X-Men (1963) #24

Cover by Werner Roth

Cover Date: September 1966

On-Sale Date: June 1966

Synopsis: Jean goes off to Metro College, and the X-Men fight the Locust.

CHRONOLOGICAL NOTES

Page 1

Last issue, Marvel Girl got a letter from her parents telling her that they were sending her to a different college. After reading the letter she said that she'd be leaving the X-Men "tomorrow", so this story is beginning the day after last issue.

Jean says on the next page that the reason her parents want her to go to college is that she formally graduated from Xavier's "some time ago".  That was in X-Men (1963) #7, which I have in May of XY 0.  By my timeline that's over a year ago, so it's not like Jean's parents are rushing her out the door or anything.

Note that Angel here thinks he's been in love with Jean for months.  By my timeline, they first met about a year-and-a-half ago, which works nicely.

Page 3, panel 1

Angel says that it's Summer. Last issue was explicitly set in June, so that fits.  The Human Torch is said to be starting at Metro in Fall, probably in late August or September.

Page 8, panel 5

August Hopper (aka the Locust) was fired by Metro College last semester for pursuing "crackpot theories" to do with the growth of insects.  That firing probably happened between X-Men (1963) #13 and #14. He since got a job with Ryan Chemical.

Page 7, panels 1 and 2

This issue marks the first appearance of the Locust, and his first confrontation with the X-Men. He is sadly not to become a recurring foe, although he does come back much later in an issue of X-Factor.  (How has this guy never fought Ant-Man?)

Page 10, panel 3

It's the weekend, so Jean is able to come back to the mansion and help the team fight the Locust.

Page 12, panel 1

Jean notes here that she has only been away for a few days.

COUNTING THE DAYS

This story takes place over about six days in Summer (probably late June).

• Day 1 (probably Monday):
• Page 1 to 4: Jean leaves, Cyclops and Angel drive her to Metro College, she meets Ted Roberts, the Locust attacks a farm with giant insects
• The Locust attacks a bunch more farms during the night.
• Day 2 (probably Tuesday):
• Page 5 to 8.2: The X-Men investigate, fight and capture some giant locusts, and leave before the army arrives
• A few days later (probably Friday):
• During this time the Locust works on making his insect growth magno-ray portable.
• Page 8.3 to 9: August Hopper causes a scene at the college cafeteria, and experiments with insects in his lab
• Next day (weekend, probably Saturday):
• Page 10 to 20: The X-Men (with Jean) battle the Locust and his insects, and convince him of the error of his ways. Xavier disguises himself as a hobo for some reason.