Villain: Magneto

First Appearance: Prof. Charles Xavier, Cyclops/"Slim" Summers, Angel/Warren Worthington III, The Beast/Hank McCoy, Iceman/Bobby Drake, Marvel Girl/Jean Grey, Magneto

Origin: X-Men

Gadgets & Technology: Danger Room (though not named as such); Magnetic Impulse Energizer

Letters Page: No letters page published in this issue.

Ms. Grey is ushered into the study where the boys all ogle her great beauty. They are all eager to see what her mutant power is, and she eventually begins moving objects around the room through telekenesis. Prof. X explains what the mission of the mutants is: to learn how to use their powers so they can protect the world of humankind from evil mutants.

At that very moment, the evil mutant Magneto is planning a diabolical scheme involving the United States missile arsenal. With his mutant powers of magnetic control, he is able to destroy a missile launch and create mayhem for the military. His demands include the surrender of the military base at Cape Citadel. They refuse his demands and Magneto attempts to take the base by force, alone! Unfortunately for the army, this is very easy for him to do.

Prof. X realizes there is a call for urgency, so he gathers his young charges and they suit up for battle for the first time as the X-Men.They are flown to Cape Citadel where Cyclops requests 15 minutes from the general to disarm Magneto. His request is granted and they set upon Magneto's power base. The Cape is now surrounded by a magnetic field, but Cyclops is able to breach it with his power blasts, which staggers Magneto. Once through the field, the X-Men launch an all-out assault. To defend himself, Magneto launches five Hunter missiles at them. The Angel is able to dodge them, and Iceman hurls snowballs at the missiles that bring several of them down. One still remains, and the Beast and Marvel Girl are able to safely dispose of it in the ocean.

Magneto, though impressed by their seeming skill, does not wait to strike again. He binds the Angel up in a mass of metal objects, which Cyclops is able to blast through. Magneto sparks a fire on a cannister of rocket fuel and propels it towards the X-Men, who are saved from the resulting explosion by Iceman and his ice shielding. Magneto assumes he has killed them, but they burst from the ground, attacking him in a full assault. Beating a retreat, Magneto flies away while blocking further pursuit with a massive magnetic field. Unable to breach it in time, the X-Men can't follow him, and the battle ends in a draw. The general thanks the X-Men profusely for their "uncanny" efforts, and promises their name will be honored forever for their deeds.

--synopsis and panel images by Gormuu