Uncanny X-Men #28

Uncanny X-Men #28, published in January 1967, emerged during the formative years of the original mutant team. Written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Werner Roth, the issue continues the series' exploration of social outsiders. During this era, the title struggled to find the massive commercial success that would later define the franchise, often focusing on episodic conflicts rather than the long-form character development that would characterize later runs.

The artwork by Werner Roth, who often worked under the pseudonym Jay Gavin, provided a consistent aesthetic for the early X-Men titles following Jack Kirby’s initial departure. The narrative centers on the team's encounter with the mysterious Factor Three, a recurring antagonist group of the mid-1960s. At the time of its release, the comic was part of a competitive landscape where Marvel was still establishing its house style and expanded character roster, receiving modest attention from the contemporary readership.