X-Men #23

Published in August 1966, X-Men #23 arrived during the formative Silver Age of Marvel Comics, a period defined by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s efforts to expand the mutant mythos. This issue was written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Werner Roth, working under the pseudonym Jay Gavin. The creative team focused on refining the internal dynamics of the original team as they continued to establish themselves within the broader Marvel Universe.

The narrative centers on the X-Men’s confrontation with the villainous Locust, a character intended to challenge the team's burgeoning sense of heroism. Werner Roth's artistic approach during this tenure was noted for a more grounded, traditional style compared to Kirby’s dynamic compositions, aiming to maintain narrative consistency during a time of editorial transition. While not as historically momentous as early issues featuring Magneto or the Brotherhood, it remains a characteristic example of the mid-1960s X-Men aesthetic.