X-Men #23 (Aug 66): To Save a CityCreative Team: edited in ecstasy by Stan Lee; written in rapture by Roy Thomas; drawn in delight by Werner Roth; delineated in depth by Dick Ayers; lettered in a lawn-chair by Artie Simek
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Marvel Girl
Synopsis: Nefaria creates a dome around Washington, DC. The US government immediately gives in (so much for not dealing with terrorists). The X-Men go to collect the ransom with the intention of stopping Nefaria. On their way back, they are attacked by the second rate supervillains, trying to get the cash for themselves. A three way battle breaks out between the X-Men, the villains, and the US Army. Marvel Girl gets away with the cash and delivers it to Nefaria, but a mysterious stranger gets the money back. Nefaria and the villains are captured. The stranger gives the money back to the government. It turns out to be Xavier, who created a special brace to help him walk. Marvel Girl gets a letter saying she has to leave the X-Men.
Yeah, but is it good? Our Avengers story continues and it's not too bad. Xavier's leg braces debut here and he uses them periodically throughout the early bads. The problem is it takes away the specialness of his character. He's the strongest mind on Earth, but has extreme physically limitations. But that's the Silver Age for ya.
Significata: Xavier creates braces to allow him to walk. Marvel Girl has to "leave the team". Werner Roth starts pencilling under his real name, dropping the Jay Gavin nom-du-plum.
