Uncanny X-Men #23

Uncanny X-Men #23 was published in August 1966 during the original run of the series, created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Werner Roth. At this stage in the title's history, the X-Men were struggling to find a consistent creative identity following the departure of co-creator Jack Kirby, with Roth adopting a cleaner, more conventional aesthetic that contrasted with Kirby’s dynamic dynamism.

The issue features the return of the Locust, a villain who utilizes a specialized suit to consume all biological energy in his path. This story reflects the era's preoccupation with science fiction threats and the evolving nature of the X-Men as a team fighting against isolation, serving as a quintessential example of mid-sixties Marvel storytelling before the series shifted into the more experimental themes that defined its later revival.