X-Men #18, page 19

Many thanks, Bill. Yes, he is in my book too. It was very fortunate that he took over the reins of this book from Kirby when he did (after a couple of issues when Toth and Sinnott pitched in first). 

My bad, I think that Roth in fact began pencilling with Kirby layouts on the Sinnott issue I was thinking of (issue 13), and where Sinnott was the inker. There was only one interim issue between Kirby and Roth where Toth was inked (with respect, with unfortunate overall results) by Colletta (in issue 12).

Jay Gavin was way better than Werner Roth and in your top 5. 

Marcus, LOL! Not everyone will get this as pen names are uncommon nowadays.

Fantastic early page with not one, but two great team shots.  And of course Magneto, who is to the X-Men what Doctor Doom is to the FF.  Pretty much everything you could ask for in this excellent vintage example.

Many thanks, Eric. Given the prices today and the fact that I had a few pages from this era, I might have passed, save for the fact that this page really had, as you correctly point out, everything on it. 

Man, this is such a great page! Classic X-Men storytelling at its best. Roth really knew how to balance action, drama, and suspense. I love how the layouts flow so smoothly, keeping the eye moving across the page effortlessly. That panel with The Stranger looming over the cosmic backdrop is especially striking and you can 'hear' the tension in Magneto’s voice when he realizes he’s in trouble. The inking here is nice as well. Those bold lines on Xavier’s face in panel three really add weight to the moment. The last panel, do I REALLY need to say anything? Kudos on another fine acquisition, CAB!

Many thanks, Rubén. Once again, your description is so much better than mine! And, yes, the inking is so important. When Colletta inked Toth in issue 12 and Roth in issue 14, the overall impact was so much less impressive. I was so glad when Ayers began inking Roth from issue 15.

Look at that corny dialogue in the pencil notes instead what was actually used in the end.  It goes to show the Marvel method only took shape after the artists did their magic and Stan could tune it to the artwork.  Awesome content with the Prof X and Magneto confrontation.   The final panel is a cover worthy image!

Many thanks, Marcus. A very good point about the pencil notes. And, yes, it was that final panel that finally persuaded me to try for the piece.

What can I add to those who've already commented but X-ceptional! The first thing I zoomed in on was the top margin dialogue, even before that last panel. Which is fine, because then it gave me plenty of time afterwards to just stare at that last panel. The only thing missing is an Imperial star destroyer. Then again, probably just right without one. Congrats!

Many thanks, Jeff. Yes, the margin notes are extremely interesting in their own right. And as for an Imperial Star Destroyer, Darth Vader says, "I say thee, Nay!"

Stunning!

Many thanks, Corey. I trust that you are keeping well.

Fabulous page. The 1st panel in the 2nd row feels like it came out of a 19th century European folk tale book. Congrats on the pick up!

Fabulous page. The 1st panel in the 2nd row feels like it came out of a 19th century European folk tale book. Congrats on the pick up!

Many thanks, Duke. That's an interesting observation indeed.

What a fantastic page - love the menacing Magneto in the first panel and the great team shot in the last in particular!

Many thanks, Gene. As mentioned, this page has all the elements that one would look for in a classic X-Men page of that vintage.

Your Roth IRA is showing nice dividends ;)

Unfortunately, Rick, this was purchased fairly recently ... But it is a really nice page.

I love these old pages - great stuff. Congrats.

Many thanks, Andy. I may be somewhat nostalgic myself, but these pages are really so well-crafted.

Wow!   Love seeing these early history pages and all the cool extras we see on the sides of the panels.  Cheers!

Many thanks, James. Yes, the marginal notes are really cool and provide an insight into how the story was planned and how it ultimately unfolded.

the artwork by both Roth and Ayers is fantastic and many above me have specified the reasons why better than I can but for me the classic X-Men character moments especially between Magneto and Professor Xavier along the top row of panels (in addition to the final panel team shot) are what make this example so memorable. even the Stan Lee dialogue between them is very heated and poignant, with each other calling the other a victim. a stellar example of silver age X-Men storytelling and visuals. congrats!

Many thanks, Kavi. As I mentioned above, the final panel was the element that tipped the scales in favor of trying for this particular page.

The Magna-car was seldom seen in the Marvel Universe but it is still Mr. Bean's arch nemesis.

Is Bean Friend or Foe in the Marvel Universe?

With Bean it is always hard to tell.

Mr Bean's Mini beats the Magna-car any day!

Bean is beyond the Marvel Universe! He is in a category all by himself!

Somehow Prof X's suggected dialogue, "Sorry, ol' chap..." never made it into the final word balloons in panel 1. Mighty Marvel Mystery 1,000,000. Lol.

Peter, LOL! The marginal notes are a real gas!

Fantatsic page from top to bottom! 

Many thanks, James. Yes, this page had it all for me - and tempted me into trying for it.

All of the original X-Men!  The first Villain!  This is just fantastic!

Many thanks, Nick. And the artwork was pretty much of the same high standard as the previous issues (including the Sentinels trilogy) as Jack Kirby only drew the layouts in those issues in any event.

That 4th panel is quite hypnotic!

Many thanks, Mark. It was in fact such an innovative way of depicting what was happening.

it can´t be more classic! A small portion of Silver Age history, The first panel with Magneto and that last panel with the whole team are just Marvel iconography! That¡s delicious my friend.

Thank you so much, Toni. What an absolutely wonderful and succinct summary! And it is still very early in the run as well.

Love the layout--very dynamic storytelling! Roth sometimes gets overlooked, but he was terrific. 

Many thanks, Lloyd. I totally agree that Roth was an excellent artist and was very sadly underrated by many.

any thanks, Jason - especially since this comment comes from the consummate X-Men collector!

Just great. I love the panel of showing Professor X's image of The Stranger. Classic!

Many thanks, Ron. Yes, it's such a powerful and unique image and captures so very much within just a single panel.

Great page, congrats! Pay attention to huge margin notes written by Roth, he not only drew it but he wrote the plotted it, as usual in the Marvel Method at the SIlver Age. Back then, if you couldn't plot, you weren't hired.

Many thanks, Ferran. The margin notes of old are always so fascinating.

Notice that Roth even suggested lines of dialogue.

Congratulations CAB! Fantastic piece. All the principle characrters and Magneto to boot,  and a wonderful last panel. Truely a stellar example of a Roth's run.