X-Men #26

X-Men #26, published in November 1966, was part of the original Silver Age run of the series created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. At this stage in the title's history, the narrative centered on the core team of students grappling with the world's prejudice against mutants. The issue features the work of writer Roy Thomas and artist Werner Roth, who took over the book to establish a more grounded, character-driven aesthetic following Kirby's departure from pencils.

The story, titled 'The Vacant Chair', serves as a poignant transitional moment for the team as they process the temporary absence of their mentor, Professor Charles Xavier. This era of the series is frequently discussed by historians for how it attempted to balance superhero action with the interpersonal drama of the young mutants. While the issue remains a standard entry in the Lee-Thomas era, it is collected by enthusiasts for its contribution to the slow-burn development of the team's internal dynamics during the mid-1960s.