X-Men #49

Published in October 1968, X-Men #49 serves as a significant turning point in the Silver Age of comics, arriving during a period when the title was struggling with stagnant sales. Written by Arnold Drake and illustrated by Don Heck and Werner Roth, the issue features the iconic cover art by Jim Steranko, who brought a modern, psychedelic sensibility to the character's visual presentation. This specific installment is best known for the introduction of Lorna Dane, later known as Polaris, as part of an attempt to revitalize the team's lineup and narrative momentum.

The creative direction of this era was marked by a desire to push the X-Men away from their initial school-based origins toward more complex, dramatic storytelling. Despite the innovative contributions of creators like Steranko, the series was ultimately heading toward a temporary hiatus in publication for new material shortly after this run. Collectors frequently seek out this issue for its historical role in expanding the X-Men's internal roster and its connection to the bold, experimental design language that defined Marvel’s late-sixties aesthetic.