| Will Magnus | |
|---|---|
 Will Magnus as depicted in52 #49 (April 2007). Art byJ.G. Jones. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Showcase #37 (April 1962) |
| Created by | Robert Kanigher (writer) Ross Andru (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Dr. William Maxwell "Will" Magnus |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Metal Men Doom Patrol Science Squad |
| Notable aliases | Veridium |
| Abilities |
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Doctor William Maxwell "Will"Magnus is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics.[1] A brilliant scientist who occasionally suffers from debilitating mental illness, he is responsible for creating theMetal Men and serves as a general robotics expert among the superhero community. Magnus first appeared inShowcase #37 (April 1962), and was created byRobert Kanigher andRoss Andru.[2]
Magnus has been adapted into various media outside comics, including television series and films. He has been voiced byCorey Burton,C. Thomas Howell,Townsend Coleman,Phil LaMarr, andAlan Tudyk.
Will Magnus is an esteemed scientist and the creator of the Metal Men, who possess a form of artificial intelligence derived from "responsometers".[2] In an attempt to boost sales of the comic book, Magnus was temporarily reimagined as a fugitive bent on world conquest after a mad dictator brainwashes him.
The 1993Metal Men miniseries reveals that the responsometers were not responsible for the Metal Men's sentience and that the Metal Men were imprinted with the intellects and personalities of real people during a lab accident. At the climax of the miniseries, Gold is killed and Magnus mortally wounded. He transfers his consciousness into the green robotVeridium and becomes the leader of the Metal Men.
Following the 2005–2006 "Infinite Crisis" storyline, which retconned several aspects of DC's history, the "blank robots with responsometers" origin is stated to be the Metal Men's definitive origin while the "human personalities" origin and the 1993 miniseries are described as the byproduct of a mental breakdown suffered by Magnus. Additionally, Magnus created Plutonium Man, a titanic superweapon based on the Metal Men.Egg Fu kidnaps Magnus and forces him to make a new Plutonium Man, but he refuses to do so and instead recreates the Metal Men. However, his insanity affects the Metal Men and alters their personalities.[2][3][4][5]
In the 2011New 52 continuity reboot, Magnus creates the Metal Men to execute search and rescue missions that humans cannot tackle. The government forces the Metal Men to become assassins before Magnus recovers them.[6][7]
Normally, Will Magnus had no special abilities aside from his great intellect. His vast intelligence was responsible for the creation of the Metal Men, along with various other robots.
As Veridium, Magnus can manipulate heat and energy.[8]
An alternate universe variant of Will Magnus, with elements ofBolivar Trask, appears in theAmalgam Comics one-shotMagneto & the Magnetic Men.[9]
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