The X-Men #108

Published by Marvel Comics in December 1977, The X-Men #108 serves as a pivotal chapter in the Chris Claremont and John Byrne run that revitalized the franchise. This issue concludes the multi-part 'Starjammers' saga, bringing the X-Men into the cosmic scope of the Shi'ar Empire. It was conceived during a period where the creative team was aggressively shifting the X-Men from secondary characters into the cornerstone of Marvel's science fiction storytelling, emphasizing character-driven melodrama amidst interstellar stakes.

The artwork, rendered by John Byrne and inked by Terry Austin, is frequently cited by historians as the beginning of the pair's definitive collaboration. Byrne’s clean, kinetic lines combined with Austin’s meticulous ink work established the 'house style' for Marvel’s prestige titles throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. Upon release, the issue was well-received by a growing readership that was beginning to appreciate the series’ increasingly sophisticated narrative structure and the seamless integration of cosmic scale with personal character development.