X-Men # 3 Jim Lee 1991 FN

X-Men # 3, titled "Fallout!", concludes the story arc begun in the first two issues, focusing on a climactic battle on Asteroid M that leads to the apparent sacrifice of Magneto. The issue, published in December 1991, was the final X-Men story written by the legendary Chris Claremont. 

The story in X-Men #3 resolves the conflict between the X-Men and Magneto while introducing a major twist regarding the villain Fabian Cortez and a dark secret from Moira MacTaggert's past. 

• Brainwashed X-Men: The Blue Team (Cyclops, Wolverine, Beast, Gambit, Rogue, and Psylocke), having been captured at the end of the previous issue, is on Asteroid M and seemingly brainwashed into following Magneto. Professor Charles Xavier, watching helplessly, realizes something is wrong.
• Gold Team's Arrival: The Gold Team (Storm, Jean Grey, Iceman, Colossus, Banshee, and Archangel) arrives on an undetectable spaceship to rescue their teammates, racing against a Russian plasma cannon that is targeting Asteroid M.
• The Battle and Revelation: The Gold Team confronts both the Acolytes and their own Blue Team teammates. During the fight, the X-Men of both teams gradually remember their true allegiances as their inherent heroic natures and powers override the subtle influence that had affected them.
• Cortez's Betrayal: It is revealed that Fabian Cortez had been manipulating Magneto, using his powers to boost Magneto's strength while secretly exacerbating his injuries to make him dependent on his "cures". Cortez escapes in an escape pod, triggering one of the nuclear warheads on Asteroid M and leaving Magneto to die.
• Magneto's Sacrifice: To give the X-Men time to escape the impending explosion and the plasma cannon's blast, Magneto pushes his powers to their absolute limit. He and the remaining loyal Acolytes stay behind on Asteroid M as it is destroyed, seemingly perishing in the blast.
• Moira MacTaggert's Secret: In a critical moment, Moira MacTaggert reveals a long-held secret: she had genetically manipulated Magneto when he was an infant in an attempt to curb his mutant powers and evil nature, though the process was ultimately unsuccessful. Professor Xavier was unaware of her actions. 

The issue ends with the X-Men escaping and the world believing Magneto to be dead, while Fabian Cortez remains at large, intending to use Magneto's martyrdom to rally more mutants to his cause.