The character of Magik was mentioned in Bryan Singer’s excellent ‘X-Men 2: X-Men United’, but will only have her first onscreen appearance in the upcoming ‘New Mutants’ feature film, set for release in August of 2019.

A fascinating character who, for a long time in Marvel comics, was simply Peter Rasputin’s little sister Illyana. Peter, of course, is more commonly known by his X-Men code-name of Colossus and he grew up with his family, including Illyana, in Russia. It wasn’t long before his little sister joined him in the super-hero game. Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding Illyana’s initiation into the world of super-powers was far more traumatic than that faced by her brother, or even many of the most discriminated against of Mutants.

Illyana literally had to go to hell to acquire her powers.

After being sucked into Limbo, a hell dimension ruled by the demon Belasco, she disappeared for a period of months of our time to return fully grown and able to use the powers of the hell dimension she effectively grew up in. Those powers included: teleportation, sorcery, a powerful psychic armor and her patented ‘Soul Sword’.

Given the circumstances surrounding Magik’s history and powers I can see why they want to include her in the upcoming ‘New Mutants’ film. Her background, more than any other of the New Mutants, fits perfectly with the horror/super-hero theme that the producers (judging from the available trailers) seem to be aiming for.

On screen, Magik will be played by the American-Argentine actress Anya Taylor-Joy. What about her key comic book appearances? Who has molded and shaped the character on the printed page?

X-Men #160 (August 1982) – First full appearance of Illyana (pre-Magik)

As with all things relating to the modern X-Men, Illyana’s character was created and most directly shaped by Chris (‘Uncanny X-Men’) Claremont. Although her first appearance in Giant Size X-Men #1 is a brief cameo (she is saved from being run over by a tractor by her super-brother), she returns in X-Men #160, and not long after that gets sucked into a hell dimension. No one has ever said Claremont was fair to his characters. This comic can be found in 9.8 graded shape for about $140.00. Best returns on graded copies, of which there are a surprising 596 on the CGC census, has been again on 9.8 copies with a positive +48.1% return on investment after 128 sales over the last 16 years.

New Mutants #14 (April 1984) – First Appearance of Magik

After Claremont introduced the character of Illyana, and she was sucked into and then rescued from Limbo, she joined the X-Men junior squad of the New Mutants. Also penned by Chris Claremont, this issue of New Mutants is the first official appearance of Illyana as Magik and a major Magik key. With only 305 copies on the CGC census and 150 sales recorded on GoCollect.com, the highest number of sales have been on 9.8 (69) and 9.6 graded copies (44 sales). Currently, however, the best returns are on 9.4 graded copies with a positive +217.9% return on investment after 17 sales over the last two years. To get an idea of the prices on this comic: 9.8 fair market value = $180.00, 9.6 = $120.00 and 9.4 = $95.00.

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2 # 20 (Adi Granant Variant Cover) (April 2014) – Cool Magik Cover

This is a Magik key only because of the awesome Adi Granant variant cover. But its limited print run and very cool depiction of Magik has obviously made it a fan favorite as prices on good condition graded copies are very strong. This issue in the second volume of the Uncanny X-Men was written by Brian Michael Bendis. The story features Cyclops and his team (including Magik who, by this point, had graduated from the New Mutants to the X-Men) facing S.H.I.E.L.D and a new model of Sentinels. Like I said, this is a key for its cover, and only in variant form. It is, however, a stunning cover. Currently 9.8 graded copies of the Granant variant are up an uncanny 200%. This is after a June 2018 sale on Ebay for $400.00. Prior to that, the last 9.8 sold for $125.00 on September 9, 2016. If you have this comic in high grade you might want to send it in to CGC and then sell it on Ebay. Even a 9.6 is going for a fair market price of around $170.00. Not bad for a four year old comic.

Edit: 09/18/2018: The original version of this article mistakenly attributed the second X-Men film to 'Peter Singer', that should, of course, read 'Bryan Singer' - the American film director. There is semi-famous Peter Singer (no known relation to Bryan) who is an unorthodox philosopher who publishes books specializing in meta-ethics and animal rights. To my knowledge Peter Singer has never made an X-Men movie. Thanks to my more astute readers for pointing that out, and for spotting my typo:-)