the Golden and Silver age of comic, villains' plots usually don't succeed.

However, Magneto had a love/hate relationship with the X-Men founder, Professor Charles Xavier and his villainous role originated from his horrifying childhood experience. He was a Jew in a Nazi-dominated land and he was separated from his parents as a child. As such, he saw Homo Sapiens as a threat to the mutant survival and the vision of a concentration camp for mutants was not so far-fetched. That is he is hell-bent to make sure that mutants will not be discriminated or prosecuted based on their genetic structure. Professor X does have the same ideals as him, ensuring mutants' survival are not threatened but Magneto preferred a bloodier path.

Throughout the years, Magneto had had a change of heart (like too many times). He joined the X-Men to help the students and left them for his villainous path. He was once a headmaster as well but as I said, his villain side took the best of him. At one point, he did obtained his wish for mutant supremacy. The story arc was House of M when his daughter, Wanda, altered reality in such that mutants were the dominant species and Magneto was their kind/president. The story arc was also one of my favourites.

After that, he renounced his villain role...again..and joined forces with X-Men, led by Cyclops who apparently, began to accept Magneto's extremist views. While Magneto lived in peace with the X-Men (some even looked up to him or fell in love with him), others were wary of his actions as he wasn't exactly trustworthy. Nonetheless, he proved his worth by saving a fellow X-Men, Shadowcat, from a jumbo space bullet (check it out yourself, if you don't believe me).

After the event of Avengers Vs X-Men, his powers became erratic as he was in contact of the Phoenix force. He later donned a new White costume and joined Cyclops's rebellious X-Men team. Currently, I'm not sure what's his stance on Cyclops's team as he had his own agenda, like dealing with Maria Hill from S.H.I.E.L.D. His main priority is still ensuring the survival of the mutant species.

For my personal view on Magneto, I respect him in some ways. He does make his point about saving his own kind and sometimes the only way to do so is to take the path no one favours but everyone knows is a surefire of succeeding. I have to admit that he does go overboard sometimes with his ideals and beliefs but he is definitely one of my favourite villain/hero in the Marvel Universe.

There will be a standalone series coming soon, featuring Magneto alone and his journey to save the mutant population. Do check it out if you can.

Special Valentine

Valentine's Day couldn't get any more special as it coincides with the Chinese New Year tradition of seeking a romantic partner in Malaysia. Custom holds that women would write their phone numbers on Mandarin orange and throw it into a river for men, who are waiting downstream, to collect and call the women out for a date. How this tradition came about, I have no idea but it's a fun activity (though it's environmentally destructive). Anyhow, today's VALENTINE.

The day didn't start out as planned though as I was called back to the office to help move some furniture, much to my and Cy's dismay and discomfort. I managed to come back in 2 hours time but I find the travelling a bit unnecessary. Bygones be bygones.

So, what did we do this year? Initially, we thought of going to a forest resort to spend some time away from the city but most of the hotels of the venue were fully booked (the ones which are good anyway). Lovers are flocking everywhere these days. In the end, we decidedly to just stay back in my room and play Pokemon.

Now I know, it's a major - WHUT?! Not even a dinner plan? A few years back, I would react that way. The thing is, we have become so comfortable with each other, we don't really need any plans or visits to anywhere. Spending time with each other was special enough to go through the day. I was devastated when I had to go to work for a while today but I was thankful that I was able to come back early. That itself told me that I don't need any special plans. Being next to the person you love was special enough.

Next time, if you feel the need to do something special for someone for whatever occasion, if the plan fails to happen, just spend time with the special someone doing whatever. That's the unique thing about love. True love doesn't require much. 

And, I will leave you with the comic relief below.

You must be from another planet (literally) cuz you are out of this world.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!

Soaring Away

The thing about flying is that time seems to slow down, especially when you are alone and you have no distraction to occupy your mind. Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about the latter with my laptop in front of me. Anyhow, I was flying back to Selangor this morning and I was lucky enough to have the two seats next to mine empty. So, I got enough leg room to relax for an almost 2 hours journey. However, I’m not exactly looking forward to go back as I have to continue onwards with my internship on Tuesday. Well, I need it to complete my degree so I should really clam up about this.

Now, there is another reason why I chose ‘Soaring Away’ as my title. Today is second day of February and it wasn’t long ago, we all were just celebrating the new year of 2014. Now, the first month of 2014 just flew away and we moved on to the second. Thus, I dedicated to this post to reflect a little bit on what had happened in January 2014.

Firstly, I started my internship on the 2^nd January. It was something exhilarating yet nerve-wrecking. Although I can’t say my expectations were met while interning, I must say that I did enjoy meeting several people, some of which are exceptionally nice. Then, my BeeBuu (Cy) hosted a birthday party for me and it’s one of the few birthday parties I had in my lifetime. Hence, I couldn’t thank him or love him enough for what he did. Of course, he had to move away for a while to start his fieldwork but I’m glad he had a good experience. He will do so again in March and this time for almost a year time. I view this as a test for our relationship. Lastly, meeting my relatives from Singapore for Chinese New Year was another highlight of January. I can’t say I bonded well with my cousins but there was hope with my youngest cousin from that family, Janielle (what can I say, I like the attention given to me by my young cousins).

It was a tiring journey, especially with the whole internship. Yet, there is no stopping for me. It’s time to disembark and board the second plane to a destination unknown.

So, readers, how was your January?