Promising start, poor resolution
This issue is off to a good start while covering further interactions between the X-Men and introducing some defining character traits. Stan Lee has obviously given further thought concerning who his protagonists are.
*In previous issues Cyclops went by the name "Slim Summers". This time he is given an actual first name, "Scott". The previous issues already established he was both among the most powerful X-Men and easily the most serious. This one establishes that the reason for all this seriousness is worry. Worry of what would happen if he ever lost control of his powers, worry of seriously hurting anyone. Also this issue further develops his attraction to Jean. He has fallen for her but dares not attempt a relationship, fearing what his power could do. Iceman gives his over-serious teammate some amusing nicknames, "prune-face", "poker face", etc.
*Beast was already established as the physically strongest member of the team but not much else was established about him. This issue establishes him as an intellectual with scholarly aspirations, while strong enough to knock out a gorilla in combat. He also provides much of the verbal humor here.
*First hint of Angel being more affluent than his teammates. He has his own fancy car while most of the others simply walk. He also assertively transports Jean to his vehicle, never bothering asking her or his teammates. The male teammates here view him as rather onboxious and Cyclops thoughts about him are rather venomous. "Arrogant Braggert" and the temptation to let him have it.
*Not much work on Iceman but he now competes with the others over Jean's company. Previously he was not acting particularly friendly to her.
*Jean seems to like Scott and volunteers to partner with him in the ongoing mission, but ends up accepting Warren's less-than-subtle invitation. She later single-handedly frees herself and her captive teammates using her telekinesis. Though the scenes where Professor X reminds her of her abilities were at best peculiar if not unneeded.
*Professor X has some development here too. He has romantic feelings for Jean but feels inadequate because of his crippled legs. Not that the mentor-student relationship and age difference would not pose problems, but neither of the two is mentioned here. He acts a bit rather overconfident when inviting Blob to join the ranks, never figuring the young man could refuse. When he nexts tries to have him seized, Blob realizes hostilities have opened.
Which brings us to the main problem of the issue, the Blob's characterization and motivation. The issue establishes him as a circus performer who uses his abilities to earn a modest living. He is quite confident in his abilities and believes nothing could really hurt him. He really has no reason to like the X-Men, his first impression of them being Cyclops threatening him: "I was sent to bring you to their headquarters. And the X-Men don't take no for an answer". Way to go Cyclops, you sound like your average enforcer. The only reason Blob follows them is because he is interested in Jean. He agrees to a testing of his powers but flatly refuses an invitation to join. When they go after him, he reacts accordingly. Up till now he sounds like your average Joe responding to direct threats by virtual strangers. If the characterization was kept, this would be a damn good issue.
It isn't. He returns to his circus, takes control of it and then uses his fellow performers as a private army. He has just found he is not a freak but a mutant, and yet starts proclaiming himself "Homo Superior" and seems more fanatic about it than either Magneto or the Vanisher. No explanation ever given why. He goes from regular to super-villain mode within a few pages. His fellow performers start acting as hardened criminals without explanation, casually invading Xavier's mansion. Weren't they earning an honest living ten minutes before? The change is far too abrapt to be believable. Not that Stan Lee bothers with establishing much about the characters, only three members are ever named.
The fight has its moments but some scenes would probably deserve better art. Cyclops takes down a charging elephant, Beast overcomes a gorilla, it takes a small army to take down Jean. It sounds exciting but the art seems average at best. The issue has promising concepts. It just doesn't handle them very well.
